ChiCityBasser

These are my two current use crankbait setups. I use them for shallow to mid diver cranks and 1/4 oz spinnerbaits as well as small jerkbaits and topwaters on occasion. Casting: Kistler CRR 7' M/F 1/8-1/2oz Quantum Kinetic 6.3:1 Cabelas Flouro 12# Spinning Cabelas Prodigy 7' M/F Quantum Catalyst PTi-20B Cabelas 6# Flouro (Main Spool) Power Pro 30# Braid (Backup Spool)

Both nice setups and really like the St. Croix setup and give them both a 9

Sure you will be happy with your rod choice.

Go with the Energy PT VI as it's a great reel in the quantum line. The previous model of Energy PT's aren't bad reels either and often on sale on ebay as well.

I've used 8lb test and found it to have a bit too much memory for me and went down to 6lb test and it was fine on my spinning setup. Treat the line with kvd line conditioner and it should be fine.

Great reviews on both reels.

I live in il and fish in the cold also and never had that problem happen with my Catalyst PTi-20 A or B. Someone else talked about a similar situation and the reel needed a good cleaning and correct oiling to have the anti reverse function properly.

Take a look at the Cabelas XMLTi 6'9" M/F which is normally $200 but on sale for $120 right now. This is my soft plastics rod paired with a Quantum Catalyst pti-a20. The rod is very very light and sensitive. Some might not like the recoil guides with braid cause they are just a bit noisy but after trying it with both braid and flouro line I can except that bit of noise for caught fish. Ive been fishing it as mainly a senko and fat ika plastics rod and this is now my favorite combo. Quality components and great sensitivity.

I was in Cabelas the other day having some line added to a reel when I noticed they had the New Smoke Spinning reel on display. I asked a salesman to let me see the reel and wow it is the lightest reel I have ever had in my hands. It's right in there with the Daiwa Steez and the Shimano offerings. Just not nearly as expensive as the Daiwa and still less than the Shimano offerings as well. I'm going to be adding this and one other Quantum reel to my arsenal in the spring and can't want to hit the water with them.

Haven't had a problem with it

I can only think of one television ad I've seen for fishing reels and it was the Abu Revo Premier spinning reel. Now I could be wrong but that one stands out and I'm sure there are some others.

I have both spinning and casting setups as well with a setup on both sides for some techniques. I have a a lipped crankbait setup in both casting and spinning and some other technigues as well. I fish from the shore and in close quarters my spinning setups are out with me more often than my casting setups. I agree with DVT that neither will eclipse the other as its a matter of preference and comfort level with either one.

Nice Combo and waiting on the Smoke spinning reels myself.

Ok here goes my favorite combo right now for plastics is my spinning combo: It handles Senkos and fat ikas well and is extremely light and sensitive. Rod:Cabelas XMLTi-S693-1A 6'9" M/F Reel:Quantum PTi-A20 Line:Cajun 30# Braid P-Line CXX 6# copolymer

The Xmlti is a great rod and a upgrade from the xml. I have one of the spinning models and it is very light and sensitive. I've never fished a St. Croix but I would give the Xmlti a try at the sale price and not look back.

I have one of the Cabelas XMLTi spinning rods which is the XMLTiS693-1a 6'9" M/F model that I use for fat ika, senkos and other weightless plastics. The rod is very light and very very sensitive and impressed me enough to be in the market for a casting model also. I haven't used any of the other rods you mentioned but I would say the XMLti can hold its own with them as far as weight and sensitivity. At the $120 price it is a great deal on a light, sensitive and responsive rod with plenty of backbone.

I fish braid almost exclusively with no leader for all techniques. On my spinning rigs I have one spool with braid and one spool with either a mono, copolymer or flouro and change them out on those windy days which make braid harder to deal with when casting.

I'm interested in any type of club but I am one of the bank beaters also at this time. A fun and info club would be cool where we could report on the different lakes and spots we fish and how well we did or didn't do as well as lake conditions and things.

Thanks for the info DVT.

What is the cost associated with having a rod rewrapped with micro guides?

I know I'm probably sounding like a broken record but check out the Cabelas XMLTi casting rods. They are normally $200 but on sale in for $120 which is right in your price range. Its light and very sensitive with quality components and backed by cabelas warrantly. I've never handled the other rods but I would say look at the xmlti. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-XMLTi-Casting-Rods/1158312.uts?WTz_l=PPC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104764680

The Cabelas Xmlti is in your price range while it is on sale. I just picked up the XmltiS693-1a which is the spinning model to use for senkos and fat ikas and some other plastics. The rod is very light and very sensitive and is one of my rods that is always in the truck with me now. Regular price is $200 and on sale for $120. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fishing-Rods/Spinning-Rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104836680/Cabelas-XMLTi-Spinning-Rods/1158310.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fishing-rods-spinning-rods%2F_%2FN-1102841%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104836680%3FWTz_l%3DSEO%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104764680&WTz_l=SEO%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104764680%3Bcat104836680

Lately I have been getting skunked quite often and just have to figure this fall pattern out.

I've had success with them this year after reading the "Guaranteed" article. I have them in Watermelon and in Green Pumpkin with different flakes in both of them. I agree with DVT about them being very effective in <10' of water also. I would cast them to open water at one small lake/pond and get hits on the first lift after the initial sinking. I rigged it reversed but also added a worm rattle to it as well.

Any of you guys still thinking of starting a club in the south suburbs?