rod difference

[Brokejeep]

what is the difference between a stand-up rod and a IGFA series conventional rod ?

[Uncle Russ]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and tell you what I think are the differences and, as always, welcome the comments of my more experienced partners in crime on this board: I think that IGFA rods are designed and made for fighting from a chair. As such, they can be and are brutally strong, and significantly longer than the standup rod--thus they can put incredible pressure on the fish, but not so much on the angler because he/she is sitting down and pumping with the legs. Conversely, the standup rod is typically shorter and lighter--because it has to be for most fishermen--few people can stand up to the leverage exerted by the fish on the other end of a long rod with very little bend in it. For example, I am privileged to own a five foot six inch roller rod with a nice slow action, for 80 pound line--it is very easy on me and yet makes pretty short work of small to medium tuna and I know for a fact its previous owner used it to dispatch some huge fish. I can fish far more drag on this rod than I could "stand up" to with say, a 7 foot chair rod for IGFA that was the proverbial "broomstick" with no bend in it. If I'm strapped to a chair, ain't no way that sucker is pulling me overboard!

A further advantage of the IGFA fisherman is that she/he usually is the only one or one of a very few people fishing on a private charter, and IGFA rules allow the Captain to chase the fish down by backing up on it, while the angler retrieves line. This too, allows the use of a much more powerful rod for a given line strength.

Also, I would add that I suspect that the line ratings of the IGFA rods are a lot more meaningful than those of the standup rods--primarily because their function is to protect a given pound test line against breakage by cushioning against shock. (That is a logical assumption rather than something I know to be true. )

Russ

[Brokejeep]

Damn your good, I am looking at west marine and they have shimano and other rods on clearance and the IGFA rods are $200.00 -$300.00 off and stand-up rods are $60.00 to $70.00 off.
Also what is a popular fighting belt system

[paul708]

yeah thats about right
most of the rods typically rated for "IGFA" rods are over 7' and have big tips
usually 18-28size
blanks are almost straight.no taper
used from the chair or gunnell
not all are this way..
but
when someone asks for a 80 or 130# IGFA rod thats what they have in mind

standups are usually 4'8" to 6'
nice taper on the blank to make it easier on the angler "standing up"
tips are usually 10-14size
the new SS seekers are very hot right now
the blanks are user friendly and can put the heat to some big fish standing up

[paul708]

belts.
black magic is nice

[Sea Crappie]

my heavy tackle plate is a Smitty's XL contoured w/ extra padding (melton's sells them).

Black Magic and Braid make good belts as well. I would advise trying as many as possible, because the right one for me is not necessarily the right one for you.

[xs_tackle]

Originally Posted by Brokejeep

what is the difference between a stand-up rod and a IGFA series conventional rod ?

I generally agree with Uncle Russ.

It's hard to do more than compare the uses contemplated by the labels (standup and IGFA); and, even then, the distinction blurs. An IGFA rod may be intended for seated, sport boat fishing on a live boat (a boat at the service of the designated angler). Whereas, standup fishing refers to that done by an angler who stands (or kneels at the rail or gunwale or sits on the butt end of a rod propped over the rail or props the rod on a knee) on a live boat or dead boat (a dead boat takes little or no action on behalf of the specific angler) Party boats are generally "dead boats." Of course, a dead boat may launch a "live boat," transferring an angler to his own skiff w/ his own skipper to fight a large fish.

Standup fishing rods may be of almost any length (I've seen 4 ft to 10 ft) and almost any action; but, they generally differ from IGFA rods I've seen in that the IGFA rods are trolling rods, often meant for use in fighting from a fighting chair, offer relatively slow action/taper and are not designed to accommodate casting live baits. They do not lend themselves to fun or effective standup fishing. However, I cannot be sure because I have never known anyone who did IGFA line class fishing.

As for the belts, sockets, gimbal plates--if you get one (and, it's not clear they're really necessary other than as fashion statements) Whatever the brand, get one designed to allow you to fight the fish with your legs and butt, not your arms or shoulders. Few things in fishing are just dead wrong, but for standup fishing, supports which call for an angler to fight fish with the angler's arms, shoulders or back are unsafe and nonsensical.

There; that should keep the pot boiling.

[d-a]

Originally Posted by xs_tackle

I generally agree with Uncle Russ.

Oh no two lawyers agreeing about something. Thats never good.

d-a

[Uncle Russ]

Doug: We definitely agree that the most important aspect of bringing Americans like you the justice you have earned and to which you are entitled--is the fee.

Russ

[d-a]

Russ

So I guess that the more I pay you the more justice I will get? I am starting to understand how things work now. Too bad Obama is gonna screw that up among other things.

d-a