Hi guys! I'm planning on getting a couple Rippin lips Supercat rods with my hard earned cash. I don't know if I should get medium or medium heavy model. I fish mostly for channels in fairly slow current but I also plan on getting into some small flatheads in slightly stronger current. I also might use this rod for pike. If anyone has one of both actions it would be great if you could tell me which would fit me best. Mostly under 15 pound channels but able to handle the occasional flathead up to around 30-45#
Hope several others chime in here but I would recommend the Medium rod. I have all Medium Heavy and do not use them for channel fishing. I would consider Medium Heavy for 30 to 60 pound fish.
Hope several others chime in here but I would recommend the Medium rod. I have all Medium Heavy and do not use them for channel fishing. I would consider Medium Heavy for 30 to 60 pound fish.
I use a medium spinning rod for channel cats and the occasional small flathead but my next purchase would be the medium heavy rippin lips rod if you have to pull them out of strong current and snags.
I use both and both will suite you well. For the channels that you are mostly targeting the medium is a great rod to have. It will still tackle the occasional big flat for sure. However <lol> the medium heavy is what I use most. I will tell you that the medium has eye's that are thinner but are still great. They are just not as wide as the Medium heavy and heavy models. I have put two years of abuse on all my rods and they are still going strong.
I just wish Rippin Lips would make their rods with a metal reel seat.
I like aluminum seats and heavy duty stainless guides as well which is part of the reason I went with TWC. Thin guides are easier to bend or break if someone steps on 'em.
Unfortunately you can't keep the prices down and get every feature you want in a rod. As for the eyelets the difference is mostly cosmetic, I run both rods (M more) and have never had any issues at all with the eyes.
I have both too and have had no issues with either one, but i still prefer the heavy duty eyes better, catfish dont care one way or another but they are beefier and more pleasing to the eye to me.
Blade do you know if the rod blank will flex differently in a rod without a metal reel seat vs one with one?
I have wondered if they do or not, as of right now I do not have a rod with a metal reel seat but i have been curious as to if it will flex more or less down the full length of the rod depending on what the reel seat is made of and how it may effect the rods sensativity..
I don't know whether an aluminum seat affects flex (I doubt it does) but I know they last for decades and are way more attractive. My father's old Horrocks/Ibbotson spinning rod came to me a number of years back and from the decal, it appears to have been made before 1933 (it can be seen here; https://www.catfish1.com/threads/hi-rods.231770/ )
As you can see, that reel seat looks new. I doubt a plastic seat would have survived 8 or 9 decades quite so well.
I have the answer because I tested the MH Rippin Lips with the TWC Extremes. I put each in a rod holder while they were setting side by side to see what the difference was. I tied 2 (8 ounce to equal 1 pound) sinkers to the line just below the tip
What I found was that the Rippin Lips had about 2 or 3 inches more flex than the TWC Extreme. But I also could see that the Rippin Lips was flexing the entire length while the TWC was only flexing in the exposed rod and flex was not noticeable in the aluminum handle section. I can't say there was no flex but it was not visible to the eye. Some of the difference could have been because the TWC cork handle had less give than the foam Rippin Lips handle.
Then, to compare the two rod blanks more, I put the rods in the holders with the holder just in front of the forward handle so the rod blank itself was what was touching the holder. What I found was that the amount of flex displayed by the two rods was closer to the same. The Rippin Lips still showed about 1 or 2 inches more flex but they were closer that it had been for the prior test.
I constantly fish with both rods and love them both. Each of the Medium Heavy rods has good backbone so can handle a heavy fish. The tip action is active so both are good rods to use with circle hooks.
I love bringing in a big fish on the Rippin Lips rods but, when I am fighting the fish, if it is a bigger cat, I am encouraged when it is on a TWC. in actuality I do not think it has makes any difference after catching 50 plus pounders on both.
I look at this in two ways. The Rippin Lips MH is a well designed rod capable of handling big fish and can be purchased for about $40 with free shipping. The TWC Extreme is also well designed and is a (slightly) stiffer rod that can be purchased for around $75 plus shipping.
I use both and love them both. The decision on which better soots your needs will be up to you but you could be proud of either or both.
I am not knocking any other rods. I just have not tried others.
Same here Tom. I have two R/Ps (one a gift for my son) and two Extremes and I enjoy every fight from a cat on each. That was a good test, and while the R/P is "S"glass as opposed to the "E" glass in the TWCs, I don't reckon it affected the flex you observed much at all.
Hopefully I will get to compare them soon with my RL I found a receipt last night on the computer my wife had just got off of from TWC for a Monster Rod.
This may sound bad but I'm hoping it is not for her Father she has been trying to think of something to get him that he doesn't already have.
I won't know until it's here, wrapped and a name on the tag.
Hopefully you will get that sweet looking Monster rod. I am so close to pulling the trigger and getting one. Lol don't need it but would like to have one.
I know this is nuts to most but I sold my TWC'S for the Rippinlips rods when they first came out. I loved my extremes and whiskerwhip rods, but was just never a big fan of aluminum reel seats on a rod. I like graphite or plastic along with a trigger. I like the flex of the whole rod and never have had or seen a reel seat break. To me there is no real need for a aluminum reel seat. I don't know, I just am not a fan. I do however love a split grip eva handle. One reason why I got a RP rod. The other reason was the action. I fish with both RP and Denali rods and would like to have the Monster rod since it is a extreme with a foam handle.
I know this is nuts to most but I sold my TWC'S for the Rippinlips rods when they first came out. I loved my extremes and whiskerwhip rods, but was just never a big fan of aluminum reel seats on a rod.
Blade, i dont think it crazy for you to have gotten rid of your TWC's for RL's if thats what you prefer to fish with.
I read where Steve Douglas has a deal going on where if you buy a Monster Rod and send a copy of the receipt to i think an email address you get entered in a drawing on the 31st to go in a fishing trip with him.
I dearly loved my Twc rods and I still think they are great rods. It took a lot for me to get rid of them for another cheaper rod but I feel in love with the RP rods when I first laid my hands on one. The extremes are very versatile rods and I loved drift fishing with them. Whiskerwhips are also super nice rods as well. I kinda wished I kept one of the whips, but then again I wouldn't be using it much at all. I have six rods and would love to have another one but can't justify it yet. The Monster rod keeps calling my name though lol
Just bought a RL off of Amazon, damaged package for $33 and Okuma Avenger 90 for $43. You guys helped me make up my mind. Have a cheap catfish Wal Mart special and a Ugly Stick already. Just bought a 2002 Tracker 175 Crappie with a 40 Merc. last month. It won't use much gas. Trying to go budget oriented!
Been using Stren Catfish Mono orange 20 lb, nothing has broke it yet, guess me and the fellow that started this thread would be interested in what would be good for our new rigs.
Well, for the conditions & fish I encounter, 40lb braid seems adequate. Being budget-minded, I buy KastKing braid and so far, I have no issues with it.
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