04-27-2006, 03:52 AM
I have a few of those Pinnacle Coatal Power Tip rods myself, I have the 20-50 pound, and a pair of 15-30lb in conventionals and a 15-30lb spinner, I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are still available, but only as left overs, they pop up from time to time. I always keep an eye out for them. They did make several versions that were all identical other than color and the shape of the foregrip. I like the earlier flat black blank, with dark green wrap version with the three sided foregrip the best, I think that was the original version, the last version was black with red wraps. I do wish that Silstar/Pinnacle would stick with a model line, they keep jumping all over with their product line, they've offered some nice tackle, but it seems that just when they have it right, the drop it and move on to a totally new area. They've been weak on the saltwater end lately. In the last few years, they've made and dropped several items that I wish they would have kept. The Pinnacle VS 20, VS 30, and CR 30 baitcat reels for example. I also have a pair of XZB60 Baitrunner reels that I've used for 4 years now, they are every bit the reel that the Shimano Baitrunner is, infact, they're almost identical. (The later versions do not have the auto release of the bait runner feature).
In fact, I wish they would have stuck with the whole Coastal line, I have quite a few Pinnacle items, both fresh and saltwater, and have never had a problem. I wouldn't trade my VS 30s or CR 30's for anything, I like them better than my Penn 965 Internationals. I actually think the Pinnacle may be a bit tighter feeling.
If yours needs new guides, look at a set of Pac Bay boat rod guides, their pretty tough and take a lot of abuse. Either the BBHG series or BRBHG series. I've used a lot of Pac bay guides over the last few years with absolutely no complaints, they are as good as Fuji if not better, the polish is a bit smoother on the guide itself and the frames resist corrosion better.
My Penn 9500ss is on a Penn Sabre 7' Spinning rod right now, very stout, rated at 20# to 50# test with a gimbla butt and extended foregrip. My intention is to use it for when fishing on a crowded boat, or where ever I need to be able to cast a bit farther and maybe a bit more accurately when there's limited space. It will do double duty on that and on a surf pole from time to time. So I may spool up two spools, one for each situation, Power Pro for the shorter rod and Whiplash for the surf pole and longer casts.
I think I prefer Power Pro of all of the new braided lines, it handles the easiest. But I Whiplash is stronger and ties a stronger knot. It also flys through the guides faster, mostly since it's so much thinner. I have both 65lb and 80 lb Whiplash here, and both measure under .012", there's actually not much difference between the two, it's so slight you have to really compare the two. Power Pro 80lb is more like the diameter of 17lb or 20lb mono. And it is a bit rounder. Whiplash will flatten out if compressed, it's not as tight of a braid. It reminds me of well broken in Fireline when fishing.
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In fact, I wish they would have stuck with the whole Coastal line, I have quite a few Pinnacle items, both fresh and saltwater, and have never had a problem. I wouldn't trade my VS 30s or CR 30's for anything, I like them better than my Penn 965 Internationals. I actually think the Pinnacle may be a bit tighter feeling.
If yours needs new guides, look at a set of Pac Bay boat rod guides, their pretty tough and take a lot of abuse. Either the BBHG series or BRBHG series. I've used a lot of Pac bay guides over the last few years with absolutely no complaints, they are as good as Fuji if not better, the polish is a bit smoother on the guide itself and the frames resist corrosion better.
My Penn 9500ss is on a Penn Sabre 7' Spinning rod right now, very stout, rated at 20# to 50# test with a gimbla butt and extended foregrip. My intention is to use it for when fishing on a crowded boat, or where ever I need to be able to cast a bit farther and maybe a bit more accurately when there's limited space. It will do double duty on that and on a surf pole from time to time. So I may spool up two spools, one for each situation, Power Pro for the shorter rod and Whiplash for the surf pole and longer casts.
I think I prefer Power Pro of all of the new braided lines, it handles the easiest. But I Whiplash is stronger and ties a stronger knot. It also flys through the guides faster, mostly since it's so much thinner. I have both 65lb and 80 lb Whiplash here, and both measure under .012", there's actually not much difference between the two, it's so slight you have to really compare the two. Power Pro 80lb is more like the diameter of 17lb or 20lb mono. And it is a bit rounder. Whiplash will flatten out if compressed, it's not as tight of a braid. It reminds me of well broken in Fireline when fishing.
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