Yuku free message boards

Kluff33 wrote:

---

Glad to see the Steffen Bros. rod discussion. I bought an 8' 3", 5/6wt., 5 piece rod from him a couple of years ago and can't seem to love it. I am an experienced, mediocre, caster who favors medium to medium-fast graphite rods, and thought I would try fiberglass. I love my garage sale Wonderod (6'6" Purist No.FY-A 910UL). I also own a FF-70 Fenwick that I have the same problems with as the Steffen. I can cast straight and accurately with them but feel like it takes too much work, and isn't as enjoyable as it should be. I tried heavier reels and it helped. I wonder if a different style(faster) rod would help (Phillipson, McFarland,etc.) or am I barking up the wrong tree. Love reading this forum everyday, John

John,

I understand your struggle. In casting graphite rod, it is more "forgiving", so you might feel it is easier to cast a modern graphite rod than fiberglass or bamboo rods which is easily have dampen feel on the rod tip and cause tailing loop. (this is actually from Lefty's article, not me) BUT, if you can fix the casting stroke - rod tip travel in relative straight line, smooth acceleration and stop, and combine with hauling. You will get a pretty good distance with "quiet loop". The fiberglass is a bit hard for beginner, but I always joking with my friend using graphite rod "Hook a fish with a graphite rod is pretty much the end of fun; but hooking a fish with fiberglass rod is beginning of another fun." I hope you keep using the fiberglass rods and you will enjoy the fun soon!