Starlo or Backbone?
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Soft Bait Fishing
Forum Description: Anything to do with this latest and greatest way of catching our favourite species
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42683
Printed Date: 04 Nov 2026 at 5:40am
Topic: Starlo or Backbone?
Posted By: Cigar
Subject: Starlo or Backbone?
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 11:44am
|
Hi guys,
What is the best choice for general snapper softbaiting, Starlo Stix or Backbone Elite?
I'm not after comments on specific models, more which range is overall the best, as I'm looking at both spin and baitcast, up to 8kg. They are similar prices, so that doesn't give me any clues.
Thanks for any help!
|
Replies:
Posted By: JK
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 2:14pm
|
I started with the starlo and swapped to the backbone elite and have never looked back. I am using a 4-8kg spin and love it - have caught some great fish and had alot of fun so far! ------------- LedgeNZ LBG |
Posted By: green guy
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 3:02pm
|
yea i like the back bone over the starlo my mate has a 4-8kg overhead and its mint and forgiveing if u give it the all mighty heave not bad for around 150$ think the starlo sticks r a little bit soft for me ------------- http://www.facebook.com/hauraki.hillbillys |
Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2009 at 6:00pm
|
Most my rods are Backbone Elites. Just really like them and they are excellent value for money. I like the Backbone's action more than the Starlo.
------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: PJay
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 11:44am
|
And I'll put in my vote along with the majority, too. I have one of each, with the same weight line on. Though my Backbone is harder than the Starlo, it picks up bites/takes better in my opinion, as well as setting the hook better. Casting's about the same for distance and accuracy.
Only my thoughts, but I'm interested to find that others have the same.
The Starlos are good rods, don't get me wrong, and I do like the spiral wrap for its overhead reel on mine. ------------- PJ |
Posted By: Ces
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2009 at 11:25pm
what do you think of the spirals? i saw one for about $160, looked interesting... any advantages? cheers mate |
PJay wrote:Posted By: PJay
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 8:39am
|
Yeah, I think it does help the rod be a bit more stable when you're playing a bigger fish, and not twist so much in your hand. (I tend to stabilise by holding the reel and rod rather than the grip above the reel, with my little overheads.). You'd notice it more on a stiffer rod than the Starlos, I suspect.
There's an issue about the integrity of rods, they say ie it's potentially disastrous to let the pull go in any direction away from the way the guides point, so I'm guessing the spiral wrap might help with that.
OK OK OK I really like the quirky look of the thing, too. ------------- PJ |
Posted By: Monty
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 8:48pm
Don't spread the doomsayers words bro, if "THEY" say that, then "THEY" must be one of the Daiwa, Shimano, Smiths, Jigging Master, Synits, Kilwell, Kojak, Reel Rods, rod builders (sorry to miss anyone Dohboy
 ), because they all build rods the wrong way to the extreme, or did you hear that from some arm chair rod builder OR "Nirai & Stellajigger" from the heavy metal forum  Rod blanks are now so complex in the wrapping that there is virtually no back bone for the potentially disastrous situation to develop, IMHO. |
Posted By: betterthanwork
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 9:09pm
| I can't vouch for the Starlo but I like the 4 - 8kg backbone. Also, haven't seen many posts bemoaning breaking the tips off Elites but heaps about Starlo's so that is a good selling point. |
Posted By: tennut
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 9:17pm
| Hi Cigar, I use a Starlo 7ft spin and a 4/8 kg backbone(old one), and had them for over 2 years, I like them both, and have caught big stuff on both, (big being mainly sharks and stingrays!!), with no problems whatsoever,, both rods are nice and light, really good to use, I honestly cant say which I prefer, prob use the Starlo more as I like using spinning reels.Ive got a Soron 40 on the Starlo and a Citica on the Backbone, they are nicely balanced, and beautiful to use. I dont know about spiral rap stuff so just a thought, I wouldnt think S/R would be a huge advantage on such light gear, I have had NO probs with rod twisting whatsoever on the backbone, can see merit in heavier gear, but,,,, your call!!. With my fishing mate TL2 constantly upgrading gear, I am always wanting to buy a real flash rod, and will one day, but the rods in question are both great, I am yet to meet a snap they cant handle, (but hope to soon!!) Good Luck. |
Posted By: tennut
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 9:26pm
|
Posted By: PJay
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 12:16pm
Yeah, cannot say I've ever had any problem along these lines, but then again, lotsa the stuff the experts say contradicts my personal experience, too.
Both my Starlo and my BE (and every other light rod I have heh he heh) routinely get bent 90 degrees plus with fish on the end of the line, and inevitably the bend goes in another plane as well at some time in the fight.
I've broken a couple of rods, but only tip loading when landing fish on to the kayak. My fault, not rod fault. ------------- PJ |
Posted By: MJ
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 7:25pm
| I fish Backbone rods for ground and strayline fishing. No complaints. |
Posted By: Nomis
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 7:37pm
|
Have you had a look at the Hunting and fishing specials? branded as a raider. ------------- I'll act my age when im 69 |
Posted By: Cigar
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 2:33pm
Cheers for the input everyone, picked up a Backbone Elite baitcast 5-8kg today, hoping to give it a good workout when the weather improves (about February   ).
I liked the spiral wrap Starlo too, but managed to restrain from my usual TAS attack (i.e. can't decide, so buy both!!!).
|