ChiCityBasser

Great looking rod and looks like something I would love to try and of course its in the price range I like as well

The Cabelas XML and XMLTi both have full cork grip models that are very nice. They get my vote

I have 20# on one of my spinning reels and it does cast great and the guys at Cabelas put the mono backing on and spooled it up. Didn't think of spiitting it onto 2 spools with 55yds each plus the mono but now I will remember to have it done next time.

I see the Sol, Fuego and Zillion are on clearance on their site but not the Viento, at least not yet.

Sounds interesting and guess it's gonna be a wait and see process and it has my interest peaked as far as the new rods. I'm not a rod builder but I think it can be done also but JMO

Nice thread and gonna have to label myself as a : Cabelas rod guy (Fish Eagle II,XML, XMLTi) Quantum reel guy I do own a Shimano mounted on a XML and Cabelas/Daiwa Prodigy mounted on a Fish Eagle II. Only other rod I own is a Berkley Amp with a Quantum Kinetic

I have both the 1pc and 2 pc XML rods in both casting and spinning.

I don't mean to be rude, but I think you will be surprised how small that reel is. I would suggest a 2500 size and if you really like smaller reels, then a 1000 size. I have the reel in the 1000 size and it is small but its also a graphite frame which is fine for me and they didn't have a 2500 in stock when I purchased mine or I would have gone with the 2500 size. The combo you suggested is pretty much what I have but the rod is the XML

Check out this link since it will probably help with some of your answers as far as recommendations http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1247752536 I think there is one other link as well on budget combos and probably have to do a search for that one Good luck

I would suggest the Cabelas XML on clearance for around $50 http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=cat21406_feat&id=0053032122638a&navCount=0&podId=0053032&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true I would match it with a Shimano Sahara FD 2500 or maybe 3000 which is around $80 http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&id=0060373123663a&navCount=3&podId=0060373&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QZ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true I have this combo with the XML being a ML and the Sahara 1000fd and it works great. It's one of the few combos I actually have braid on and has been a solid performer since I purchased it with it getting more water time lately

The new Stradic looks really good and might just be my second Shimano reel purchase and great price on the reel also.

I have 6 of the XML's 5 spinning and 1 casting and they are great rods and even better at the sale price. I haven't paid full price for any of my XML rods either but think they are worth it for the quality and sensitivity. As far as the weight issues since they are really the only rods I use I can't say they are heavy to me but I agree with the rest of the review.

Is this common? I've been thinking about this quite a bit as I think towards getting my first baitcaster. It's totally what I'm planning on doing. I'm right handed, but somewhat ambidextrous and prefer to do some things with my left hand - reeling is one of them. All my spinning gear is left handed and tried the cast with my right hand and switch to the left rod retrieve with the BC and it felt awkward. Now sll of my BC are left hand retrieve models and feels more natural to me but its a matter of preference as someone else said.

I respect RW,Muddy,Reel Mechanic and some of the other members and value there opinions as well. RW put me onto the Ultra Soft and even steered me to the correct line 6# vs 8# for my spinning outfit. This site is the reason I purchased a Shimano also along with the reviews from the BPS and Cabelas sites as well. I still love my Quantums no matter how much bashing they take. Sometimes your equipment just has to take its lumps (Quantum KVD spinning reel) for example. I bought it and didn't like it and returned if for a Kinetic which I love. For me I like the reviews and the opinions but its my choice and sometimes my mistake but take none of it personal

LOL thats my plan for a possible new combo later in the year

Hummm lets see I would have to say that all my Quantum Reels are heavy pieces of junk with plenty of problems and that there customer service is the worst, but I haven't had a problem with either. Humm only one I can think of since my Cabelas rods seem to get pretty good reviews.

I don't own a Carrot Stix but I do like the color since most of if not all of my rods are either black or dark grey. I also agree you get what you like and if it works for you it works. I mean its like the choice of Quantum or Shimano or Shimano vs Pflueger with lots of people not liking Quantum because of either earlier problems with the product or customer service or something. I like Quantum though and they get more water time than my Shimano reels. I also like Cabelas rods as well but most don't like "house" brands so bottom line you fish what you like and can afford and most importantly what works for you. I still plan to get a carrot stix or a lightening rod shock or the new lamiglass rod because of the color which I like with the Quantum Catalyst PTI-B.

My current frog setup is a Cabelas 6'6" MH Worm/Jig rod along with a Quantum Accurist PT and 20# Fireline Braid. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but the rod seems to have plenty of backbone to get them out of heavy cover.

NIce looking rods and they might actually take me away from the Cabelas rods cause this would look good with the New Quantum Catalyst PTI-B Feeling the Monkey crawling onto my back again

I have 6 XML and a XMLTi and they are all great rods and even better at the sale price. I say get the XML and if u don't like it you can always return it and even better deal if u can get it shipped to the store and pick it and save the shipping cost.

The XML rod would be a great choice if its still on clearance and I would check ebay also since I've seen them discounted there as well.

i ordered an XML finesse flipping stick...it was listed as MH online and in the catalog but the wrapper on the rod itself said H. my guess is that some of the wrappers are incorrect. the flipping stick definitely feels like an MH stick compared to my other H-rated flipping sticks. i also have the XMLti dropshot spinning rod which is rated M which i would say is spot on and, if anything, leaning a little more toward ML than MH. as for the worm/jig rod, ideally they should have a very stiff ("fast") tip. to me, the ideal worm rod is MH and the ideal jig rod should H. Cabelas emailed me back and stated the label on the rod is incorrect just as you stated and that the rod is in fact a MH and not an H. They rep that emailed me back said to check the blank for the true rating. Thanks for chiming in Frank

The Cabelas Prodigy is a pretty good B/C and possibly still on sale for $75 normally $100. It's made by Daiwa and I actually have one myself with 20# Fireline Braid on it and it works just fine. I just picked up the same rod as well and thought it was a MH but label said H and wrote Cabelas and they wrote back and said it is indeed a MH as stated on the blank and that the label was incorrect.

Skinnyh2ofishin, Thanks for the input and yeah I was a bit dissapointed at the rating but now I guess I will be using it just the way you are using the rod. Yeah I looked at the lure ratings and wondered the same thing as well but went ahead with the order also. I'll work with it and even give some of the strike king king shad swim baits a try with just to see how it might handle them. Yeah I wish I had ordered a couple more as well and now I might just have to get the 7' Deep Crank rod while its still on sale

Ok I picked my XML worm/jig rod up last night and the power rating on the rod is Heavy but its advertised on the site as a MH and checking with Cabelas to see if all the technique specific rods are Heavy rather than the advertised MH. Anyone else order a Technique specific XML casting the the power rating was different than what's on the site?