Shimano Tiralejo Surf Rods

[Pete_G]

Anybody checked these sticks out yet? Some really nice 9 footers. Soft tips with extreme power further in. Adjustable reel seats and more. Good stuff.

Just got all the best 9 footers in the series into the shop.

[JoeP]

Pete:

I bought one 2 or 3 months ago - I didn't know you were going to carry them, sorry, I'd have bought mine from you.

I've been fishing the one-piece 9' medium-heavy rod with the Fuji Low Rider guides (Model #TRS90MHLC), and so far the rod has performed very well. Casts a mile and it is very powerful for a rod with only a .64 butt diameter but a size 9 tip. I do think the Low Rider guides make a difference. It is however a very fast action rod, which I like but others may not. Casts both plugs and eels very well. The adjustable reel seat sits very securely and has not moved at all. The new material grip is very comfortable also. So far so good, even though I've not caught any good fish on it yet.

I communicated with Robbie Gant, Shimano rod designer, alot about the rod before I bought it. He basically told me their intent was to build the best surf rod out there from blank design to top of the line guides, etc. The over-the-counter lifetime warranty is nice also.

Here is one of Robbie's e-mails to me:

"The diameters of the 90M and the 90MH are about the same. We can use a thicker wall construction giving you more power and keep the same diameter of the rod. This helps me with reducing weight on the rods. I do my very best with making sure that all of my rods have as little weight as possible, but also make sure that the power and actions are what we need without sacrificing durability. I agree to with what you are saying about the other manufacturers. During my studies of the competition I found out that they are using standard type ring guides and selling their rods for a high price. With the Tiralejo rods I wanted to make sure to use nothing but the best components available today and hitting a cost that didn’t seem to outrageous. The blank design is Shimano’s top of the line construction. The Diamond grip material is nothing but the best. And using the MN and LC frames with Alconite rings from the stripper guide to the tip is all top notch. I think the coolest feature on these rods is the reel seat. During my research and asking all of the top surf fisherman and surf rod dealers I got many replies on how much rear grip a rod needs. With this seat you can set the reel wherever you want. That makes it perfect for every angler out there."


Anyways, I am impressed with the rod so far.

Joe

[basswipe]

Gotta play with one before I comment.

The only factory surf rod that I've ever truly liked is the original Quarrow.Not even the Arra compares.Have to hold a Shimano rod before I comment.

[Pete_G]

The only issue I discovered so far was that Van Staal reels don't fit perfectly into the reel seat.

Otherwise, these new rods seem to be the real deal.

Any chance you could pm me the rod designers email Joe?

[johns]

I was thinking of buying one of these rods for my Van Staal 250 - would you recommend against it due to the reel seat? Thanks!

[MD51]

Awesome Rod...however a bit to heavy for me. I was in the market for a surf stick not too long ago...love Shimano products own two spinning rods (Teramar & Calcutta) & a Stella 5000FA from em - however when comparing the Tiralejo to the St. Croix Premier or Avid Surf, the Loomis SUR's and the Lami Ron Arra Surf Pro it weighs a tad more...all else aside its got the best warranty in the market.