Capt.Bob

20# 832 Sufix, then 6#-14# Seaguar Abrazx, depending on conditions.

I like the MXF better,,, but I prefer the 6'3" MXF I use the LE the most with tubes and small jig's and drop shots for Smally's this is my favorite rod.

I buy 900 yards of 15# Big Game for less than 8 bucks, the same goes for 12# @ 1175 yards very "inexpensive",,,, can throw a lot away and still have less money in it than Braid. Saying that I agree, but I am sure my birds nest are not as bad as some new to baitcasting. But I have never had a birds nest I could not get out with 832 Suffix, or Fireline when I used fused line. Can't say that about Mono,,, but when you go to braid I sugest 30# and you will have plenty of 15# for leaders,,, which I always use,,, many reasons but one is, it's my fuse,,, the mono is what gives never the braid,,, making it very economical since it's immune to the elements and UV,,,,, good luck, you have a much better reel than I started with!!

Yes that I agree with, components that only need assembled can be had for much less, but I thought we were talking Custom.... a true one of a kind built to your specifications, and precision balanced to the reel you choose, with no other rod built the same as it. But a lot of choices, that Legend Elite New from Croix for 250 or 260 bucks delivered is about as good price as I think anyone will find for that degree of quality with the best Lifetime warranty in the business!!

Sorry Tom but I have to disagree when backed by less than world class CS and unproven blanks are considered state of the art,,, as that was what I was referring to.... but I agree you got to start somewhere........

I use my 7'2" MHM for deep cranks and spinners baits, I use my my 7' MM for most shallow cranks and square bills, for jerk baits and topwater I use a 6'8" MXF,,,, of course ST. Croix's,,,,,

I like the 95mm myself, I can use the 90 and if a reel come with it would leave it, but 85 I just can't adjust to, it would have to go!

From shore I would lean to a 6'6" depending on what obstacles branches and trees you encounter coming and going and while walking the bank. The 6'6" is a small trade off. I would also stick to one piece if I could. Then my choice hands down would be the ST Croix,,,, no matter what your budget,,, the Premier is a good rod for the money,,,, but their Avid is the best bargain on earth for what you get for the dollars spent in my opinion!!! BPS rods are durable but I find them awful heavy compared to other rods, The ugly sticks of graphite???

"IT IS",,,, yes power pro is smoother handling, "BUT" keep the power pro away from wood rocks and structure... it won't take it, fireline was what I used for years because it is the toughest NON-BRAID out there. I also used the Crystal and no bleed!! Like I said fireline is not a braid, it can be felt thru the guides also, but for years I tried everything out there, and until Sufix introduced 832 their was no braid that would hold up to the structure I usually fish in, which is mostly river systems and big reserviours. So I went with fused Fireline. Today every outfit I own from panfish to Salmon is spooled with 832 Sufix,,, it will take the abrasion and handle as good as any braid, and as small diameter for # test than most. But have proven power pro won't match either if you fish around rocks wood and structure,,,,,

I always use backing,, but type of fishing and reel size determine how much. If I get a big fish in open water, use a good not and no problem. Fly fisherman usually only have 25 to 30 yards of mainline, and catch some huge fish. I like Abrax myself, good line for the money!!

self explanatory if you use a drag,,,If you lock em down like a casting reel with 50# line,, it don't matter and means nothing, on my spinning I usually run very light leaders, no the bearing is not used to cast,,,,,

Yes, well worth it,,,, I have trouble not buying one and don't know why I don't need it, but I have stuff in the safe now I don't need, but I know I can't loose money if I decide to get rid of it.

$250.00 wont buy much of a custom rod unless you cut some corners on blanks and hardware.... I have a lot more than that in my Custom Avid Light!

I am sorry but yes the bearing and the rapid fire adjustment most will agree both are preferable drag enhancements,,,, but you could change them also with the rest of the items you want to remove from the subject and totally justify your comment. I fish them all and yes the smoother faster start up from the bearing mounted lighter carbon rotor is very noticeable unless you want to compare diferent sizes to make that point moot also,,,,,,,

Strange a doe following a buck,,,, hm around her I have never seen that, if she is ready he's doing the following, if she aint and he's dogg'n, shes outa there!! Just the way I have seen em act here in Ohio Indiana and Michigan for 60 years??

The Sustain is a huge difference over the FJ,, different drag, different materials, different bearing count, and a smoother reel, not to mention lighter, now the Ci4+ is pretty close but the FJ, is a pretty big step down!! the only thing they have in common is the name Shimano, and the same size in each holds the same line!!!

That would be about $212.00 and a steel, from a good seller,,, can't go wrong.

The MB hands down, and the lfs leaves a lot out for little diference, when the MB is easily available for $112.00 w/free shipping,,, I wouldn't think about the LSF unless you are saying you can have it new for less than 70 bucks! I'd still pick the MB if I could afford it!

I started sceptical as well When they first came out, owning Calcuta GTB's, Curados, Castiac's, and Chronarchs. So I got a Tournament,,, by by curados,,, and bought a Tournament Pro,,, By By Castiac's and GTB's,,,,, then I made the biggest mistake,,,, I bought a then Lew's Team, to he!! with Shimano Low Profiles all together!! I kept one Calcutta 400B for Musky, and today own only Shimano Spinning reels. The Tournament Pro is a great real,,, But today aside from a BB1 and a Super Duty I would Choose a Team Gold over any reel costing 4 times as much, for a few bucks more the Team Gold is my favorite, but the Tournament Pro was a fine real also and what had me part company with Shimano, that decision is even more affirmed today!

Yes right now if its a rod your happy with some Elites can be had cheap with free shipping. But everyday for around 200 bucks the St Croix Avid is more rod than can behad for anything close to 250,,, Why I always say,,,,,I think they are the best buy on the planet,,

Good choice, I'm sure you will be happy with it. Let us know after you run it through it's paces,,,,,

A 7' MHM 30# 832 Sufix a 6'10" to 7' MXF 20# 832 Sufix Mount your favorite reels and go get em!!

I have em all and continue to state that in my opinion the Avid is the best buy on the planet,,, but not a real fan of the LTB, but will say yes the Legends are that good the Elite and Extreme are only noticeable in the grip. I have a few of each, I prefer the Elite, but I recommend having the Legend blank built the way you want, and if you the lightest most sensitive build you can have on either blank,,,, go with Rec guides,,, a little pricey but after building one rod with them,,, my last 4 have all been built with their guides, and are the absolute most responsive and sensitive rods I have ever fished with..... bar none!

Ci4+ hard to beat, I have the FG Sustain and the Ci4+ both, along with a few Stradic FJ's,, the FJ's are very sweet and hard to beat for the money... I had a few Ci4's and hated em not near as smooth as the FJ's or FI stradic's. the new Ci4+ changed that all, and the rapid fire drag, Xship and on and on I think the new Stradic Ci4+ is a steel and every bit as sweet a reel as the Sustain!! If you want more real than the Ci4+,,, I think you have to buy a Stella or you're just spending more money and getting nothing more for it,,,,JMO

I prefer the Elite, which I prefer, and like S Hovanec stated, both extreme and Elite were very similar in all but the butt section of the blank, and both are extremely sensitive, the biggest difference is in the handle, the Elite is full cork,, the Extreme split,,, I do not like the split. The 2 Extremes I do own are both equipped with full cork custom handles. Either model in my opinion is as good as it get's, and a big step up from the Avid. Saying that the Avid (full handle model,,,, not X) in my opinion, is the best rod for the buck on the market,,, bar none!!