Century surf machine elite

[levari]

1 hour ago, Water Dog said:

 

 

 

 

Yes, as you were addressing and quoting me directly throughout this thread, for me, same ballpark…  I paid just under $910 for my SME.  Prior to getting the SME, I looked into getting an ODM Evolution built with a titanium guide train, I was quoted $925, not including me having to take the time to go drive over an hour each way and pick it up as it’s a one piece and not shippable.

 

It’s weird how people share their experiences and you spend hours nit picking and doing mental gymnastics to try to refute their experiences with no first hand experience of your own on the matter (See the discussion on the upcharge for a lefty ZB).

 

Like I mentioned earlier, very odd.  Whatever makes you happy I guess…

 

 

Listen, I already told you in a previous post, I was not aware that the factory SME was built with titanium guides and you did not mention it until I asked you later in the thread to chime in about it.

As I said before after learning about the titanium guide that the difference in the price is about $174. I don’t suggest you went the wrong way price wise making your choice to buy the SME and not the EVO and I would say the same to anyone choosing the custom EVO over the factory SME.

 

And me personally, I would not spend that amount of money on either of these rods, but I already said it before.

 

[chisler]

10 hours ago, levari said:

 

Lou Caruso is one of the most expensive builders and he built custom rods, not factory rods.

 

$210 for components and labor of factory rods is the common price. Not just the difference for ODM Frontier but also black hole Striper special 12’.

 

 

 

 

Well... I cant speak on what anyone would charge for building a particular rod, as I've not had one built.  But,. I can speak for some business economic decisions that I've made.  I would not be handling $800 rod blanks, $100 single guides and $50 real seats in my shop on a regular basis yielding ( $210 - parts costs ) revenue.  One small mishap, and yes they happen, is just too costly on those margins.  

[19bdub]

been a long time since I posted anything and wanted to chime in and say that I absolutely love my SME! I have mine paired with a Shimano aero technium 14k XTC mgs. 

The rod has a very sensitive "C" curve and is sensitive I like able to feel everything throughout the cast and it delivers. I haven't done any hard measurements of my distance, but I would guesstimate that I should be getting 200+ yards with a semi otg cast(limited casting room fishing below dams) with a 4oz lead. 

And for comparison to rods, I've owned a TTUL and have cast my buddies UL and SM,this rod is in a league of its own, that's all I can say 

[AFMike]

Anyone that would actually like to see what all the hype is about the Elites don't hesitate to reach out. Im always up for some test casting.  Bring your favorite plugs and cast to your hearts content. 

Located in Southern NJ sbout 25 min South of AC in Avalon. 

[R.R. Bridge Fisher]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:29 PM, AFMike said:

Anyone that would actually like to see what all the hype is about the Elites don't hesitate to reach out. Im always up for some test casting.  Bring your favorite plugs and cast to your hearts content. 

Located in Southern NJ sbout 25 min South of AC in Avalon. 

I didn't get the elite but I'm very happy with my surf machine...

[bassmaster]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:29 PM, AFMike said:

Anyone that would actually like to see what all the hype is about the Elites don't hesitate to reach out. Im always up for some test casting.  Bring your favorite plugs and cast to your hearts content. 

Located in Southern NJ sbout 25 min South of AC in Avalon. 

Amazing rod, what power.

I tossed a regular elite 10 foot, felt stiff for 1 to 5

I do have the sm elite 11 foot

And love it.

 Tell me is yhe sme 10 different than the regular and isnt it a cut down 11 3 ?

Perty much love my ss 1265 10.5

Looking for that on steroids in the elite, 

 

 

[bassmaster]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:56 PM, R.R. Bridge Fisher said:

I didn't get the elite but I'm very happy with my surf machine...

Next time we hook upu can try mine,  amazing

[AFMike]

On 5/12/2023 at 8:47 PM, bassmaster said:

Amazing rod, what power.

I tossed a regular elite 10 foot, felt stiff for 1 to 5

I do have the sm elite 11 foot

And love it.

 Tell me is yhe sme 10 different than the regular and isnt it a cut down 11 3 ?

Perty much love my ss 1265 10.5

Looking for that on steroids in the elite, 

 

 

The 10' Surf Machine is not part of the Elite line. It's a standard Surf Machine.

No, it's not a 11'3" cutt down. All of our blanks have their own mandrels. They are each their own blank, no cutting.

We're waiting for our first shipment of 10' Elites, they aren't here yet.

I fish my 10' SM pretty often. It throws it's entire range very nicely.

The standard Surf Machines are a bit faster than the Elites. With the Elites being run with graphene it allows the blank to be a lower diameter which results in a slower taper making the Elites a touch more moderate. They are still a mod/fast rod though.

[FalmouthFisher]

On 5/12/2023 at 9:03 PM, AFMike said:

 

We're waiting for our first shipment of 10' Elites, they aren't here yet.

I fish my 10' SM pretty often. It throws it's entire range very nicely.

The standard Surf Machines are a bit faster than the Elites. With the Elites being run with graphene it allows the blank to be a lower diameter which results in a slower taper making the Elites a touch more moderate. They are still a mod/fast rod though.

  
Hi @AFMike, do you have an estimated eta on the 9’ SME?

 

And would you mind describing how the 9’ SME compares to the 9’ Weapon, both in terms of materials and manufacturing processes, as well as the performance and characteristics of the blanks?

 

I know the 9’ SME doesn’t exist yet, but hoping you could offer some comparisons between the SME and Weapon blanks. 
 

for reference, I’ve got an 11’3” SME but have never handled a weapon. 
 

thanks

Edited June 17 by FalmouthFisher

[Bluetaildragger]

On 3/28/2023 at 1:04 PM, Water Dog said:

At this level, we’re all nerdy gear heads in one form or another.  BTW, I got my factory build brand new for $950 last fall.  A full ODM Evolution build cones in at around the same ballpark.  
 

Speaking of light weight, mine comes in at a mere 11.03 oz, which is why my upgraded VSX150 balances so well on this 11 footer.  

 

Would you say a vsx200 or ZX25 would be too heavy for this rod?  

[Water Dog]

1 hour ago, Bluetaildragger said:

Would you say a vsx200 or ZX25 would be too heavy for this rod?  

 

For me, I thought my ZB25 was too heavy.  I currently use a VSX150 with a few upgrades.  I added an extended reel foot and a VSB extended crank arm and rectangular power knob.  Those upgrades make the 150 feel like a different reel.  It’s a super light combo and a joy to fish.  
 

Was looking into the Visser #5 for awhile, but I’m super happy with my set up for the time being.

Edited June 17 by Water Dog

[Kones1]

Sounds like I'm ready for 1. I like that 3/4 - 5 oz , the weight of the rod and the ease of casting it offers. That will extend my fishing time . We only live once   Hard to justify ? Sure is. But not  at the end of the day   I have a legend with a VS 150 so that will be ez. 

[Kones1]

I'm ordering it now. WTF 

[AFMike]

8 hours ago, FalmouthFisher said:

  
Hi @AFMike, do you have an estimated eta on the 9’ SME?

 

And would you mind describing how the 9’ SME compares to the 9’ Weapon, both in terms of materials and manufacturing processes, as well as the performance and characteristics of the blanks?

 

I know the 9’ SME doesn’t exist yet, but hoping you could offer some comparisons between the SME and Weapon blanks. 
 

for reference, I’ve got an 11’3” SME but have never handled a weapon. 
 

thanks

I'm hoping to see the 9' SME in the Fall sometime.  The 10' should be out sooner.

The Weapon has a softer tip. It throws it's whole range great. With the Weapon having the section of glass in the tip its a bit softer in the top 20" or so. I don't like the Weapon in heavy current with a bottle plug.

 

Since you have an Elite you know how easy it is to fish. Big distance with minimal effort and lots of power in a lower diameter blank.

The Elites have every bell and whistle that Century has. Full length textreme,  graphene  and anti-twist technology.  Plus the highest level of carbon fiber.

While they theow their whole range they have a little more tip to throw bottles in heavier current.

[Kones1]

I ordered 1 this morning. How long before it arrives ?