[Bluewater Dawg]

I just found out they have added the xx-heavy duty rods at FTU. Has anyone compared the x-heavy against the xx-heavy duty Trevala rods. Is there a significant difference or more of the same. I have been thinking about getting a heavier rod just don't know if it worth the money. Any input will be appreciated. I'm starting to feel like I'm becoming a Tackle Ho! :help: :help:

 

[Bellyup]

Hey dawg, I just bought a XXH a couple weeks ago but I am yet to fish with it. There seems to be significantly more backbone on the XXH. I have it paired with my new Shimano Ocea Jigger 4000P which is lined with 100 pound spectra. I think the rod will handle 50 pound AJs and YFT up to 100. It may even be better than that, which is what I am hoping. I want to make it my jigging setup for the overnight trips and hope it can handle 50+ AJs and 100+ YFT. However, I am yet to test it (the reel should handle that). I hope to test it during the Deep Sea Roundup. It should be plenty strong for inshore fishing. I have a trevala H, XH, and the XXH. They progressively get stronger.

I am new to hardcore jigging but I have become obcessed with jigging for big game fish.

 

[starshine]

Hello Bluewater Dawg:
I was using the 50/200 Trevala on th Big E Mem Day trip and hooked something on a jig, got it up enough to see color (think it was a big YFT) and that Da** rod turned into wet spagetti, the fish ran under the boat and cut off. The salesmen in FTU will demonstrate lifting a 10 Lb. downrigger weight and thats fine, but thats not a green 80 Lb. YFT. Call Chris at Islander Tackle in Galveston (409-621-9526). He has a new line of jiggging rods with some backbone for about the same price. FYI - Starshine, Dr. Shark and I think McGolfer have already replaced our Trevalas with rods from Islanders.
Just my .02
Thanks, John

 

[wschorp]

Yesterday at work I was playing with some of the XXH (I work at FTU) and they are significantly stronger. Little on the $$ side. Just ask to put a reel similar to one you may own on and put a 10 pound weight on it and play with it for a bit and you will greatly see the difference. Hope this helps.

Will Schorp

 

[gunsmoke]

Typical, I just bought a 58XH three weeks ago. Still haven't used it because weather has kept me at port. I had second thought about buying it because it appeared to light for me. Is the 58XXH 149.99 also. By the way, what store is FTU?

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

I went straight to CHris and skipped the Trevalla hype.... He is a standup guy, and will treat ya right!

 

[DeepBlueGulf]

Gunsmoke,

If you haven't used it, try exchanging it for the XXH. We were playing around with it the other night and it has much more backbone. I'll be testing it out next Saturday night on an overnight trip, we'll see how much improvement there is.

Tom - DBG

 

[Bellyup]

One thing about these rods--they load better when stressed straight up and down. IME, and please think this over yourself before you take my word for it, the rod can load very heavy straight up and down. Bend that sucker to the handle. The problems seem to be when you get near the boat. I loss a 60-70 pounder just as mentioned above as the fish went under the big E. When the fish is near the boat and not straight up and down, you can' t load the rod as well. It will keep bending and you are left with a very short lever. The fish then takes you under the boat and goodbye YFT. Be careful when you get the tuna near the boat. I am going to try decreasing the drag when the fish is near the boat. That way, I hope I can steer the fish without it trying to go the opposite way of the resistance. If it takes off under the boat, the rod bends to the handle and there is not enough length to stick the tip into the water. This is just a thought, but something I am going to try. So far, I like the trevala rods, but the only real large fish I had I lost under the boat since I lacked several feet of backbone when he took off.

 

[mcgolfer]

Typical, I just bought a 58XH three weeks ago. Still haven't used it because weather has kept me at port. I had second thought about buying it because it appeared to light for me. Is the 58XXH 149.99 also. By the way, what store is FTU?

gunsmoke
ftu is fishing tackle unlimited or the old cut rate tackle stores. their store on i-45 and fuqua on the south side of houston is a great place to visit....rick

 

[gunsmoke]

Thanks mcgolfer,
I used to go to Cut Rate years ago when I went to Houston . It was a very nice tackle store. I just don't go that direction any more. Houston is a mad house of bad traffic. I will only go if someone pays me.

 

[Bluewater Dawg]

Thanks Bellyup and John and all others who replied. I was traveling to Panama City Fla. Sat. and just read these reports. Good info here. I'm going to try my Torsa out here for grouper and aj. My brother bought one of those XXH Trevalla for me (kinda of surprised me with it). We had talked about it before. So I will tell you how it works, hopefully if weather cooperates! I will post pictures when we get back. John if that doesn't work I maybe seeing Chris next. I appreciate everyones opinions. Gunsmoke if you liked the old Cut Rate you are going to love the Fishing Tackle Unlimited. Fuqua at South 45. Thanks for everyones help!!

 

[Bluewater Dawg]

Yeah it is the same price as the others $149.

Typical, I just bought a 58XH three weeks ago. Still haven't used it because weather has kept me at port. I had second thought about buying it because it appeared to light for me. Is the 58XXH 149.99 also. By the way, what store is FTU?