Stripers follow the herring running up the Hudson River and therefore make great bait. Most folks use Sabiki rigs to catch them. Those dang hooks catch everything. I’ve seen something called a Sabiki Rod that “stores” the rig, but reviews are very mixed. I’m convinced that a spinning rod/reel is better, using a clear plastic tube to store the Sabiki rig once your done fishing.
This past year, I used a 1 oz sinker on an old (70s vintage) Berkley light action pole with some el cheapo reel. It worked, but I seemed to lose quite a few fish getting them to the boat. With so much weght on the end of the pole, I’m also not convinced I could feel hits all the time. You also have to be careful to not have overly aggressive action so you don’t just rip the hooks out of their soft flesh. Suggestions on a rod/reel?
Ken Clayton
Ah, Sabiki rigs. Hate them!
Yes, I’ve used them too and they stick in my big fat fingers and get totally messed up no matter how I try to store them. If I store them where I can use them again then they consume too big a portion of my tackle box and they still want to tangle when I try to use them. If not they create a terrible mess. I’m sure you can relate.
What you’re using is probably a fiberglass rod so it would be a moderate action at best. That’s actually not a bad thing. However, you do give up sensitivity in a big way and that rod has almost no backbone. You really don’t want a fast action as that would do just what you say, “rip the hooks out of their mouths”, but I think you can do better.
I do think the sinker weight is an issue. If you could get by with 1/2 – 3/4 oz that would be much better and definitely would improve sensitivity, but not much given the glass rod.
So, what I think you need is a moderate fast action rod with a light to medium action. And I think I know just the rod! Look at the G. Loomis LR 842S GL2 rod. This is a 7 ft, 1 pc, moderate fast action, medium power rod with a 3/8 – 1 1/2 oz lure rating and designed for live bait. I think it would make the perfect Sabiki rod as the GL2 rods are just slightly “softer” than their counterparts in other Loomis materials. (See: http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-live-bait-saltwater-fishing-rod-lr842s-gl2-nep.html)
I would put a 1000 series spinning reel on this. I like the Shimano Symetre SY1000FL. It’s rated for saltwater use and is a heck of a reel for the money. It has great design and incorporates many of the latest Shimano drive train improvements. Price is $99.99 which offers great bang-for-the-bucks. (See: http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-symetre-fl-sy1000fl.html)
Finally, string any reel you use for Sabiki rigs with fluorocarbon line. There’s no stretch (great when using a moderate action rod for decent hook sets) and the line sinks which helps a small bit with the weight issue. Sunline offers some great Fluorocarbon lines for this. (See: http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/sunline-super-fc-sniper-200yd.html) I’d probably go with 6 lb test.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist further in any way.
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Best,
Tom Ashby
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