Hi Lyndon & Johnny
This could be a long winded response ...... so here goes
* Firstly I'm pretty open minded when it comes to fishing ( & certainly when it comes to barra) - It is a steep learning curve but mine is one based on trial & error in combination with the net , face to face & asking questions - listening! .... I'm putting more time on the water & fishing with more people ..... some talented in barra (no doubt when the time is right - I'll pay the cash to spend time on the water with some barra legend)
It may sound like I'm dismissive of spin gear :rolleyes: but I'm not (completely) - otherwise I wouldn't have spent some hard earned looking to come up with a suitable outfit ....... not to please anyone else ! or to follow - just to add another option............ & if there is any notion that this is not the case
Now while going through this process , I continually come across issues that in my mind detract from the chosen task.
These are some .... that I have noticed
*Grip configuration ..
Often too big ( great for casting not so for working a lure or placcy)
*Butt section too long
The rod bangs the inside of a forearm on any downward twitch ..... you need to twitch in an upward or side way stroke to work a hard body.
The long butt does make for efficient long casting ..... & comfortable fighting of a fish in an up & down situation.
* Short butt section .. These rods are usually heavier bream & bass rods which are matched to <2500 size reels & have tapers that are more suited to throwing small lures ..... not typical barra lures (even frogs)
Unfortunately fighting a decent barra on a short handle spin stick is pretty uncomfortable
*Blank tapers ... Tippy or too stiff ( what makes for a good light frog casting rod - often folds away when casting a typical HB or 110mm+ plastic & vice versa
*Rod lengths .... Efficient casting spin sticks (usually 7 ft) dont make for good tools in the timber
Overhanging trees 7ft rods & longer droppers are a pain.
Now clearly you can work around all of these issues & put up with a little discomfort ....... but why should you
Sure I can use a heavier bass spin outfit & catch barra...... or a stump puller to do the same
I certainly could build my own spin stick that suits my fussy requirements....... & maybe I will - but I wont continue to use an outfit that does not feel right (I'm honest to myself) ....... & yes if Johnny handed me his charter special outfit - & it didn't feel the goods ..... I'll say it ( SteveB & I had this type of conversation yesterday after I had the use of his latest acquisition spin outfit over the past few days)
To answer your question Lyndon - What I have seen in the way of off the shelf rods ( & what is often chosen) -leaves a lot to be desired (IMO) when it comes to barra ....... sure they will catch fish! ( I reckon if I could cast the buggers - I could catch barra on an alvey too
) How many spin outfits have I tried ..... I've probably held dozens & used another dozen outside of what I have owned.
by comparison most people comment positively about my baitcast outfits ...... they not only do the job - they do it the way I want them too
.
Finally ..... I do think there is a trend toward spin rods ( how many people have added a spin rod to their arsenal since THE FISHING DVD #11
..... how many used a spin rod for barra 3 years ago ?
This is all good stuff & makes for a great discussion
Chris