Flats rod

[breambasher]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at getting a rod about 7 foot rated to about 1-3kg for using over flats, mainly casting hb's, but would probablly throw a few sp's on it occasionally. Would love to know what rod you use in this instance or what you might recommend??

Cheers

[breambasher]

By the way money isnt really a option at the moment, I am willing to spend what I need for it to be worth it

[Bear]

Having fished the Walpole flats a lot over the last 18 months I've been doing exactly what you're looking to do. I use the 7' BD Flats Ranger 1-3kg. Casts really well and has the power when you need it. I've tried a few others in the same weight range and keep coming back to it.

[Brad Y]

Ive had enough of recommending rods. Seems as if everyone has sponsorships to push their rods or have rod building stuff to satisfy their own and others needs and it all gets pushed too much. Me included, i know.

So for the best advice you will ever find, go to a tackle shop, take a reel and have a good feel for yourself. Custom rods you will have to meet up with someone who has one to see how they feel.

Good luck

[Bear]

And tackle shops won't try to push what they sell???? Get real Brad. If I don't think it's any good I won't recommend it. BD or not.

My Reaper is there to be tried by any one who wishes, I stand by my recommendations.

[bucaneer]

Bear,
I am with you on that one. If I didn't think BD rods weren't the ducks nuts, I wouldn't use or recommend them. My association with BD rods is not a commercial one, and I do not sell rods.Previously many an angler has suggested that in Victoria a problem with BD rods is that they have to buy them blind, as they are not stocked in shops. I receive some support from BD in return for making my rods available for inspection (and playing with) by prospective buyers. Once you have looked at my rods, the decision is yours, and if you want one, talk to Cindy.
Regardless of association, I do personally regard BD rods as the best money can buy, and would continue to recommend that people make sure they do seriously consider them.
Cheers,
Andy

[bucaneer]

Sorry to get off topic Breambasher. I agree with Bear about the Flats Ranger, and if you don't mind dropping to a 6'6" rod, the new ultra light Bream Reaper is a ball tearer. I recently purchased one of these, and christened it on a 43cm fork length bream, which had to be pulled from a large snag pile. I was crapping fish hooks the whole time because 1-3 kg rods aren't supposed to do that Simply the best bream stick I have used to date, bar none
Cheers,
Andy

[seamonkey]

hey Andy

How do you find the distance by going to the 6'6"...any great loss over the 7'? Both rods are fairly similar in action aren't they?

Cheers
Smky

[bucaneer]

The difference in casting distance would be minimal. Without doing a direct comparison, you may get an extra metre out of the Flats Ranger. The big difference is in the action, with the Flats Ranger having a delightful soft action, ideal for softies, but still throws small hard bodies a mile. The ultra light Bream Reaper is still very light in action, but has a crispness to it, making it ideal for both softies and hard bodies. I must say that when I first unpacked this rod, I was struggling to find anything special about it. It was only when I got on the water that I started to fall in love with it. Both the Flats Ranger and Bream Reaper are "swizzle sticks", but both share incredible grunt low down in the blank for doing the hard stuff. You can cast with them all day, with the FR weighing 68 gms, and the BR at 64 gms.
Cheers,
Andy

[Hotrods]

BB if u can offer any advise it would be his, look @ the whole outfit NOT just the rod...distance, balance, weight and performance are not attributed to just 1 part of the rig.

so for the benifit of those offereing suggestions. what reel are or will you be using and what line class, braid, fused or mono...as it all has a bearing on the final outcome...

Cheers HR

[Hotrods]

Originally Posted by bucaneer

Both the Flats Ranger and Bream Reaper are "swizzle sticks", Cheers,Andy

Giving ME a free plug now Buc ??? lol

[bucaneer]

Fair comment Hotrods. For the record, I am using an Airity 2000 on the BR, and a Luvius 2000 on my FR, both running 6 lb. Spiderwire Stealth. The difference between the casting distance between them was an educated guess.
Cheers,
Andy

[Hotrods]

sound right Buc, i know once i got the balance right, i can get pretty much the same distance out of my Stalker 601LF as i can get out of my SSELITE 701LXF, using the same weight and line...
BUT on that note i do prefer the 7' when on the flats and using poppers, bugs and the like i can get the line higher off the water and direct to the lure in most situations and keep from spooking any fish that i may run over with the lure

[breambasher]

Thanks for your reply's guys. @ HR- I havent thought too much thought into what reel is going to go on it yet, but I was thinking of getting something with a lower retrieval per crank ratio to make it a bit more finesse, which I think would help in slowly cranking a hb in alot of different circumstances and some other reasons, and yes I would be running braid on it, not sure what type, but would be fairly light, like 4lb or lower. @ bucaneer I already have a 6'6 2-4kg rated rod and sounds like it does what the UL bream reaper does, which is not something I want if you refer back to my original post I want something for the flats.... but thanks anyway.

[bucaneer]

Originally Posted by Hotrods

Giving ME a free plug now Buc ??? lol

Hey, hadn't thought of that , but hell, take it while it's hot