Crane Beach Fishing report



Now the Lamiglas Ron Arra Surf Pro OR St Croix Legend Surf rod whatever size you get they are not cheep! You can save money by purchasing a rod that costs half the price, but you have to ask yourself what kind of investment are you making? Are you going to buy the top of the line pole to look cool or are you buying because you are going to fish with it every weekend for the next 10 years? If you are going to fish with it and not let it gather dust on the shelf then make the long-term investment so you have what you need. Its can be easy to tell your self that a pole that cost 120$ more is a waste of money, but in the long run you find yourself back at the store buying the fancy pole and regretting having wasted money on your first one.

The St. Croix 8'6" In the Spring; light lures and light line are the way to go as its not all that much fun horsing a schoolie in with a big ten-foot pole. When I first started fishing Crane's Beach I had moved over from fresh water. I had a 12-pound test, a 7-foot fast action St. Croix pole, 2500 Stella and I was trying to toss 1oz plugs. Needless to say, I did not get the best results. You would think all that would work since I could chuck a Raplia floating minnow 25 yards down the Sudbury River? I learned that to get these light salt-water lures out to where I needed them, I had to have a slightly longer pole. This would give me the added velocity I needed to cast the extra 20 feet. I was shocked at how something as simple as moving up to an 8' 6" could improve my casting. It also allowed me to fish the light tackle later into the season, because this size pole allowed me to handle Blues in the 8-10 pound range as well as 10-pound Stripers.

The reel is hands down the most important peace of equipment you will buy! To insure that you have a fun full year of fishing make sure you pick a reel that can stand up to the pounding the salt and sand will give it. It will be a good idea that you get the best reel possible! There are now hundreds to pick from and I have only listed 3 that I think work best and in one case price was not a factor and do not let it be for you. Picking a good reel will allow you 7 months of good fishing. Of the 3 reels I have listed not one of them is a big honking 250 or 300 and its best to start with the size off reel you would like to carry. Now I'm forced to use a 150L Van staals because they do not make a 200L but I would if it was made. It is about as big as you need for off Crane's or the rocks. You will not get any big advantages by using a bigger reel and only end up having to lug the thing up and down the beach all summer. However, pick a reel that feels good to you and use it for a year, if you feel you might need a bigger or smaller reel then make the investment. All of the reels that I have list also have one good thing in common? They all have very good line capacity. Now Crane's is a sanddy beach but even so you can never have to much line on your spool. You never want to fish in the fall with a spool with to little line. That is why its also a good idea to buy an extra spool; I have 4 extra. Now bail or no bail? It does not matter and it does not take long to learn to cast the bailless reel. I have come to like the idea that I do not have to shut the bail all day after each cast and I also like the idea that the bail is not there to shut on me when I'm casting in the surf . I have lost more lures when the bail snapped shut durning the cast. Just pick one!

These are the poles that I own now. I have had more than a few, but I have never bought a custom pole. I have always bought off the rack & I have had some success & some failures. Nevertheless, I think these are a good, strong, mix. Every year new poles come out, but a properly purchased pole will last for years. Moreover, your success can depend on picking the proper pole. This is my list of poles for off Crane's Beach. Therefore, these poles are used in the Essex River & off the front of the beach. The area is all sand with a limited amount of rock. I use these poles in the late fall off the rocks, but they take most of their beating off sandy beaches. All these poles can be bought locally, Surfland, Fin & Feather.

stcroix


St Croix Legend Surf rod this is not a cheap! If you fish a lot then this is pole you want! There is nothing out on the market today that casts as far as the Legend; hands down! I know everyone has heard that before but its true! It's not a gigantic leap forward but it's a leap of about (25 YARDS) The big difference casting this rod vs. the Lamiglas is the way the line travels off the rod. The Legend's new concept guides allow the line to collects at the first guild rather than slowly collecting as line moves up the rod toward the tip. This means that the line does not hit ever guide on its way out as it does with loops guided poles. Less resistance on the line resulting in a longer cast. The Legend blank its self is pushed to its highest level of construction. The Legend comes with a lifetime warranty; always a good feature. The key with a lifetime warranty is costumer service & turn around time; I broke mine on the rocks & had new one in 3 weeks! (that's wicked awesome!) So in short; Super-sensitive, incredibly lightweight. ONE BIG NEGITIVE! IS THE RAP! If you use sun tan lotion like this pale Irish guy & have some residue left on you hands you will chuck the pole not the lure. 10' Mod.Fast PCS 2 LSS100MMF2 Working ExampleVideo


St Croix Premier Surf rods.If you are going to buy a new surf cast pole and do not want to brake the bank by getting more than one rod, then this is the best option. It's a cork tapehandle rod that is as sensitive & durable as a surfcasting pole can be. It's also a very tough rod that can take the pounding in the sand and surf and will last longer than the 5-year warranty. Moreover, this pole will give you all the muscle you need to pull in any size striper. This can be paired up with the stella 6000 or the Van staal 150, 200 or 250, but the 150 is just fine. But I'm a left reeling loser and can get a 200 Van staal so keep that in mind. St. Croix Premier Surf Rod 10' M Mod. Fast PCS 2 PSRS100M2.

St. Croix's Wild River series. Steelhead pole & money in the bank for stripers! Though it's designed as a salmon pole, it is perfect for small strippers & blues in the spring and mid summer. There is a hole in the market that this pole fits perfectly in. There are other specialized poles, but most are 9-foot fast action or the handles are designed for casting, not spinning. I use my 4000 stella with this pole & it's well balanced and easy to handle. With a 5-year warranty this is a no brainer for light tackle fishing. I think my rod is on year 5 & I think it still has one more year left in it. St. Croix wildriver pol .8'6" MH Spinning WS86MHF2 Working Example Video

Triumph surf rods; Made in China, cheaper and just as good...BUT EVEN IF the American product is pricier & the two are about the same quality? Fishing with a pole from China in Ipswich or out in any surf for American fish gee wiz? but this year they are Designed in Park Falls and handcrafted in Fresnillo, Mexico? better right?. Nevertheless, one person I know matched his up with a van staal 200 & brings them in & lets them go better than anyone out there. If you are going to get one of these poles you will not be sad you did. 10' Mod. Fast Lure Weight 1 - 4 OZ TSRS100M2 Working Example Video



The Lamiglas Ron Arra Surf Pro Rods 10 foots & 9 foot... These poles have been designed with input from renowned surf fisherman Ron Arra. Lamiglas has come up with ONE OF the best off the shelf surfcasting rods for light takle. Lamiglas spared no expense in building there highend rod. The 10-foot rod produces incredible power & distance along with awesome control. Both of my poles are 2 piece & they are just as good as any one piece I have used. Nevertheless, these poles are designed for surfcasting lures NO bigger than 2.5oz. Therefore, it is very important to stay within the guidelines of what weight lures you cast! The Lamiglas poles have no forgiveness for straying away from the guidelines & WILL BREAK! If your pole says it can cast 3oz then do not try it because it's a lie! They are very, very unforgiving & I have broken 2 & have seen 2 others snap just from casting 2.5 oz lures. Therefore, I highly recommend you buy your rod from a reliable tackle shop & then register your pole with Lamiglas! The company says it has a life time warranty, but expect to pay 20-40$ even 80$ to get it repaired and the turn around time is 4-8 weeks!!!. Over all this is great pole & even if it's a bit pricey it worth every dime. I matched these two up with a 150-van staal. It works with larger Van Staal's yet Van staal does not make a big reel for left hand freaks like me.. I would like 200L but oh no!
	XSRA 1083-2 Length 9' foot Lure Wt 3/8 - 1 1/ Mod/Fast
	XSRA 1203-2 Length 10' foot Lure Wt. 3/4-2 1/2 Mod/Fast Video
I almost forgot to add this Guy! It is the best of the bunch for price and quility. The Surf King is now made in the USA is a wicked awesome spring and early fall pole. For the price you cannot miss! I would recommend both if not all Lamiglas poles when fishing with a 9-foot pole as they really dominate the segment in price and quality. Now I might like St Croix a lot but Lamagals makes a more sensitive pole when working small pulls and I’m a sensitive guy so it’s a good match.
Lamigals Sold At!

G-Loomis

I can tell you one thing..... it's not going to break! I got this 11-foot pole for times when the surf called for it i.e. casting over big waves. It is also the only pole I own that can throw three ounces plus. It is very nice pole, but it a niche? pole, not an everyday pole for Crane's. There is a lifetime warranty, but its not cheep.... SUR1324S

St. Croix's PREMIE TRAVEL SPINNING RODS

Oh! This winter, thanks to Bill up at Surfland I have this 3 piece, but the next time i get on a plane I'm not leaving my pole home! No major review of this one, as i just got it, but it does have a 5-year warranty backed by St. Croix.