I'm thinking of picking up a Phenix Abyss 809 (8' 20-50#) and was wondering if it'd be a good jig/swimbait (up to 10oz) rod for trips out of Morro Bay for rockfish and lingcod?
It'd get paired with my upgraded 501 with 30# mono / 50# braid......
I want a rod that's a little longer to clear the other anglers rods and tangles when fishing on the Morro Bay party boats.
Is that rod a good choice?
Pj
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
I have a couple of Black Diamond 809's. The only Abyss I have is a 807 that I use with a Fathom 12. The Abyss seem more like bait sticks than jig/plastic rods. They have a pretty soft tip. The Black Diamonds are stiffer and better for jigs. I've used my 809's with Lexa 400, Accurate BV300 and DX2 400, Avet SX Raptor. That's a psw809h in my avatar pic with the DX2 400. You'd have to put a bend in it and see if it's to your liking.
look at the axis line, it's between the abyss and black diamond...
tight lines!
The Axis are close to Calstar Grafighters in action.
let us know which one you decided on, thanks!
I'm gonna have to delay my rod because the other models suggested are a little too much $$$....
The sticker shock of a good rod is soon forgotten where the joy of a good stick lasts forever.
You should visit a shop carrying the models you're interested in and pull on them to see which you like best. Of course, given where you live, that might be a challenge.
Quote from: MarkT on December 12, 2016, 01:12:57 AM
You should visit a shop carrying the models you're interested in and pull on them to see which you like best. Of course, given where you live, that might be a challenge.
A challenge is an understatement..... I have to go all the way to Fresno to even get a look at a decent saltwater rod...
They have saltwater rods in Fresno? I thought all they had was raisins.
Quote from: MarkT on December 12, 2016, 03:36:16 AM
They have saltwater rods in Fresno? I thought all they had was raisins.
And tacos but very few saltwater rods!
If you can wait a while, Bakersfield – March 10 – 12, 2017 – Fred Hall Shows is coming to your area. It may be worth checking out. I don't know which vendors will be there but it may be worth the trip. That being said, the grand daddy of them all is in Long Beach prior to the central valley show. Every major rod maker goes to the Long Beach FHS to show off their wares.
I'll have to check it out, can't go to SD but Bakersfield is doable...
PJ,
I'm probably going to go to the show in Long Beach on a one day turn around. You want to catch a ride ?
Makes to about a 20-22 hr day but if I have someone to spell me a bit on the driving I'm good.
Ask Big Tim , long days are OK with me when it's fishing 😎
Best JT
PJ I have an Abyss 809 in my hands right now that was only used on the June SOA charter. I can bring it New Years if you want to check it out. I would make you more than a fair deal on it.
BT
Quote from: Big Tim on December 18, 2016, 07:41:03 PM
PJ I have an Abyss 809 in my hands right now that was only used on the June SOA charter. I can bring it New Years if you want to check it out. I would make you more than a fair deal on it.
BT
Sure I'll check it out.....
Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?
Quote from: pjstevko on December 18, 2016, 08:04:07 PM
Quote from: Big Tim on December 18, 2016, 07:41:03 PM
PJ I have an Abyss 809 in my hands right now that was only used on the June SOA charter. I can bring it New Years if you want to check it out. I would make you more than a fair deal on it.
BT
Sure I'll check it out.....
Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?
I want to get another Tsunami Air Wave Elite 7' 20-65 rod. It's more versatile in my opinion. I have caught big lings! and yellowtail with it an I just like a 7 footer for my style of fishing. The TSAWEBC-701MHJ is on sale on Amazon for $125.00 shipped. That's a good deal on a good rod. (poor mans Phenix).
Tim
I have found rods that offer a wide range of line weights don't do anything really well. The compromise necessary for that range of line class is just too much for today's materials. I thought a 15-80 would be the Holy Grail but in reality you may have a decent 20-50 if you're lucky. Unless there is a revolution in new rod materials I try to stay closer to what the reel is capable of in performance.
My heaver rods are called "Lifter Rods" and that's what they do. They do not cast well so I don't use them to cast except in case of a frantic bite. For this heaver equipment I use a full spool of braid and wind on leaders for free-spool fishing. Depending on how finicky the fish are I can swap out fluorocarbon, wind on leaders as necessary. May be a consideration.
My Jigmasters are are the biggest headache. With the quick change spool you can change out line class in a minute. My 500s are full of the finest drag stacks and stainless hi speed gearing that can be bought. The Jigmaster will handle between 25# and 50# line class just by changing to different spools of line!! Yo-Yo fishing and surface lure casting to live bait and bottom fishing. A quality 8-9 foot long, 20-50 should work well but still not without some compromise.
I only buy 4oz. and 6oz. jigs along with my surface irons. Try casting all three, back to back on the same rod/reel and see what you get. The rod timing changes all over the place. It loads and unloads differently with each different weight you toss. You're asking for a backlash with old Penn Conventional reels even it they have been magged! My recommendation....match the rod to the reel and the kind of fishing you're doing and take 3.
If you're still not convinced I have a 6 foot,15-50 Fenwick, Pacific Stick, E-Glass I'd love to sell you for 50 bucks
Hoyt
[/quote]
Sure I'll check it out.....
Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?
[/quote]
Tim don't bother bringing the rod, I don't need another rod as the ones I have work just fine. Plus the extra $$ I thought I had coming had to go to more important items. I only ever seem to get to go fishing once a year so no need for more than 2 set ups....
I caught a 32 pound Yellowtail on that rod two months ago and it really sucked.... Old Fenwicks are highly sought after by some and I grabbed it the instant it came available. I fished it within the the rod's line rating and it was entirely too floppy and killed my back out in an 8 minute fight. Simply too wide a span in workable line weights. Does not do anything well!!!!
I have a an old Cal Star BT-270 rated at 12#-30# with a pumped up Squidder on it that did a better job than the Fenwick with my favorite Penn 505 on it. That Squidder caught a 22 pounder on that same trip and It didn't bother my back one bit. In fact I fished that rod all day long with a spool change for lighter line. I was up front casting my 4oz. mega baits, surface jigs and at the rail with bait.
For all watching....CharkBait is selling off all their Cal Stars to bring in Cousins rods to replace that line. Go steal yourself one at 35% off retail...HURRY~
HoHoHoyt
Quote from: pjstevko on December 19, 2016, 04:16:21 AM
Sure I'll check it out.....
Why are you thinking of getting rid of it?
[/quote]
Tim don't bother bringing the rod, I don't need another rod as the ones I have work just fine. Plus the extra $$ I thought I had coming had to go to more important items. I only ever seem to get to go fishing once a year so no need for more than 2 set ups....
[/quote]
Even though you're not in the market right now for another rod , you really owe it to yourself to go to a FHS. That's a pretty good offer to make the run to Long Beach for the show, think about it, the future is bright :)