Choice of Salmon / Sea Trout Rod

[13Fisher1]

Im in the market for a new (shorter)  12/13ft double handed 8/9 salmon/sea trout rod. Do not want to spend mega bucks as this is not my main pursuit/addiction category. I've been looking at Greys GS2, Daiwa Wilderness XT, Airflo Delta Classic but of course the more you search the more variables and choices. I would appreciate any recommendations or advice from the forum?

Thanks,   :?: :?:

[Malcolm]

Be very careful! Modern salmon rods line ratings are not the same as trout rod line ratings. An 8/9 salmon line will be around an AFTM 12-15 (depending on belly length) trout equivalent line. I think that is too heavy for sea trout unless you fish with Hi-D lines and huge flies.

Some older light salmon rods (approx pre 2004) do actually match trout line ratings for overhead casting but need to be upped by one or two line ratings if they are being used for spey casting.

[Traditionalist]

I have a few, this one is 12 '3"  built to special order on one of my prototype blanks. It is new and unused. It is fitted with the finest hardware and components available. It will cast a wide range of lines, ( as I recall, trout lines, standard DT's, from 10 to 12, among others, although it will cast a #9 OK as well, but a #9 will be too light for spey casting),I can't remember the exact specifications right now, but if you want it you can have it if you pay the transport costs and a small forum donation, 20 quid would be fine, ( of course the rod would normally cost a very great deal more, but I never sold any, most of the few prototypes I had of this model were given to various people who were all very happy with them). ;




There are no markings whatever on the rod ( I couldn't be bothered with them). There is no guarantee or anything like that, and if you damage it I can not offer replacements or repair. It is a very nice rod and it would be nice to know somebody is getting some benefit from it, it is no use standing in a rack.

 

it has a lock down reel seat with the lower reel foot under the cork.

As you can see it is three piece, section length 1.25 metres.  I can only send this per carrier, either DHL or UPS and I don't know what it would cost, but it can't be all that much to the UK. The rod weighs 315 grams.  ( Which is roughly 11 ounces).

I would stick it in whatever rod bag fits, ( I bought a grab bag full of them from a defunct tackle shop quite a while ago), pack it in cardboard and send it off to you at your own risk. If you want it in a tube I could probably put it in a length of drainpipe tube if you prefer, but I would have to go and buy that, I have none left.

TL
MC

[Traditionalist]

As far as I can tell transport per DHL should be about 20 Euros;

http://www.dhl.de/de/paket/privatkunden/international/paket.html

TL
MC

[Traditionalist]

Just another point in regard to using trout lines on salmon rods, make sure that the core breaking strain of the line is sufficient for your purposes.  Some trout lines will break at fairly low strains although you should not really have any problems with heavier lines #8 ...12 upwards. Salmon lines have generally stronger cores;

http://www.speypages.com/speyclave/showthread.php?t=17551

http://www.flyfishusa.com/lines/choose-line-home.html

TL
MC

[Wildfisher]

that's a very generous off Mike and looks like a nice rod 

[Traditionalist]

Everybody who got one was very happy with it, and all are still in use without any mishaps as yet.  There were ten of that model produced from two mandrels to the same specifications. The rod was originally a design commission for a well known company, but they annoyed me more than somewhat with a few things and so I told them to bugger off, and refused to give them the blank design specs, mandrels, or my other sources, despite them offering more money. My original mandrels were destroyed. I just did not want to go into producing and selling rods myself.

Money isn't everything and I never did want to sell anything at all to do with fishing anyway. I also think if you try to turn a passion into money it can go badly wrong  I have seen it happen to a few people. Whatever, I never sold any of the rods I designed and built, ( or had built by specialists in this case), I still have a few.

This particular rod is very good indeed, even if I do say so myself.

TL
MC

[13Fisher1]

Mike,
A very generous offer and much appreciated, thank you I will get back you

[13Fisher1]

Mike, having given it careful though (for all of about two minutes) then I would like to take you up on your very kind and generous offer.

I can PM you details (if you are open to PMs) or you can PM me your email address if you prefer to arrange payment for courier, not sure if you have Paypal account etc.

Listen thank you once again, appreciated and hope to be able to return the gesture one day.

Colin

[Traditionalist]

Mike, having given it careful though (for all of about two minutes) then I would like to take you up on your very kind and generous offer.

I can PM you details (if you are open to PMs) or you can PM me your email address if you prefer to arrange payment for courier, not sure if you have Paypal account etc.

Listen thank you once again, appreciated and hope to be able to return the gesture one day.

Colin

My pleasure, have e-mailed you.

TL
MC