Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Came across this nice Sabre, 1st 7.5' I have found.  Line rating says 15-50, this thing feels like a 20# at best but what do I know?   I googled the model # and only other one I could find was posted on BD and that rod has line rating 15-80...  same CA8010C 7.5"

Did they just randomly throw line ratings on these things?

This one feels like the perfect all-around Norcal stick. I am going to put a little fresh flex-coat on the threads and fish it.

when i rate a rod, i brace it at a 45 degree upward angle, at the butt and then 3 feet up, then pull the tip straight down until the tip is halfway between the top of the arc and the bottom of the butt.  whatever that dead weight is, i'll call the drag at strike for the reel that goes on that rod. 

let's say that it takes 6 pounds of weight to make the rod tip heel over to the half/half point.  a reel with a 20 pound topshot might have a 30% drag setting of 30%, or 6 pounds.  based on that, i would call designate the rod and a 20 pound line class rod. 

there is also the rod tip.  under this load, look at the angle of the tip versus vertical.  if the rod tip is zero to 5 degrees off vertical, then i would call it extra slow. 5-10 is slow, 10-15 is medium, 15-20 is fast, 20-25 is extra fast, and i would simply not fish a rod with a tip greater than 25 degrees.

hope this makes sense.  can you check and let us know what you wind up with?

Dang Alan, I didn't know there was going to be homework, is there a pic of the rig with which you test all this? Edit: never mind, found your tutorial on how to rate a rod, with an excellent graphic.

Reminds me of old trulines rated 10-80. Rod ratings an be all over the board.

Ok well 6# takes it down just about perfect halfway, tip is at maybe 12 degrees has good backbone



So I'd say 20#ish very sensitive medium action. Feels like it may be my new favorite all-around, cant say until I try it.

for california halibut, a 20 pound stick is just about perfect!!!!!

I like 20# for just about all the NorCal feesh and much of the SoCal and Baja nearshore things. 

Lovely period colors on this rod, yellows, oranges, browns. Reminds me of my old OP shirts and TC's Island Hoppers chopper and van on Magnum PI.