Oh, ..... I also hope to be able to lift Barracuda - 4 to 6 pounds - over the rail when the bite turns on ..... my 8.5 Tri-Flex can do that .....sooooo, I may have to balance great casting with modest lifting ability ...

Thanks,

Technically we don't reccomend ever lifting fish into the boat, however we do realize most the tri-flex blanks are capable of producing some serious strength. The only Tri-Flex series rods we offer in the length you are looking for are the surf rods, (which it sounds like you have the 8'6") and the 10' is the strongest, heaviest rated blank we make. I think the 9'6" would fish a little better for the lures you are throwing, however the 10' will still perform fine if you are throwing at least 2 oz.

Ryan,

Thanks for the advice. I don't plan on lifting/bouncing the fish into the boat....but I was on a passenger fishing boat and we hit a school of barracuda and the crew was really busy, so we wind down almost to the fish, timed the boat/wave and swung the fish over the rail....not hard to do with a short strong casting rod....somewhat scary with a spin rod, but the 8' 6" Tri was OK.....I MUCH prefer a gaff !!!

I like your recommendation ....... I'll check out the rod.

Thanks,

Tom Reeve

Ryan,

The season is almost here and I am still deciding.

Now I have my eye on either the Surf & Jetty > 10 foot XS 10 MS or the Tri > TS 96 MHS.

I'll be using either a VS 250 (bailess) with a 25 pound Fluoro leader on 40 pound spectra or a Daiwa Surf 5000 with a 15 or 20 pound Fluoro on 30 pound spectra.

Targeting near-surface Yellowtail, Bonita, Albacore, and Barracuda from a boat.

What do you think?

Thanks,

TBR