Suzuki 9'6 3/4-3oz vs Striped Bass Special 9'6 3/4-4oz

[Father]

Looking for some reviews/opinions on these 2 rods. Both rods are MODERATE/FAST. Initially I was going to get the Suzuki 9'6 3/4-3oz however there would be times when I plan on throwing 3-3.5oz (Not often) maybe even pushing 4oz(Most likely not going to happen) and I'm a bit worried it can't handle it. (I will primarily be throwing 1-1/4 - 2.5oz.) However I've seen and heard many people say that the Suzuki can handle close to 4oz which I kinda believe because I was told by my previous rod builder that black hole rods tend to be stronger than they're rated. This is going to be my "go-to" rod for schoolies-cows, I don't have any doubt that the suzuki can't handle large fish it's just the casting part. The Striped Bass Special is about $150 more and I don't know if its really worth it considering a majority of the time I will be throwing less than or equal to 3oz. Yes I know both rods have different stock quality components but I am getting it custom built so we can cancel those variables out. I'm still aiming towards the Suzuki because I do already own a Striped Bass Special 10ft 2-8oz Fast action and I figured that the suzuki would fill in the range better but like I said I would like to make this my "go-to" rod.

 

These are the pros/cons I've found myself between the two rods:

Suzuki Pros: Very lightweight, cheaper, I've seen more people use/own them & provide feedback
Suzuki Cons: Thin tip diameter, thinner blank, bit less backbone

Striped Bass Special Pros: More backbone, ease of mind throwing over 3oz
Striped Bass Special Cons: More expensive, heavier, I haven't seen anywhere near as many people own/use it

[ZAFisher]

53 mins ago, Father said:

heard many people say that the Suzuki can handle close to 4oz

Nope. Mebbe a half hearted lob. Not a cast.

If you see yourself throwing 2-3oz often, go for the Striped Bass Special 3/4-4oz, much better tool for the job.

[surfrat59]

1 hour ago, ZAFisher said:

Nope. Mebbe a half hearted lob. Not a cast.

If you see yourself throwing 2-3oz often, go for the Striped Bass Special 3/4-4oz, much better tool for the job.

Agreed. Most rods are poorly rated or overrated. As a general rule of thumb I've found most handle well in the 25 thru 75 % range of their rating...there are exceptions but only a good bit of time with a particular blank will help you make that determination.

[koalaslim]

As others have said, the Suzuki rod is not going to suit heavier lures.  I had one, and 2 ounces was the sweet spot.  

 

Look at the Shimano Coltsniper SS line if you want a cheaper alternative short butted japanese style surf rod.  They have ones rated all the way up to 130grams or so.  

Edited January 31 by koalaslim

[Father]

2 mins ago, koalaslim said:

As others have said, the Suzuki rod is not going to suit heavier lures.  I had one, and 2 ounces was the sweet spot.  

 

Look at the Shimano Coltsniper SS line if you want a cheaper alternative short butted japanese style surf rod.  They have ones rated all the way up to 130grams or so.  

Bro that's quite funny you commented, I literally just saw your message on a different thread about how your suzuki snapped and you didn't get it replaced etc

[koalaslim]

3 mins ago, Father said:

Bro that's quite funny you commented, I literally just saw your message on a different thread about how your suzuki snapped and you didn't get it replaced etc

To be fair, the tip snapped on me and it WAS replaced.  

Years later, It broke at the ferrule on a cast.  It must have gotten loose and I didn't notice it.  It was well out of warranty at that point.  

Black Hole treated me fairly and I plan on buying one of their kayak rods.   I just didn't love the Suzuki.  I ended up getting several lighter seabass rods from japan that I liked a lot more for essentially the same money.  

Edited January 31 by koalaslim

[Father]

1 min ago, koalaslim said:

To be fair, the tip snapped on me and it WAS replaced.  

Years later, It broke at the ferrule on a cast.  It must have gotten loose and I didn't notice it.  It was well out of warranty at that point.  

Black Hole treated me fairly and I plan on buying one of their kayak rods.   I just didn't love the Suzuki.  I ended up getting several lighter seabass rods from japan that I liked a lot more for essentially the same money.  

Yeah I guess it's worth the extra money for something that'll give me ease of mind when casting heavier lures as well as being able to pull the fish in a bit harder

[koalaslim]

4 mins ago, Father said:

Yeah I guess it's worth the extra money for something that'll give me ease of mind when casting heavier lures as well as being able to pull the fish in a bit harder

If I could go back and do it again I would have gone for the 10'6" version and used that for lighter lures.  I have a 9'6" Tiralejo rated 3/4-3 that throws the upper end pretty well.  Check that one out.  Or the ODM?  

Edited January 31 by koalaslim

[Father]

The only ODM I was interested in is the DNA but I was told they don’t sell blanks for that specific model and they are heavier as well

[snapper1]

1 hour ago, koalaslim said:

As others have said, the Suzuki rod is not going to suit heavier lures.  I had one, and 2 ounces was the sweet spot.  

 

Look at the Shimano Coltsniper SS line if you want a cheaper alternative short butted japanese style surf rod.  They have ones rated all the way up to 130grams or so.  

^^^^

I have a pair of Suzukis 9'6 and I love the feeling. Light, enough backbone for occasional big fish,

casts great all day from 3/4 to 2.2. My go to rod for the size of fish I get.

I have a 10' Lami Carbon Surf 1-5 for bigger lures...

Cheers

Edited January 31 by snapper1

[Father]

12 mins ago, snapper1 said:

^^^^

I have a pair of Suzukis 9'6 and I love the feeling. Light, enough backbone for occasional big fish,

casts great all day from 3/4 to 2.2. My go to rod for the size of fish I get.

I have a 10' Lami Carbon Surf 1-5 for bigger lures...

Cheers

If I wasn't going to be casting 2.5-3oz I wouldn't hesitate but I do know that there will be a decent amount of times where I'm casting 2.5oz+. If anything I'll probably wait a bit down the road and get the 10ft 1/2-2oz suzuki to use for albies, inshore, and salmon

[snapper1]

9 mins ago, Father said:

If I wasn't going to be casting 2.5-3oz I wouldn't hesitate but I do know that there will be a decent amount of times where I'm casting 2.5oz+. If anything I'll probably wait a bit down the road and get the 10ft 1/2-2oz suzuki to use for albies, inshore, and salmon

Have you ever handled a 10' Carbon Surf 1-5 ? It casts SPs with ease as well...

But I guess the BH Striped bass Special is more quality rod. Never handled one.

Good luck

 

[Father]

35 mins ago, snapper1 said:

Have you ever handled a 10' Carbon Surf 1-5 ? It casts SPs with ease as well...

But I guess the BH Striped bass Special is more quality rod. Never handled one.

Good luck

 

I looked at the carbon surf a few months back when I was looking for a jigging rod for the canal but ended up getting the striped bass special 2-8oz. If I could redo it I’d probably get the carbon surf and then I would have no issue getting the 9’6 striped bass special now, it would’ve saved me about $200. However I like the striped bass 2-8 so it’s not too much a big deal

[WindAndWater]

I fished the 9’6 mod-fast striped bass special rod for about 2 or 3 weeks in the fall. Very nice rod in many ways but it’s also a pretty fast rod. I couldn’t really get the best action out of some midsized lures and topwaters. 

[Father]

40 mins ago, WindAndWater said:

I fished the 9’6 mod-fast striped bass special rod for about 2 or 3 weeks in the fall. Very nice rod in many ways but it’s also a pretty fast rod. I couldn’t really get the best action out of some midsized lures and topwaters. 

Do you remember what lures specifically? I’m curious now