JOHNR

[capesams]

John if you ever have the chance to try out a pac-bay 1088 or 1208 for eels do so. i haven't found a better rod for this type of fishing. I've used them all, and always came back to these. How's your rod's comeing along?

[Hooper]

Steve, who sells these rods?

[capesams]

Hooper:
You'll never guess who [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

steve...ho..ho..ho

[John R]

Steve - buddy, pal, hombre, Oh where to begin [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] . The "Best" 1088 Saber was the original Plum colored Saber that the old company made before Pac Bay. Fact of the matter is that the reputation of the original plum 1088s are what caused the Internet popularity of the Pac Bay 1088s around 97/98 or so. The Pac Bay Saber 1088 is mushier than the originals (I have one original plum to build that I got from Mike T and I had 1 Pac Bay 1088 that I sold after using for 2 years). But I have used several "Plum" 1088s that Bobby Andrade built up for some of the guys I fish the rockpiles with...

My primary in tight-to-the-rocks eel stick is a 1089 PB (soon to be replaced by a 1089 Batson and/or a 1088 AllStar (the base blank for the 9' Breakaways) - also a great eel stick) and my milder conditions rod is a 1088 Batson Rainshadow which in my opinion and several others is more crisp like the old sabre as opposed to the Pac Bay. You really oughta check out those Batsons. Not only do I think they are better than the PB Sabers, they're a bit less money too.

I used to have a 1208 PB Sabre cut down 3 from the tip and 3 from the butt that I broke off on a 10MPH tree in the Sacramento River (long story).

Let's see, I also use a XRA1205 where I can get decent distance on an eel or bigger plugs but I think a XRA1204 would be better. And another option that I'm looking into instead of the Arra is an AllStar 1266/2 10.5 footer.

As that recent thread on my board suggest, I may even need to look into going to the Force and building a spinner (I'm currently on the Dark Side with conventionals [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] )... I know someone (who's not online) that does very well with a XRA1204S and a Van Stall (not that I'd pay that kind of coin for a reel) but I might consider a Nautil for...

Oh - and I'm behind schedule already with the wrapper [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Hooper - we're talking surf rods here - do you Surf?

[Hooper]

OH! Surf rods...yeah I remember that. People fish from the beach don't they...kidding. Until three years ago that was all I ever did when I went on my own. I am looking for a multi-purpose rod to troll tandems on and drift bait with but have'nt found anything I really like in the 20 lb range

[capesams]

JOHNR:
I still have a few of the 1088 in plum ,but they have my name on them.YOu know just in case a tree jumps out at me some time.I know batson is going to be the way to go soon, they keep calling me wanting to know when I'm coming over to there co.Right now I just don't feel like handing over $3,000.00 to get on their list.maybe they will forgo that fee, I'll have to make a phone call, time will tell. I'm not a fan of two piece rods.Right now there are so many kinds of blanks on the market, at times it's hard to keep track of them all, and everyone wants something different. 10'footers cost an arm and leg to ship. so trying to keep 10's in stock for some people.can run into some bucks, when most people down here want 9's. rummer has it *** a's blanks are haveing a problem , blowing up that is.maybe just a bad batch,it happens at times.Mike's not getting any 10's cost to much to shp. so right now I'll have to wait and see if I can pick one up some where to get it a try.I'll try anything once twice if it works.Keep your feet dry...steve

[Miles Offshore]

Hooper, I use Penn mariner standups(15-30 lb) with Shimano tld20 for multiple stuff like you say and I love them. I troll big stuff and small stuff for rockfish and light offshore stuff with them as well as live baiting for big red drum inshore and they work great with a real fast tapering tip and plenty of meat to back it up.

[John R]

Steve - are you a distributor?

I can't see why shops would need to pay 3Gs unless the intent is to distribute and THEN you'd need to move a couple hundred pieces to break even....

Do you mean a's blanks or A's blanks? I know A's blanks had a problem several years ago but that has passed...

[Hooper]

MilesOffshore-

Thanks, I do have a pair of the Mariners and they are a nice rod for short $$$, but I am a tackle junkie and I always want to see what else is out there. I am using those rods with a pair of Penn 320gti's for tube and worm with lead core. This is a great site, good info and ideas, Gordon

[Scott]

Hey guys

I've been using a PB 1087 that I absolutely love! but I think it would be a little light for playing with the slippery buggers. I use it for pluggin and cant say enough about it....A Rep. from another reel company I fished with was annoyed that I had a Penn reel on it and took it out of my hands.....well later that night I finally got the rod back....wanted to buy it off me right there....the rod that is…

the 1088 ...20lbs line?? and Batson blanks ...sounds like you really like them….something I need to add to the arsenal [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ??

Hooper .. I'm building a pair of Seeker boat and trolling 30lbs rods to play around inshore with....and will put TLD 20's on them. I'm almost certain they make a 20 lbs rod just like it..If you dont build rods I think Seeker manufactures a complete rod just like it.