new 12 weight

[Jacob K.]

I lost my 11 weight rod and reel in that accident with Mark and I am finally getting my insurance check. I am looking to get an affordable 12 weight set up. this is what I have come up with, sight unseen:
Teton 12LA $ 126 on ebay
TFO TiCr X 12 weight $249

any thoughts?

[BobG]

Jacob,

I'm looking to buy a 12wt for next spring my self, and that was the one I was leaning towards.

[Jacob K.]

have you thrown it?

[Ray]

I think that combo would work well. I can't see spending $1500 on a Tibor Reel and Sage Rod if you're not going to use it that much. Tioga make a 12 LA Magnum now too.

[seatrout]

I've cast that rod and like it, and think the reel choice is fine (either model). The reel will balance the rod reasonably well also, as it is about the right weight loaded.

[BobG]

Jacob,

No, I haven't thrown thrown the rod, and probably won't until after I buy it.
I'm buying this one strictly on price. :brow I have a new area that I want to expand into. It's (the area) only good for a short period of time each year (early spring, late fall) so this will not be my 'go to' rod so to speak.
If this were a new T&T, and I was looking at $750+, you betcha I'd throw it first. But for $249, I'll learn to cast around the rod. :brow

[Jacob K.]

I just talked to Rick at TFO and he suggested the blue water serise for SBFT, which is why I am getting this rod... I will probably go with that....

[Strat]

I have cast the TiCRX and like it.

I would not skimp on the reel however. Too much gas, time, and effort go into finding charlie. It would be a killer to have your reel melt down when you finally hook up. A friend had a Teton seize up on a 25 pounder this summer while our Tibors were flawless.

[Slinger]

The rod choice is fine and the reel will probably be OK for large bass but if you`re going after Charlie the reel is not gonna hack it.
Slinger

[Smcdermott]

Anyone seen the new TFO Hayden series reels up close? For $380 seems like a great deal if they are true Hayden quality. I was thinking of going with the TFO Bluewater rod and that reel if I take the plunge this winter on a 12-14wt outfit.

Sean

[Redfisher]

I bought a TFO TiCr X 12 wt. this past summer and intend to use it for SBFT and deep fishing for big stripers. I hung a Nautilus 12S on the rod with a 475 Teeny sinking line.

While I didn't get to fish the rod much this past season I did use it enough to say that it casts very well and can certainly handle a heavier line than I am using. I was able to throw eighty foot casts without straining. For the price you can't beat it. Like BobG, I bought it without trying it because it's not a rod I'll use often and I had cast other TFO's and had been satisfied with the way they handled.

Dan

[houdini]

Ditto on the Temple Fork - I love mine. I have a Tibor Gulfstream on it.

[Jacob K.]

anyone have or cast the bluewater

[Cajunman]

Jacob,
I know it's a little bit more money but take a look at the Loomis 12 wt. Pro 1 series. I've been using mine for the last two seasons and it casts great, plus it's super light. The only problem is that it's a one piece which would definately keep you from traveling in the air with it. I just use it around here and put it in the boat when traveling.
Good luck with your search and choice.
Chris

[Jacob K.]

if i get an abel would i better off with the super 12 large arbor or standard arbor?

[Too Fly]

The 15 wt. Loomis Cross Current is a good rod too. I've got the 15 wt. CC and a 14 wt. TFO TiCr. IMO there isn't a big difference in casting either rod. They're both pretty stout in the butt section, they both have relatively stiff tips and they're both three piece rods. But at $249 for the TFO (less than half the money), it stands up to just about any rod on the market and is tough to beat.

Like everyone is saying, don't skimp on the reel. Get a reel that has a good drag sys. and that'll hold plenty of backing. The Gulfstream is probably more than enough. I've got a Pacific too, but it's really heavy.

I sold my Super 12 and all of my other Abels, they squeaked too much.

Buying the gear is easy. Hooking and landing a schoolie tuna is another story. :o