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I'm in the process of upgrading. Have been using the cheapo rods for many years and just keep throwing them away, so I'm ready to get something of quality now. My preference is 9', mostly NJ fall jetty/surf plugging from 1 oz to 3 oz of steel. Looking to match it to a Quantum Boca 50 PTS that I had on my Tica Dolphin 9, which was a sweet rod - snapped in half casting a 2 oz metal lipped swimmer yesterday. I'm not a bait guy, so this is only a plugging application. Needs to be light because I'm walking 2 miles of beach and casting for at least 8 hours a day.
I've never used or had a Lami in my hands, but have heard good things about them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Good Morning
For your application I would run the XSRA 1084-2. It will perform well for you.
Lamiglas Rod Squad Guru
well the bigger question is do you want a factory built or a custom built? and do you want 1 piece or 2 on the factory aspect 2 good choices for the 9' is the graphite surf and jetty xs91mhs handles 1-4 oz. i own 1 of these and i have no complaints. another factory is the super surf ss91mhs also 1-4 oz. i dont own one but have fished them and they have a real nice feel to them. now on the custom aspect there is the super surf ssu1081m 1-4 oz or my personal favorite is the g1000 surf/bar gsb 1201l which is a 10' rod but holds 2-6 but the rod is not heavy at all. i have one that i use alot which has a zeebaas zx22rd reel on it and it casts A17,A27,A37 tins beautifully i soon plan to swap that zeebaas with a diawa saltiga surf for distance casting reasons but i use that rod for hours on end and i dont get tired from using it. any other questions feel free to ask, i own 6 lami rods for various applications from conventional to light spinning and surf spinning
id rather be fishing
I have built over 100 "plug" rods using Lamiglas blanks. If you can deal with a one piece, a spin rod built on a GSB120 1L is excellent. If you can afford a Ron Arra model, the XRA1203 is an excellent all around plug rod for the Jersey Shore. Both blanks will handle plugs up to 2.5ozs with ease. I use a VS 150 with 15# Big Game or Ande and I've easily handled 10-15# bluefish and stripers to 22#. If you want a little less lenght, cut six inches from the butt.
The factory rods are excellent, but if you can afford a custom rod, buy one nuilt for you. It's worth the money. Especially if you walk and plug with the rod like I do.
I have also built plug rods using all of the nine foot blanks; the XRA1083; GSB1081L, 1M; GLB1081M, 1MH. All are excellent but you will struggle with a 10#+ bluefish or striper, or even a 7-10# false albacore. You will feel everything.
If you have a rod built, have it made with Fuji Alconite guides; SIC guides if you can afford them. I've even built some of the nine footers with REC titanium nickel wire single foot spin guides. The rods were so light when using the REC guides; the weight of the finished rods were less than 8ozs.
If you have any further questions, please write back. I am a member of one of the oldest established fishing clubs in New Jersey, and I have been building all of the Club Member's custom rods for the past five years; so, I have a wealth of experience to share.
Good Luck!
I own more than a half dozen Lamiglas rods myself, factory and custom, XRAs, GSBs, SSUs. I agree with the original answer. The 1204-2 factory rod is a great rod for your application and it carries a lifetime warrantee.
BTW that reel brand is a bit on the heavy side if you are concerned about overall weight.
I'm not much of a bait guy either and plug for almost everything I fish for, fresh or salt, big or small. (most real gamefish cant resist eating another smaller fish). Since moving here to Melbourne Beach I've been plugging the surf, jetties and Indian River for Blues, Reds, Snook and Trout. I find that Salmon / Steelhead rods are great for this, (and many other applications). They are light, strong and long. You can throw a big plug all day without breaking your arm. I have two of Lami's older HSX IM6 graphite Salmon rods in the 8 to 15lb range that I use in the River and in the surf I am swinging their Rogue River 86 MTC (25lb class) Casting rod and am about to buy a matching Spinning model. Stainless guides, quality contstruction and affordability make sthem winners. These rods are capable of landing anything you would want to tangle with up there. In fact I'm about to pack these rods for a winter work trip to Atlanta where I will be nailing large Stripers off the rocks on the dam at Lake Lanier (10 to 30lb fish which love winter plugs)! These rods travel well and I'm very impressed so far!
i agree with the ss91mhs recommendation, which is the production Super Surf 9' model. 3 ounces is a little bit of a push, but it can handle it. built, it is a very light rod. if light is your main concern, stay with the super surf series. if you want the "classic feel" (like fiberglass), go with the surf and jetty series. the guides on those rods do add some weight. the 9' MH surf and jetty is a nice rod as well w/ the same rating as the 9' super surf.
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