10-08-2001, 02:59 PM
Hi MJB<br><br>At the outset, being an expat Aussie resident in New York City gives me more than a little soft spot towards the Alvey surf rig. I grew up with them, so I'm biased.<br><br>But this rig will seriously outcast just about anything in the surf. The reel is the Alvey 650GRBC, very impressive, the fastest retrieve in any reel I've ever owned, and smooth.<br><br>While it may be slightly heavy than most, it is a balanced rig with the 14' 6" rod.<br><br>I get more than a few questions about it, particularly one day last year when I was tossing poppers across Shinnecock inlet, on one cast, I managed to snag the roof of a passing cruiser on the other side of the inlet, I don't know how wide it is, but I think its definitely over 400 yards wide. Definitely impressed all there, even myself.<br><br>I can only recommend them as a surf combo, particularly for no problem night fishing. Just make sure the rod is designed for an Alvey, and you'll be passing this rig down as an heirloom.<br><br>We digress though, I was looking at the St Croix TS70MF3 as an all round travel spin rod, but primarily as a boat rod. It's a three piece and the reviews said this was an excellent rod.<br><br>Aside from my other travel, father in law (an old Tarpon hunter) lives in Florida, so we travel down there regularly, and the thought of trusting my irreplaceable Loomis rods to the airlines again disturbs me no end.<br><br>Hence the travel rod, at 7ft, it breaks down no longer than 2'6", about as wide as my suit bag, so it will "hide" at the bottom of the bag. The carry on restrictions are easing, so this won't be a problem for much longer.<br><br>This rod is rated for up to 17lb line and lures from 1/4 to 3/4 oz, it had some glowing reviews and impressive fish caught, so I wanted to check if these were real or just reviewers hyperbole.<br><br>Since I would be fishing mainly inshore waters in Florida and in Long Island sound (boat based), and eventually Australia if I can ever prise my yankee wife out of new york city, this seemed a good rod to round out the arsenal.<br><br>The reel question is academic, the Shimano baitrunners are just great reels, accurate to a point, but I am looking for precision and balance for this rig, and I needed some opinions from experienced users.<br><br>For a casting reel I've been considering the Shimano Calcutta CT400 and the Daiwa Sealine SL20SH, but having little experience with casting reels I needed the sage advice of others with more experience than mine.<br><br>I hope this helps.<br><br>Tight lines, <br><br>Tom<br><br><br><br>Work is the space between fishing.