Awesome rod builder

[Matt1121]

Steve, your funny.

I thought about building my rod but knew I would screw it up, so I took it to my new friend YOSHI.

Does anybody have any suggestions for a good off-the-shelf but not super expensive trolling wire line rod? I picked up a Penn Master Mariner trolling reel for $15 at a garage sale and I want to spool it with wire, so I can drag shad rigs and tubes deep in the Merrimack.

Eventually, I'll get a downrigger but for now I need a wire line trolling setup.

[deepsushi]

Matt,

IMHO, theres nothing better than the feeling of striper hits while jigging with wireline and parachutes (the reeling in of 300 ft of wire is a whole different story [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ).

I think you need to consider how much wire line fishing you will be doing and base your decision on this. If you are only going to fish wire occassionaly, you could get away with one of the inexpensive ($35-45) Penn longbeach boat rods with the chrome plated guides. However, the wire will eventually destroy the guides and you will have to replace the guides altogether or just throw the rod out period.

The tried and true for wire line fishing is a rod built with carboloy guides. If your going to fish wire frequently, then this is the type of rod you should purchase. I have seen some "plane jane" wire line rods at some of the tackle shops for around $100 and wire line rods built by Penn(Sabre)and Daiwa for around $150.

Personally, I have built all of my own wire line rods because I can build them better, cheaper, prettier, and more durable than any of the commercialy available wire line rods.

edit: this place has the best prices on fishing tackle on the web that I can find: www.srmo.com. They have the Penn sabre wire line rods for 118.99 ... a real good price. However, while I think these are the nicest non custom commercial wire rods on the market, IMO I think they are too "soft". Pulling rigs puts a heavy strain on rods and these Penns will nearly bend in half...

[ January 30, 2003, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: deepsushi ]

[Scott]

Oh Great ONE....Builder of FINE works of art [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] .....
Do you have any leads on a Loomis SW84-16B ??

If I understand it right .... Loomis is not Loomis anymore .... More Like Shimano or something ....BUT One of the old Loomis Owners??? started his own company and is building the blanks like they used to be [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

ED ... Off the shelf wire rods.... Seeker seems to be a blank/rod carried by many of the better tackle stores down here using Carbide guides if not rollers(I think they are referred to as the East Coast rod..or something of the sort )……Inexpensive isn’t really a good word to used in the same sentence either….these guys aren’t cheap ….Ultimately custom would be the best way to go ….so you get what you want ….. just make sure the balance on the credit card is paid off before you order up a set [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[Scott]

Deep ...you beat me to it !!!!

boat rods with the chrome plated guides. However, the wire will eventually destroy the guides and you will have to replace the guides altogether or just throw the rod out period.

The tried and true for wire line fishing is a rod built with carboloy guides. If your going to fish wire frequently, then this is the type of rod you should purchase. I have seen some "plane jane" wire line rods at some of the tackle shops for around $100 and wire line rods built by Penn(Sabre)and Daiwa for around $150.

Personally, I have built all of my own wire line rods because I can build them better, cheaper, prettier, and more durable than any of the commercialy available wire line rods.

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[Matt1121]

Thanks, guys. My buddy YOSHI can build me a custom wire line rod with those carbon-alloy (whatever you call them) guides for $200. Not sure what type of blank he uses but I will find out.

As far as how much wire is concerned, I think I will need about 175-200ft of wire for my normal fishing off of Newburyport. From what I read (and please correct me if I am wrong), you get ten feet of depth for every 100 feet of wire. oOf course the weight of the umbrella rig and any drail weights will add to that depth.

One last question, is the Penn Master Mariner reel compatible with wire, or will the wire wear grooves on the guide?

I did think about using my two Penn Long Beach rods as sacrificial lambs for trolling wire, but I think I will just save them for when I get a downrigger.

[Finster]

I would recommend 200' monel (sic) instead of stainless wire. Your depth spects are correct for large bunker spoons at working speed.

Just a little input. I got rid of my wire line stuff. In my opinion that tackle is just too heavy, although effective. I prefer lighter tackle and diving lures like the stretch 25's or 50's. The trade off I feel is worth it.

[capesams]

AH! to each his own I say, but I like lami's bt857s for wire..[custom] 3/0 penn, 300' sst wire, 21/2=3oz jigs, 27- 40'. penn/seeker store bought r fine with carb guides, but here again their NOT BRACED which means they go ca-put after one season, I know I've repaired enough of them.

$200.00 for a custom wire stick...tell that guy $149.00 an not 1 cent more. he must want a new boat.