New rod for Lingcod, Rockfish, Halibut, etc.

I have the 2 pc BWC 2201-270 handy rod don't feel like a 2pc.
I might go with the BWCL 220070

I agree with Mike. I have a couple of custom 2 piece rods which I use for surf launches. the 2 piece rods are easier to store inside the hull especially if you have a foreward hatch only.

Mike, GB2 - Thanks for your feedback!

Jeff (a.k.a. Steelerhead)

thanks everyone who contributed their insight to this thread...(finally I start using this thread from people who walked down this path already..wish I was insightful on my earlier acquisitions ie VHF radio....)

GB2 thanks also for the coupon.. I most likely will go that route..

on my recent trip to Tomales this week..I busted 2 rods before even getting on the water... stupidly due to my negligence...over stuffed hatchback...shutting trunk on the 2 piece...oouch..been there done that...
 they weren't expensive rods (cabelas bargin cave  + walmart clearance)and purchased with the mind set that in such an event of carelessness... I wouldn't feel  like I just got kicked in the nuts...but still irritating none the less.

so now I am in the market to reequip and have a better feel of what I like/ need.
budget still important..but I will use this gear for a while so I will search out that Daiwa Sealine and pair with a Ugly Stick Tiger most likely..

the comments on rod length was very helpful...zig zag fight vs straight up and down..
I think while the floating feature and leash holes are nice features as offered by the Okuma Trevala..i think I can self modify as seen by others with high density foam..
I was curious with the EK custom route..unfortunately I am shopping wrong time of year...but what is the ball park range so i can treat myself someday?

thanks,
dave

Here's my rig, the heavier one of two I take out with me when hunting rockies and lings. I also use it for halibut and sturgeon. The rod is $70-$80, the Calcutta 400 a little more than twice that. I like it w/o the level wind. It's got something like #50 Spectra.
This rod would be perfect if the butt section was shorter, taking it out of a rod holder would be a little easier. Small detail though, I fish well with it as it is.
I don't care about anything floating, or leashes, in many years I have not lost a rig overboard. I shouldn't be saying that... I'll now lose one my next time out! I've come close to dropping one over the side, but have always been able to snatch it up just in the nick of time.
If, and when, my Calcutta dies, I'd like to try a Revo.

anyone seen those seeker blue lightning series rods? effin swEET!

ima tackle junkie

You dont really need 300 bucks worth of equipment to catch rockfish all day. The tackle shops would have you believe that only the most expensive stuff makes you better. Hah!

word
ive caught a ton of fish at salt point on a $25 dollar baitcaster.

some of those yak specific rods are nice, for $80 its not a bad deal.

I'm a firm believer of quality tackle. Better rods and reels generally have a better feel to it and they are usually built to last longer.

I'm a big fan of the Trevala and Clarus rods (both by Shimano) and the Shimano Calcutta and the Abu Garcia Revo reels.

...just my 2 cents

Amen brotha Mooch. Buy the best, and only cry once.

I've broken 3 Baidarka's just pulling on snags - not even pulling that hard...  No mas para yo.

Eric, have you tried the 7'0" Baidarka? I think it's got a little different blank. I snapped a 7'6" and it broke pretty easily so I got the 7'0" when I went back for warranty exchange. It's held up really well with no problems with the guides as well. I like it better than my 6'6" Trevalla for rf & lings when I'm fishing deeper or the drift is fast and I need to go up to 6oz. The tip on my Trevalla is too light feeling for much more than 3-4oz. I also had the top guide crack on the Trevalla before I even got to use it but no problems since the exchange. Love the built in flotation on the Baidarka too. jim

anyone seen those seeker blue lightning series rods? effin swEET!

ima tackle junkie

I've been using both the 7' , 12/15lb rod with a calcutta 100 and the 7' 15/20lb rod with an avet sx. Definitely in a different class.

Eric, have you tried the 7'0" Baidarka?

Negatory - I'm not that smart on rods and such.  I just kept getting a new 7'6" and breaking it - the third one I was actually thinking, "OK, I don't want to break this one like the last two..."  So I'm pointing the rod directly down into the water at the snag, trying to just break the line with direct pressure on the reel.  I flex my arm just a little and the POS breaks!  No mas...

I've had great luck with my Ugly Sticks, so I'll stick with those.  I appreciate the advice, Jim.

I think those Baidarka rods must've had some MFG issues. Because sackyak has returned his rod like 3 or 4X now. The eyes they used were crap and the inserts kept falling out. And it snapped in half once too, I think. That's all I needed to hear to stay away from them. Well, that and I HATE kayak rods w/extra-long butts! It's kinda uncomfortable to have the butt of the rod jabbing me in the stomach all day while jigging...much less casting repeatedly with it lol!

I think those Baidarka rods must've had some MFG issues. Because sackyak has returned his rod like 3 or 4X now. The eyes they used were crap and the inserts kept falling out. And it snapped in half once too, I think. That's all I needed to hear to stay away from them. Well, that and I HATE kayak rods w/extra-long butts! It's kinda uncomfortable to have the butt of the rod jabbing me in the stomach all day while jigging...much less casting repeatedly with it lol!

Breaking 3 or 4 rods sounds a little fishy to me.  Sorry Sacyak, but that sounds like operator error to me.  Highsticking especially when trying to break a snagged will do that to just about any rod, high quality or not.  As for the length of the butt on the my 7' and 7'6" Bairdarkas, I've matched them up with some of my other rods like my Tiger Rod, the Baidarka are actually the same length or shorter than most.

So far so good for my Baidarkas.  My guides don't even have inserts that can fall out (maybe the newer models do).  When I finally break one on a fish, I'll be the first to let you guys know.  In the meantime, they're still my go-to rods for WSB, sturgeon, or anything big on a yak.  BTW, I don't have any affiliation with Okuma.  I wish I did.

An Ugly Stick and a Jigmaster is all I've fished with around here.  The 2 Jigmasters I own are so old I don't even remember when I bought them.  Pop em apart, flush em out with the hose, squirt em with something slippery and they are good probably for longer than me.

They have killed a lot of norcal rock fishes.

I think those Baidarka rods must've had some MFG issues. Because sackyak has returned his rod like 3 or 4X now. The eyes they used were crap and the inserts kept falling out. And it snapped in half once too, I think. That's all I needed to hear to stay away from them. Well, that and I HATE kayak rods w/extra-long butts! It's kinda uncomfortable to have the butt of the rod jabbing me in the stomach all day while jigging...much less casting repeatedly with it lol!

Breaking 3 or 4 rods sounds a little fishy to me.  Sorry Sacyak, but that sounds like operator error to me.  Highsticking especially when trying to break a snagged will do that to just about any rod, high quality or not.  As for the length of the butt on the my 7' and 7'6" Bairdarkas, I've matched them up with some of my other rods like my Tiger Rod, the Baidarka are actually the same length or shorter than most.

So far so good for my Baidarkas.  My guides don't even have inserts that can fall out (maybe the newer models do).  When I finally break one on a fish, I'll be the first to let you guys know.  In the meantime, they're still my go-to rods for WSB, sturgeon, or anything big on a yak.  BTW, I don't have any affiliation with Okuma.  I wish I did.

+1

I have two of them (have had them for a few years). I have the light one for stripers and jigs in the 2 oz range and one a bit heavier. Chuck what is the heaviest one you have?  I really like them. The longer fore grip is great since I have longer arms. Same as chuck the butt seems shorter then most rods and there are no eye inserts in my two. The flotation is an added bonus IMHO.