I'm ready for a New Lighter Tog Set up

Leprechaun said:
I fish with two guys that own those little Accurate Valiant 300 lever-drag jammies. I have to admit, not only are they super-tiny, but very strong as well. A beautiful piece of American engineering. Expensive as all get-out though.

My little built-up Abu "Mini-togger" reels are some nice pieces. Over the past 10-15 years I've custom crafted and tuned maybe 25-30 of them. Every one a little different - and as we progressed down that road over the years, every one a little bit lighter/stronger than the ones preceding it. But these are not for everybody - custom anything costs money, and there are far less expensive options out there.

However, if you wanna be uniquely different, no one else will have one - because you designed it! That appeals to me, and a handful of other guys out there as well. Is it really any different than fishing with a custom-built rod? Having a TRUE custom rod/reel combo, something only you own, is well, special.

Believe me, I'm NOT soliciting any new reel builds, just making a point. In truth, I've always done these for the cost of the parts - never made a dime on any of them. It takes a good amount of time to research and gather the latest hot-rodding parts from vendors all over the World, and the assembly seldom is true bolt-on. Nothing "custom" ever seems to be. So I've worn out a few Dremel tools doing this, not to mention my patience and eyesight aren't what they once were. . .

Anyway, in the relative "cost-effective" category, I like the Daiwa Lexa 300-series very much - after working on a bunch of them, they do seem to hold up nicely. But I hear that Daiwa discontinued this reel in the 5:1 gear ratio. Now only 6:1, or something like that available. Might not be an issue for most, but I fish with my custom little 3.8:1 reels, and believe me, there's a HUGE difference in tog-pulling power.

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Is that a Snapon toolbox I see in the back round
 
Depending on where and when you are fishing, weights can range from a 1/2 oz jig on up to 16 ounces of lead. You need to choose your rod and reel accordingly.
 
Capt13 said:
Depending on where and when you are fishing, weights can range from a 1/2 oz jig on up to 16 ounces of lead. You need to choose your rod and reel accordingly.
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Are you familiar with the Black Demon from jigging world is that a rod that will allow me more flexibility? I will be mainly fishing in NY Bight
 
Essex said:
I am sorry to keep asking question, but I think I might go with that setup. Can it handle a lot of lead and does it have a lot of backbone? It looks light but just wondering if it you have had issues! Thanks so much in advance
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It will fish 6oz, it’s not really a “backbone” rod. On a good fish it will bend right to the handle. It’s not really a rod that you pump. Rely on a decent reel to get the fish in.
I use it for Striped bass, Seabass, Tog, even for fishing Mahi off Pots.
 
I remember you saying that Pete on the first site. Also something said about be being robbed or mugged possibly at gun point while in your work truck/van? Not to change the topic but it never left my mind every time I see your posts.
 
Hi George,
IMHO, choosing tackle that suits any angler tends to be a pretty personal decision. What one fisherman thinks is absolutely terrific, the next will say is just so-so.
Having said that, my personal favorite Tog set up is a Capt. Neil built CTS BS 703 with the same Avet SX 5.3 you mentioned. Very light and sensitive yet I find I can easily swing up to 10 oz. on that blank no problem. Also, I have taken several DD Tog on this setup, no problem.
I know a lot of folks have had issues with the smaller Avets, but with a decent amount of PM I have had almost no isues with mine for over 5 years now.
Of course, if you can convince Lep to build you one of his special "super tuned" Abu's that is a very tough act to follow.
Good luck in your quest for the ultimate Tog outift that suits you best.
Capt. Mike
 
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JoeB - yes, that’s true. A particularly nasty episode in my life. Nothing like having a gun shoved in your ear for three hours to make you re-evaluate your career choices. Too bad, because I really enjoyed owning that business. And made quite a nice living at it too. Wifey and my Mom were absolutely opposed to me getting back in my truck, so that was that.
 
I can see in your builds, your boat , your fishing, your articles/posts, sharing how to posts especially, home, recipes that it shows...we all here have been the recipients of so much! That could have been taken away by the “lowest” on the earth. And not have even known it!! But we do.
I thank you sir.
 
All depends on how light you want to fish. If you are thinking about the challenger bank medium then and you want a lever drag, the valiant you chose is nice. That said for a lot less money and similar functionality you could get the Seigler SGN. If you are thinking a star drag the Saltist 20 is a great bang for the buck, but if I were spending someone else's $$ (like yours) i'd go with the saltiga star or even the new Ocea Jigger that comes out shortly. The advantage of that Ocea is the lower gear ratio option. If you want a baitcaster type try the shimano tranx mini with either the paddle handles or power handle.

And yes, to preempt the comments, they are all complete overkill....but fancy and shiny is worth something too!!
 
I am just about to build my first rod for blackfish and fluke jigging. I am building it on the BH Challenger Bank 701L . It will be a split grip spinner. All parts and build kit are en route, so hopefully I will have it ready for test in the next few weeks. I just got into blackfish last season so I cannot speak too much regarding my preferences yet, but I have been using an e6x inshore 7' mhf so far this season and it has been excellent jigs up to about 1-1/2oz. Heavier setup is a terez 8m that lost about 6" off the top from the previous owner. Have not had a good day with it yet, but it certainly feels like a winner. 731m acid wrap build in my future perhaps?
 
HighHook4Hire said:
I am just about to build my first rod for blackfish and fluke jigging. I am building it on the BH Challenger Bank 701L . It will be a split grip spinner. All parts and build kit are en route, so hopefully I will have it ready for test in the next few weeks. I just got into blackfish last season so I cannot speak too much regarding my preferences yet, but I have been using an e6x inshore 7' mhf so far this season and it has been excellent jigs up to about 1-1/2oz. Heavier setup is a terez 8m that lost about 6" off the top from the previous owner. Have not had a good day with it yet, but it certainly feels like a winner. 731m acid wrap build in my future perhaps?
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best of luck with your new rod...enjoy the craft
 
I'm really digging the black hole 6'8" charter special with an IRT 300...THE BLANK IS AS GOOD AS THE CHALLENGER 701L as per KILSONG whose word is golden....but less hurt in the pocket....but i will go to the NJ saltwater show to check em out before plunking down that type of cash ....also I have to unload some stuff on Ebay......anybody have experience with the blank or reel?

I will surely use to jig blacks....but also fluking too......thank you!! :)
 
movetheboat said:
I'm really digging the black hole 6'8" charter special with an IRT 300...THE BLANK IS AS GOOD AS THE CHALLENGER 701L as per KILSONG whose word is golden....but less hurt in the pocket....but i will go to the NJ saltwater show to check em out before plunking down that type of cash ....also I have to unload some stuff on Ebay......anybody have experience with the blank or reel?

I will surely use to jig blacks....but also fluking too......thank you!! :)
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If your looking to unload fishing stuff why go to ebay why not try here 1st. Lots of local guys and items priced nicely will go. Good luck.
 
Gene - I’ve written about this rod (as a spiral wrapped conventional) a few times on this board. Last season it was my go-to ocean fluking stick, carrying a Daiwa Zillion Coastal baitcaster. Awesome with jigs to 6oz. I highly recommend it. Love it to death. I bought mine from Kilsong's Black Hole booth at the Edison, NJ show last March. He had plenty of other outstanding sticks and blanks there to inspect as well.
 
Thanks Pete!! I'm going to check them out at Edison...it appears the blackhole booth and the IRT booth are next to each other....IRT sells the combos and should have a SHOW SPECIAL
 
They make a nice reel - but pricey. I would worry about part availability if they go bye-bye - not that I wish any such thing on them. Not in the least. My business depends on American manufacturing, so I ALWAYS pull for the "home team."

But this super-heated economy is becoming ripe for an adjustment. Probably a big one, too. Not any particular politician's fault, its just what happens in the sine-curve/waves of eco-growth. Smaller companies that offer high-end "boutique" tackle may not have the resources to survive such a downturn. That's when the parts pipeline dries up.

As an alternative consider this - last weekend I finally got a chance to closely inspect the "new-ish" Van Stall VR50. I believe that in the "high end" price category THIS IS CLEARLY the reel to look at. What a beautiful piece of machined excellence! Smooth as all get-out too. The VR50 is similar in size to my Evict 2000 (or the 3000) and was over 2oz lighter - which to me is really impressive. And it didn't feel at all like any of the larger VS reels, not to me at least. Very free-turning. If I were looking for a smaller, premium-priced reel for SW work, The VR50 would be the one. . . by a very wide margin!
 

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