dmat

I have a 2500 (NRX DSR822), 103HLA (NFC 665 HM) and 100HLA (Steez Flexlite) and just sold a JDM Exist 1003 The reels are the best I have ever used...just silky smooth. As another poster mentioned I don't know if I would pay full price for them. Two I got with giftcards and bought the other two used (like new.) The Flexlite is a really nice rod but it took a while for me to get used to the action...it is a bit different than the Loomis cranking series that I had fished for a long time. If I were going to buy another one it would be used off of one of the boards...you can get a pretty good price. Don

Thanks...its my first Otterods but it won't be my last...out of all my rods this one just feels "right." I already had the reel and cork knobs but it took me a while to think up a color scheme for the rod...didn't want it to be too flashy. Hopefully I get to fish it soon...but I get to fish even less than I get to post on here Don

Don't get to post much with work, school and the kids...but just recieved my new rod yesterday and thought I would share. Specs: NFC 665-1 HM (Extended to 6'8") TiSic guides spiral wrapped to the left Black thread with gold trim Matagi hardware Steez 103HLA The rod balances just in front of the winding check and weighs in at 9.84 ounces... Don

I have 4 customs with a 5th on the way... Pro's: Your mind (and wallet) are the limit...you get just what you want...extended/cut blank, spiral wrapped, grips, guides, reel seat, winding checks etc... Usually lighter than off the rack rods Con's: Price...good stuff's not cheap Time...may take a long time...depending on availability of blank and/or components (imports etc...) Warranty...not important too me...but talk with the builder you have in mind... Lots of great off the rack rods...but there is something special about having a custom built rod! Don

My normal dropshot rod is a custom SJ781 IMX...however...like Raul...I dropshot from UL to H... Don

I would suggest the Powell Max or Dobyns Savvy. I had the Powell Max 683C with a Curado 201E7 and it balanced really well. It was a great combo for jigs, senkos and spinnerbaits. Never tried a Dobyns, but have heard really good things about the rods and the company in general. Don

Congrats on the win...you cant go wrong with any free rod! If you need a cranking rod then get the cranking rod...as far as i'm concerned sensitivity is just as important for cranks/spinnerbaits as it is for worms and jigs. Whenever you are fishing you need to know whats going on with your lure. For an "all around rod" go for the MBR843 IMX...unless you can kick in some money and get the GLX. Don

Fishing related stuff I got from the family: 7 finesse jigs couple packs of trailers 1/4 oz football jig heads 10lb InvizX 15lb AbrazX 3 LC cranks NRX 803C (on the way from TW) The best present that I got was seeing my two little girls face light up when they saw the gifts that santa brought them! Hope everyone has a great New Year! Don

I think there are many good choices in this price range...Dobyns, Powell, G Loomis IMX (used) etc... Personally I have used Powell and Loomis GL2/GL3/IMX/GLX...I would stay away from the...GL2/3 IMO the Powell is a better rod for the money. If I was starting over...I would take a hard look at the Dobyns rods...have heard nothing but great things about them and their customer service. Good luck... Don

Medium, med. heavy, heavy etc...all refer to the power of a rod Slow, moderate, moderate-fast, fast etc...all refer to the action of a rod No, I would not assume that the rods are all fast action. I am not familiar with those rods but if the rods have applications listed on them (jigs, crankbaits etc...) then that would give you more of an idea of the action. Don

I agree...I have not used the JM line...however I was comparing the lower end BPS rods to the lower end Loomis rods and the Loomis blew them away in weight and sensitivity...I simply extrapolated to the higher line of rods. I also started with the BPS crankin stick and for the money (especially on sale) it was an excellent rod. However comparing it to the Loomis crank bait rods that I bought it felt very heavy and lacked sensitivity. I also hated the power hump! In MY EXPERIENCE it was worth it to spend the extra money for Loomis rods and I am happy with my purchases. My problem is with the statement "There is no difference" everyone's experiences differ and in a forum where many people come looking for advice...one should qualify statements and not state subjective qualities of a product as FACT. Just my opinion... Don

Really...you're really going say that there is no difference between a BPS rod and a GLX? not opinion...fact? Not bashing BPS rods....thats what I started fishing with...the Bionic Blades and the Extremes. They are very good value for the money especially if bought on sale. One day I was fishing along side my father-in-law...me with a Bionic Blade and him with a GL3. He was catching fish and I was not. He handed me his Loomis and I started feeling the bite and landed a few fish. A believer right then. And that was only between a BPS and GL3...GLX is in a different universe. Fish with what you have and be happy...but to say that there is no difference between a store branded rod and a top of the line Loomis is just silly. My $0.02 Don

I would suggest a 2500 reel... Don

Some nice gear so far... A few of mine: Don

Let us know how the 803 compares with the GLX...I am considering upgrading and could use some first hand reviews! Thanks, Don

That's a pretty wide range of applications for one rod...what I use For poppers etc...medium power For buzzbaits...medium heavy frogs...heavy Don

I will suggest two names George Roth (George's Custom Rods) Matt Davis (Otterods) I have 4 rods built by George and am extremely happy with them...soon to be 5 I have seen plenty of Matt's work and it is exceptional Don

X2 For dropshot I go with 6lb...and 8lb for everything else. Don

I would look into getting one of the older model Fuego 2000 if you can find one...great reel for the money. I bought one last year for $140 new. Matches great with 6lb line, drag is smooth and it's pretty light. Don

I think you will be happy with the Powell...I bought one a while back (683C) sight unseen...based on user reviews on another site. It is a really good rod especially for the money. Congrats!

About a year ago I had way to many rods and reels...I usually fish from the back seat so I would only take 5-6 combos per trip. Much of my gear wasn't getting used. At that point I decided to replace all of my rods and reels...I sold a bunch of gear (fishing and photo) and bought a few custom rods and a few factory rods...along with a few Core51's and Steez's. I now have a total of 6 combos + 1 ultralight that are much higher quality then I had before. I am much happier now that I don't have to pick and choose which rods go and which rods stay. Don

This is my take... The Steez feels a little larger in hand, a little smoother and a little more refined. I use the Steez for cranks and the Core for most everything else so I can't compare apples to apples...however with the Steez I can cast cranks further than any other reel I have used for cranking. They do cast quite a bit different to me so if I have been using my Shimanos for a while and then pick up the Steez it sometimes takes a few casts to get used to it. May not make a difference for pitching though. They are both excellent reels and you can't go wrong with either in my opinion. If I were in your shoes it would probably depend on how good the price for the Steez is hope this helps Don

What I want: MB783 GLX with split grip, no foregrip and spiral wrapped TiSic guides with a Core51 and 15lb FC What I have: Powell 683C with Curado 201E7 Don

Been lurking for a while and thought I would jump in and post... Here is what I have so far...two rods are still being built as we speak...should have them in a couple of weeks! S781-1 IMX + Exist 1003 - all ultra light stuff SJ781 IMX (being built) + Steez 2500 - dropshot, splitshot SJ781 IMX + Core51 - all things finesse MB782 IMX (being built) + Core51 - topwater, jerkbait Steez Flexlite M + Steez 103HLA - cranks Powell 683C + Curado 201E7 - spinnerbait, senkos BCR803 GLX + Core51 - jigs I had way too many rods, reels and stuff I never used...so I have been selling for the better part of a year and trying to put together a smaller set of gear that would cover all of my needs...almost done! I really enjoy the forum and check it every day! Don