[loonzter]

I had a gift certificate to Cabella's and wound up buying a St. Croix 11' Surf stick, my custom 11' Lami really beats up on my back when standing in the suds for several hours I was hoping the St. Croix graphite would be alot lighter. My problem is I don't know how to keep the setup light and ballanced, I need a reel and have always used Penn's but they are really heavy. Anyone have any suggestions what reel would go good with my St Croix rod. I'm trying to keep it ballanced so I can fish longer with less stress on my back. I mostly use it from the surf at Moriches inlet and along the beach from Smiths Point, any comments would be appreciated guys. Thanks

 

[sandman]

loonzter: you can use penn 704,706,or a
a shimano bait-runner 4500 b,
the bait runner make chunking ease'er.

 

[loonzter]

Sandman, thanks for the reply, 704, 706 both weight a ton I'm looking for a reel that provides line capacity, strength, quality, all in a package that is light weight to balance with my 11' graphite surf stick. I currently use a 704 on my 11' Lamiglass, just for kicks I tried it on the St. Croix and was quick to realize the combo was not a very good match.

 

[strip]

Loonzter..........I've been fishing a 10ft St Croix for a number of years and I too have always wanted to maximize the lightweight advantage the rod offers.
i have had no luck with quality reels ..........all the good ones weigh a ton it seems.
i fish the rod with a 704 and this is ok but again takes away from the lightness of the rod.
Let me know if you have any luck.

 

[Prospector]

Loon, sorry to say but your only other choice is a VS if the 704 feels heavy or go conv with a reel that only weighs 11 oz. I fish were you fish also.Whats a spinning reel? Prospector

 

[615676]

The Nautil 6500 is lighter than the 704Z but I dont think as durable. Which Lami as you using. I have 11ft lami with 704Z and its a great combo! Maybe instead of spending the money do some pushups and improve your arm strength. Thats the cheapest alternative.

Thanks
Space

 

[loonzter]

The reel I'm looking for is not for my 11' Lamiglass it's for an 11' St Croix, Graphite as opposed to the E glass Lami surf stick. I'm a pretty big guy and have no trouble working the combo it just wears on me after several hours in the suds. I was hoping to lighten things up not just for the comfort but also for the feel of fighting a nice fish with a quality graphite setup that is matched and balanced. Oh well

 

[bluefishmaster]

I use Daiwa Emblem EM-X5000T holds 240/20#, weigh about 20 oz. feels like holding a Penn 6500 with bait. Cast very good. I also use a Daiwa BG30 with lures. The Daiwa BG30 is smoother than the Penn SS reels and it is built like a tank.

 

[loonzter]

thanks B fish master I'll check those reels out at a local takle shop. I'll bring the rod to get an accurate idea of how they feel. tight lines

 

[wader]

I'm using a 10 St. Croix with the Shimano Baitrunner 3500. Works great. Went with the Baitrunner to minimize weight as well. The 3500 takes 250 yards of 12 # test. I spooled it with 14 # Fireline backed onto mono for additional line capacity. I believe the 3500 weighs in at 11 or 13 oz.

Give it a try.

 

[618696]

I use a shimano Stradic on my 10' St. Croix. I love it and it is light as ****.

 

[622335]

Lightweight

I have a gloomis 8 foot rod. I'm going with either the Abu Garcia Suveran S4000M (13.6 oz) or the Garcia CD Big Game CD6-6000BG or CD6-5000BG (14.7 and 14.6). The rod only weights 9oz It doesn't feel balanced with a reel weighing more than 17-18 ounces.

 

[617923]

I am with RickyK, the Stradic is the lightest reel on the market for the money. Try the 6000 or the size larger if they make one for an 11' rod. Not as light as the VS but tons cheaper with no great reduction in quality.

 

[622523]

LIGHTWEIGHT REEL

I was in your same situation and there was only one reel that was light in weight 12 oz. and high line capacity
400 yards of 12 pound test. Van Staal
150.

 

[621801]

Forget all them other guys and go with a Shimano Stradic 4000 its a good reel for the money and will last you a long time its only 11.6 oz. It works great with my 10 ft St. Croix Ben Doerr sow it will be a pea shoter with you 11 footer.

GOOD LUCK AND MAY THE FORCE OF THE FISH BE WITH YOU!
TRAPPER

 

[loonzter]

Strapped on a Shimano 6000 and feel pretty good about it, your responces have answered any questions regarding durability and quality looks like thats how I"m going to go. Thanks fellow fisherman your input was much appreciated! see ya in the suds