As someone above said, rods are like shoes, they feel so much better when they fit.. However, in my world, there is more to fitting the shoe or rod than meets the eye. When folks come into our shop, I show them how to be more efficient in the use of the rod.. I show them how to get more out of the one rod than they originally thought AND I show them that what might have felt like a stiff rod when they came in may actually be too soft for them should they choose to use the tools/techniques I show them..
Like a tool bag, there is usually more than one hammer or screw driver in the belt for a general carpenter. Roofing hammers, Ball Peen, Claw hammers in various weights and sizes apply. The same applies to fish fighting techniques.. Mix and match at your discretion. Like any sport, learn all the techniques so you can know what and why your are choosing to use or mix use them all.
So many of the folks, including myself, have parts or our bodies that have been broken, injured or just plain getting older.. Like any good or great sports coach, My job is to show folks how to use their mechanics to minimize the stresses on their joints, backs, hands, wrists, shoulders, etc. which most often results in them landing the fish faster with less energy expelled.. Getting folks off of the blue pills or minimizing their intake of those Aleve (What blue pill were you thinking of?), gives me great satisfaction and the results speak for themselves. Our customers come back loving life and wanting to go out more to fish the big boys.
I am usually thinking differently than the majority of anglers in that I find one rod can and does fit the 80 - Unlimited status regardless what the manufacturer notes as the high/low limits of the usage. Most folks, who have read my posts know that I believe the United Composites 76 Viper to be that rod.. When asked what rod to get next for big fish I say get another Viper. The huge number of sales of that particular rod, not just with our shop but most all the shops carrying that rod is a testament to what I have written and believe since before they came out....Continuing to this day, especially due to the amazing local Bluefin bite we are experiencing.. Even though we try to maintain a huge inventory, I have a tough time keeping them in stock.
As I also state, I fish 80 pound darn near the same drag rating as 100 or 130 pound test.. Yeah, I know, counter to what many believe but just my opinion. Sometimes, a thinner profile line in the water is better and sometimes, in a Wide open bite, you will probably want to fish the heaviest gear with the biggest hooks.. As long as the connections and line are pristine, You cannot break any of the above line tests by pulling hard with a properly set up rod and reel using West Coast style methods unless you wrap the line around something that does not give...... or the fish chews thru or abrades the line. Longer time on a fish is not your friend so learn to pull harder and more efficiently. As long as your reel is smooth and properly maintained, you can pull much harder than you think.
My drags are set more in line with the hook type and size I use with strike set at around 28 - 30 pounds on a spring scale with a straight smooth pull and no bend in the rod, straight off the reel .. For me, this is just a reference point not a one and only setting. When I get bit then come tight I am about 2/3's of the way into strike until I get up, around and over other anglers and then I want to push the drag lever forward, appropriately for the fly line hook, drop jig or sinker rig then pull as hard as I can, using efficient techniques. We always say, if the line is not going out it should be coming in. Never let the spool stay static. Knowing that it is possible to pull smaller bait hooks when fly lining this will absolutely be a factor in where that drag lever ends up.. But, put a big old Jobu, 7691, big assist hook(s) or similar big hook that we are using on Drop jigs, I want to pull like the dickens. Whatever the dickens means.
On our Gallagher/Excel 10 Day, many of the passengers on the boat try to out quick the landing of our big Tuna or other species.. We have amazing fun being competitive in that regard. Guys have definitely stepped up their gear and advanced their pulling technique when in the big fish zones.. None of our big fish guys are fishing smaller and less powerful gear. We want to land that fish, take a picture and get back in the water as soon as possible.. Most times we measure the landing of some big fish in minutes not hours...Like anyone and everyone, we do lose some fish for a variety of reasons, driving the Skippers crazy, but that is the business we and they have chosen.. Damn the torpedos..
In my usual long winded way, I do not believe there is any comparison between the 76 Viper and the Venerable 2 X 4, which, in my opinion, compares more to the U.C. 76 Centaur than the Viper. Both are great rods but, in my opinion, the Viper has more oomph and a more wide range of usage when fished using efficient angles and body posture.. In our shop, once I show the customers, regardless if they have been fishing 1 week, 1 decade or 1 lifetime, 99.99% of the anglers change their minds on what is too stiff, too light or just right for them. They tend to go more powerful than less. The 76 Viper, in my opinion, is the best combination of slightly softer tip blending into a powerful mid body and very powerful bottom section.
As noted, No one rod is great for everyone but should be great for you. The Psychology of fishing, in my mind, plays a large role in how the angler performs in hooking up.. Thank goodness we anglers have a number of wonderful West Coast Manufacturers, United Composites, Cal Star, Seeker, Okuma, Graphtech, Phenix, etc. so that anglers have a no right or wrong choice in how that rod feels to them.. My job is to show them how to determine for themselves, efficiently, how to choose the best gear for them for whatever line class they are looking for. Note: Age does not need to be a factor that is impossible to overcome..Technique, rather than brute strength, can and often does win the day. Thank Goodness, each of us can choose how we want to fight the fish and spend our hard earned dollars on our big fish gear or any of our chosen line rated rigs..
AS A NOTE: IN MY OPINION, BASED ON HISTORY, THESE FISH WILL GET BIGGER AND BIGGER THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.. PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT UNDER GUNNED, HAVE POOR CONNECTIONS, NON PRISTINE LINE OR UN-PREPARED WITH IMPROPER GEAR OR HOOK SIZES AND STRENGTHS.. IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO PURCHASE, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE BOAT YOU OPT FOR HAS RENTAL GEAR AVAILABLE THAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE TASK. PLEASE LET THE BOAT KNOW, WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, THAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. LIKE BEING IN JAIL, IT USUALLY ENDS POORLY GETTING CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN.. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU LIKE THAT SORT OF THING. SORRY FOR THE VISUAL..
Best of luck in your decision. As always, you are welcome to PM me if you have more questions.. I will always reply, If I am in town and not fishing. If I am out of Internet reception I will get back to you when I return. As always, it is my pleasure to help anyway I can. Have a great season.
Respectfully,
Jamie
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