longest throwing stick

[Bohica]

where in NJ? I can run across the bridge, and deliver to you in OC on any given weekend.

[mdram]

he doesnt say, could always say, ok meet me in cap may at the ferry station, and go as a passenger, only @ 10 i think

[Pier_man0909]

I pulled this off another site. It is written by Tommy Farmer, the best tournament caster in america. He can cast over 800'
The HDX is not available yet but will be soon.

Round 4.

Battle of the heavyweight heavers.

I felt like a test driver for road and track putting Porsches and Ferrari’s and Vettes through the paces…. Now if I could just figure out a way to get paid to do this…lol

Thanks to Clyde I was able to put my hands on an Inferno and a 1569 Rainshadow. He surprised me though when he was taping guides on the new Fusion when I pulled up in the drive. This is Tommy Wheelers latest carbon fiber heaver.

The reel used for testing was one of Clyde’s fishing reels. A 6500 blue yonder spooled up with 14 lb Suffix (I think). No mags, just brake blocks and ceramic bearings.

Sinker – 8oz 4 sided pyramid

Conditions, about 70 degrees, tailwind blowing 7-8 mph. Very light rain when I arrived, but it ended within a few minutes.

I threw two casts with each rod using a Hatteras style beach cast. The form seems to be coming back with this old standby cast. Here are the results in the order cast.

Fusion
1 – 523’
2 – 532’
I like this rod. It is lightweight, very powerful and fairly easy to load. The butt is very thin, a size 22 reel seat fits. Works well for my small hands. The only drawback to me is the 9’tip.

HDX
1 – 519’
2 - 531’
I’ve thrown the HDX quite a bit in the past 9 days. It is the lightest of the group, easy to load and very powerful. It would be a pleasure to hold for extended periods “point fishing”. Two equal sections make it easy to transport.

Inferno
1 – 522
2 – 512
It felt to be the heaviest rod in the group. It is also the most powerful. A full power Hatters cast with 8oz just begins to tap the power here. This would be the stick for tossing 10+ oz on a fast running beach. It reminds me a bit of the 2p/1p breakaway. Would not be my 1st choice in this group to hold for hours “point fishing”. Also has a 9’tip.

1569
1 – 478
2 – 503
Very lightweight heaver. Easy to load and well balanced. Not quite as powerful as the other rods but I believe it would be a pleasure to fish. Two equal sections make transport easy.

It is amazing to me how much rod technology has improved in the past few years. My heavers are both 5-6 years old and the differences in weight and power vs these new rods are amazing.

I want one of each…lol

Nick,

I believe you have a winner in the HDX. The rod matches up nicely with the best heavers out there. Good job mate. I will get it packed up and sent back to you in the next day or so.

Tommy

[Bunker Head]

When you do make your purchase please let us know. I think CG has you on track and as far as I have seen On AI 8n a BIG head well, history repeats itself every different season.

[Steve]

I can only utter one phrase:

OMG

[Coop]

with some recomendations, I decided to go with a 1509 or the 1569 and am going with a guy CG recomended, thanks CG,,,I'll get my feet wet with this one and see how it casts and plan for one more purchase of a different brand, maybe some of the ones peirman mentioned, before red season,,,I wanna get that bait out there!,,,thanks for all the replies and cant wait to toss it

[Coop]

thinking about also purchasing the breakaway ldx,,,any feedback,,,I figure this would be a very good economy stick for tossing smaller chunks and lighter weight when conditions warrant,,,she is 13' and harbor tackle has one,,,I have heard this baby can really fly a small chunk and 4/5 ozs,,,true?,,,I may even use it during the summer to poke around far out and around the bars for smaller variety of fish and during big fish season when current is light,,,how will it work for a big red or striper?

[Bunker Head]

I have never heard of the breakaway ldx, they do make fine blanks though. I wanted some info from you Coop Not being nosey but it never occured to me that some day I might want another heaver built however, I met Gary and he showed me his rods and said that he builds them and at the time it never clicked because Im in process of learning to cast the conventionals I was askin for some casting lessons and he was very helpfull, I need his phone # so as to get him to build me one also. if its the same Gary I think it is he would not mind me calling. Thanks Ted

[Coop]

Ted,,,pm on the way,,,sorry about the late reply.

[Coop]

Ok,,,figure I would give a little equipment report on my new breakaway 13' ldx (import) that I bought from harbor tackle,,,with 4/5oz and a small chunk,,,she flies,,,I mean like a rocket,,,outcasted all ticas by alot with the same effort with a small chunk and 6ozs,,,5ozs maybe pushing the envelope but I felt like 5 ozs was the ideal weight, tho I heard 4oz is the sweet spot,,,I had a good cross wind, so I know she will go much further,,,with the wind behind my back or even no wind at all, I beleive I can get over the bar without a problem or way out on the sides of a cut, which is what I am striving for,,,not sure how it will work with a big drum, not exactly a stout rod but plan on using it for em anyway.

Just a few problems with the rod,,,1. when 5 doesn't hold, you cant use the rod,,,not really a big deal, I'll just go with my heavier rods,,,2. eye at the end seems to be very small, so I did away with the shock leader knot to improve on distance,,,being it only cast a max of 4/5ozs a shock leader really isnt necessary on 20lb line,,,this is really only an issue when it comes to landing a LARGE,,,I'll use 20 lb test line with a 3' section of 40 or 50 lb leader so the fish finder rides along the heavier line and not the 20lb line,,,other problem,,,with 20lb test on the 525, normally use 17lb, she emptied pretty quick on a cast,,,result, need a new reel :mrgreen: .

awsome rod and my favorite so far,,,hopefully it will work for a big drum,,,large stripers shouldnt be a problem,,,will also use during the summer for kings when they are not in close but out far.

[Bunker Head]

Sounds like a sweet casting rod, another option to a new reel, by the way another reel very nice also :mrgreen: Is putting a bigger tip on and scaling down to 14 instead of 20. OR Get that new reel. Old Inlet put a new tip on a friends pole, and have had some other work done there myself probably do it while you wait. hope to meet you someday on the beach Ted

[Pier_man0909]

The HDX is supposed to be exactly the same but heavier.

[Critter Gitter]

Coop,

Gary said he got your rod order. He does great work. Let us know how it casts. Start with 8oz and try and throw it so hard you try and break the rod. The way that 1509 Rainshadow blank is so light and the way it loads it seems like you get a burst of acceleration at the end of your wind-up as you let it fly. I have 2 and feel like I need another before they stop making them. (1569 too light for me.) You will be in different water thats for sure. Get your reel brakes/tension tuned to the hairy edge so you just start to get a little fluff before backlashing. I try and drop some oil in my bearings every trip or every 2 days of use which helps also. Got a feeling you will be slamming some Reds this Sept. after youy guys have had your fill with sharkin.

[Coop]

Dave, after this one, I was planning on having Gary build me the 1569, but if I really like this one, may just get another 1509, not sure yet, but definitely getting another heaver or two before drum season, hopefully have 3 before september if the budget allows,,,I have heard some folks say it's hard to load the 1509, but I tend to throw hard, real hard when I cast, so hopefully loading it won't be a problem,,,I can't wait to get it and will do exactly what you say, "throw it so hard you try and break the rod",,,After tossing that import breakaway, tho only 4 or 5ozs max, couldnt beleive the difference in distance compared to my other rods,,,have a funny feeling the RS's will be doing the same thing and maybe even further.

Thanks again Dave for the recomendations :up: .

[Coop]

Getting the 1509 hopefully friday ,,,hope to throw it then.