Daiwa Luvias matched to what Rod?

[Captain]

Okay guys I think I have settled on getting a Luvias 2000 size reel now what rod?

This is going to be my main torney outfit, the rod has to be at least 7 foot with cork grips to the end of the butt (no plastic stoppers)
I am mostly looking at an Ian miller rod but was wondering what would be available with these features.

This rod is for softies 1/22 and 1/16 weights.

Cheers
Captain

[jimi]

Captain, I have a 7ft Black Diamond bream reaper which does everything you describe. It's my main softies rod these days. I can cast everything from unweighted plastics up to 1/8oz jigheads with ease.

The only problem is it has a plastic butt cap (I assume that is what you mean by a plastic stopper?) which you say you don't want. It may be hard to find a rod that doesn't use a plastic butt cap. The struddy TPS's (another great choice for you) and Ian Millers are the only ones that come to mind.

What is it you don't like about plastic ends on rods?

You are looking at around $430 for a BD and around the same for a Struddy.

Cheers
James

[Captain]

Thanks Jimi for the reply, yeah the plastic butt cap, is not to my liking.

It's probably not a big issue but it's just something I prefer, especailly in in tight situations, less wear and tear on the fore arm.

Cheers
Captain

[Bassifier]

What type of rod do you favour now, with that knowledge I can advise you a little better...

I'm personally a huge fan of the Black Diamond range (that’s why I took up sponsorship with them:D ;) )
I adore the Flats ranger 2-5 kg as it’s a nice fast rod with a light tip, but the Bream Reaper may be better if you want a more moderate rod.

There is also the option to go with the "Plus" version of a black diamond rod, now these are really the bee’s knees:) :);) ;)

Take the time to check them out, you will be pleasantly surprised and I reckon Steve can sort out the butt cap issue for you:)

www.blackdiamondrods.com

[jimi]

Hi Richard, I'm a big fan of these rods too. What is the BD "plus" version all about? Sounds interesting.

James.

[Bear]

Just got my Flats Ranger in Richard. Had some great fun with it on whiting on plastics. Yet to giveit a go on Bream.

It has a very different feel than the BR 6'6".

Have a look at the Loomis range of IMX rods. They are VERY sexy rods.

Dave

[Cindy]

First: Captain: Steve can build you a cork butt cap or something else you prefer.

On the "custom plus": these have not been officially released yet but some of our anglers are using them. (Sean/Bear has one in WA.) As soon as our next shipment of Black Diamond custom- made guides are here from Batson Enterprises USA (Rainshadow, our blank manufacturer), we will officially release this new series. The Custom PLus will have diifferent guides and reel seats than our standard Technus Pro rods (which have Fuji alconites and reel seats). These rods will be for those who want to upgrade but can't afford a TE rod. The components will be the same as on the TE but the blank will not. Our TE's are made on RX8 (Rainshadow's top of the line 51 mill modulus). Our main stable Technus Pros are made on excellent RX7 (43 mill modulus).

The guides on the Custom Plus are Forecast and are custom made for Black Diamond (made by Rainshadow). They are titanium nitride plated zirconium rings in titanium carbide plated frames. The ring will come in two colours (1) shiney gunsmoke (2) blue. They have a different frame style than the standard known guides. Steve is doing some great experiments with these guides and these notes will be posted on our site in the future. The guides are aesthetically attractive and also slick as. Top quality stuff from Rainshadow.

The deluxe reel seats are also Forecast/Rainshadow in a shiney gunsmoke finish.

For roughly $50 more you can get this custom package on the Technus Pro models.

Also, separate from this topic: Batson Enterprises have added many exciting new Forecast blank models to their range which will be a treat for rodbuilders. We will keep you posted when our next shipment comes in. They will include some of the SB models, SJ'S and MB's to name a few. Also, 5 piece fly rod blanks.

If you need to contact us for more info, please drop us a note
info@blackdiamondrods.com
Cheers,
Cindy & Steve Ross

[Captain]

I looking for a fast action rod with plenty of sensitivity but not too soft in the tip.

Most of my technique is lift and drop, some twich around pontoons and boats, with most hook ups on the drop, so I want to be able to lift the rod (not jerk) to set the hook imediately when i feel that resistance, yet still want to feel any touches (although I rely on the firelines visibility as well).



Are there any dealers here in Brisbane that may have a few rods I could look at the Flats Ranger sound interesting.

Cheers
Captain

[Bassifier]

Originally posted by Bear
Just got my Flats Ranger in Richard. Had some great fun with it on whiting on plastics. Yet to giveit a go on Bream.

It has a very different feel than the BR 6'6".

Different but amazing!!! Wait till you get one of those WA bruisers on it:D :D :D ;)

[chris_lemess]

No matter what, you're going to get hundreds of opinions here.

My best suggestion is to go and stick that reel on each one of these;

Miller Bream Buster
top end Black Diamond
top end Strudwick (TPS / Finnesse, whatever)
Loomis GL3 and IMX

take your reel in, load the rod up with line through, and generally go over each one thoroughly. DON'T buy the first one you see without looking at others - we're talking $400+ rods - of course they're going to feel nice!

Your other option, which IMO would be the best, is to get a custom rod built to your exact specifications. You can have top componentry on it instead of being given what you get with an off-the-shelf rod.

Make sure you give most of if not all of them a shot before buying.

cheers

Chris

[Bassifier]

Thats some fine advice from Chris there, get out and pick em up!

[Cindy]

Captain,
You can have a look at Tackle Warehouse in Brisbane or better yet call Matt Fraser on : 0407 132 153. He is in Brisbane and you could have a cast of the rods in a better set-up. No pressure. Just a chance to check out the rods. He has a fair number of them.
Cheers,
Cindy

[Captain]

Thanks everyone for the replies and information it looks like I've got some following up to do.

You've all been a great help.

Cheers
Captain

[micko]

I have this exact reel and have just got a G Loomis BRONZE BACK i think the model number is smr 750 s its 4-8lb and 6'3" tall comes with a loop reel seat check one out im impressed:D

cheers mick

I have been doin a bit of searching myself after seeing a BronzeBack loomis at Compleat's in Melbourne City.
They are the SmallMouth Bass range. Awesome looking and feeling rods made specifically by Loomis for softplastics. If you can find some in the right length and power for what you want, well worth looking at!

Dave

[Geoff R]

Whatever you get it's gotta feel right to you, i have fished with guys and girls that swear by Loomis, Black Diamond, Strudwick and Miller Rods. I don't think you would go wrong with either of these, and of course the benefits of Black Diamond and i believe Miller Rods is that you can add your own personal touches to each and every rod.
There are a plethora to choose from however and a good way to find the one you want is to take in your spooled up Luvias and run some line through the guides. Have a feel the way it loads up, how it recovers after you give it a little twitch etc, make sure it feels nice in your hand.
Myself after fishing with various rods in my relatively short angling experience, i now know what i want in rod for a specific purpose like throwing soft plastics in that weight range. Perhaps you should ask yourself that, when your holding the rod in your hand and see if it feels like it will do what you want.
Every one is differant and we all like differant things, good luck to you.
regards Geoff P

[mundz]

hi captain i actually work at the DohDohDohDohDoh all sports in brisbane at macgregor and he have a few of the strudwick sps rods, they retail for $240 and are excellent rods i have the 6'6' 1-3kg rod and it is perfect for softplastics i got mine for $160 cause of employee discount but if u wanted to come in and have a look i'm sure we could do a better price and we do have some 7' models but cant remember what line rating they are