lmbfisherman

Just bought a Fenwick Smallmouth Elite Tech Spinning rod - 6'9" M/XF. Thanks to a couple of guys for there advice, going to pair it for now with my Stradic FJ. Will need to find a new partner for it though as I stole the reel from my Crucial drop shot. I also grabbed a pack of 3/0 Owner Offset Hook, Bruiser Rad Shad (Baby Bass Color), 1 Strike King Double Willow White and Cht Spinnerbait, 1 River 2 Sea Double Willow White and Cht Spinnerbait and a Terminator Double Willow Cht spinnerbait.

Correct!

i use Trilene for most of my applications, double uni knot when tying leaders. I will use a Palomar knot when I tie directly with braid as I feel it doesn't slip as derekxec stated.

Best thing to do is take your reel in and put it on the rods you are contemplating. Pick the one that balances well with it! Since it will all be personal preference. I would also not rule out the Shimano Compre rod either.

That maybe true, but I've never had a single issue with Shimano as a whole. I've fished Shimano most of my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't just "own" Shimano and not a "fanboy", I like St Croix rods too. (Own 4 of them) I just wanted to point out St. Croix and the Made in America thing isn't the only "quality" rod and make it seem like all the others are made in "China". Which by the way I have no issue buying "IF" it's quality product.

I agree with Rockchalks assessment and to me Shimano Rods seem true to it's power/action. For example - I'll use my MH/XF Crucial and my Avid M/F with similar techniques.

Glad you like your St. Croix, but even though "Shimano" owns G Loomis, they are also all made in Woodland, Washington. Just to point out St. Croix isn't the only "Made in America".

This is silly, to be honest. If he thinks that maybe ask him to lower the price more. lol

To add to that, I'd rather buy the Cumara series over the IMX too and you can get the previous models or even newer models for around the same price. I have one of the previous models and love to fish with it just as much as my GLXs.

Personally I'd pull the trigger on the GLX line and up only. But it is a great deal, important question is for you. Will these be used in your arsenal?

Yes, I have no problem catching anything with Texas Rigged worm and worm fish a lot. I am confident with Jigs..etc. I just never caught a fish ever on a Senko even T Rigged. I think the biggest problem right now it's not a "confidence" bait. So I'll probably have to just force myself to just fish them all day until I gain that confidence.

I'd checkout Berkley's website to get the right answer. It could just be a misprint. Personally I don't own either rod so I can't comment, or it is possible that one place is selling the older model and the other place is selling the newer/current model. The Shock is a different line than the standard lightning rod. BTW welcome to the boards, maybe take the time to introduce yourself since you are new.

Well you can flip/pitch to weed pockets, which I do from shore at one of my spots. Definitely would stick to frog as your Topwater.

I suck still with Senko or imitation as for the life of me I still can't catch a darn thing. So for me both don't work! They both equally suck! I am going to be forcing myself though to do this type of fishing strictly a few times to see if I can finally land one.

I probably bank fish more than I can go out in my canoe/inflatable because of the restrictive time constraints due to being married with children. lol I 2nd - Spinnerbaits, Squarebills, and T-Rig...I also drop shot. It also depends on the situation too, I will take top water if I think the situation calls for it. (Frog or Buzzbait) These would be my main tackle I carry. I always carry 2 of each too (types of baits).

For those topwater baits I would definitely use a high speed ratio. For buzzbaits I use a 6 ratio.

I pulled a trigger over the winter on an Extreme when it was on sale. I bought the 5 ratio one for cranking. I think it would be better to buy the PQ (I own one) over this at regular price. If on sale at 69.99 when I bought mine it would be an awesome buy. Like stated I bought the newer one there is the always on brakes, I think it's an awesome reel to start learning on for beginners since it is forgiving (less backlash if you forget to use your thumb, which even I do at times). If you are an experience baitcaster user, I'd recommend getting the PQ over the Extreme especially at regular price.

Yes I wholeheartedly agree about Berkley. Especially vanish...I've changed my lines to 90% braid with floro leaders. The other 10% is PLine Floroclear or Yo Zuri Hybrid. I now use Seaguar Red Label as my leaders.

My choice from that list would be the Compre or Veritas. Those are the ones I have the most experience with. I like the Compre over the Veritas as to me it is more sensitive and is truer to it's rating.

Ah party pooper.

When I'm in my canoe, I use my older/beater gear I will feel comfortable of scratching etc..a canoe is tight quarter for 3-4 rods and sometimes bangs around more often. So I'd definitely take this route.

I have saved up money for the anticipated new Shimano Reels. I can't wait!

Welcome to the boards, I'm sure you'll be 20 times bigger after soaking up all the knowledge from here. Hopefully you won't explode.

Or they swallow it whole.

That is crazy! I could never take a hammer to my precious reels. EVER!