Another Big 5 rod question - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Tuff guy · 12-29-2014, 03:04 PM

I just got a $250 squidco gift certificate for Christmas and I plan on using it to buy an avet MXJ reel and I have been looking around for a good rod to match up with it. I swung by Big 5 today and noticed they were having a sale. I saw a few different rods that may work. That being said, I don't want to buy a piece of crap rod and put a nice new reel on it, but it would be nice to get a rod at an affordable price.

they had this model Seeker:
http://www.tackledirect.com/seeker-s...sting-rod.html

and they had a bunch of cheaper sabre brand rods.

I am looking to use this rod/reel combo for trolling live bait. any input on either that particular Seeker or any of the Sabre brand rods?

yemff · 12-29-2014, 03:50 PM

just got back from big5 as well, those sabre rods for 40 sure are tempting.

solyluna · 12-29-2014, 05:11 PM

I love avet I have about 10 of them but they not doing good on kayak
I had to service my sx twice this year and the 1st time they had
Too replace the spool

YakDout · 12-29-2014, 05:17 PM

Mxj is a sweet reel and you will like it. Avet makes good stuff. Never used those seekers that you posted but I can tell you my favorite rod is a 15-30 sabre I picked up for $40 at big 5, years ago. Cork tape jigstick. I have had to replace a couple eyes on the guides, but for $40 it is definitely still worth it. You don't need a $300 fishing rod to catch fish. The sabre that I have gets more use than my $300 phenix if that helps.

YakDout · 12-29-2014, 05:22 PM

Almost forgot, check out Alan Tani reel repair online. Step by step instructions for servicing most reels we use. The avets are one of the easiest. I stopped taking my reels in because I enjoy working on them and seeing how they work. and which parts in the reel commonly fail. The bill that I used to get after a summer season sucked too. Buy some Cal's drag grease maybe an inexpensive parts washer and I'm sure you have some screwdrivers.

Tuff guy · 12-29-2014, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the tip, I have a saber on my penn spinfisher V and like it, no reason why it wouldn't hold up well with the avet... I agree about servicing the reels, I'll have to check that site out

RobFish · 12-30-2014, 08:41 PM

Yo Tuff,
Joey from SCo is a classy guy and his prices are usually below others, but if they happen to be higher on whatever rod you choose, head around the corner to Big5, see if they have it in stock, then head back to Joey and he'll usually match it.
Either way, enjoy your new rod.

12-29-2014, 03:04 PM	#1
Tuff guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 137	Another Big 5 rod question I just got a $250 squidco gift certificate for Christmas and I plan on using it to buy an avet MXJ reel and I have been looking around for a good rod to match up with it. I swung by Big 5 today and noticed they were having a sale. I saw a few different rods that may work. That being said, I don't want to buy a piece of crap rod and put a nice new reel on it, but it would be nice to get a rod at an affordable price. they had this model Seeker: http://www.tackledirect.com/seeker-s...sting-rod.html and they had a bunch of cheaper sabre brand rods. I am looking to use this rod/reel combo for trolling live bait. any input on either that particular Seeker or any of the Sabre brand rods?

12-30-2014, 08:41 PM	#7
RobFish Massive Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 382	Yo Tuff, Joey from SCo is a classy guy and his prices are usually below others, but if they happen to be higher on whatever rod you choose, head around the corner to Big5, see if they have it in stock, then head back to Joey and he'll usually match it. Either way, enjoy your new rod. __________________

12-29-2014, 03:50 PM	#2
yemff Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 75	just got back from big5 as well, those sabre rods for 40 sure are tempting.

12-29-2014, 05:11 PM	#3
solyluna Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 73	I love avet I have about 10 of them but they not doing good on kayak I had to service my sx twice this year and the 1st time they had Too replace the spool

12-29-2014, 05:17 PM	#4
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Mxj is a sweet reel and you will like it. Avet makes good stuff. Never used those seekers that you posted but I can tell you my favorite rod is a 15-30 sabre I picked up for $40 at big 5, years ago. Cork tape jigstick. I have had to replace a couple eyes on the guides, but for $40 it is definitely still worth it. You don't need a $300 fishing rod to catch fish. The sabre that I have gets more use than my $300 phenix if that helps.

12-29-2014, 05:22 PM	#5
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Almost forgot, check out Alan Tani reel repair online. Step by step instructions for servicing most reels we use. The avets are one of the easiest. I stopped taking my reels in because I enjoy working on them and seeing how they work. and which parts in the reel commonly fail. The bill that I used to get after a summer season sucked too. Buy some Cal's drag grease maybe an inexpensive parts washer and I'm sure you have some screwdrivers.

12-29-2014, 05:31 PM	#6
Tuff guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 137	Thanks for the tip, I have a saber on my penn spinfisher V and like it, no reason why it wouldn't hold up well with the avet... I agree about servicing the reels, I'll have to check that site out