Patriot Design rods

[Kevin Li]

Hi guys,


I've isolated 2 rods from the PD range and I need feedback in able to choose.

The black diamond 77 and the black mafia 76.

Fishing wise and for power, I'm looking for a rod similar in power and fishing capabilities of the Carpenter 78UHL.

For the casting bit, I don't have to worry as I'm used to casting very stiff rods to 14ft.

I'll be fishing 130lb braid with big poppers of 180-200g and when required fish 170lb with 250g poppers.

The rating of the Black diamond 77 is rated to 15kg, can it fish beyond that when required?


Your feedback would be muchly appreciated.

Kev.

P.S is it right to say that the Black diamond 77 is more powerful than a tokara smith?

[Ken Best]

Kevin,

In my opinion the Black Diamond sits between the Tokara and the 78UHL, (I have these three rods).
The UHL feels more powerful when loaded up to me. Having said that, the BD still hurts....
I have not handled the Black Mafia, but looking at the specs its a more powerful rod than the Black Diamond.
I think Aaron Concord at on this forum has both the Black Diamond and a UHL. He may be worth PMing about them as well.

Ken

[Luke Wyrsta]

May also be worth sending a PM to Pat Victorino. He has used many PD rods.

[Nathan Cefai]

Nice choice!!

[Kevin Li]

I've decided to go for a Black Mafia. Waiting for FH to give me a quote for the shipping.

Btw, what is the weight of the rod?

[Pat Victorino]

 Hi Kevin,

      Rod weight of PD Black Mafia76 is 515Grams.

[Jon Li]

Hi Pat ,

Would it be fair to say this PD rods are basically SevenSeas rods but with expanded models ?

Jon .

[Duncan O'Connell]

Hi Jon,

We carry both the new Seven Seas and Patriot Designs rods. We have found them to be quite different in feel and design to each other. Both companies are making very high quality popping and jigging rods, but are heading down different tracks in terms of blank construction and asthetics.

Regards

Duncan

[Kevin Li]

 Hi Kevin,

      Rod weight of PD Black Mafia76 is 515Grams.

Hi Pat,

Thanks for the feedback. That is going to be a challenge to cast with for a few hours! Have you tried the black diamond? How does it compares in power in fighting and casting of heavy lures?

Kevin

[Jon Li]

Hi Duncan ,

Thanks , just curious .

Jon .

[Andy Rowe]

Hi Duncan ,

Thanks , just curious .

Jon .

Hi Jon,

Welcome back, I did a comparison on some of the 7 seas and PD rods recently, weight and spec issues on some models at least appear to be very similar. That was just a desktop study though.

Do you have good things to report to us temporarily desk-bound anglers?

Cheers
Andy

[Jon Li]

Hi Andy ,

Check this : http://www.gtpopping.com/forum/index.php?topic=1147.30

Jon .

[Aaron Concord]

The best way I can surmise the PD Black Diamond against a SP78UHL is:

Same lifting capacity in the butt section: I scale tested both at 20kg.The PD felt like it had more to me in the butt.

The SP78UHL has less mid-flex than the Black Diamond and feels less comfy when locked up. It is a fast taper, high carbon stick.

The Black Diamond, with its Kevlar Shaft has more tip resistance though more mid flex when loaded up. Most people feel its lighter than the UHL until you read the scales when doing drag settings!

HOWEVER.....the Carpenter is a tendon snapping cast compared to the PD Black Diamond AND the Black Diamond has, even with the mid-flex, more tip resistance than the UHL, which means it not only slings/loads a popper when casting more easliy, it also works the big poppers easier than the UHL.

It ends up a Holden/Ford debate....2 heavy popping rods with different feels to get you to the same finish line....

As a big GT rod that I can fish more easliy, the PD wins....and I do love my UHL!!!
If you want even MORE grunt (and pain??) go the Mafia or Fire Vortex...

Most people I see going away on a trip longer than a day would find long spells with the Black Mafia or Fire Vortex too extreme.

Aaron.

[Brandon Khoo]

Nah, I think I was wrong.
I should have recommended that Mick and Kevin get the Fire Vortex!   

[Mick Cunningham]

Nah, I think I was wrong.
I should have recommended that Mick and Kevin get the Fire Vortex!   

Wait wait did some one said an UHL   

fire vortex    hmmmm ..... nah not for me.