41 replies to this topic

[emeraldas2506]

hi all,
just got my first 'proper' egi rod.
a major craft pandra sumidarake (the lighter model)
just curious to hear what everyone else uses.
cheers.

[Nautilusly]

I've picked up a major craft pandra overdrive 8'5" rod from PLAT's christmas sale as well. It is a lovely rod, nice tip for long cast and plenty of power in the middle section. At only 120 grams, it is a dream to flick squid jigs and lures with! I've tried it with soft plastics yesterday and it could toss a 3" gulp minnow with a 3 gram jig head for around 60 meters! my favourite rod the 7'6" Nitro distance spin can never toss this lure for more than 50 meters! Looks like i have a new favourite rod now!

I had mine delivered for about AUD$240 all up. If anyone want to buy a Egi rod, this is probably the best value rod you will ever get. grab one before they are all gone!

http://www.plat.co.j...aft-pandra.html

[emeraldas2506]

cant beat that price can you.
heres a couple pics of mine.
i'm yet to use it, i will have to try flicking a plastic with it to see how it goes, the extra length would help alot, but would cast a plastic even better with more 'normal' guide sizes.
cheers.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by emeraldas2506, 09 December 2010 - 09:53 AM.

[Nautilusly]

I've matched it with Luvias 2000 which is newly spooled with 6lb Unitake Egi super PE II.  
The rod is made for long casts. I dont think the rod can "distinguish" a squid jig from other plastic lure, so the casting performance should be same as long as the lure is within the correct weight range. I was a little worried about the rod being too soft, but it isnt. i am sure it can handle the average kilo or two estuary/beach species with ease. overall a great rod at a fantastic price!

[emeraldas2506]

Nautilusly, on 09 December 2010 - 10:29 AM, said:

I've matched it with Luvias 2000 which is newly spooled with 6lb Unitake Egi super PE II.  
The rod is made for long casts. I dont think the rod can "distinguish" a squid jig from other plastic lure, so the casting performance should be same as long as the lure is within the correct weight range. I was a little worried about the rod being too soft, but it isnt. i am sure it can handle the average kilo or two estuary/beach species with ease. overall a great rod at a fantastic price!

yeah you're right, it all comes down to lure weight.
what i ment to say was if the weight of the lure is too light it will probably be slowed down by the line being 'choked' down too fast by the smaller sized guides. i wouldnt try to cast a 1/24 or 1/16oz head or a light hard body lure with it.

i'm thinking it will cast a metal slice a mile too !!!!

i went for the lighter one because id only seen the berkley rods in shops and they are way too heavy and fast for my liking (the 8'4" at least)
even the lighter 'sumidrake' feels fairly stiff but once its loaded up its nice and forgiving...........
i noticed in the specs yours is a little faster action than mine, let me know how it goes on the squid can you?
cheers.

Edited by emeraldas2506, 09 December 2010 - 10:54 AM.

[Nautilusly]

yah, would need a finesse bream rod to cast the super light jigs and lures. This egi rod is suitable for size 2.5 to 3.5 squid jigs, so thats around 10-25 grams. i bought a regular-fast action rod because i want to use it for both eging and beach plastic fishing. yesterday it handled a 55cm flatty very well, will let you know how i go with squids.

[emeraldas2506]

Nautilusly, on 09 December 2010 - 09:25 PM, said:

yah, would need a finesse bream rod to cast the super light jigs and lures. This egi rod is suitable for size 2.5 to 3.5 squid jigs, so thats around 10-25 grams. i bought a regular-fast action rod because i want to use it for both eging and beach plastic fishing. yesterday it handled a 55cm flatty very well, will let you know how i go with squids.

thats interesting, my lighter model is rated for the same size jigs. i assumed the ML models were rated for bigger jigs. maybe i should have got the overdrive......oh well. too late now!!!

oh how did you go with the unitika braid? i got some as well but i havnt spooled it up yet.

[Nautilusly]

emeraldas2506, on 09 December 2010 - 09:37 PM, said:

thats interesting, my lighter model is rated for the same size jigs. i assumed the ML models were rated for bigger jigs. maybe i should have got the overdrive......oh well. too late now!!!

oh how did you go with the unitika braid? i got some as well but i havnt spooled it up yet.

Dont worry, they are all very similar i think. the only difference for Sumidarake and Overdrive is that one is rated PE 0.4-1.0 and one is 0.4-1.2.
The unitika super eging PE II is a dream to use. I had the 6lb before on my luvias, and have just scored some more 6lb, 8lb, 10lb and 14lb on special. the 6lb is really not much thicker than a strain of hair Definitely the best braid i have ever used, way better than TD sensor braid IMO.

[emeraldas2506]

Nautilusly, on 09 December 2010 - 10:32 PM, said:

Dont worry, they are all very similar i think. the only difference for Sumidarake and Overdrive is that one is rated PE 0.4-1.0 and one is 0.4-1.2.
The unitika super eging PE II is a dream to use. I had the 6lb before on my luvias, and have just scored some more 6lb, 8lb, 10lb and 14lb on special. the 6lb is really not much thicker than a strain of hair Definitely the best braid i have ever used, way better than TD sensor braid IMO.

sounds like we both got the same stuff on sale

i got some PE0.6 and 0.8. it feels on par with the varivas and sunline ive been using.

now ive just gotta wait for this weather to clear up so i can go test this stuff out!!!

cheers.

[danpachi]

How are you guys finding the Pandras for squidding? Just ordered one, can't wait for it to arrive. How would you rate them compared to any other egi rods that you have used?

Cheers,

Danpachi

[emeraldas2506]

danpachi, on 10 December 2010 - 06:58 PM, said:

How are you guys finding the Pandras for squidding? Just ordered one, can't wait for it to arrive. How would you rate them compared to any other egi rods that you have used?

Cheers,

Danpachi

gday Danpachi
havnt had a chance to use it yet but it feels so nice.
really light as it had titanium SIC guides, balences fairly well with my emeraldas or e-gee.
will let you know how it goes!
what model did you order?

[danpachi]

emeraldas2506, on 10 December 2010 - 08:14 PM, said:

gday Danpachi
havnt had a chance to use it yet but it feels so nice.
really light as it had titanium SIC guides, balences fairly well with my emeraldas or e-gee.
will let you know how it goes!
what model did you order?

I got the 822ML on the way, will be matched with a Stella 2500. The set up you have posted above with the zaion emeraldas looks sweet.

[emeraldas2506]

danpachi, on 10 December 2010 - 09:07 PM, said:

I got the 822ML on the way, will be matched with a Stella 2500. The set up you have posted above with the zaion emeraldas looks sweet.

the stella will be awesome on it mate, good stuff.
thanks mate, i'm really impressed with the new emeraldas. it doesnt quite look as good as the origional but its smooth as........ even with the hyperdigigear which i was told feels a litle grindy -mine doesnt!.
its alot smoother than my 2 zaion luvias' that ive owned before.

[Ojingo]

I'm running 2 outfits at the moment.
The first is an Okuma X-Factor EGI rod (there's 2 models) and the just announce Rapala T-Spec EGI rod.
Both are mated to Okuma Trio 20 reels  & 6 pound braid.

The specs for the Okumas are:
XF-802SQL - EGI 2.0-3.0 - PE 0.6-1.2
XF-802SQM - EGI 2.5-4.0 - PE 0.8-1.5
Fuji guides & reel seat.

The Rapala Specs:
TS-822EGI - EGI 2.0-3.5 - PE 0.6-1.2
Fuji SIC guides & Fuji moulded reel seat & Japanese Graphite.

I haven't got any good pics of the Okuma or Rapala at the moment, but can post later if there's interest.
The Okuma 802SQL is not bad, but the action, feel & balance of the Rapala T-Spec is magic (though I could be biased)

I'm not aware of any of these rods being available in stores just yet, but no doubt those who are interested can ask their tackle shop to get them in.

Edited by Ojingo, 14 December 2010 - 08:38 PM.

[emeraldas2506]

Ojingo, on 14 December 2010 - 08:04 PM, said:

I'm running 2 outfits at the moment.
The first is an Okuma X-Factor EGI rod (there's 2 models) and the just announce Rapala T-Spec EGI rod.
Both are mated to Okuma Trio 20 reels  & 6 pound braid.
I'm not aware of any of these rods being available in stores just yet, but no doubt those who are interested can ask their tackle shop to get them in.

i'm guessing you are sponsored by freetime aust?

[emeraldas2506]

tried mine out the other day.
they do make a difference from using any other rod.!!
the lighter model i got does seem a little to light to cast 3.5 size jigs, especially if you had to punch it into the wind.
i do use 2.5 and 3 size jigs most of the time so it should suit my fishing fairly well.
might have to get a heavier one later.

[danpachi]

emeraldas2506, on 14 December 2010 - 09:34 PM, said:

tried mine out the other day.
they do make a difference from using any other rod.!!
the lighter model i got does seem a little to light to cast 3.5 size jigs, especially if you had to punch it into the wind.
i do use 2.5 and 3 size jigs most of the time so it should suit my fishing fairly well.
might have to get a heavier one later.

Sounds good. Just received mine yesterday, looks bloody good on the rod rack.

[Ojingo]

emeraldas2506, on 14 December 2010 - 09:30 PM, said:

i'm guessing you are sponsored by freetime aust?

Hahaha, I wish.
Though I do work for Rapala Freetime.

Sorry if the other post was a like an advertorial. :D

Edited by Ojingo, 15 December 2010 - 03:33 PM.

[emeraldas2506]

Ojingo, on 15 December 2010 - 03:30 PM, said:

Hahaha, I wish.
Though I do work for Rapala Freetime.

Sorry if the other post was a like an advertorial. :D

just doing your bit   lol
i knew there was something going on!! haha

i actually had no idea those models existed so thanks for sharing that mate
ive seen the x-factor spin rod, i think its a 4pce 6'6" ?? nice little travel rod for trout/bream etc..

id be interested in seeing them if you can put some pics up.
also, what components do they have? eg fuji guides etc.......

[Ojingo]

The specs are as above but the Okuma's have Fuji Alconite guides & Fuji reel seat, while the Rapala uses Fuji SIC guides as posted above.

Will try to get some decent pics tonight.