Can't I just lurk in peace?!? - LOL

Hey There,

I've been on the NWKA site for awhile and have just lurked around here to compare all the things that we do differently up north. I wanted to be able to search / power-lurk, so I'm posting up.

A little about me: http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=23.msg101797#msg101797

Anybody on here heading up for the ORC this year? If so, please hit me up, otherwise I'll just go back to watching from the shadows of the interwebz.

Hey Allen (Polepole) I'm the same "Skidplate" on NWKA as well. (The Online-Ads guy.)

Welcome!

Actually,

Here's a question that ya'll might have a better answer to than our local boys due to available manufacturers.

I want to tie up a good jigging rod to potentially pair with an Avet SXJ .

I already have a Trevala S ML, really like it, and am looking for something to pick up where this one leaves off. I'm thinking something that can handle 8-12oz of lead and ~6'6" in length.
My current meat stick is way too stiff, and I'd like to use it for deeper drops (150 ft+) for Halibut as well as Sturgeon.

I've wrapped a couple fly rods and steelhead rods, but jigging blanks are somewhat new to me and am interested in doing an acid wrap. I've been looking at the mudhole jigging blanks, as well as Lamiglas since their factory is fairly close to where I live.

Thanks for your thoughts.

If your interested in Calstar...

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11521.0

If your interested in Calstar...

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11521.0

Thanks for the link, that was a good read. I have heard very good things about Calstar, but can't say I've fished one - yet.
IMO the biggest problem is trying to match up specs. One manufacturer's 30-50 is another's 15-30, unless it's spectra rated...  on a Friday.. with a full moon...
This is why it's fun to go over to the factory and start wiggling sticks. Problem is that the local Lamiglas guys I spoken with don't know much outside of salmon or steelhead rods.

Thanks again for the response, since very few people have fished from a Kayak and those that build rods is even smaller your perspective is great to hear.

i Love lami's and built quite a few of them. My favorite WSB and all around 20# inshore rod is a Lami Inshore Classic. My issue with Lami's is their quality control. Not so with Calstar or Seeker so if you are looking for a big game go to deep water spectra jigging rod I would go Calstar or Seeker. Sturgeon is a different issue though and you need a blank with a sensitive tip to be effective.

Welcome to NCKA Skidplate    There's a chance that I might be up there for the ORC again this year.

Sturgeon is a different issue though and you need a blank with a sensitive tip to be effective.

I agree completely, however one of the holes I fish regularly is ~160 ft deep and I need 10oz to keep bait on bottom with the river's current. That much lead and a sensitive tip don't work well together from what I've found. The fun is not knowing what you're going to hook, could be a 2ft shaker or over 10 feet of river monater that doesn't even realize he's caught - they both feel about the same on the bite until the hook sinks in.

Welcome to NCKA Skidplate    There's a chance that I might be up there for the ORC again this year.

Thanks Sailfish, hope to see you out there. In case you didn't already hear, it's the single heaviest fish that takes home the Hobie. Sadly I think that means whoever catches the cabezon with the biggest crab in his gut is going to win it. Either way, it's going to be a riot! Don't forget the Barbie-pole contest as well. It's a $5 side competition where the proceeds go to a local kids program.

I would recommend...

Seeker GTS70M    7'2"   30-60#   Tip 8.5  $119.00
Calstar GFX700ML 7'   20-40#   Tip 7       $105.00

The Seeker uses S glass for the tip whereas Calstar uses E glass. S glass is softer than E glass so even though the tip is thicker the Seeker might actually more sensitive as far as sturgeon goes. Both are East coast style rods which are great for kayak fishing because the are narrow diameter and light in the hand. Both can handle 16oz jigs. I built a Calstar GFX 700 ML and love it. It has a nice blend of parabolic flex and lifting power. I have caught 25# yellowtail and 50# seabass on it and never felt undergunned. I have built Seeker Hercules rods but not the GTS 70M but would predict that the Seeker is a little lighter weight, and more parabolic than the Calstar. Both are extremely high quality blanks and can handle any fish to 200#. If you wanted a 6' 6" rod you could take 6" off the butt on either blank but personally I wouldn't because I think 7' is the minimum for a 360 degree fight in a kayak.

Welcome skidplate

I would recommend...

Seeker GTS70M    7'2"   30-60#   Tip 8.5  $119.00
Calstar GFX700ML 7'   20-40#   Tip 7       $105.00

The Seeker uses S glass for the tip whereas Calstar uses E glass. S glass is softer than E glass so even though the tip is thicker the Seeker might actually more sensitive as far as sturgeon goes. Both are East coast style rods which are great for kayak fishing because the are narrow diameter and light in the hand. Both can handle 16oz jigs. I built a Calstar GFX 700 ML and love it. It has a nice blend of parabolic flex and lifting power. I have caught 25# yellowtail and 50# seabass on it and never felt undergunned. I have built Seeker Hercules rods but not the GTS 70M but would predict that the Seeker is a little lighter weight, and more parabolic than the Calstar. Both are extremely high quality blanks and can handle any fish to 200#. If you wanted a 6' 6" rod you could take 6" off the butt on either blank but personally I wouldn't because I think 7' is the minimum for a 360 degree fight in a kayak.

Awesome info GB2 - thank you very much! (I'm going to see if I can track these down)
I personally like the shorter rods (for the kayak) and haven't had much of a problem getting around the bow or stern (Revo 13) due to a decent wingspan. (I'm 6'4")

If you are going to cut it down to 6' 6" I would get the Calstar.  I checked the flex and it should work fine at 6'6". I get my stuff from Mudhole.com

I have a G-Loomis pro-blue and love it. It is on the expensive side though.

Another opinion from up NWKA way ....
I am currently in love with my Lami Trifex 7' 10-20. It is my all around bottom fish rod and jigs 8 oz lead heads with easy. 12 is about its upper limit. I have landed 80 pound halibut and 44" lingcod on this rod. simply awesome.
It also has enough touch to jig 1.5 oz jigs heads too. Picked up a 45 pound halibut on a 1.5 two weeks ago.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Another opinion from up NWKA way ....
I am currently in love with my Lami Trifex 7' 10-20. It is my all around bottom fish rod and jigs 8 oz lead heads with easy. 12 is about its upper limit. I have landed 80 pound halibut and 44" lingcod on this rod. simply awesome.
It also has enough touch to jig 1.5 oz jigs heads too. Picked up a 45 pound halibut on a 1.5 two weeks ago.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Hey FG,

Thanks for chiming in. I saw your pics of the halibut with the jig all bent up. That would be a fun battle with that rod as well.
We chatted once in PM about the 7020 and it does sound like a good all-rounder. The Triflex blanks are definitely still on my short-list.