Stuart -vs- Aftco Rollers

[steve55]

I've decided to buy an all-roller Chaos 30-50 to go with an Avet EX Pro 30. They offer two models - one with Aftco HD rollers, one with Stuart. Any difference?

Thanks!

[cobraarvey]

I have the Stuart's on my Chaos rods. The difference is that the Stuarts are much larger to accomodate wind on leaders. The price is the same for either roller. You're going to love your Chaos Rods, no matter which one you pick

[Parapapam]

Sorry this doesn't answer your question, but are you sure you want to match a 30-50 rod with a reel that pulls 45 pounds of drag at strike?

Which line class do you plan to spool it with?

Mike

[steve55]

Parapapam - 1/19/2007 1:21 PM

Sorry this doesn't answer your question, but are you sure you want to match a 30-50 rod with a reel that pulls 45 pounds of drag at strike?

Which line class do you plan to spool it with?

Mike

Great question - I asked the guy at Chaos the same.

1. I don't think I'll ever intentionally max out the drag as I invariably use a fighting harness and don't wish to go swimming with rod/reel in blue water(I weigh 180#s wet) .

2. The gent at Chaos (extremely helpful and entertaining) indicated that the 20-50 has just enough tip bend to take pressure off the lower back while fighting, but enough backbone to lift a large fish. He's a huge Avet fan and didn't think it was too much reel for the rod (they make a 50 - 100 for the same price that I would buy, otherwise).

3. 80# JB spectra w/ 150 yds. 50# mono topshot

[Parapapam]

Good answer as well....

I might go with a 30-80 rod for that application. But if the guys at Chaos say it is OK, they know more than I do.....by a long shot.

Mike

[auguste]

I had two rods with Aftcos . . . good products

My last 10 rods have Stewarts that came with my Chaos rods and they are good quality . . . I do clean them oftem . . . lots of room for knots to go through them

[blueh20pc]

steve55 - 1/19/2007 10:52 AM

I've decided to buy an all-roller Chaos 30-50 to go with an Avet EX Pro 30.

Good choice, that's my dream setup (s), and I weigh less than you also.

Just make sure you service the rollers regularly, as Gus pointed out.

[East Coast Tackle]

Stuarts are noisey, bulky, and the line tends to shift around on them since they only have a small v groove to hold the line.

Go with Aftco's, knots are not an issue with them

[timbb]

No comparison, the Aftcos are the way to go. The Stuarts are noisy, and they are made from different types of metals, that causes them to rust, and/or corrode much quicker than the Aftco's will.

[ubettcha13]

Aftco does make a roller that is much larger just for wind-on leaders if that is a concern If you need the wind-on capability and they only offer stuart Make up a spread sheet for routine maitenance
That is a great rod for stand-up you will like the way it whips a fish instead of you

[Bullshipper]

I personally think that rod is a way too light for that reel. You get 17 lbs of drag for 50 lb line out of the little casting reels like the LX or JX, so what is this salesman thinking?

I would want at least a 50-100 lb H or a soft XH setup. And as you go up in line size, so does the knot.

The only way is to test the rod is with weight on it and see if the bend is right to take pressure off your back when in the harness.

Take a bucket, fill it up halfway and the handle tied to your line is 20 lbs of pressure.

3/4 full is 30 and full up is 40lbs, what the reel will max out at.

The beauty of the Pro30 is that a lightweight durable 30 will handle up to 130 lb tackle, so why limit it with a light rod?

40 lbs is not that heavy at the end of a fight when the fish is tired, but it will snap that rod your are looking at, which is a disaster during a fight IMO.


I have had Stuarts and Aftco.

I bought the Stuarts out of a catalog, and will not make that mistake again. They are noisy, the cats paw shape will hang up on looping line, and I personally do not like their looks.

Sorry to be so blunt.

[CAPTJohnny]

Bullshipper - 1/20/2007 4:46 PM

I personally think that rod is a way too light for that reel. You get 17 lbs of drag for 50 lb line out of the little casting reels like the LX or JX, so what is this salesman thinking?

I would want at least a 50-100 lb H or a soft XH setup. And as you go up in line size, so does the knot.

The only way is to test the rod is with weight on it and see if the bend is right to take pressure off your back when in the harness.

I fully agree with those facts. I fish Avets in the NE and the EX is a beast. I was just at a standup seminar and heard Dennis Braid speak on the subject, and as Bull said, too few people put the screws to fish as they should. With the innovations of drags, harnesses, and hollow spectra, you should run short strong rods with the leverage to put a fish in the boat quickly. The beauty of this is with these systems the strain on the angler is much less than it used to be.

Take a bucket, fill it up halfway and the handle tied to your line is 20 lbs of pressure.

3/4 full is 30 and full up is 40lbs, what the reel will max out at.

The beauty of the Pro30 is that a lightweight durable 30 will handle up to 130 lb tackle, so why limit it with a light rod?

40 lbs is not that heavy at the end of a fight when the fish is tired, but it will snap that rod your are looking at, which is a disaster during a fight IMO.


I have had Stuarts and Aftco.

I bought the Stuarts out of a catalog, and will not make that mistake again. They are noisy, the cats paw shape will hang up on looping line, and I personally do not like their looks.

Sorry to be so blunt.

[CAPTJohnny]

Bullshipper - 1/20/2007 4:46 PM

I personally think that rod is a way too light for that reel. You get 17 lbs of drag for 50 lb line out of the little casting reels like the LX or JX, so what is this salesman thinking?

I would want at least a 50-100 lb H or a soft XH setup. And as you go up in line size, so does the knot.

The only way is to test the rod is with weight on it and see if the bend is right to take pressure off your back when in the harness.

I fully agree with those facts. I fish Avets in the NE and the EX is a beast. I was just at a standup seminar and heard Dennis Braid speak on the subject, and as Bull said, too few people put the screws to fish as they should. With the innovations of drags, harnesses, and hollow spectra, you should run short strong rods with the leverage to put a fish in the boat quickly. The beauty of this is with these systems the strain on the angler is much less than it used to be.

Take a bucket, fill it up halfway and the handle tied to your line is 20 lbs of pressure.

3/4 full is 30 and full up is 40lbs, what the reel will max out at.

The beauty of the Pro30 is that a lightweight durable 30 will handle up to 130 lb tackle, so why limit it with a light rod?

40 lbs is not that heavy at the end of a fight when the fish is tired, but it will snap that rod your are looking at, which is a disaster during a fight IMO.


I have had Stuarts and Aftco.

I bought the Stuarts out of a catalog, and will not make that mistake again. They are noisy, the cats paw shape will hang up on looping line, and I personally do not like their looks.

Sorry to be so blunt.

I fully agree with those facts. I fish Avets in the NE and the EX is a beast. I was just at a standup seminar and heard Dennis Braid speak on the subject, and as Bull said, too few people put the screws to fish as they should. With the innovations of drags, harnesses, and hollow spectra, you should run short strong rods with the leverage to put a fish in the boat quickly. The beauty of this is with these systems the strain on the angler is much less than it used to be.

[steve55]

Thanks, guys for taking the time to help. Bullshipper, as much money as I spend on gear, I appreciate blunt and quantitative info. I think I'll give it another day or so to see if anyone else has a more compelling argument to stay with the 30 - 50. Otherwise, I'll order the 50-100 w/ Aftcos as advised. Again, much appreciated.

[offshore3144]

Steve take a look at the xtsa 50-100 I have 6 matching on order for my Alutecnos 30w's they look like they would be a good match for what you need. Chaos has been slow since the robbery they had a month ago but I wanted a matched set so I ordered them all at the same time. Cant wait for them to get here. Hopefully in the next week or two......Mark

[Bullshipper]

steve55 - 1/20/2007 6:00 PM

Thanks, guys for taking the time to help. Bullshipper, as much money as I spend on gear, I appreciate blunt and quantitative info. I think I'll give it another day or so to see if anyone else has a more compelling argument to stay with the 30 - 50. Otherwise, I'll order the 50-100 w/ Aftcos as advised. Again, much appreciated.

Before you buy, it really is advisable to lift the bucket with different amounts of water in the store to see what YOU are comfortable with, true lifting power, if your harness binds or rides up on you, etc.

I don't have a problem with 40 lbs of drag on a 5'6" XH 80-130 lb Bigwater Shakesphere and I am an old guy, so you may surprize yourself. Using a drag scale to preset drags assures you you are not putting too much strain on your line even if you go to sunset, so the same should be the rule for your rod IMO.

But again, a rod that is too stiff or too long will hurt you more on a long fight.

[mtcfish]

There is a company in Deep River CT Winthrop Tool. Fred is the contact. He makes machined rollers out of aluminum and Titanium... there called WT Rollers. His number is (860) 526-9079... He could give you info on them. I have 2 rods with them and they blow away the quality of the stamped design everybody else uses... I'll try to find photos

[lemaymiami]

With the Aftco's you will always be able to replace a screw, roller, roller sleeve, or an entire guide anywhere in the country..... they're the industry standard. I've built a lot of rods with them over the years and they hold up well. I've repaired a few rods with Stuarts.... all I could do was replace the guide and be glad the rod wasn't one of mine

[steve55]

Thanks again, gents! It's great advice/experience such as this that drew me to this forum in the first place. THT really does kick a$$!