I really enjoyed fishing mine in salt XUL niche last weekend, and it landed about half the fish I caught at Arroyo
(larger lures on the Stradic found One fish, though everything got sipping strikes - the baitcaster landed hard-heads and stingray, though I think I missed a flounder).

The SX1500 drag performed flawlessly with big fish on 6-lb copolymer.
The XUL rockfish rods have the butt to turn big fish when needed - they're made with a super-soft tip, fast graphite over lower 70%, and a graphite weave layer on the butt section.
Pretty sure I mentioned I also picked up a second spool from Tica America customer service (for relative peanuts), which I lined with 10-lb for ML salt niche.


That Stradic with the blue knob is about to get a facelift. I need a spare spool, anyway, and found a gray +blue-trim Yumeya spool on a Japan website, the Yumeya "jewelry" spool with listed sale price competing with the stock Shimano spare spool (they'e selling Yumeya spools for 2 to 3 times my price on ebay. Of course, it's still not peanuts like the spare Tica spools.

A great habit on all your spinning reels is closing the bail manually rather than using the crank mechanism to close the bail.
Whether your reel is a Cetus or a Stella, not using the internal auto-bail hammer extends gear life.
Since your hand and mind are close to the spool, it also prevents backlashes and line twist (especially important with braid).

Hi Ron,
I just picked up an sx3000 on Amazon for $77. I had a price alert set at $65 but couldn't pass up $77.
Reel just arrived. This will be my primary pike reel and now my 4400ss will be the backup or loaner.
I like it but I probably won't be able to fish for a least another month.

I'm wondering if you have every handled the sx2500? I'm thinking about picking one up for my bass rod.
They are unavailable on Amazon, but some sellers have them on ebay.
Thanks

I just bought an sx2500 on Ebay. I will report back when I receive

Hi Ron,
being familiar with Tica's line, I would say the Libra SX stands out for all the reasons I posted, and the Cetus SS500 stands out for micro-size reels.
Though Tica makes some very good cost-effective surf reels (Samiira).
I personally would (and do) stick to Shimano Stradic as the next rung on the ladder.

Tica optimized the old locomotive style oscillation to get the same quality of line management and long stroke function Shimano gets on the Stradic and Stella, and the Libra uses their "IOS", along with the big offshore Cybernetic.
Being able to fill the spool all the way really makes a difference in casting.


If you look at Tica's weights, they pile on with Tica's worm drive, and most of their sealed reels aren't really needed outside of the surf.
Might also keep in all mind my spin-fishing is salt and mostly inshore.
Regards,
Ron

Watch for closeouts on the Stradic FK - $150, and you can even find the Stradic CI4+ from Japan for $150.
These prices may drop lower as both Shimano's and especially Daiwa's 2020 models are introduced this year.

Paul, none whatsoever - you're using sealed stainless bearings and shafts, is all.
Inshore salt uses basically the same size tackle you'd use for bass, pike or steelhead.
Longer steelhead rods can be helpful in the salt where you need longer casts, and similar to bass fishing, shorter rods are usually better for inshore sight-fishing

You bought a great rod.
My kayak hold always has two 3-pc fly rods (unless one of them is rigged), and a spare 3-pc of each bait and spinning. Any of these are also handy to take on a center console, where they stash behind the front seat cushion or in big dry box.

My lap hatch carries a spare spinning spool and spare bait reel.
My back-up bait rod was Cabelas Salt Striker Travel on close-out for $50, and it's built on the TFO Traveler blank ($200).

My back-up spinning rod is TD Silver Hook IM6, and often gets to be a loaner when I'm outfitting friends.
great rod, 32" travel tube with rod in sock and enough room for second 3-pc.
This is a $100 rod.

the action of this rod really reminds me of my 30-year 8-1/2' Loomis GL2, and even the same color

As long as I'm showing rod porn, and since someone may search IM6 or e-glass on this forum page, Crowder makes very nice 1-pc IM6 inshore rods in their E-series Lite.
Crowder also makes a moderately priced E-glass series in spinning, casting and offshore conventional.
No multipieces, though

see what you can find on Lami Classic Glass - I topped the contemporary glass rods thread.
After searching around, looks like they discontinued the spinning rods, and only offer casting now...

What I did gain from searching, though, St. Croix offers a lower priced glass rod in Mojo Bass Glass spinning (1pc)

Tica offers glass and graphite-blend on their offshore rods.
They do offer this Kokanee trolling rod in spinning/glass/2-pc, and it might be a very nice rod if you like the light-line all-range approach to fishing (check the Threadliners thread).
The traditional Kokanee trolling rod is based on a fly rod blank, the same as XUL spinning.
https://www.amazon.com/Tica-KLEA-Kokane ... 9KS70?th=1
Note Tica lists up to 10-lb line and 1/4-oz lures.

I agree, I'd match that rod with an UL reel - the SX1500 would be a nice match, or the 800 Cetus

I am a bit of a St.Croix fan too and used them exclusively for fly fishing until I got into cane (and now glass) rods. Still have a Legend Ultra 7'9" 3wt, a Legend Ultra 9'9" 7wt and a Legend Elite 8'6" 6wt fly rods.
As for a pike rod, a three piece could work too. Ideally, I would like a 7'6" (or so) MH durable all glass or even glass/graphite hybrid spinning rod for pike that would mesh well with that Libra SX3000 size reel. For the last number of years I have been using Fenwick (HMG, HMX) rods for walleye and by default, pike too.However, I would like a slightly longer heavier rod that I could troll with of use on rivers.
I have to say those St.Croix Legend glass rods looks great, but 1 pc will never work for me.
Anyway thanks for the advice, I will have a look at Tidemaster.
Ron

If you really want glass, another suggestion is to go old school. I have a few Fenwick spinning rods from the 70's
For a lighter pike rod my PLS70 is good for 1/4-5/8. It's 2 piece. The PLS70s is the same but the s designation is for ceramic guides.
On the heavier side is the lunker stik line. PLS72 is 1/2-1 also 2 piece. These rods are easy to find from $50-100
I have a few of these rods and I use them as backup. I would say these old fenwicks are as durable as they come.

Well I have time to find a pike rod as the Libra SX3000 is sold out through Amazon right now.
HOWEVER, thanks to you guys I now have the Libra SX1500 and Tica KLEA 7'6" UL glass rod on order.

are the Libra SL the same sizes as SX?