LRF

[Deleted]

Hi Guys

Looking to put together a dedicated LRF outfit.

I have two thoughts at the moment.

A cheaper outfit comprising of the HTO Rockfish Revolution + Shimano Aernos 1000 for about £150

or

The dearer outfit of the Daiwa Gekkabijin LRF Rod 7' 6" U/L-S with the MX2004 reel for nearly twice the price.

Or does anyone have a better combo they could recommend.

This area is totally new to me but I envisage spending a lot of time on the coast this summer in our touring van.

Regards
Ian

[philpot]

I think Ian if you are spending time in Anglesey, Devon or south Wales, it would be worth the top gear but from what I have gleaned, we are not so blessed with ideal venues as coloured water can always be an issue except for a short period off the East Yorks coast and Glen or Hoggy are the guys who know plenty about that. Just thinking about it, contact Phil (spadulike) as he goes with them but I am sure they are not using LRF methods.

Phil

[gbthejoiner]

Hi Ian
I sometimes think we get carried away buying the best gear because of name.
I have started asking myself will it do the job I want if the answer is yes then I will go with the cheapest option.
There seems to be a trend for buying the most expensive rod reel combination but I think it's the bit in the water that counts and if I break an or lose a cheap rod it's not going to break the bank especially on the kayak being a relative new boy I might well end up in the water along with my gear.

[Deleted]

It was mainly the reel I was concerned about because of the salt water. I will probably err down a cheaper route but was just looking for advice/opinions from people who fish this style. Probably just an excuse to buy another outfit that I would use more in fresh than salt....haha!

[gbthejoiner]

There is a saying you get what you pay for, these days I am not so sure with a lot of things being made in China sometimes I think you pay for the name and maybe the cheap stuff comes out the same factory bought a baitcaster reel the other month from China under £30 delivered, and it's seems ok and from what other people say they last.

[philpot]

Apr 3, 2015 9:55:45 GMT gbthejoiner said:

There is a saying you get what you pay for, these days I am not so sure with a lot of things being made in China sometimes I think you pay for the name and maybe the cheap stuff comes out the same factory bought a baitcaster reel the other month from China under £30 delivered, and it's seems ok and from what other people say they last.

To a point Graham I tend to agree with you but I do know that China is the largest manufacturer of carbon in the world but not always the highest quality. There are companies that do produce rods, reels etc for a number of companies including themselves which are normally sold via the internet but you must take into account that some of the NAMES specify exactly the specifications to be used which makes one hell of a difference.

Of course there are exceptions to this rule and only cosmetics separate the item in question but I believe this is not the case in top brands. Some years ago Gemini, of sea fishing fame, produced a range of sea rods with their name on the rods. As Tony Caton, the owner of Gemini, was a close friend of mine, included me in testing a number of the rods which had various company names on them so obviously the supplier was happy to offer other companies rods. Gemini however had rods made from scratch as most of the rods offered were rubbish.

Phil

[Yakkin Sam]

I've been using a HTO Rockfish 0.5-7g with a small Shimano Exage for my perch fishing, I love it! for £30 I think the rod is spot on, plus any £50+ Shimano will last for sea fishing (more so if you look after it, which I don't!)

[philpot]

Apr 4, 2015 8:03:03 GMT Yakkin Sam said:

I've been using a HTO Rockfish 0.5-7g with a small Shimano Exage for my perch fishing, I love it! for £30 I think the rod is spot on, plus any £50+ Shimano will last for sea fishing (more so if you look after it, which I don't!)

So you are using this rod/reel really as a dropshot outfit Sam.

Phil

[Yakkin Sam]

Dropshot and casting Phil. I wouldn't recommend the 0.5-7g rockfish for dropshotting lures though, far too sensitive tip so you would struggle impacting any kind of action as it just bends. However it's spot on for dropshotting worm/bait

[Deleted]

Cheers Sam.

I had considered the HTO Rockfish Revolution 0.5 - 7g. Its a slight upgrade on the HTO Rockfish. Could maybe pair it with a Shimao Aernos 1000 which I quite like the look of?

[Yakkin Sam]

Yup 1000 would match up lovely. I currently use a 3000, smaller reel would of been better but I use the 3000 for other course fishing aswell so I make do for now. You'd get away with 1500 & 2500 no problem on the rockfish.

[Deleted]

Will give it some consideration then. Still really like the look of the Daiwa Gekkabijin but the matching reel is a 2000 size which is strange really, expected it to be smaller? I have seen the HTO with a 1000 reel and it looks a good combination.

[Deleted]

Mind made up. Got a good deal on the Daiwa Gekkabijin rod so sold!

Decided to team it up with a Shimano Aernos 1000.

Now, which braid?

[Deleted]

The Gekkabijin rod was so nice I decided to get the Gekkabijin MX2004 reel to go with. They look sweet together!! That left a surplus Shimano Aernos 1000 reel so got an HTO Rockfish Revolution to keep it company!

Gonna use the HTO and Aernos for LRF and use the Gekkabijin outfit for fresh water U/L, I think??

[philpot]

Looking forward to seeing them Ian.

Phil