Hi lads,Im thinking of upgrading my spinning rod after chistmas.My current rod is an emerald 9 foot spin rod, which isnt the best rod around... I started plugging for bass and am looking for a rod that is designed to allow me to work the lure well. So far Im looking at the ugly stik lite and the Abu Sapphire Crest Spinning Rod. Anybody use either rods for plugging? also any opinions on other rods whould be great. cheers and happy christmas,Ian
for wot its worth i use longer rods for pluggin - usually 11ft. For around 130euro you would get a greys seaspin. For a slightly lighter rod you could go with a greys greyflex mk II (i think this is now replaced by the new x-flite which is nearer 180euro). I could suggest nicer rods and other brands but they would be more expensive.
hi,thanks for replying,that greys seaspin looks the business,Il have to get into a tackleshop and see which rod just feels right. I dont mind forking out the money for a decent rod because if I keep it well hopefully it should last a while! thanks for the advise
The Greys seaspin is too heavy for a long session, your arm will be dropping off and the casting weight is too heavy aswell, up to 90 grm. The Sapphire crest will do the job for you, at 8ft it's the perfect length and the casting weight is up to 35 grm and at around 100 Euro its a good value rod, and its a step up from the Emerald. You can upgrade after a while to something better but for the moment it will do a job for you.
A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office!
Richie07 wrote:The Greys seaspin is too heavy for a long session, your arm will be dropping off and the casting weight is too heavy aswell, up to 90 grm. The Sapphire crest will do the job for you, at 8ft it's the perfect length and the casting weight is up to 35 grm and at around 100 Euro its a good value rod, and its a step up from the Emerald. You can upgrade after a while to something better but for the moment it will do a job for you.
if you shop online you can get an abu sapphire crest with a reel for 55euro + pp around 25euro 80 euro for the lot ian the abu is a 3 piece rod
Main thing to look for if you want to a rod to impart an action into lures is that the blank is medium-fast to fast.
I guess length is a personal thing (ahem) but I've moved from 11ft rods to 8ft rods and I prefer the shorter rods.
One of the things to remember about the difference between long and short lure rods is that a lot of the extra length is often below the reel. I find it easier to work the rod with a shorter handle.
[size=75][i]"Pier fishing was, indeed, an eccentric, unproductive and extremely dull occupation, and even if we'd posessed the necessary heavy plant we decided not to attempt it."[/i] Chris Yates, Out of the Blue.[/size]
teacher wrote: I guess length is a personal thing (ahem) but I've moved from 11ft rods to 8ft rods and I prefer the shorter rods.
Me too..prefer to have a bit more control over the fish with a shorter rod, plus an 8ft rod that breaks into 3 is perfect for hoping around rocks and down to tricky marks.
BTW,I have read that Out of the Blue book, its a cracking little read alright, certainly wets the appetite, Roll on the new year!
A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office!
thanks a million for the help lads. I decided to go for the abu sapphire crest. All in all it looks great. as teacher said I would prefare a short rod so I went for the 8 foot version.John,I found a site thats selling the abu rod and a mitchell spinning reel for just under €70 to my door thats excellent,thanks again for the help and happy christmas,Ian
teacher wrote: I guess length is a personal thing (ahem) but I've moved from 11ft rods to 8ft rods and I prefer the shorter rods.
Me too..prefer to have a bit more control over the fish with a shorter rod, plus an 8ft rod that breaks into 3 is perfect for hoping around rocks and down to tricky marks.
Can't see how you reckon you have more control over the fish with a shorter rod?? I would say that the tip action rods will work the lure better. Could also argue that while the shorter butt is useful for working the lure its a disadvantage for long casting, especially if there is a wind (if you need to cast a good distance of course).
I would agree that the seaspin is heavy. It would be useful for say using a ballrag or lemon with a sandeel out back than a lighter rated rod. Both greys rods break into 3 also.
If I was to choose one rod all round it would be a hardy demon 10ft (replaces the old sirrus) but its expensive. The other thing to consider with rods is warranty. IMO worth payin a little extra for the warranty.
ian 123 wrote:thanks a million for the help lads. I decided to go for the abu sapphire crest. All in all it looks great. as teacher said I would prefare a short rod so I went for the 8 foot version.John,I found a site thats selling the abu rod and a mitchell spinning reel for just under €70 to my door thats excellent,thanks again for the help and happy christmas,Ian
no problem ian hope you like your new toy bet you cant wait should be a nice little set up. tight lines.
which isnt the best rod around... I started plugging for bass and am looking for a rod that is designed to allow me to work the lure well. So far Im looking at the ugly stik lite and the Abu Sapphire Crest Spinning Rod. Anybody use either rods for plugging? also any opinions on other rods whould be great. 
, cheers