Ideas for a new boat rod please

I've just bought a brand new Abu 7 boat rod off eBay for £20, only been on a boat once and want to get a few trips on the same as you. It's a 20-30lb class and my mate used one last year and had double figure fish on it with no bother. I'll probably upgrade if out happens to it or when I go out on the boat a lot more.
 
Looks like you've got as big a choice there mark as there are in the shops :)

for my two penneth
Firstly ditch the mono, there just isn't anything like braid - it's a must.
then with choice I would keep it light (just my opinion) as I've never snapped or lost a fish yet on any of my rods, by light I use 12-20lb rods or some older uglys I have are 20-30lb
I think there are four types to look at which probably take in 80% or the comments on this thread
Ugly stick - excellent, I class them as medium weighted (I have a couple)
Sonik SK4 - my first choice, fine braid rod 12-20lb good rings,I have 2 on board and nothing else
Sonik SK3 - Tonys latest rod looks similar to SK4 but slightly bigger rings (round ones as opposed to mini ovals on the SK4)
Fladden Maxximus - Great reviews and looks ideal shorter rod in one piece as opposed to all the others above being 2 piece.

If I were to buy a new rod tomorrow I would go for another SK4 as i cannot fault it and have had fish comfortably to 18lbs on it or a maxximus as they are shorter.

ps SK4 are red and SK3 Blue ........ :) just in case it makes a difference

good luck :)

norm
 
Looks like you've got as big a choice there mark as there are in the shops :)

for my two penneth
Firstly ditch the mono, there just isn't anything like braid - it's a must.
then with choice I would keep it light (just my opinion) as I've never snapped or lost a fish yet on any of my rods, by light I use 12-20lb rods or some older uglys I have are 20-30lb
I think there are four types to look at which probably take in 80% or the comments on this thread
Ugly stick - excellent, I class them as medium weighted (I have a couple)
Sonik SK4 - my first choice, fine braid rod 12-20lb good rings,I have 2 on board and nothing else
Sonik SK3 - Tonys latest rod looks similar to SK4 but slightly bigger rings (round ones as opposed to mini ovals on the SK4)
Fladden Maxximus - Great reviews and looks ideal shorter rod in one piece as opposed to all the others above being 2 piece.

If I were to buy a new rod tomorrow I would go for another SK4 as i cannot fault it and have had fish comfortably to 18lbs on it or a maxximus as they are shorter.

ps SK4 are red and SK3 Blue ........ :) just in case it makes a difference

good luck :)

norm

Well I have agreed with the boss that we would go with braid this summer an assess after the season(how long should the mono leader be?).

I think you are right about the choice and while I appreciate different views, I do prefer a lighter rod. Maybe in the future I can buy a second heavier rod for big wrecks. I think I will have to buy new, go to Glasgow Angling Centre and try to get a feel of the options.

Thanks for all the input lads, much appreciated.

PS I have a feeling Norman I may end up with the red one!! :red:
 
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Personally I prefer mono as it's easier to snap when snagged but using braid with mono leader surely your just putting a weak link in by adding a knot?
 
Personally I prefer mono as it's easier to snap when snagged but using braid with mono leader surely your just putting a weak link in by adding a knot?

Mono is a nightmare to snap out of snags on a boat, it just stretches.

We don't bother with a mono leader either, you'd spend half your trip tying on new leaders.
 
braid straight through no mono leaders.
i use 80lb braid and my daylites, shads etc are tied with 60lb mono.
when snagged 99% of the time the mono will break first saving your braid.
i use a fladden solid carbon maxximus as well and had cod to 42lb on it with no problems.
 
I used 50lb spectra braid when I was on the boat and when I was snagged the hokkais snapped and that was 60lb mono I think, on one occasion 2 of the 3 hooks snapped as well and the braid was fine lol. Braid is great I think
 
I hope this thread doesn't start an argument, but here goes. :)

I am looking for a new or second hand boat rod. After buying two Shimano reels without selling my other reels the self proclaimed "Codqueen" has made it quite clear I have to sell my Penn Powerstick and Diawa TDR before buying another rod.

I don't want to spend more that about the £70 or £80 I hope to get for the other two, because I will only use it 10 times tops a year.

Any thoughts you experienced boat anglers have I would be glad to hear them.

Thanks.

PS A funky colour would seal the deal!


How many rods have you tried now Mark?

Penn Power Stix, Diawa TDR, Shakespeare Tidewater, ABU something and an even cheaper something else, which you snapped.................................................................On a wreck obviously, not a fish!

What is it they say about bad workman and tools?! :)
 
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Braid with a large snap swivel at the end

Mono rigs are already your "leader" and will be your weak link in event of snags

If pirking, either tie a mini mono leader to the pirk or fish them at the bottom of hokkais
 
I've just bought a brand new Abu 7 boat rod off eBay for £20, only been on a boat once and want to get a few trips on the same as you. It's a 20-30lb class and my mate used one last year and had double figure fish on it with no bother. I'll probably upgrade if out happens to it or when I go out on the boat a lot more.

I was out with my mate the other day and snapped my Abu 7. There actually very soft rods. And don't think that they're a true 30lb class rod. When I was borrowed an ugly stick. (The same day). It had a much better feel than the Abu 7. I know now I will never buy another one
 
Daiwa Super Kenzaki for me. The 30-50lb version if it's only one rod you want, (don't be fooled by the rating it's a 30lb class rod all day long).

I also never use a mono leader.....too much of a clart on. braid through to a good quality swivel.

Regards Ian
 
I was out with my mate the other day and snapped my Abu 7. There actually very soft rods. And don't think that they're a true 30lb class rod. When I was borrowed an ugly stick. (The same day). It had a much better feel than the Abu 7. I know now I will never buy another one

For what I need it'll do me like bud, I won't be out every week. Maybe once a month or so. I'm always looking at rods etc so al have a check just incase out happens on which one to buy
 
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