AmmoGuy

I spent some time with my new Coastal SV today. I gotta say, I’m not sure what it could have done better. Casts a mile, smooth as butter, and spool never got loose once. Oh, and that blue is sexxxxxyyyy. It’s one of those reels that has me second guessing other reels that I used to love.

Just get the Coastal SV TW 150. 100 frame with an aluminum side plate, and a 150 capacity spool.

To be clear, WD-40 is fine for CLEANING parts (as the OP stated). Just don’t use it as lube.

I haven’t followed their deals, and prices on fishing stuff in a while, so I wasn’t sure if that Tac-40 is REALLY a $129 rod, or if it’s one of those things where almost no one ever pays full price for it, because they are on sale really frequently. If it Is actually worthy of the $129 retail price, then it’s pretty tempting to grab one for $65.

10-4. Can a moderator move it?

I'm just passing along the sale.

Also... Arid X for $37. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/daiwa-aird-x-braiding-x-casting-rod#repChildCatSku=106391601

This seems like a great deal at $65. But I'm not familiar with what the H2O rods normally sell for. Might be a "never pay full retail" type thing. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-tac-40-casting-rod ETA: This rod looks like an exact copy of an ABU Villain 2.0.

Same here. I DO cast left handed occasionally when accuracy isn't a huge concern, but the chances of a birds nest go up dramatically.

Agreed. It's just how I've always pitched, so my left thumb doesn't have any recollection of an "easier and familiar thumbing motion, ha. I don't really break my normal "palmed" grip, my hand just rotates back some, and my thumb slides down to the thumb bar/ spool. Again, it wouldn't work as well if I had smaller hands. That being said, I don't mind pitching left handed with a standard casting grip either. Just don't feel like I have as much control during hooksets.

Yes, this is how I pitch (left handed). But I've got pretty big hands, so even with two fingers in front of the trigger, my thumb lines up behind the spool pretty well.

It couldn’t matter less. Do what feels right. Most people’s non dominant arm/hand is plenty capable of high level five motor skills. Playing guitar or piano for example. I cast right, reel right. I switch hands, and I palm the reel. Palming the reel “feels” like it gives me better control and leverage. Not really possible if you cast right, reel left. I do however pitch left handed, as I want to be able to react to a strike as soon as the lure hits the water, and there’s much less time to change hands during the short “cast”.

Thanks for that info. Is that the only one you have experience with?

Gotcha. I might try one of the two I mentioned as an all purpose rod... but cant decide between them.

Any thoughts on any particular models? Do you have a 7' MH/XF or a 7'3" Mag MH/F?

For the fun of it, I called them up to ask some questions. Fantastic customer service it seems. Talked to me for 20 minutes, offered a ton of info, even pulled some rods to measure specific dimensions for me. For anyone wondering, he noted that did the same ratings, the Tharp series tends to be just a hair softer than the invoker Pro.

Anyone have a “Hammer” from the Tharp series? It’s rated XF, but in the product video he says it’s one of the most versatile rods in his line. Ugh. That could be a deal breaker. I have gorilla hands.

When you push the handle backward, does it stay there? Or does it return? If it is a very small amount of movement, and it returns, you are most likely seeing/feeling the flexing and the tolerances in the parts of the reel. Some reels exhibit this worse than others. It's nothing to worry about. However, if you can actually rotate the handle backward, and it stays at that point, something is amiss.

The Tharp series is what caught my eye. Specifically the "Hammer" and the "Grinder". Sharp looking rod, and good selection of models.

Ran across Ark rods, and they look and spec very nice. However there's little to no info about them here or elsewhere. Anyone using them, or have experience with them?

I’ve never heard of Ark until now, but I gotta say (after scoping them out), those rods are intriguing.

Truer words have never been spoken!!!!

I just picked up a Diawa Tatula, and it is a stunning rod. Haven’t fished it yet, but they have a pretty strong reputation around here.

Thanks for the help. (PM’d you) Well that’s the thing, I don’t really want longer for a couple of reasons... just enough umph to jig and frog in some cover.

I think that's really the rod I'd like. But Sportsmans Outfitters doesn't have it, and It seems to be out of stock most everywhere for some reason. You MIGHT be able to find it somewhere for full retail ($160), but that $109 price from SO is part of what's attractive.