Shimano Trevala rods......(for rockfishing)

Finally got mine (after a month of deliberating) and got to test it out on the OP Derby. Had the pleasure of testing the rod on a bat ray - caught with Bill's magical hand pured fish trap    I was truly impressed with the rod! I had it set up on a  3-way rig - had a 4 ounce jig with a fish trap on the bottom - to target Halibut and I had a barrel swivel with an 18 inch leader sliding up and down the main line with a live shiner on a live bait hook - to target stripers. There was no love form the Stripers or Halibut but the Bat Ray did give the rod a test!

The rod is short but it's the light weight that really appeals to me - especially if your jigging the rod all day with a 4-6 ounce weight on it  And even is the rod is short, IMO: you don't really need a long rod when fishing for rockfish or Halibut - since they tend to fight up and down the water column - unlike stripers or salmon = that tend to run AWAY from the yak.

I'm looking forward to Fred and Chuck's opinion - I'm not sure if they got to test their rods yet 

Erik K. = what are your thoughts?

I give this rod a " "

more info:
Trevala Butterfly Jigging Conventional
Winner of American Sportfishing Associations, ICAST New Product Showcase Award for Best in Category Rod
Construction

Shimano TC4 Construction
Components

New Concept Fuji Alconite and Fuji Hardloy guides
Fuji reel seat
Custom shaped EVA foregrip and reargrip for comfort and balance while jigging
Gudebrod thread wrapped guides for added strength
Convenient hook keeper
Gimbal with removable butt cap on selected models
Warranty

Limited Lifetime Warranty 
 
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302039152&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181270&bmUID=1147898281010

Mooch-

I already broke mine in at Tahoe. Didn't get a chance to really get a feel for it under heavy conditions though. I can't wait to use it on a big ling or but though. That'll be fun. So far, I liked it alot. I mated it with my Avet SX and that combo is so light, I was jigging a lot with just one hand. My only gripe is the length. I like to be able to swing the rod over the bow or stern if needed. But, like you said... I may not need to do that much. I'll only be using it for rock fishing and for buts most likely. Not bad for $100.00...

Freddie

This is what I got - (my rod is paired with a Shimano / Cardiff reel - loaded with 40# power pro with 20 ft of 20# trilene big game mono)

TVC-66M 6'6" Medium Medium Fast 30-80 75-200 1 5.5" 14.0" T+8

Do you have the same one?

Mooch, these really are some very nice blanks... a really nice niche filled by Shimano. 

While my opinion of the whole "butterfly jig" phenomenon is that it's more hype than anything else (I mean c'mon... like vertical jigging is something new... and as if I'm going to pay $20 for a jig...), I like the rods for being light, strong, and crisp.  The blank construction is of excellent quality and the components are decent as well. 

I laugh at how they highlight the fact that the guides are wrapped with Gudebrod brand thread... so is almost every other rod on the face of the planet.  Marketing spin...

With the amount of marketing that Shimano has been pouring into this line of rods, I really think that Shimano should have built these rods with spiral or "acid" guide placement.  It would have definitely enhanced the performance of these rods even further (eliminating torque and creating an inherintly stable rod).

My personal preference for jigging, though, is to have a faster action rod.  A rod with a fast action will require less effort on the part of the angler to impart action to the jig because there is less flex in the rod.  These rods have a moderate action, which makes them extremely forgiving and quickly places the stress on the butt section of the rod when under full load.  This, along with way the blanks are constructed (graphite and T-glass composite) is how they get away with the ridiculous line ratings on the rods. 

I really do wish I could buy these blanks, but they don't sell just the blanks.  I've  had a few customers request "trevala-like" rods and I may be ordering some blanks from a japanese manufactuer that are designed for "vertical jigging".  We'll see how they stack up.

Overall, I think these rods are an excellent value and can be an excellent addition to the arsenal.  And that's coming from a certified rod snob.

Erik 

Mooch, these really are some very nice blanks... a really nice niche filled by Shimano.

While my opinion of the whole "butterfly jig" phenomenon is that it's more hype than anything else (I mean c'mon... like vertical jigging is something new... and as if I'm going to pay $20 for a jig...), I like the rods for being light, strong, and crisp. The blank construction is of excellent quality and the components are decent as well.

I laugh at how they highlight the fact that the guides are wrapped with Gudebrod brand thread... so is almost every other rod on the face of the planet. Marketing spin...

With the amount of marketing that Shimano has been pouring into this line of rods, I really think that Shimano should have built these rods with spiral or "acid" guide placement. It would have definitely enhanced the performance of these rods even further (eliminating torque and creating an inherintly stable rod).

My personal preference for jigging, though, is to have a faster action rod. A rod with a fast action will require less effort on the part of the angler to impart action to the jig because there is less flex in the rod. These rods have a moderate action, which makes them extremely forgiving and quickly places the stress on the butt section of the rod when under full load. This, along with way the blanks are constructed (graphite and T-glass composite) is how they get away with the ridiculous line ratings on the rods.

I really do wish I could buy these blanks, but they don't sell just the blanks. I've had a few customers request "trevala-like" rods and I may be ordering some blanks from a japanese manufactuer that are designed for "vertical jigging". We'll see how they stack up.

Overall, I think these rods are an excellent value and can be an excellent addition to the arsenal. And that's coming from a certified rod snob.

Erik

I totally agree with Erik's expert comments.  For me, this rod would be near perfect if it was "acid wrapped".  I'm hoping Erik will produce his own version of this rod someday.

My Trevala rod (rated for 30-80# braided line) is matched with a high speed 6.1:1 Diawa Sealine X20 reel loaded with 30# PowerPro.  I used it for the first time at Big Sur a few weeks ago.  It's extremely forgiving with spectra.  And since spectra doesn't stretch, the rod must do the work of absorbing the shock of a hot fish.  The Trevala does a great job.  I felt like I lost less fish that day.

Like Freddie, I was apprehensive about using a shorter 6-1/2' rod at first, but its size does have advantages like being easier to handle, easier to stow, and better for bringing fish in close to net or gaff..

Other pros...

-reasonably priced
-super light
-ergonomic, narrow trigger grip fits small hands more rod holders better
-the pattern of the blank really shines in the sunlight 
-Shimano's lifetime warranty

Damn... I can't believe I gave in to Shimano's marketing hype again.... 

My dad wanted a salt water spinning rod I  showed him the trevala spinning rod and he fell in love. We matched it witha diawa capricorn 4500SA. he hasent got a chance to use it but I think it will work really well.  as far as the jigs they arent unbeliveable bit if you use them as intended with the slow action rod and the rithim of jigging i belive they will work well for some spicies.

I was looking on the shamano website last nite in testmonial section and I saw our very own jon f chin with his halibut.

It's extremely forgiving with spectra.  And since spectra doesn't stretch, the rod must do the work of absorbing the shock of a hot fish.  The Trevala does great job.  I felt like I lost less fish on that day.

Good point chuck...

Sweet... I have been looking for a new rod for rockies.
Thanks for the info.
Marc

I noticed the distinctive handle in the photo of freddie @ tahoe. I was wondering about it.

thanks for the update mooch.

Ultimately I think you won't like the lack of length tho. you need an 8 foot version for the kayak IMO.

J

I'm thinking of throwing a Daiwa Salitga 30L on one of these... just to play around.  What do you guys think?

Backslider

I have a Saltist 40.  Have not tried it yet. It will be a party boat or tuna reel. But, if you want better drags and more drag the Shimano Trinidads or Torium are a better reel.  The Shimano will cast better, too.  Not that you need to cast out rockcodding.

But, for rocks I use a Shimano,Speedmaster, TLD 20/40 Star, TLD 15?30S, Triton 200GT or the TRN-200G.  Why because these reels are cheap and when it stops working because of kayak use.  I just go out and buy another one.  Had Trinadad, Penn 975, 965,955, that stopped working because of the salt & sand.

Ken kickfish

I just put together a Trevala TVC66M and a Toruim 16 with 50# spectra for a retirement gift for a co-worker and it was SWEEEEET!  Awesome baja setup.   I have a TVC 70ML with an Abu Record for rockies andit is also extremely nice to fish with.

Hi Sean,

I was thinking about the TVC70ML specifically for rockfish... having never fished for them.  I'm also looking at the Talavera Conventional TEC70MH.  Do you think medium heavy with a fast action is overkill?  I like the idea of "lighter" tackle.

Backslider

The ML is as close to pefect as I have found for lighter jigs.