Two rods that I use in distance casting for Pompano are from the UK rod manufacturer, Conoflex. Conoflex rods are very popular in Europe but they are not readily marketed here in the U.S.. A few specialty rod builders or surf tackle specialists along the east coast can usually get their hands on the rod blanks and then have them custom wrapped. I was able to find mine here in Florida and they were custom wrapped using top of the line Fuji seats and guides. The two rods are the Conoflex Gambit 24 and the Gambit 24 XT XL. The Specs are as follows:
Gambit 24: Length 12' , Rated 2-4 oz, Parallel Butt ( .79"), Two piece equal sections (50/50)
Gambit 24 XL: Length 12'9", Rated 2-4 oz, Parallel Butt(.81") Two Piece (50/50)
Both rods are 100% graphite making them lighter than composites. You can see by the specs that both rods appear similar with the main difference in length and butt diameter. They are,however, two different rods. Both rods have butt diameters on the smaller side ( less than 1" )which I personally prefer for grip and both butts are parallel design (not tapered) giving the rod more wrap at the ferrule. The extra 9 " of length in the XL however gives the rod a bit more action since both tips are equal (7.5 guide size). This obviously will cause the rod to load a bit sooner over the standard Gambit. Both rods are manufactured with what Conoflex calls zoned action, whereby the rod loads down the blank starting at the tip. I found that even though both rods are rated 2-4 0z. , when using an off the ground cast the Gambit XL loads better at between 4-5 0z while the Gambit 24 seems to perform best at 4 oz.. ,probably due to the extra 4.5" the XL has at the butt section. Both rods have a comparable feel while moving through the cast even though the load points are different. Typically I feel more confident with a shorter rod, but I actually prefer the feel of the XL and I think it is because I can easily feel the rod loading better through the cast. Distance wise, I can reach 160+ yds with either rod, but when pressed the XL will get another 15 + yds. when needed. Although I like to classify them as Pompano rods due to the rod rating , both rods are capable of handling much larger fish like Bull Reds and Sharks . I find the the XL preferable over the Gambit 24 for Pompano and whiting due to the lighter action tip section, however, I think the Gambit 24,although a bit stiffer, is a better overall rod for general fishing. Both rods fit and work very well with medium size casting reels like the ABU 6500 series or Penn 525. The rod blanks retail for around $ 300 US. Fully built with high grade components add another $150.
Gambit 24: Length 12' , Rated 2-4 oz, Parallel Butt ( .79"), Two piece equal sections (50/50)
Gambit 24 XL: Length 12'9", Rated 2-4 oz, Parallel Butt(.81") Two Piece (50/50)
Both rods are 100% graphite making them lighter than composites. You can see by the specs that both rods appear similar with the main difference in length and butt diameter. They are,however, two different rods. Both rods have butt diameters on the smaller side ( less than 1" )which I personally prefer for grip and both butts are parallel design (not tapered) giving the rod more wrap at the ferrule. The extra 9 " of length in the XL however gives the rod a bit more action since both tips are equal (7.5 guide size). This obviously will cause the rod to load a bit sooner over the standard Gambit. Both rods are manufactured with what Conoflex calls zoned action, whereby the rod loads down the blank starting at the tip. I found that even though both rods are rated 2-4 0z. , when using an off the ground cast the Gambit XL loads better at between 4-5 0z while the Gambit 24 seems to perform best at 4 oz.. ,probably due to the extra 4.5" the XL has at the butt section. Both rods have a comparable feel while moving through the cast even though the load points are different. Typically I feel more confident with a shorter rod, but I actually prefer the feel of the XL and I think it is because I can easily feel the rod loading better through the cast. Distance wise, I can reach 160+ yds with either rod, but when pressed the XL will get another 15 + yds. when needed. Although I like to classify them as Pompano rods due to the rod rating , both rods are capable of handling much larger fish like Bull Reds and Sharks . I find the the XL preferable over the Gambit 24 for Pompano and whiting due to the lighter action tip section, however, I think the Gambit 24,although a bit stiffer, is a better overall rod for general fishing. Both rods fit and work very well with medium size casting reels like the ABU 6500 series or Penn 525. The rod blanks retail for around $ 300 US. Fully built with high grade components add another $150.
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