help!!!!! SOS

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

GFGR-800ML or PSW-808MH. thanks much for your input...

[Newell Nut]

The 800 ML is a beautiful rod for light work. I use the 800M for mangrove snappers offshore and love it. Also very light in weight.
The 800ML is a great 30 lb line class rod.

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

was also thinking of the 800M but the ML has a softer tip, i'm thinking it's better for tossing lighter baits but i maybe wrong...

[SoCalAngler]

Let me start out by saying I'm a Calstar guy so I do have some bias, but with that said I always try to be fair in my comparisons.

I like the feel of the 800ML better than the Phenix. The way the 2 shut off feels somewhat different and since I'm use to the feel of Calstars maybe thats why it feels better to me.

I do like the components of the Phenix rod a little bit better but with the money they saved going with blanks made overseas their able to not price themself out of the market by adding a few dollars here. With this said I do not like trigger grips/reel seats on my saltwater rods which I think the Phenix has.

Between the 800ML and the 800M which are both 30lb test rods will come down to how you will fish the rod most. Mainly bait or lighter surface iron like a Tady 45=800ML, mainly fishing the bigger surface jigs like 7X lights and using bait only sometimes=800M.

If your looking to keep costs down check out a Calstar 270-8H. I fish mine like with 25lb test and it could fish 30lb fine. To me it is close to the 800ML in feel and weight and I do toss jigs up to the 7X lights in size.

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

If your looking to keep costs down check out a Calstar 270-8H.

thanks much! i have a seeker G 270H-8 CT and 700-ML for 25#...

[SoCalAngler]

Your Black Steel is closer in feel to a 800L than the Calstar 270-8H. I use my 800L for 20lb but could bump it to 25. I like to set my drags closer to the 33% mark as apposed to the 25% side, so you will see in my lighter sticks I lean more to the heavier line class.

THe Calstar 270-8H is a all glass rod and not a composite like the Black Steel, Phenix or the Grafighters.

[LTM]

Let me start out by saying I'm a Calstar guy so I do have some bias, but with that said I always try to be fair in my comparisons.

I like the feel of the 800ML better than the Phenix. The way the 2 shut off feels somewhat different and since I'm use to the feel of Calstars maybe thats why it feels better to me.

I do like the components of the Phenix rod a little bit better but with the money they saved going with blanks made overseas their able to not price themself out of the market by adding a few dollars here. With this said I do not like trigger grips/reel seats on my saltwater rods which I think the Phenix has.

Between the 800ML and the 800M which are both 30lb test rods will come down to how you will fish the rod most. Mainly bait or lighter surface iron like a Tady 45=800ML, mainly fishing the bigger surface jigs like 7X lights and using bait only sometimes=800M.

If your looking to keep costs down check out a Calstar 270-8H. I fish mine like with 25lb test and it could fish 30lb fine. To me it is close to the 800ML in feel and weight and I do toss jigs up to the 7X lights in size.

X2 on what SoCal says. I have the 800L for 20# bait, the 270H-8 for 25/30# bait and occasional jigging, and I use my 900M as my go-to jig stick. All work great.

Leo

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

can you fish 40lb on the 800M?

[SoCalAngler]

You could but that is the upper end of the rating for that stick, most jump to a 800H for 40-50 lb

[doradoben]

Which ever you choose, it's hard to go wrong with a Calstar Grafighter.

[Newell Nut]

can you fish 40lb on the 800M?

I use 40 momoi diamond on a Newell 533 on mine and it works just fine for snapper fishing.

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

800M it is then...30lb n sometimes 40lb.

[Newell Nut]

You can also cast a 3 oz jig quite well with it. I have caught some really big snappers, grouper and amberjack with both of my 800Ms and they can take a beating.

What kind of reel are going to use? I use Newell 300s with 6 stack drgs and I fish at about 20 lb of drag.

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

What kind of reel are going to use?

hopefully SALD35-2SP...it's backordered.

[Newell Nut]

That is good matchup and you should have a lot of fun with it and very light and easy to handle too.