Will always be a lami guy. Just am.... That said, I've had the chance to fish new my SI (9'4" 10 - 15 caster) three times over the past couple weeks and I'm just not too happy. Having fished cert. pros for the past decade the feel is just completely different. I feel as though I'm missing fish as the sensitivity in the tip is a completely different feel. My field testing has stemmed solely from drift fishing eggs and a real lack of feel. Anyone have similar experiences? Thinking of sending it back to Jake and the boys down in Woodland for a possible "trade down"....

Definitely hard to get used to... but I like mine, though mines a 8-12 spinning model.

Bummer.....I hate when that happens.Been there done that.Good luck,
SZ


PS, I have no experience with a SI just Certified Pro & Espirit.

That seems counterintuitive. Higher graphite % usually = better sensativity.

What Shawn said. Do you have experience with other high modulus graphite rods? It isn't going to feel or fish like your certified pros.

get a rainshadow

To me its not the graphite sensitivity that's the problems with the SI...its the actual "stiffness" of the action that makes them feel like they are less sensitive. Compare them side by side to a equal length, line rating, and action rating... and the SI just feels stiff as hell. Imo

Same goes for those highend St Croix, legend ultras? I think the model is.

I don't like the actions on most XMG or SI casting rods myself, especially if you use braided line. They are so fast they don't cast as well and they're more prone to drive-by's. Your rig needs some elasticity. The spinning rod actions are more moderate/flexible. Some people like the real fast actions. I'm not one of them. The only extra-fast Lami I use is an EXS92M, which is my #1 salmon hardware rod. The power in that rod is amazing, but I don't like casting it. Steelhead takes are usually drive by's with it. My old Cert Pro's are superior steelhead rods IMHO. I have not fished the SI's yet.

I love my XMG's but have never fished a SI. With them advertising them as 40% stronger I had it in my head it would fish less fast and be less rigid than the XMG line. Interesting. Sounds to me like the line ratings may be a bit low? Rogue Rods have some super fast actions and the slightly older models have line ratings you don't see as commonly. I have a 9' 10-20 Rogue that is a killer heavy fish drift rod. Isn't the lightest rod in the world and has heavier guides. Littl e off topic but kind of relates. It seems the staff all prefer the XMG line over SI for drift applications as well, from what I've heard. Different materials.

The second graphite tube used in the butt section might be adding to stiffness and action or lack there off too. Just a thought.

buggy, if it ain't broke, stay with what ya know.

It's like these rod companies are all so locked in a mod race they've forgotten what a steelhead rod should fish like.

Too much of a good thing (modulus in this case) can be a bad thing. Kinda like Viagra; if after 4 hours it's still stiff, then send it back.

Don't get me going, right Chad?

they tried to make the SI to durable, soft mid and no stiff hookset spot just goes beeeeend all the way to reel seat


(just my opinion here) - at this point the only company i see getting it right across the board is rainshadow. there are other companies that produce a couple great sticks but seems like only a couple

YBD,
Yeah, had a few rainshadows, couple xmg's, and a GL3. Still prefer my cert. pros to all of them but thought I'd venture into the world of the 3M graphite thing. I'm gonna give it through the winter before I make the final call. Gotten pretty good at feeling the "slurp" of a pink worm take and if I can't feel that you'll see a nearly new SI on the classifieds board come March/April. Thanks for the advice, folks.

Phil,
I actually think it's pretty fast. Comparable action to a GL3 but not as stiff as an XMG. I've landed a few coho and quite a few chum on it and the flex was all in the tip section.

buggy try an xst rainshadow they are the tits

i had a 10-12 and it was not like that, just a slow bend all the way to the reel seat

Did you notice any weird sensitivity issues?

Yep! Its true though.

There are some rumors going around that 3M nano-silica is going to be very hard to come by in the near future. It seems some big boys in the industry want it to themselves! I would not get to excited about this resin. It might just be a rumor and nothing more though.

that is true 3M is going to deal exclusively with a company named Jardan or something like that they are the parent company for ABU and Shakespear. There are however other companies producing carbon fiber pre preg with nano resin technology. I am sure lamiglas and st croix will have only a little trouble switching over.

+1