SHimano Raider II Barra Spin

[aadam]

Hi
i was wondering if anyone has bought one of the new raider II barra spin rods and given it a workout yet. I am very keen to hear how it performs as i would like a rod similar to this to match to a 4000 penn affinity for SP work on cod and barra.
cheers
Aadam

[PNG1M]

Aadam,
When you mention the raider rods do you mean the Shimano Raider series?

I own two 'Ian Miller' Shimano Raider rods but they are both baitcast versions, not spin. One is a 6ft one piece and the other is a zippy little 5' 6" 2-piece.
I've used them for barra mostly (not to mention a few mongrel catfish that got in the way).

Both are FAB rods and have worked really well, with a comfortable feel and a great action. They load up nicely and give a feeling of confidence. They are light & enjoyable to use and seem completely well made & reliable.

Recently, I was perilously close to buying the Raider baitcast 3-piece travel rod but didn't (hmm...maybe later).

Based on my experiences with the baitcast models I would not hesitate one bit to get a Raider spin rod if I was in the market for one.

[NAGG]

They look like they have made some cosmetic adjustments to the rods ........ but have they improved the quality
to me they still feel soft & hopefully they have improved the cork ..... which seemed to come apart

While it is not really fair to compare the old with the new I'd go the extra coin & go T Curve ........ to me there seems to be a real step up in blank quality & componentry ..... specially if you intend to give the rod a real work out & for more than 1 season

Cheers

Chris

[reidy]

Have a old model Rack raider and a new model snapper 20lb.I have found both to be good value for the outlay.I am always stuck in the middle price bracket (morg. and family) but have found the raiders to be good servicable rods.Use the racky on softies and the snapper with both baits and larger plastics.
Happy camper
Cheers
Reidy

[try to fish]

use a brand new raider snapper light spin rod for less than an hour fishing with sp and it snap halfway under normal load.still under warranty but thats a bad experience.now own a nitro magnum butt and loving it!!!.

[35kg jew]

Working in the tackle industry i have seen already heaps of these cheap made rods come back snapped just below the tip!!! Myself gave the new one a chance at monduran and snapped second session.. I would look at quality gear like live fibre or nitro magnum . Have had excellent feed back from these and are not too pricey as well.. T curve just a name on a similar cheap blank!!! beware

[GPB]

T curve just a name on a similar cheap blank!!! beware

The blanks you mentioned are like Chalk and Cheese, Raiders are Graphite, T-Curves are Carbon fibre and Live Fibre are Carbon and E Glass composite. The 'cheap' Raiders are known for their broken tips but a lot can come down to handling and usage. The Live Fibres are a older style tough rod because of their Glass [mainly tip] content, but are not in the same class as a T-Curve for finesse, Lure or SP fishing, that's IMO, and I own seven disused Live Fibre's.

aadam, I have had a good look at the new Raider II Barra Spin and liked what I saw for that price range, it has a sturdy tip and has a lovely action and like any Graphite rod it will last if taken care of.

[35kg jew]

The blanks you mentioned are like Chalk and Cheese, Raiders are Graphite, T-Curves are Carbon fibre and Live Fibre are Carbon and E Glass composite. The 'cheap' Raiders are known for their broken tips but a lot can come down to handling and usage. The Live Fibres are a older style tough rod because of their Glass [mainly tip] content, but are not in the same class as a T-Curve for finesse, Lure or SP fishing, that's IMO, and I own seven disused Live Fibre's.

aadam, I have had a good look at the new Raider II Barra Spin and liked what I saw for that price range, it has a sturdy tip and has a lovely action and like any Graphite rod it will last if taken care of.

omg ithink u need to have a look around GPB!!
Live fibre make full graphite rods called classic soft plastics wit are for your light fineesse plastics which have been a great light weight rod reasonably priced and have not seen 1 come back!

Also there is live fibre blade an tails which are a full carbon fibre rod that is taking the market fast especially the snapper and barra boys wit great feed back.

Working in this industry for nearrly 11 years i am lucky to learn alot bout all aspects of the fishing trade .. Otherwise i probably be in the same boat as adam not sure.. All i can say is have a good look around adam and try visit more specialised store not the ones that just have 15year olds working there..

I have personally experienced snapping a raider under normal load nothing crazy while barra fishing and no alot of customers in the same boat..There are lots of great rods on the market so get out and have alook

[GPB]

Yeah you're right, I haven't looked around at the 'new' Live Fibre range, the LF's I still own where 'new age' rods in the early 90's, but I have looked around and done my homework on the 40 rods I have in my collection, from standard Penn Powersticks for Mac trolling, Raiders, Ugly Sticks, T-Curves etc to my Smith, Samurai, JigMaster, Shikari and Zenaq specialist rods.
I will stand by my statement that "The blanks you mentioned [Quote:"T curve just a name on a similar cheap blank"] are like Chalk and Cheese" .

[NAGG]

T Curve Vs Raider .......... big difference ( T Curve is still a relatively cheap blank - TRUE STATEMENT!)
I've got an original Rack raider ...... Which feels like a noodle compared to the 702XL I replaced it with .......... The T Curve is a much more responsive blank & the cork / fittings are a step up!

Chris

[Horse]

The T curve is a great example of reasonably priced gear that has many of the characteristics of more expensive offerings. The Raiders were a base model not much better than the starlo sticks etc. They will catch fish but with a significant loss in performance due to lower modulus blank. The cork is also pretty ordinary also. Hopefully the next generation has been improved a bit