raven sst3 or raven matrix

[FishHawk22]

Hey guys, my dad had a custom float rod built for me for christmas. It's a beautiful 13' Cedar rod custom built by a guy in Lansing, I'll post pics of it later. Anyway, I have never float fished before and was wondering what reel you guys would recommend for a beginner, on a semi-buget. I found a raven matrix for $133 total, or an SST-3 for $243 total. Anyone have any experience with either of these and might be able to offer a newbie a little advice. Thanks.

Hawk

[HURONFLY]

Raven makes quality reels for the price. If your going to fish for steelhead I would go with the SST2.

[quest32a]

Hey guys, my dad had a custom float rod built for me for christmas. It's a beautiful 13' Cedar rod custom built by a guy in Lansing, I'll post pics of it later. Anyway, I have never float fished before and was wondering what reel you guys would recommend for a beginner, on a semi-buget. I found a raven matrix for $133 total, or an SST-3 for $243 total. Anyone have any experience with either of these and might be able to offer a newbie a little advice. Thanks.

Hawk

Must have been Mike or Al. They make good rods. I have a cedar float rod myself.

[stlhdr19]

must have been al, he does quality work, i have the same rod and i use the sst-3 . that reel is a good one but is a little light . I'm not sure if your big on the balance of the rod but it does work well on that rod . never used the matrix so i dont know how those fish but if your going to spend the money . i would go with the sst-3. Try to find out who built the rod, if it wasnt al it might have been big bill, he does good work too.. tight lines

[FishHawk22]

Here are the pics, it was made by Dan Ockert, I have a 4wt loomis that he made me that I absolutely love, i used it a ton in south carolina, and it never failed me. He works in Lansing and builds rods on the side, he is also extremely reasonable.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/fish19.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=71166&size=big&cat=last1)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/grip.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=71168&size=big&cat=last1)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/fish22.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=71167&size=big&cat=last1)

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/dan1.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=71169&size=big&cat=500)

Thanks for your help with the reels, still not sure what to do though because I have no experience what so ever with float fishing. What is the major difference b/w the SST's? Thanks again.

Hawk

[stlhdr19]

the main difference is the price;).... im not sure but it might be the inside components. The one thing i can tell you is that no matter what one you get, you will be hooked to pinning. btw, nice rod!!!!!! I've known Dan for years, he and i have fished alot together. As a matter of fact, Dan netted my first steelie for me on a pin, he's a good guy and does really nice work. you'll love that rod . If you need help with learning how to float fish , come down to the grand river fly shop in lansing and ask bob or al or me if im there and we can help you with anything you need....tight lines

[HunterHawk]

damn son, you are obviously the favorite son, that is a nice looking rod my friend.... cant wait to see that thing in person, he even put a steelie on there... I bet Dan was pumped to make you a pinny eh?

DJ's custom rods are sweet, i dont do that much river fishing but he made me a ice fishing rod that is awesome!!! i can catch anything from smelt to big ol pike on it!.... mines not quiet as pretty as that thing though... man he does some great work

and again nice looking pinny rod man

[FishHawk22]

Thanks stlhdr, I stopped in to GR fly shop and talked with bob a little yesterday, I haven't been in there in a long time. I'll probably start having to be a shop junky since I work in lansing now, and have a 4 hr lunch break. Thanks again for the help, I am going to go with the SST-2.

[stlhdr19]

Good choice, most of the guys from the shop all fish with raven reels and besides the eclipse reel i havent heard any complaints so good luck.... if your going to be a junky ,, be a fly shop junkie, its the only way to go. See ya down there sometime. Nickk