TAS has bitten me again. i think it is high time i bought something to team up with my penn spinfisher 8500ss. it needs to be able to do double duty casting poppers and rockfishing. ideally i want something longish, say 6 1/2 to 7 foot.

someone posted a while back that someone from sterling sports had ordered a whole heaps of rods and was getting rid of them on the cheap. anyone remember who posted this?

one thing i've noticed using a borrowed penn spinfisher from tobes is that the weight does get to me after a while of casting. the newer penns are supposed to be lighter. so weight might be a factor.

cheers for any input.

Yes, I have used a tri-fibre Penn too, and it is a very nice 15kg spin/jig stick.

cheers, Stu.

Diawa VIP's they come in a few weights and are light , wicked rods, when you come out for a fish , you can have a play.

If the rod fits lala.     Then again, maybe they made it for the womble?

bender and stu, how long are these rods and are they a bit brittle with the carbon? you must have faith in them bender to have three.

naki, i haven't sold the formula yet. i've been a bit slack about posting it on trademe. but i will sell it and the difference will go towards mobiles, prams etc etc. i swear it will.

moohando, i love the vips with an overhead, i have used a couple. that will be my next purchase. how are they with a spin reel?

lala, at least no one wouls bother to steal it then huh. can they be painted??

CJ - I've had no problems with the graphite. The early ones, tended to be brittle especially when the mass manufacturers started making them. (I remember the Furuno in about 97 when all the clever fishos were tying knots in the rods they won as prizes and one after another the rods shattered) Normally they break at the tip - which is why they now use solid glass tips with a graphite core - you can tie knots in them.

They are light and the action is so good you'll get wood.

CJ.

Love those VIPs

I have seen a VIP designed for free spool reels. Not sure the model tho. Think they are pretty rare. Ask Strawberry, he should be able to help

Just bought 2 Rods, 1 Rodworks GraphButt FXS-85 which 8'6 long 8-15kg rated. And I bought a Rodworks Stinger 700ss, can't wait to get the Penn 8500ss and the Shimano 6500a onto them to nail a few. Quite expensive but worth the xtra $$$$.