ChiCityBasser

First bass of the season was caugh on a RodTech 7'3" MH/F custom rod, Daiwa Aggrest 7.3:1 with 15# Cabelas X50 Flouro. The fish hit a Rock Hard Tackle jig with a Lockett Lures Outlet trailer in about 7-8ft of water. The fish weighed 2lbs and was 15.75" in length which was 1/4" short for the 16" tournament limit.

I use the Rage Craw or Baby Craw on my swim jigs.

Nice rig and congrats

I cast the cranks on spinning gear as well and use a 7' Cabelas M/F with a Quantum Catalyst PTi20 with 15# Power Pro with or without a 8# flouro leader. I was just watching an episode of "Linders Fishing Edge" with a segment on the scatter rap cranks and they were tossing them on spinning rods as well due to the light weight of the balsa lures. The setup "Al" was using was a 7' or so spinning rod and his real had high "vis" yellow braid with a flouro leader.

I use both and have rod sleeves from Elite rod sleeves and Cabelas reel covers to protect my investments. I even use the Cabelas lure covers on my rods.

Gonna try 15# Cabelas X50 by Seaguar for light cover flipping this year

My first choice for rods was the Cabelas XML and XMLTi which are great rods for the money with a Cabelas Prodigy also in my mix, I also love my RodTech Custom rod and nothing like having a rod built to your specification and knowing it will perform the given task better than off the shelf and be less than some of the high end off the shelf rods.

You can still find both models on ebay in decent condition at very reasonable prices. I picked up my Energy off ebay and it's still going strong on a swimbait rod.

I would go with the Accurist PT but it's a personal preference as my Kinetic doesn't see much use

I have several Quantum PT models and have not had any issues with any of them at this time. I have the color shift Energy PT, Kinetic PT, a couple of the Accurist PT 501 and the gray red model prior to this latest Accurist. I also have a couple of the KVD PT models in the 101SPT and 101HPT models but haven;t had them on the water just yet. My favorite out the group I own is the Quantum Accurist 101HPT burner reel that I use for flipping and pitching. I actually had 3 of these reels but lost one overboard right before purchasing another. The previous reel and the current Accurist were upgraded with some internal polishing and upgraded bearings. The reel was always in my hands and never had a problem before losing it and the current model is back on a flipping/pitching rod and ready for the season.

I have 6-7 Quantum PT reels with some being as old as 5-6 years old without any problems. I have both the grey model Catalyst PT and the model from a couple years ago that see regular duty both fun fishing and when I hit the tournaments. The Catalyst prior to the newest version is mounted on a 7' MH/F rig & jig rod with 15# braid and I use it for plastics, spinnerbaits, swim jigs, T-rigs and even C-rigs. This is one of my more versatile setups and hits the water with me each time out.

I have a 7' MH/F rig & jig spinning rod from Dicks that I use, it's the Field & Stream Tec Spec edition from a couple of years ago. I have it paired with a Quantum Catalyst PTi 20 series reel with 15# braid. The rod is both durable and sensitive with a great price at the time of around $60. The new series Tec Spec Pro, I believe which is the micro guide series is also very good but I have a casting model in that series.

I fish the BFL's and pretty much take 8 rods with me and pair it down after the meeting based on how the boater says he will be fishing the next day. I have 2-3 spinning rods and 3-4 casting rods for the event depending on how we are fishing and seasonal patterns fishing from the back of the boat. The rods I have used the least so far have been my crankbait rods. I have a 7'6" MH/F rig & jig, 7'3" MH/F rig & jig casting rods that see most of the action. I also have a 7' MH/F rig & jig spinning rod that sees alot of action as I use it for swim jigs with the reel having 15-30# braid for this technique.

All lefties, Daiwa Aggrest 7.3:1 Quantum Accurist 7.0:1 Quantum KVD 7.0:1 Quantum Energy 6.3:1 The Accurist has a few upgrades but it has been super dependable along with the Energy. The other reels are recent additions to my lineup.

My main setup is a RodTech Custom Rod 7'3" MH/F with a Quantum Accurist 7.0:1 Burner

I have the older Prodigy reel and it was a great buy and with the new Cabelas Verano reel I may be getting that one as well in the high speed lefty version.

I had the previous Quantum Accurist (gray model) upgraded with a supertune and better bearings and can agree with you regarding the extra difference it can make in casting.

Quantums are the main reels in my arsenal with a couple of Daiwa reels (Aggrest),Cabelas Prodigy(Made by Daiwa) and a BPS Pro Qualifier on the casting side. On the spinning side its Quantum, Pflueger and yes a Shimano is in the mix as well. I only have PT series Quantum reels and they hit the tournament trail with me as well as Any time I can wet a line during the warmer months here in Illinois. I have never had a problem with any of them over the time period that I have owned the brand. I'll continue to fish them but nothing for me lower than the PT series of reels. The Smoke is the next Quantum I will be purchasing for the tournament season after just purchasing a upper end KVD model.

I actually returned a Clarus and Compre rod after trying them against the F&S and felt it was a more sensitive bottom contact rod as I was using it for soft plastics. I've also used the rod for topwaters in a pinch and worked well with those also but it is primarily a bottom contact rod.

I have the older model Field & Stream Tec Spec MH/F spinning rod but see they only have the Elite rods now but I believe it's basically the same version with some slight hardware upgrades. The rod I have is the rig & jig rod and imho it was a better rod than the mid tier Shimano Clarus and Compre models. It was more sensitive and a fraction of the cost with a discount coupon and being on sale at the time. I also have the 7'3" MH/F Elite casting rod and it was a great buy as well and again it was on sale with a $20 off coupon.

The older gray model of the Quantum Accurist has a flipping switch and several of the new models also have flipping switches.

Good luck on the purchase.

I own several Cabelas rods which includes the XML and XMLTi models in both spinning and casting rods. I have never had a problem with any model be it the one piece or two piece designs and the customer service with Cabelas is great. I have an XMLTi 6'9" model that has hit the water with me each time I'm out since I purchased the rod and it has been perfect in every aspect.

Great report Goose and the reason I purchased my PQ was after reading the initial thread and reports. My PQ doesn't get as much use and does have that brake drum issue you mentioned but its a deep cranking reel and will be serviced this year. I purchased it used for $40 or so and it's just coming up on one year of usage. Thanks again

My flip/pitch combo is 7.x:1