Rod Testing.

[BOEPENSIE]

Ive been thinking of adding to the collection of rods and with that improve my casting. Distance, accuracy, technique, etc.

So, the research continues! I already have a Shimano Technium Heavy and wanted to test cast the Medium. With this, I was also researching the Purglas rods.

Whalerider (here on Sealine) was kind enough to let me test cast his rods, so we arranged a date and time to meet along Strandfontein.

I've never met Whalerider in person so after the formalities Whalerider showed me the arsenal and explained in detail the characteristics of each rod.

First up, the 350/3. Paired with the Torium 20. This rod (and its smaller brother 300/3) comes alive in ones hand. Very good action with some back bone. Casted a 5 oz sinker. I was averaging around 118 m. But know that I can improve this by some margin. This rod will work very well for medium to larger size eds. Definitely paired with a reel in the Torium 20 class.

Then I tested the 300/3, man this will be an awesome scratching rod, definitely paired with a Torium 16 or Trinidad 16. Very nice tip action and very manageable to move around with. Used a 4 oz sinker.

I then casted with Whalerider's Poseidon Light 36 T, 13,6 ft rod. Also used the Torium 20 with a 4 oz sinker. This rod is definitely in my bucket list. I have a guestimate at the average distance of the two casts but its not accurate so I wont put it here.

Whalerider's also has a WAFT Iron Feather Medium 14 ft rod that is for sale. I tested this too. This rod has attitude and I think you must have confidence in yourself with this beast. Trinidad 30 with a 6 oz sinker. After 4 casts, I averaged around 130 m. This is with my calculations. An awesome rod, but just not what I was looking for.

Out of the four rods, I would go with the 350/3, paired with a Torium or Trinidad 20. Cast a 4 or 5 oz sinker. I would use this setup for medium to large size eds.

Secondly, I would choose the 300/3 purely for scratching along the reefs, targeting small eds. I.e Galljoen, Roman, etc.

Both Purglas rods are one piece rods.

Please note, that I'm no expert at this. Im still learning every fishing outing from my mates. I dont have a lot of experience either. The above version is my opinion and what I thought for myself.

Whalerider and Chuck_LeBron purchases the Purglas blanks from Frikkie from Hofer Fishing and then custom builds the rods here in Cape Town. I inspected the workmanship and its of very high quality.

What a pleasure to meet with a passionate fisherman that is willing to share his knowledge in products, etc.

Thanks Whalerider and Chuck_LeBron. I'm very excited!

 

[BigBen]

I threw the 300/3 @ the pool afterwards paired with the Saltist 30.(Ek weet waar jy was, Ek hou julle dop..hehehehehe)

Threw a 4oz sinker more than 3/4 across the pool without putting my back into it.

Amazing little scratching rod.

So wats die pryse dan?

 

[Walt]

Nice report,I concur your sentiments,Boepensie.

I'd just come off a fishn mishn,and Whale rider suddenly puts his 350/3 &30H in my fish finger hands, without questions,and without further ado, I was throwing Nothing under 120 m per cast,in a stiff wind,which proves answers outweigh questions thereafter.

And nothing makes me Purrrr more than a Purrrglas normally.


But then Chuck Le Bron takes 350/3 off me,and puts a Seagrand &Trini 14A in my hand.Much the same,Puttin me back in Angler heaven.

Similarly,Seagrand's a great rod,threw equally well.I have a ritual of counting reel revolutions on the retrieve & can get a better indication of distance than purely by sight,which IMHO is not a true refection.

Both rods are excellent rods,both rods throw a mile.

Thanks,WR &Chuck for offering me this opportunity to try these rods.

Highly recommendable,both rods,and IMHO a better bet than risking buying rods at tackle shops.

Lekker rods,even better chaps,there was no pressure like with shop sales staff,trying to get you to sign on dotted line.

And the difference is,that you can't try the rods and cast them while in the shop,but with WR &Chuck on hand at the beach,you have the opportunity to give the rods a good whack and get a proper perspective.

Cheers

 

[BergieVisserman]

And purglas claims another victim haha. Building my third and contemplating a fourth???

 

[SavageScorpio]

Thumbs up to WR and Chuck_LeBron...Not many guys are willing to do what they have done::respekt: