budget minded flats style rod

[junior_fisho]

what sort of flats rod's are there out there with out a fancy price tag?
(lets say $200 absolute max.)

[Simmsy]

give either the shimano starlo stix range a go or berkeley dropshot also.


starlo stix - tournament pro spin
STP 731 Lite Spin

[fats212]

Is second hand an option. There is a Black Diamond Flats Ranger in the classifieds (its mine) that could be had for that money.

Those rods retail for more than $400 and as the name suggests is built specifically for flats fishing.

Its also in mint condition.

Shameless plug over.

[Noddy]

My vote would be a Berkley Dropshot, I own a 6'6" 2-4kg Dropshot rod and have been totally impressed with it. I did buy a Struddy Sic stick 7' 1-3kg about 1 yr after getting the dropshot and have found the dropshot to be lighter and more sensitive than the Sic Stick, even thought I realise it's one of Strudwick's lower end rods I have tried a soft bodz and sicstick pro and have realised that an expensive rod doesn't mean you'll catch more fish. I'd recommend a 7' Dropshot 2-4kg for flats fishing and can honestly say that this will be the next rod that I'l' be buying in the future.

HTH, Noddy.

[grayson. d]

hi mate

i use a Strudwick SicStik pro rated 2-4 kg, 7ft, for my flats work, and it is an awesome rod. really light and sensitive, the slightly stiffer 2-4kg as opposed to the 1-3kg is great for fishing hardbodies. if you are going for a flats stick, dont go anyhting under 7ft, it is just so much better being able to cover that extra ground, whih can turn over that big bream.

[ruski]

Look for a secondhand loomis, or a nitro or something. There's always quality rods popping up at good prices from guys who are constantly changing/upgrading.

[Brad Y]

What are you going to be fishing with it??? Hards or softs?

If your after a plastics flats rod, then I would go a fast and stiff 1-3kg rod and go a softer and slower 2-4kg for hard bodies.

Dropshots are good plastic rods and for the hards, I would look at some of the daiwa heartlands and procasters.

[Mark M]

Junior

Fat's 2nd hand Flats Ranger is a great buy, PM him and check out the condition of the rod (he is also in Melbourne).

Looks like he will take $200.

http://www.breammaster.com/forum/sho...threadid=17033

Bargain hard

[fats212]

I will take $200, but not a penny less. I already have my pants around my ankles at that price. $200 is much lower than I originally asked for it.

[junior_fisho]

but none of these rods have the short rear butt.

this is what I thought was a "flats rod"

BTW thanks for all the replies

[Mark M]

Originally posted by junior_fisho
but none of these rods have the short rear butt.

this is what I thought was a "flats rod"

Junior the 1-3 Flats Ranger has a short butt grip, see the quote from Fats' thread...""Same short grip, same blank, same action and all that....""

See the pic below of the CPlus version, courtesy of the BD website.
http://www.blackdiamondrods.com/index.php?rods/cplus

[yeungy]

im currently selling my 7'' t-curve tournament EL for $140 very soft and low actioned rod.

[luke_H]

"but none of these rods have the short rear butt."
this can be quickly and easily fixed with a coping saw
i havent noticed much change in the balance of the rod after removing the rear grip either so its something to think about.
maybe try and get hold of a tcurve, not sure what they retail for these days but its definately around $200.
really nice rods and they have a butt section shorter than most

[junior_fisho]

thanks mark m but i dnt think i can pull $200 out whithin fats212 quick sale time

[Brad Y]

Mate for flats fishing you dont want a short grip. You want to punch out long double handed casts so a linger grip will be better for this. If you want a short grip, I would be looking at using it for finesse plastics work.