Calstar Graphiters

[WreckinBall]

Just as Truline and Sabre were the standards of fishing rod excellence for West Coast Sportfishermen of yesteryear, the standards for the West Coast Sportfisherman of today are Calstar and Seeker. Many may argue that better rods are made, but without a doubt, the rods most recommended by the skippers of the San Diego long-range fleet (the finest in the world) are Calstars and Seekers.

Since the days when Truline and Sabre (and Conolon, and Silaflex, and Harwell, etc.) ruled the decks, many advancements have been made in the technology and techniques of rod building, and new materials have been introduced. Now that even "glass" rods are made of composite materials, they've been able to get away from, and improve upon, the parabolic action of glass rods, which means we can whip a fish much faster now.

Since the introduction of graphite rods to sportfishing to meet the needs of a market looking for stronger and lighter rods, Calstar has been among the leaders of those companies bringing high quality rods into the marketplace at competitive prices. This is due greatly to the hard work and knowledge of Calstar's founder, Leon Todd.

Todd has dedicated his life to building quality fiberglass and composite fishing rods and blanks. From his early years at Roddy Rods, to his days of designing rod blanks for California Tackle (Sabre) and now as the owner of Calstar, Leon's primary market has been the discriminating saltwater angler. When anglers worldwide need the best, they come to Calstar. Leon listens to his angling customers and makes changes and adds new models to is line to continuously improve and provide the customer with the product that meets their needs.

(The above quote comes from Calstar's website)

One indisputable fact remains, and that is more Tuna over 200 lbs. have been taken on Calstars than on any other rods. That is a testament to their quality as much as their popularity. They are simply the best rods available.

Calstar's line of graphite rods and blanks, the Graphiters, are available in two series: the Tuna series, and the Off Shore/ Deck Hand series. Like all Calstars, the Tuna series rods are designated in length by number and line class by letter, though they are all preceded by the number 7. As in,
a 755 is 5 1/2 feet long
a 760 is 6 feet long
a 765 is 6 1/2 feet long
For the Tuna series, the letters that relate to recommended line class are:
XL: 30-40
L: 40-50
ML: 50-60
M: 50-80
H: 80
XH: 100
XXH: 100+
So, a 760H is a 6 foot rod that is ideally suited for 80#, even though the label states 50-130. These rods have a moderate/fast action designed to impart maximum leverage on an oversized opponent, so these rods are made to kill BIG fish. Also, last winter, the 7400 series blanks went into production. They are the 7455's, 7460's and 7465's, and are designed to have a faster action and shut down quicker than the other Tuna Series rods.

Like the Tuna Series, the Off Shore / Deck Hand Series rods are described by alpha-numeric designations, but those designations have different values than the Tuna Series. The Deck Hand Series are all extra-fast blanks, except for two moderate actions, called "GX," which are both rated 10-15#. Basically, it works like this:
600 series = 6ft.
700 series = 7ft.
800 series = 8ft.
850 series = 8 1/2 ft.
900 series = 9 ft.
The only exceptions are the two GX rods, the GX-7 and the GX-8. (7 and 8 ft., resp.) The recommended line classes are described like this:
XL: 15-20
XLH: 15-25
L: 20-25
ML: 25
M: 25-30
H: 40-50
XH: 50-60
These are merely recommendations. I know that a lot of fishermen routinely fish 40# on the 700M and 800M and 60# on the 700H. I know a particular deckhand who swears that the 900L is a 20# stick, just because that's what he uses it for, and it works great for him. Personally, I think the 700ML is great for 30#. The differences are subtle, and I don't want to argue about it. The way I see it, it's your rod, use it as you see fit.

Now, while I do not own one of each of these rods, I do own a few of them (no 6-footers) and with only one exception, I couldn't be more pleased. I feel that the 900L and 900M are great rods, as are the 850H, 700ML, 800XL, and 800XLH. The rods are light, they cast well (for a graphite rod), they have plenty of backbone, and their actions articulate perfectly, IMO. I haven't found another 9-footer yet that can put as much pressure on a fish as a 900 series Graphiter (and I do occasionally use other 9-foot rods, BTW). As for casting (allowing, of course, for those instances of operator error) my baits usually fly far and easy. On the other hand, I am not so pleased with the 700H. To my mind, it is a one-trick pony. While I like it as a yo-yo rod, and I understand it's a good choice for throwing wahoo bombs, I don't think it's a useful baitstick. That is, unless you're in a wide open bite and a 15 ft. lob gets the job done, then it's a great way to go. Don't get me wrong, the 700H is great for fighting fish. It really puts the pressure on, I just don't cast it very well, because the tip is too stiff (the XH is worse!).

The Tuna Series rods are standards on the long-range boats, and on the resort town sporties that can reach the big fish. Most of the cows you read about in the papers and magazines fell to 760 or 765 M's or H's on the rail, or to a 755XH or XXH on the kite or troll. It seems that I can't get on a sportfisher anymore without seeing Graphiters in the racks. In fact, the 765XL has been described by many as "the perfect 40# baitstick," and rodwrappers up and down the state are making them like mad in this off-season. Sure, some folks say that Seeker or GUSA or Kencor or Cape Fear or GLoomis or Lamiglas or Rogue makes better rods. Maybe so, those companies make some fine rods, and I have not compared them all so I can't be sure. What I can be sure of is this; as I mentioned earlier, I think most Graphiters articulate perfectly. To me, they work just the way I want them to, and that's all I can ask for. The prices are competitive, too (with a good hookup, you can have a Graphiter custom wrapped for less than a factory wrap). I honestly don't believe I'll find a better rod, and I won't, until I find a better rod. BUT, I've been doing this for a while, and I haven't found it yet.

[Wahoo!]

Very nice! Great info!

[BeachBear]

Nice explaining of the numbers. I'm in the market for a new pole to fish in the #20 lb range and want the most advanced tech out there. This definately puts CalStar up a notch.

[PlatinumHooks]

Good job on the article Jerry! There are a couple of other manufacturers that I would also recommend that are equal to these rods but who's marketing value doesn't equal Calstar and Seeker, one of those other manufacturers I believe to be even a more advanced rod thatn Calstar and Seeker. I love Calstars and I love Seeker even more. I hope that one day soon manufacturers like Kencor will increase their marketing edge and get back into the game as they once were, as I think Kencor is another Great rod!