Finally got out to a sw wa river yesterday 12/5/11 and put the new rod to the test...
I picked the 9'6" 6-8 spinning rod and paired it with a back up sahara 3000 loaded with 30# powerpro I already had on another rod.
Temp was hovering at 30 degree's.
My first concern was the graphite and cold temps being an issue, and was amazingly surprised it is no issue at all.
Largely due to the fact that the only exposed graphite in the but section is the 3" used in the fore front position in front of the reel.
While I fished bare handed my hands were cold from the slight breeze and 30degree temp but the point where my hand wraps around the reelseat and the rod butt actually stayed warmer than conditions allowed. :applause:
I was also wanting to see how this rod would perform streamside as that is how I do 90% of my fishing.
In a word...AWESOME :applause:
I power fished many a drifts, holes, slots, seams with bobber jig...as my confidence grew using the rod (3/8 float, 3/8oz inline weight, 1/8 jig)
It casts like a dream, uber sensitive, and LIGHT WEIGHT....I fished 5 hrs and did tie into a pair of steelies by days end, one summer about 6lbs and a nice winter buck about 9lbs, hooked in heavy flows and both ran to the fast water tail outs....Rod performed flawlessly, with plenty of backbone to turn a fish with all the lightweight and sensitivity one would expect with this new series of rods.
I was constantly amazed at how light the set up feels, hands never cramped up, back never got sore from holding a 9'6 rod, and my arm could have fished another 5hrs no problem....and after placing the 2500 on her, it was perfectly balanced right at the head of the reel.
I've never fished with anything more than a certified pro(I have many) and some older GL2's.
By far my Stealth SI is my "NEW FAVORITE" set up for chasing steel...now I just need to save up for another drifter to go with it. :applause:
Thanks again lamiglas
I picked the 9'6" 6-8 spinning rod and paired it with a back up sahara 3000 loaded with 30# powerpro I already had on another rod.
Temp was hovering at 30 degree's.
My first concern was the graphite and cold temps being an issue, and was amazingly surprised it is no issue at all.
Largely due to the fact that the only exposed graphite in the but section is the 3" used in the fore front position in front of the reel.
While I fished bare handed my hands were cold from the slight breeze and 30degree temp but the point where my hand wraps around the reelseat and the rod butt actually stayed warmer than conditions allowed. :applause:
I was also wanting to see how this rod would perform streamside as that is how I do 90% of my fishing.
In a word...AWESOME :applause:
I power fished many a drifts, holes, slots, seams with bobber jig...as my confidence grew using the rod (3/8 float, 3/8oz inline weight, 1/8 jig)
It casts like a dream, uber sensitive, and LIGHT WEIGHT....I fished 5 hrs and did tie into a pair of steelies by days end, one summer about 6lbs and a nice winter buck about 9lbs, hooked in heavy flows and both ran to the fast water tail outs....Rod performed flawlessly, with plenty of backbone to turn a fish with all the lightweight and sensitivity one would expect with this new series of rods.
I was constantly amazed at how light the set up feels, hands never cramped up, back never got sore from holding a 9'6 rod, and my arm could have fished another 5hrs no problem....and after placing the 2500 on her, it was perfectly balanced right at the head of the reel.
I've never fished with anything more than a certified pro(I have many) and some older GL2's.
By far my Stealth SI is my "NEW FAVORITE" set up for chasing steel...now I just need to save up for another drifter to go with it. :applause:
Thanks again lamiglas
