Favourites

[Andrew_P]

Having been a bit too productive at work lately I deserve a bit of a break so I’ve decided to list a few of my favourite rods, reels and tackle on here in the hope that it helps a few punters select some quality gear that has been put through its paces. I buy low to mid range gear or good second hand stuff so most of my favourites are within reach of the regular punter (unless they’ve stopped making it!). Feel free to contribute your favourites too. 
 

First up is the Shimano Stradic FI 5000. This is my most used reel by far. I’ve had it for 10 years mainly fishing plastics and slugs and it’s still going strong. Has accounted for many fish from snapper and grassies to mackerel, tuna, Coral trout, Jew and even tailor off the beach! The drag is smooth and easy to upgrade (with carbontex washers) and reel is straightforward to service. I fish 20 and 30lb braid on it as it came with 2 spools. I have a similar vintage Sustain FE 4000 but prefer the Stradic as it feels a bit tougher.  Bought mine from the US when the dollar was good I think it cost me ~$130 landed. I’ve seen a few FIs on gumtree lately that look in pretty good nick. Worth a shot if you want a quality reel on a budget and don’t mind second hand. 
 

I’ve got this reel on a Shimano Starlo Stix tournament pro Maxspin 4-7kg which is another of my favourites. At 7’2 it’s a perfect length for long casts with plastics and slugs and a nice soft tip so hooks don’t pull. If anything the guides are a bit flimsy (would prefer Fuji) but I’m yet to break any so I guess they do the job. I haven’t seen many for sale but if you do come across one in good nick, jump on it!

Ill finish this with a recent favourite. Rovex Depth Finder braid. Bulk spools are reasonably priced and allow you to fill multiple reels. It’s thin, strong and changes colour so you know where your lure is I’ve used the 20 and 30lb and am happy with the knot strength and smoothness so far. 

[Old Scaley]

Thanks for sharing that insight @Andrew P. Over the years I have bought quite a few things from members of this site, including a couple of good quality pre-loved reels (Shimano Twinpower, Daiwa Sol) and a couple of Nordic Stage rods new from @Angus. I like buying from trusted vendors and after a while you get to know the character of people on a site like this. It is a great way of having good gear without spending a lot of money.

[Andrew_P]

Good point @Old Scaley I think it’s important that people know they don’t have to spend big bucks to get quality gear. Pick a product with a good name or buy 2nd hand from someone you trust. My mate I fish with has caught countless coral trout, snapper and even threadies and Jew on a $40 Sienna reel. When it eventually dies it’s cheaper to replace than service

[Andrew_P]

Next on the list is my one and only baitcast combo (another purchase from the US when the dollar was ridiculous). It’s a G Loomis GL2 10-17lb 6’ with a Shimano Curado 200E5. The blue GL2s were entry level Loomis rods that performed well above their price tag. This series of curados was the last of the Japanese made ones and the smoothness and quality are exceptional. This setup i mostly use jigging vibes and has knocked over flatties, jacks, trevallies and a nice thready. I think you can still get the odd new blue GL2 from specialist stores who import from the US, or keep your eye out for 2nd hand ones in good nick. The odd Curado pops up occasionally but the ones I’ve seen have been very well used and look a little worse for wear no doubt they’ve caught lots of fish!

[Andrew_P]

Here is another favourite that is readily available. It’s a Fin-nor Lethal lever drag 20 overhead reel. I use this bottom bashing for reefies. It holds >400m of 65lb braid, is light, has a strong smooth drag and doesn’t have the annoying noise of the anti-reverse that some reels do. I’ve got 2 tyrnos reels (12 and 16) for similar use but prefer using the Lethal over them. My mate I reef fish with has the same reel and we have knocked over fish to 12kg and sharks bigger than 1.5m. I’ve actually got 2 of the single speed versions; a mate has a 2-speed version which has had some problems engaging the gears so I’d steer clear of then. You can find them online for under $200 delivered which is a bloody good price compared to similar Shimano and daiwa offerings. 
I’m keen to hear if other AFOers have gear recommendations or comments on some of the stuff I’ve listed!

[Andrew_P]

My favourites list wouldn’t be complete without a Gary Howard rod. I have more of his rods than any other brand and they are by far my favourites. This is a 7’ GForce spin rod rated 8-15kg. It uses a composite (carbon and fibreglass) blank similar to the Wilson live fibre rods but seems a bit crisper and lighter than similar rated live fibres. I use this for bay tuna and mackerel, floatlining offshore and even dropping baits to deepwater wrecks. This rod retailed at over $300 when I got it (xmas present ) but I think they retail for around $220 nowadays. There are overhead versions and heavier versions on the market too. 

I think Gary makes excellent rods built for Qld species and conditions and am very happy to support a local business. he supports the local specialist tackle shops too so worth a look if you are in the market for a new rod

[tugger]

20 hours ago, Andrew_P said:

My favourites list wouldn’t be complete without a Gary Howard rod. I have more of his rods than any other brand and they are by far my favourites. This is a 7’ GForce spin rod rated 8-15kg. It uses a composite (carbon and fibreglass) blank similar to the Wilson live fibre rods but seems a bit crisper and lighter than similar rated live fibres. I use this for bay tuna and mackerel, floatlining offshore and even dropping baits to deepwater wrecks. This rod retailed at over $300 when I got it (xmas present ) but I think they retail for around $220 nowadays. There are overhead versions and heavier versions on the market too. 

I think Gary makes excellent rods built for Qld species and conditions and am very happy to support a local business. he supports the local specialist tackle shops too so worth a look if you are in the market for a new rod

Yes I have 3 Gary Howard rods 1 overhead rod and 2 spinsticks they are my favourite offshore rods but my black queen whiting rod is my favourite creek rod over 40 years old and still weapon

[Andrew_P]

8 hours ago, tugger said:

Yes I have 3 Gary Howard rods 1 overhead rod and 2 spinsticks they are my favourite offshore rods but my black queen whiting rod is my favourite creek rod over 40 years old and still weapon

I remember using my grandpas black queen a few times as a kid. I think I even caught one in the Broadwater with a reel encrusted to it . I found my childhood Butterworth rod (from the early 90s) recently and had it refurbished. Was looking at the specs and saw it was made in Korea hopefully one of my boys will catch a fish on it and struggle as much as I did to wind it in!

Edited October 27, 2019 by Andrew_P
Pics added

[tugger]

4 minutes ago, Andrew_P said:

I remember using my grandpas black queen a few times as a kid. I think I even caught one in the Broadwater with a reel encrusted to it . I found my childhood Butterworth rod (from the early 90s) recently and had it refurbished. Was looking at the specs and saw it was made in Korea hopefully one of my boys will catch a fish on it and struggle as much as I did to wind it in!

I have my dad's black knight as well which is even older I had it relacured and rebound last month to preserve it

[Andrew_P]

21 minutes ago, tugger said:

I have my dad's black knight as well which is even older I had it relacured and rebound last month to preserve it

Nice! Would love to see a pic or two. I have my Grandpas Len Butterworth beach rod in a state of disrepair. Would love to restore it to its former glory one day.  Plenty of Gold Coast tailor caught on that rod and a Bakelite alvey reel!

But geez, I’m glad we’ve come a long way in the fishing technology stakes. Couldn’t imagine holding that beast through a long cold night session on the beach

[tugger]

1 hour ago, Andrew_P said:

Nice! Would love to see a pic or two. I have my Grandpas Len Butterworth beach rod in a state of disrepair. Would love to restore it to its former glory one day.  Plenty of Gold Coast tailor caught on that rod and a Bakelite alvey reel!

But geez, I’m glad we’ve come a long way in the fishing technology stakes. Couldn’t imagine holding that beast through a long cold night session on the beach

I'll take some photos of all of my favourite sticks

[ellicat]

I've been thinking about this but don't really have a favourite setup. I recently purchased a Daiwa Revros 3000 and matched it to my Nordic Stage Cheater/Favourite (can't remember which one is which). It casts really well and has a nice smooth drag, but don't know if it will be the same after 12 months use.

[Andrew_P]

Surely your favourite is your favourite!

[Andrew_P]

Some GL2 baitcasters for sale here: 

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/caboolture-south/fishing/blue-g-loomis-fishing-rod-baitcaster/1232198566

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/caboolture-south/fishing/g-loomis-gl2/1232198376

 

[Andrew_P]

Keen to revive this thread and see what gear others find as their favourites. I know there’s been a lot of love recently for the old Live Fibres and Thunnuses

[Kenne]

When i was a kid my favorite was a medium coke bottle wrapped in line

[Brodie_S]

On 29/10/2019 at 1:04 PM, ellicat said:

I've been thinking about this but don't really have a favourite setup. I recently purchased a Daiwa Revros 3000 and matched it to my Nordic Stage Cheater/Favourite (can't remember which one is which). It casts really well and has a nice smooth drag, but don't know if it will be the same after 12 months use.

Unfortunately the reel isn’t gonna stay smooth is that’s what you’re thinking had a aird needed new grease after 6 months after hard use . Doesn’t help the aird doesn’t have the best gearing personally if I was to get a daiwa reel I would go for the Exceler at the cheapest I can say they are good reels . Now I’ve tested out a few different reels I know what I like now 

[ellicat]

On 29/10/2019 at 12:04 PM, ellicat said:

I've been thinking about this but don't really have a favourite setup. I recently purchased a Daiwa Revros 3000 and matched it to my Nordic Stage Cheater/Favourite (can't remember which one is which). It casts really well and has a nice smooth drag, but don't know if it will be the same after 12 months use.

As an update, the reel is still smooth after a fair bit of use.

My favourite currently is the Nordic Stage Favourite (the black one) matched with a 4000 Shimano Symetre running 20lb.

[Brodie_S]

3 minutes ago, ellicat said:

As an update, the reel is still smooth after a fair bit of use.

My favourite currently is the Nordic Stage Favourite (the black one) matched with a 4000 Shimano Symetre running 20lb.

That’s good to hear . I think it depends on how much grease they put in the reels in the factory . The aird had barely any grease in it . It was pretty much zinc running on brass with barely any grease . Hopefully the revro’s LT holds up well i personally prefer a lot of the daiwa reels over the shimano reels there just way to expensive to the point where I think it’s better to save money and I still really like my Shimano reels because there generally no fus reels that hold there smoothness well 

[Brodie_S]

Might buy a KIX LT in a few years and see how that compares to my Stradic 

[ellicat]

I bought another 2500 Revros about 6 months ago. It is still smooth also. I quite like them and they are holding up well without any fuss.

[Brodie_S]

Fave reel is the shimano stradic FL super reliable reel especially for the price . Smooth drag heaps of pulling power no flex lays line perfectly great gearing system super light and holds its smoothness. 10/10 would recommend 

fave rod would be any of the rods in the atomic arrows series . I have a bream surface and it’s excellent it’s the bees knees better then anything else in the price range great casting distance super light sensitive blanks and great EVA split grips awesome rod  especially for the price to. Got mine for $112

[Andrew_P]

Good review bro. I’m looking to replace a 13 year old a Shimano Seido 2500 with an FL Stradic. 

[Brodie_S]

24 minutes ago, Andrew_P said:

Good review bro. I’m looking to replace a 13 year old a Shimano Seido 2500 with an FL Stradic. 

A FL Stradic will certainly do the job well . I ordered a bearing the other night to replace the bushing on the bottom of the worm gear which can be replaced without having to take apart the side plate and the rotor I’ll tell you how it goes. Yeah the FL stradics are awesome reels that can take a absolute flogging and still preform like new 

[fishingnut]

I do have a few bc outfits but I would say these two are possibly my favourite. Both recently  serviced by Duncan at https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Fishing-Store/D-H-Reel-Repairs-347434902127288/ ready for a season of casting at jacks and toga and some Barra, both have upgraded (as with all my reels) with carbontex drag washers. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey Andrew

I've had many spin rods over time, and I do love my little Sienna and Penn SSM, but I've grown to love and prefer baitcasters. Even after a little bit of use I find them far more suited to casting, and I love my Dad's old Barra King. Only thing I don't like them for is little lures - they don't cast light baits well. Prefer using a spin stick for that.

So, my favourite overhead would have to be Dad's ancient Barra King 650. It holds a fair old lot of twenty pound line, and I could put on lots more if I needed. It has a good drag, and will handle nicely while tight, and the ratchet makes it very handy for live baiting. I find by leaving it in freespool with the ratchet on it works as a Baitrunner function. The second you want to strike, start reeling and then you'll be on normal drag. The rod it's paired to is a heavy overhead Ugly Stik. It's old, missing an eye, but still works and casts well. I don't know the measurement but it's around 7 foot. I haven't caught too many fish on it, but now it's been done up nicely by D +H reel repairs it's working great.  

The Shimano Sienna 1000 with ten pound braid (I got a spare spool to put six pound mono on for whiting) and an Ugly Stik also account for many fish. It will cast a long way, and has a nice and smooth drag. The drag is very fine too, meaning the you can always get it just right. I've caught bigger fish than what it's worth for, and it has a nice sensitive tip. 

The final reel and rod is pretty cheap - A Penn SSM on a Rogure Firepoint Rod. It's spooled with thirty pound braid, and has taken a flogging with sharks and salmon. The drag still holds up good, and the tip is whippy enough to still hook little pickers. I've found it casts good, and doesn't mind taking some salt water too (in fact, once a bucket of seawater was accidentally tipped all over it - nothing was done and it didn't even rust!).

Cheers Hamish

[GregOug]

Beautiful reel @fishingnut

[benno573]

I have three rods that cover most fishing situations.  They are all tiaryo air speed spin rods, 7’ long. I have the 2-4kg matched to a stradic ci4 with 4lb, 4-6kg matched to an arenos 4000 with 15lb and 6-8kg matched with a stradic ci4 with 20lb. They are all my favorite in different situations, the light for estuary/beach stuff, the medium for bait/plastics in the bay and in close offshore and the heavier one for spinning, heavier plastics and light tackle bottom bashing.

 

They aren’t expensive, quality components, plenty of feel and plenty of grunt.

 

Then theres my live fibre family

4kg baitcaster

10kg baitcaster

8-10kg 8’ spin

15-24kg 8’ spin

 

then there’s the other 20+ favourite rods that live beside them...

It’s not a habit it’s cool... I feel alive...

[kmcrosby78]

How long have you had they Tiaryo rods @benno573 and where did you get them from out of interest?

[benno573]

3 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

How long have you had they Tiaryo rods @benno573 and where did you get them from out of interest?

hey mate,

the 4-6kg one i have probably had for 6-ish years?  it was a replacement by a mate who managed to snap my former favourite rod, a live fibre blade and tails and he offered to replace it.  i thought i'd give the tiaryo a crack based on the success @Sparksie had experienced with one from the same brand and felt bad asking my mate to replace a $280 rod when the tiayro was less than half of that.

the 2-4kg one originally came about as another replacement by a different mate who managed to snap my other live fibre blade and tails, was purchased based on my love of the 4-6kg version.

then i saw they have a 6-8kg so thought why not have the whole family... 

i recently replaced my 2-4kg owing to an unfortunate incident that occured on the good ship ellicatch.  so it is currently only 3 months old.  purchased on the bay of e for about $120 delivered ex melbourne?  good news is i now have some spare runners and a new stake to hold up a chilli plant... 

 

Edit: Think it was from here https://www.ebay.com/usr/emmapang4

[ellicat]

My current favourite is the Samaki Allure 6 - 12lb (I bought off @Andrew_P) paired with a 2500 Daiwa Sol running 12lb.

[Andrew_P]

@ellicat The Jewstopper!

[ellicat]

1 hour ago, Andrew_P said:

@ellicat The Jewstopper!

That's the one. Also got me a 60 snap and 53 morwong (although Steve played the morwong out). Love it.

[Junky]

My favourite reel is my 20 Saltiga 14000xh. 

 

 

I matched it with the 21 saltiga 710-8 extra heavy spin. 

 

 

Awesome for popping and stick baits. 

Nice and light for bottom bashing, compared to overheads. 

 

Not much gets away from me now, however I am starting to straighten ganged up mustard 7766DT hooks trying to beat the sharks. 

Anyone have any strong hooks to gang that they'd recommend?

[Junky]

I loved that saltiga enough to go and buy its cousin. 

The certate 14000xh. 

 

It sits on a Diawa Spartan S85 6/8. 

 

 

Why? 

Because now I can have a popper on the saltiga, and a stick bait on the certate. 

Nah, well I can, but I am in the process of updating my outfits, slowly. Started with the heavy hitters and will later sort mediums out, then light.

I am fishing more reef areas up north and I am using the drags to muscle the fish up before the tax man gets them, and should the tax man get hooked while stealing my fish, I have a good chance of getting him to the boat to give him a good smack across the back for being an opportunist. 

 

I am in the market for a good jigging rod. The ones that look like 2 to 4kg rods but are actually good for about 15kg. This area is new to me so throw some suggestions at me. I will be using the certate or saltiga on them, so spin rod obviously. 

[Andrew_P]

2 hours ago, Junky said:

My favourite reel is my 20 Saltiga 14000xh. 

 

 

I matched it with the 21 saltiga 710-8 extra heavy spin. 

 

 

Awesome for popping and stick baits. 

Nice and light for bottom bashing, compared to overheads. 

 

Not much gets away from me now, however I am starting to straighten ganged up mustard 7766DT hooks trying to beat the sharks. 

Anyone have any strong hooks to gang that they'd recommend?

Mustad Big Guns 8/0s ganged with black rolling swivels. the PEtackle equivalent BFG's are pretty good too and you can buy the 8/0s open eye ready to gang

 

ive been using the 7766 for years and recently they are noticeably softer when opening the eye for ganging. have moved over to the Big Guns and wont go back

[Andrew_P]

1 hour ago, Junky said:

I loved that saltiga enough to go and buy its cousin. 

The certate 14000xh. 

 

It sits on a Diawa Spartan S85 6/8. 

 

 

Why? 

Because now I can have a popper on the saltiga, and a stick bait on the certate. 

Nah, well I can, but I am in the process of updating my outfits, slowly. Started with the heavy hitters and will later sort mediums out, then light.

I am fishing more reef areas up north and I am using the drags to muscle the fish up before the tax man gets them, and should the tax man get hooked while stealing my fish, I have a good chance of getting him to the boat to give him a good smack across the back for being an opportunist. 

 

I am in the market for a good jigging rod. The ones that look like 2 to 4kg rods but are actually good for about 15kg. This area is new to me so throw some suggestions at me. I will be using the certate or saltiga on them, so spin rod obviously. 

Surely Daiwa do a jigging rod you are after. The Shimano ocea jiggers look good if you are willing to spend money!

Lots of youtube floggers flogging the Nomad jiggers but have heard of more than a few breakages in reel life....

My recommendation would be to get a custom rod builder to recommend a blank and build to spec (you can even provide them the reel to get the guide spacings perfect!). Try Peter Flor @florless rods his rods are high quality, he is great to work with and will have what you are after.

 

[Junky]

25 minutes ago, Andrew_P said:

Mustad Big Guns 8/0s ganged with black rolling swivels. the PEtackle equivalent BFG's are pretty good too and you can buy the 8/0s open eye ready to gang

 

ive been using the 7766 for years and recently they are noticeably softer when opening the eye for ganging. have moved over to the Big Guns and wont go back

Legend. 

I will be giving them a go. 

Do you run the swivel because the shank is to thick to move freely in the eye of the lower hook, causing them to jam up? 

 

These 7766s are definitely softer. They held better years ago. 

I wish I was a tackle geek. 

I would have load tested them back in the day. 

[Andrew_P]

9 minutes ago, Junky said:

Legend. 

I will be giving them a go. 

Do you run the swivel because the shank is to thick to move freely in the eye of the lower hook, causing them to jam up? 

 

These 7766s are definitely softer. They held better years ago. 

I wish I was a tackle geek. 

I would have load tested them back in the day. 

yeah it just makes them much easier to bait up with the swivel in between, and i reckon they swing better when you set the hooks (the 7766s did get stuck in some funny positions at times)

the only downside with the big guns is they are chemically sharpened so you cant really sharpen and re-use them when they go blunt, which makes them expensive

[Junky]

29 minutes ago, Andrew_P said:

Surely Daiwa do a jigging rod you are after. The Shimano ocea jiggers look good if you are willing to spend money!

Lots of youtube floggers flogging the Nomad jiggers but have heard of more than a few breakages in reel life....

My recommendation would be to get a custom rod builder to recommend a blank and build to spec (you can even provide them the reel to get the guide spacings perfect!). Try Peter Flor @florless rods his rods are high quality, he is great to work with and will have what you are after.

 

I'm sure they do too. 

It's just that I am not up to speed on these rods at all. I have zero experience. 

 

The ones I see in shops looked real heavy compared to what I see being used on the vids. 

I see the vloggers using rods with a nice soft tip, then load up like they're pulling in a 15kg red. 

I gotta get me one of these rods to try out. 

 

 

 

Yep, I have heard of the nomad issues. I also didn't like their reversed reel seat.  Nice looking rods though. The saltiga however felt the best when loaded up.