New Spinning Rod Lifting Power. Please help !

dbonnic · December 10, 2008, 23:05:38 CET

My uncle recently brought me a Shimano Catana BX Tele Spin 3.30m High Action Spinning rod from Italy. This is made up of XT 40 Carbon. This is the web link of the rod

http://fish.shimano-eu.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/nl/index/2009sehfish/rods_and_poles/spinning/spinning_casting/catana_bx_telespin.html[/font]

During the weekend I am trying to go spinning with a Rapala lure and try to catch a barracuda.

My only problem is

IN CASE I CATCH A LARGE BARRACUDA (MORE THAN 1KG) SHOULD I LIFT IT WITH THE ROD OR USE A NET?
DO YOU THINK THAT THIS ROD IS ENOUGH ROBUST FOR LIFTING SUCH FISH. IT SAYS HIGH ACTION?

Thanks fo your help

ramio · December 10, 2008, 23:23:17 CET

Whenever you catch a good fish and you want to land it, it is always advisable that you use a net or a gaff. I don't think its a question if the rod can take it, its more a question if the hook will tear off if the full weight of the fish is on the hook. Remember that in the water the fish pull is different.

Jonathan · December 11, 2008, 06:12:11 CET

Fully agree with ramio. It's always better to net any decent sized fish. You have nothing to lose by netting a fish, whilst if you try lifting it you have much to lose - possible both the fish and snapping the rod, so in my opinion the choice is clear

maltembu · December 11, 2008, 11:56:59 CET

A net is always advisable my friend.. you really don't want to catch a nice fish while spinning and loose it at the last moment

.. with smaller fish it's a different story...

LapsiBoy · December 11, 2008, 13:31:54 CET

Hey dbonnis welcome to the forum

,

Its not always the same story with wich method you haul in your catch, If its a 1-1.5 kilo fish and you think its hooked well id try to lift it, where i go spinning its quite high and i usualy lift the fish a story high, you must bring the fish under you in the surface and with one smooth action bring the fish up and straight on land.Its important to keep lifting without stopping because thats when the fish will escape/fall..If you hook into something of substantial size i would recommend a gaf...you can make one with a telescopic fishing rod and try and invent and setup at the bottom mine is with 3 hooks so its easier to gaf the fish..I dont realy like netting a fish beacuse most of the times the hooks entangle themselves within the net and can take ages to take off. Im sure your rod can take the pressure..(No guarantee ehh

) I know people that have even lifted 4 kilo fish with a beachcasting pole !!

hope that can be of some help to you..
Good luck catching a cuda hope youll need the gaf

Tight lines mate

fisheye · December 11, 2008, 15:18:39 CET

Imho There are too many things that can go wrong while pulling up a nice sized fish to risk it. Knots, line, the lure, the swivel if you use one,anything including the rod and the treble hooks so why risking. If it is more than a kg I will gaff or net. I don't like to take unnecessary risks. Good Luck with your new gear.

dbonnic · December 11, 2008, 16:13:16 CET

Dear friends,

I would like to thank you all for the advice you've given me. I think I will use a net or gaff, it is less risky !
Hope I will get a big cuda so that I can post on the form.

Thanks again for your great help.

placebo · December 11, 2008, 18:19:31 CET

high action is not meant in any way to lift fish!

this refers to the action (bending) of the rod when you strike a fish.

A shimano catana will surely break in pieces like all other rods will do if you try to lift a big fish out of the water.

LapsiBoy · December 11, 2008, 19:47:52 CET

true placebo but a 1kilo fish is not imposible to lift..the line will help as it stretches and also when you do a smooth action the fish will also have a momentum which will aid the rod.

xkatlu · December 13, 2008, 18:50:48 CET

Always better to use a landing net even though it's tricky and teadious especially if your alone. The action marked on the rod has nothing to do with the lifting power it's an indication of the best casting waight, in your case the lure. 3.3m rod is ideal for malta, H action (heavy action) is a bit too much medium would have been better. A 1Kg lizz shurly won't break the rod but if lifting from a very high place the risk of loosing the fish is high, tire the fish as much as possible (nearly dead ) before attempting to lift, a strugling wish will almoust shurely get away once half way up.
Any way use your instinkt and GOOD LUCK.