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I just got off the phone with Ed at Southern Crappie Rods. My prototypes will be here this week and the 163T will be on the market in February. It is going to be a fast tip. I'll report here what I think of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wadenthebushes
Very well said mrdux, I suppose you have 3 (or more) types of clients if I had to guess. I've never been a guide doubt I ever will be, went on one guided silver salmon trip to the Kenai river in AK once, had a great trip, back on point, sorry. One, the clients who are totally oblivious and just wanna catch fish. Two the ones who wanna catch fish but also want to learn how to fish and take interest in setup, techniques etc. And 3 the ones who could care less about catching fish, they are all about setup, techniques, electronics, gear etc. I will never hire a guide on my local lakes, cause I like to believe I have the time to learn them myself and derive pleasure out of it, from the victories to defeat both have certain rewards. If I ever hire a guide on an out of state trip I would prefer knowledge over fish any day of the week! More on topic, looks like I got me some Denali's coming, can't wait to fish with em' :highfive
With all you pro's/ guides on here I have to ask, I'm looking for a good 14' rod , but $90 per pole is out of the question for me. Can someone steer me in the right direction? Heard someone mention boat bounce and it's effect on the rod and I've noticed mine bounce like crazy with minimal wind. (Just for an average guy)
I qualify as neither of the mentioned but would say maybe a set of bgjps would be the closest to the the Denali that I have fished with. Grizzly's price is better than that, around 70 shipped with the multi rod discount. Cray is as hard headed and tite as they come but he sure became a believer the same day I did.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jwater
Just saw them on Grizzly Jig web site, $74.99 and then there is the three pole discount. Got some deciding to do.
If you are down at Crappie Depot in Batesville you might check with Ricky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jwater
Total disclosure here; I used Southern Crappie Rods for years before I ever got with Ed on telling him what guys here are looking for and why. I can't call myself a pro-staffer for Southern because Ed doesn't work that way. He does send me rods that are under development, many that I've asked him to get in his catalog because I and others were looking for something different, to try and give him feedback. I've sold a ton of rods for Ed over the last 10 years or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jwater
I tell my clients and others about Southern Crappie Rods because I believe in them to be exactly what work for me. They may not appeal to somebody else and I try not to get into a Ford/Chevy pizzing match over Southerns vs other brands. There are lots of other rod companies out there that sell good products. Some of them spend a ton of money on pro-staffers and with sponsorships for tourney types and guides.
I was approached by an up-and-coming company that makes some plastics that I really like but they also make a full product line including rods. When the conversation started, I was asked if I would like to be on their team? When I said sure but I would not get rid of my Southern Rods, the conversation ended. That's the way the business works.
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Southern Crappie makes 2 weight rods in 14 footers. The SCR143 is what most folks consider an all-around weight rod that works great for spider rigging, power trolling, vertical jigging, pushing light to medium weights, longlining jigs and roadrunners, and pulling cranks. They are built with Kevlar and are tough as nails.
Southern also makes a SCR143T. It is a faster tip that is rated for 2 ounces of weight but will handle much more. They work for all the above applications but aren't as sensitive as the 143. Where the 143T shines is pushing heavier weights while power trolling, pushing cranks, pulling cranks, etc. I've ran them with up to 5 oz weights but don't have a reason to do that often. They are great in the 1/2oz to 4oz weights.
Their prices are very competitive , lower than most, and Ed Duke is as good as their is in the fishing business to deal with. His rods are only available by his web site or by calling Ed directly.
There, I stayed out of this fray until I felt the door was opened earlier in the thread for input about other brands of rods than the ones mentioned in the thread title.
But the pole bounce on the Southerns is way worse then with the Denali, just a fact.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
I had a set of 14 Denalis and was wanting to try some 16 foot rods. I set of the Southern came up and I got em, took the 14 Denalis out of the boat and headed out to fish a tourney, huge mistake, wind was bad and the poles were bouncing, bad enough we tightened up to 3 rods each with corks. I sold the Southerns the next week.
Don't get me wrong, for the money the Southern is a great pole and Doug you probably are the best to give an honest review on them as you have done, and they are tough as nails.
Pole bounce, specially in a tin boat, is huge. Most guys do not get to fish but on the weekends and have to take what they can get as far as weather.
Were the Southerns SCR143 or 143T? I might agree on the standards but not the Ts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
I'm a Denali guy, the fishability in all conditions warrants the money to me.