james buice
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Nautilus Monster. 5″ diameter. 9.9oz Made in USA Sealed cork/carbon drag.
Oh, it also won Best Saltwater Reel at the Fly Fishing Retailer Show this year…
Yep. Gary Merriman. I was told by a very, very famous tarpon angler/guide that he was probably one of the top 10 in the world. I know he’s caught a lot and really cuts through all the tech bs to tell you what works and what doesn’t.
The SC15 is a really good hook. I’ve started using the SL12 and like them.
I wouldn’t give a nickle for a Tiemco saltwater hook. They are over tempered and I’ve heard of (and have personally had) several break in vise and on fish.
The Owner hooks would be way cooler if they were silver and not black.
Yeah, the 907 G2 is by far my favorite smallie rod and no wind tailing redfish rod. Also took it out and caught a few larger stripers with it…handled them pretty good and really makes you realize how strong even a 10 lb fish is.
I’d say with the Litespeed, it isn’t the overall drag pressure that can be applied by the reel, but rather the super light frame design on a reel of that diameter. The frame will flex under force and cause the spool to bind against the frame, usually when reeling, but I’ve seen it happen on some reels while the fish is running. In reality, you’re probably fishing 17-20 lb class tippet unless the guide is running straight 50-60lb mono which some do (but your flyline’s breaking strength is usually lower than 30lb backing) so a locked down spool, ‘train stopping drag’ is moot. Ideally, you’d want a large arbor reel with a smooth drag that has a ultra low start up inertia and a frame that is beefy enough to handle hard cranking with pressure.
Nautilus has the new Monster out this year which was designed specifically for tarpon and big game. Super smooth NV system with a 5″ reel that weights under 10oz. Granted they’re not in the $500 realm.
I’d just go with a reputable guide and use their gear. Like they said above, most guides have rods/reels rigged with left and right hand reels and they’re all high quality. I’d try out their stuff and then buy based on what you see/experience. You can read about fighting big fish like that all day long, but no amount of discourse will substitute the real deal.
j
Rods are shipping to dealers now. Several dealers should have them in the next week or so.
The other “new” products aside from the A4 and new two handers is the M series which is basically a custom shop rod with sick components.
Yep, the Scott A4 is a big step above the A3. It blends several different types of graphite throughout the blank (like on the G2, S4, other manfs high end rods). I believe this is the first time this has been done on a rod in this price range. Components were all upgraded, crisper action, better tracking. I will say the rod casts better when loaded with a GPX style taper for most casters. Found this out at the IFTD Show when dealers were playing around with the rod on the pond.
James
Just bought a Versa Board. Have fished the demo boat several times out of my buddy’s shop Go With the Flow in Roswell, GA. Solid fishing platform, but not for everyone. It’s nice that you can sit down and paddle if you need to go upstream; not as quick as a good kayak, but doable. The rear wheel makes getting to and from water pretty easy.
I will say the chine on the Versa Board will kick you over if you’re not super careful when trying to side surf or ferry across a standing wave. I dumped a few times until I figured out the break point.
As for fishing, love the clean deck, ease of paddling, and how stealthy they are in lake/flats fishing situations. I wouldn’t suggest it for moving water to someone who can’t paddle/read water well or for someone who is not in decent physical shape.
Caught a lot of stripers off the Versa. No issues whatsoever and if anything, it’s easier to clear line when you are hooked up.
Dave Z…I think you left out “made in Korea, and a cheap price to fit technology/materials used” in your advertisement for Red Truck rods. But I do agree, the HP Series were awesome. I have to say, after fishing the S4S next to my older HP and STS rods, I prefer the S4S. It’s lighter, stronger, and tracks better. That said, the HP and STS rods blew away the S3S and X2S in my opinion. I just wish Jim would make an old school fiberglass tarpon rod…now that would be cool.
Well, we have some cool stuff coming out next week at the New Orleans Show and I hope you guys and gals like retro hats and super cool rods. There are two new sticks that will have folks excited 🙂
Glad you guys like the catalog.
Not sure what kind of fishing you’re doing Peter, but we have several 7wts…907/4in the A3 series, 907/4 in the G2 series (my personal fav smallile rod. Also a great no wind, tailing redfish rod as some friends who fish Mosquito Lagoon have pointed out), and the S4S 907/4 which makes a killer fast action bonefish stick or if you want something with a bit more “umph” for trout streamers. Then there is the S4 907/4 and 957/4, both good all around, do everything 7wts in the 9 and 9 1/2′ category.
Good fishing
JamesSweet. Glad you like that rod. I fish mostly a G2 885/4 or the 884/4. Love them both. They send me one of the new 9′ 3wt S4 rods a few months ago….it’s my new favorite light line, techie tailwater dry fly rod. Still never gonna part with my G2 rods for all around trout fishing.
Actually, the G2 is stronger than the older G series, especially with the new materials used when rolling the blank.
My favs are my old Hardy Bougle 4″ on any steelhead river, Ross San Miguel (amazing finish and just cool looking), and the Nautilus N/V in saltwater because they are just flat out bad ass.
“The reasons I wouldn’t select the Scott A3 is that it has no power. I watched my buddy get smoked by a hot fish on that rod. He could never turn the fish. When I have casted that rod I never felt connected either.”
Well granted I’m a rep for Scott, but I’d say it was the Indian and not the arrow in the case of getting smoked by a hot fish. Plenty of A3 switches floating around the PacNW and they’re very well liked in that part of the world. You can look around the internet and find a lot of positive reviews on the A3 switch.
I’ve fished the A3 switch rods a lot and have always felt connected and never underpowered. Just like any rod, you need to find the right line to feel connected, but the A3 really seems to like a wide variety of lines. For a solid, US made, bad a$$ switch, the A3 is tough to beat. Best thing to do is cast several and find one that fits you.
I’d say Titusville in the Lagoon, give Capt Todd Fuller a shout http://www.flyfishorlando.com/
Very cool blog, too
