Rod reviews

[Paul Arden]

I can see I’m going to have to redo that video, Lasse Anyway let me first see what I can regards the TT video later today

Incidentally how do you think the Rampage would compare to the HT4 both lined with MED7s?

Cheers, Paul

[Michal Duzynski]

I had a look at it, and some are wow...
Cons-cant reach distance of 80feet plus

Pros- great accuracy at 45feet, and the same rod
Cons- not good accuracy in close range

Cool....

[Paul Arden]

[John Waters]

I don’t know what the Norwegians use, but I do know the US team use what I think most would describe as soft rods. I think that the same applies to the Australians although hopefully John can chime in.

HI Paul,

Not sure about who uses what rods, but I would be very surprised if the consistently high scoring accuracy casters use rods that could be described as "soft" actions. In saying that, I appreciate that terms like "soft", "moderate" and "fast", or similar, are very subjective terms and each caster may well have a different view of where a particular rod fits on the action spectrum. I would suggest the most consistent high scoring accuracy casters use rods that have moderate actions. Consistently high accuracy scores are based on a number of technique parameters but as to rods, IMHO, two issues need to be considered. Fast action tend give better control of false casting but moderate action gives better control of the delivery. Both are important to success so each caster needs to see how a particular rod suits each component of casting, that which is best for their individual, natural casting tempo. Sounds a bit zen, but I believe we each have a natural tempo of casting, hence we need to experiment with rod length, as well as action.

Most Australian fly accuracy casters use 9 foot rods that tend to be in the moderate range of action because they view delivery control s the more important of the above two. I don't, rather, I use rods that are more fast than moderate as I want the fly to land first, then the line, not the other way around, or fly and line alighting together. Won't bore you with my thoughts on accuracy, other than to say, you can get the best of both worlds by underlining your rod for fly accuracy.

Underpinning all the above is that all rods are accurate if moved with good technique, my thoughts are just at the margin, which in a world championship, may mean the difference.

John

[Mangrove Cuckoo]

These rod "shoot outs" piss me off and make me laugh at the same time.

When I first heard of them and I couldn't follow their logic, on a hunch I checked out their retail store, and sure enough the brands they carried scored the best.

I am surprised that they have continued but I guess it is a great way to score a bunch of free rods.

An 8wt shootout took place down here in Florida at a resort i know well. It's a shame i did not know about it. I would have loved to watch and comment.

I do not have experience with trout rods so i can't tell how well they rate 5s, but 8s i know and i did not agree with those evaluations at all.

[Lasse Karlsson]

I can see I’m going to have to redo that video, Lasse Anyway let me first see what I can regards the TT video later today

Incidentally how do you think the Rampage would compare to the HT4 both lined with MED7s?

Cheers, Paul

Rampage? You lost me dude
If its that soft rod you write either 10 or 5 on the side of, no problem, if its the one you might write 12 or 5 on, no problem... But be careful, I hear putting a 7 on a 4 will likely break the rod, and some manufactures would claim the warrenty will be void...

Cheers
Lasse

[Lasse Karlsson]

An 8wt shootout took place down here in Florida at a resort i know well. It's a shame i did not know about it. I would have loved to watch and comment.

Was it this one?


Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

The Rampage is a stiff T27 softish T38. There is no way these are going to bend the same!

Cheers, Paul

[Lasse Karlsson]

The Rampage is a stiff T27 softish T38. There is no way these are going to bend the same!

Cheers, Paul

Just read it's 9'6" and thats comparing apples to cucumbers. They need to be same length...align tips, and make sure to have same amoubt of line out, fair comparison!

And who said they would bend the same? Mine obvious ly doesn't.....

Cheers
Lasse

[Paul Arden]

I'll certainly align the tips. Much easier to hold that way. I think you've cast the Rampage; I was using it for sea trout distance in Estonia. It's very much on the stiff side. Maybe the way to doing it is with a fixed line length and increasing speeds for example in the one-foot at a time drill. I would definitely expect some major differences in casting arc between these two rods in order to maintain approx SLP. It will have to be Wed or Thursday when I can film this. Ashly is away with work next couple of days.

Cheers, Paul