[Kim]

Today I got to try out the HRSPJ3S power 2 and 3 today. I brought a 5 foot tax man to the boat on the Power 2 rod and I have to say it can handle a pretty impressive bendo. The rock weren't my friend today, hooked up on some big groupers rocked up on me but I waited them out and they came out of their holes, unfortunately the chaffed leaders broke each time. I was fishing the power 3 with the drag locked down. These rods do take some getting used to but then I'm new at this.

 

[explorer]

At how much those alconite rods cost they better perform miracles. Some people really drank all the CoolAid and spent big time on them .

I used to laugh at my fishing partner for spending $800 got G Loomis NRX that came with one SIC and the rest Recoil guides……. till I use it…..I have to admit I really like it. Don’t like to pay that price for recoil guides but they are good rods (to me).

 

[a1flyfishr]

Today I got to try out the HRSPJ3S power 2 and 3 today. I brought a 5 foot tax man to the boat on the Power 2 rod and I have to say it can handle a pretty impressive bendo. The rock weren't my friend today, hooked up on some big groupers rocked up on me but I waited them out and they came out of their holes, unfortunately the chaffed leaders broke each time. I was fishing the power 3 with the drag locked down. These rods do take some getting used to but then I'm new at this.

Good to hear you got to use the rods and they worked well for you. What reel were you using with the grouper and what do you estimate the locked down drag to be? Landed a decent gag and a small AJ on the new SE P1, hopefully both still swimming today. I used a F-Custom 2000 with a 110mm REV handle, I’ve learned to always turn up the drag pressure when using Ocea jiggers with HR. Not because any fault of the Ocea jiggers, the HR are just made to be hold up to higher drag pressure. Because of the SE shorter size I wanted to give it a try. It worked fine and handled its mid suggested jig weight of 290g flawlessly. I do like the feel of the last generation S over the shorter SE. I guess size does matter. Lol

Benny

 

[Kim]

Nice fish Benny! For the Grouper in the rocks I was using the SPJ3S #3, Diawa LD50 2sp, spooled with Ocean Silk PE 3.5, L/L 130 monofilament leader, jigs 350 - 500. Lock down drag on the reel is #40. Spot lock is awesome because you can give the fish enough slack so it comes out but can still feel it start moving. I'm not proficient enough to feel them take the lure as it descends, by the time it registers dang things are back in the rocks.

 

[a1flyfishr]

That’s the hardest to get used to, feeling a hit on the drop. Lots of times you don’t feel it at all but see you line slack or a bow in your line more than usual on that drop or a quick slack removal. When ever either one of those happen I lock up and set and reel. If it’s nothing just open you spool and continue nothing lost. Sometimes I’ll work the jig a bit on the way down. More than it’s usual pattern. While I’m dropping I’ll put my thumb on the spool to stop the jig quickly and let the rod return, then release spool continue to drop and do it again. Depending on how deep I’m fising I’ll do it a few times. Boated a few fish doing this a few times.

Benny