Will do, man.

Hopefully, I'll be into carp and pike this spring early, then possibly headed down to the Chesapeake in May for stripers and whatever else heads up the Rappahannock around that time.

The Predator rods are awesome, especially at that price point. They beat the snot out of the Sage Bass rods.

ORIGINAL: anadromous

Have you considered the Bankrobber???

I did, but I think it's a bit overpriced. At 70-75% of it's price, maybe, and I'd have still wanted it in a shorter length than they currently offer.

As it is, I picked up my Predator for less than 1/4 the price of a bank robber.

Seems like a heck of a rod, though!

Hey kids, just an update:

Got this rod out a few times, throwing the aforementioned sink tip spooled up on a spare spool I had lying around for my 5-7wt reel. Not ideal, but it gets the setup on the water.

Like KJH's assessment of the TFO rod, this one is no finesse rod, definitely a cannon though. My casting distance was limited more by my slack line getting tangled at my feet then stuck in the stripping guide more than it was limited by the rod. I'm thinking warmer weather will help with the line memory too.

That being said, I'm looking to pick up a reel for this rod before warm weather gets here...still very undecided though.

All suggestions welcome.

Right now, based on various sales, deals, and private sellers, I'm looking at a Lamson Litespeed, Nautilus FWX, and Loop EvoTec. Aside from price comparisons (since I'm not really considering MSRP for any of them), any good/bad experiences with any of these? Recommendations?

i have a lamson litespeed size 3 on a 6wt scott S4 and love it. i also have a velocity 3.5 on a 7wt abd a velocity 1,5 on a finesse 4wt and love these reels. i consider lamson to hve the best value of the upper mid-level reels out there.

I have the nautilus you mentioned. Actually I have the 7+ which is just machined a little different, but it still takes the same spool and has the same drag.

I'd say of all the reels you mentioned the Nautilus has the best sealed drag. Its as smooth as silk and wont freeze up in the cold.

Another two to check out would be Hatch and Galvan.

I have the nautilus FWX and if I had the money, all of my reels would be Nautilus. They are amazing. The Loop would be my last choice.

I don't have anything against Loop in general, just out of those three choices. The two are made in the US and would be easier to get serviced, parts.

Yeah, it was poorly worded. If you come up near Erie at all you can play with my Nautilus FW if you want, it is my current steelhead/bass reel. The one thing to possibly look at is the balance of the rod, without looking up weights I am guessing the loop is heaviest with the Lamson and Nautilus being fairly similar.

You are afraid of the sink tip.

LOL

ORIGINAL: Cold


Got it on a different reel until I get a spool for this reel for it.

300gr 6-7ips...I think a 26' head.

Hey, wut?

You are the man.

It's true.

i got a 1-ips line yesterday for the popping streamers... should be fun