 kaimaikid wrote:
Cheers Dan,
as far as a rod goes - what would you consider to be max length for a boat rod and minimum length for a rock rod? - maybe I can compromise in the middle somewhere and get one to suit both.
My reason for getting into soft baiting mainly is to get fish with lightish tackle as I love a good scrap, one for the pan is a bonus, the main species I want to target is both dory and eagle rays as well as others.
Trying to choose a good rod is proving difficult due to just about every store recommends a different brand from kilwell to diawa and from offshore to shimano.... and nearly each one saying bad things about the others lol
I just don't want to end up with a lemon. |
Hey mate,
Like the others have said a softbait rod is usually in the 7ft range and can be used for all sorts of applications. I use my softbait rod as my go to rod and it is used for things like straylining off the boat, softbaiting, and I even use it off the rocks from time to time. This rod is an old T-Curve in 5-10kg weight range. This weight range lets me softbait using both light and heavy jig heads, and also gives me some leverage on those bigger and tougher fighting fish. I also have a 1-3kg, and a 3-6kg model however it is difficult to throw the heavier lures out there and the rod does not respond as well given its typically slower/softer action when using heavier weights.
The fight you will get from a john dory and an eagle ray are going to be very different to say the least. They have different power capabilities and if you're not prepared with the right tackle, it may become a little challenging (not impossible but challenging). I have taken many a good fish on my old trusty 5-10kg model including snapper up to 23lbs and 15+kg kings, however, I would find it extremely difficult to do the same with my 3-6kg model.
In my personal opinion, what matters more than the brand of the rod is the weight class of the rod. From this, I believe that you can draw upon the functions of the rod and judge its versatility. There are other things that play a part of course such as blank material (typically graphite, nano, carbon, or carbon infused in softbaiting rods), but FOR ME, the most important thing is having the right tool for the right job. Chasing Johnnies in the harbour = 3-6kg any day (given a lack of need for heavy weights). Chasing bigger deeper water fish then the 5-10kg class.
I have a whole bunch of rods from different brands in different weight classes. I use my shimano T-curve 5-10kg rod a lot, but have recently changed to the Daiwa nano rods just for its very fast/stiff action whihc i find good for softbaiting as action is imparted very directly, and the lightness of the rod itself which makes casting and working the lure very easy on the wrist.
Hope that helps,
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