lmbfisherman

I saw it on sale for 79.99 and yet I still couldn't pull the trigger on one. I hear the Smoke is good...I guess I can't get over the "Quantum" part. It took me sometime to even take my hand me down Quantum Energy PT. Still don't use it much, even though it's a smooth reel and I just cleaned it and it seems to be even smoother than I last remember. As for the best rod for the money. I think it depends on a lot of things..especially if you're asking about the uses of the rod. Since you didn't state for what technique, I will just assume you mean a good all purpose rod. If that is all you could have. This is all based on personal experience. Sub 100 - Compre, Veritas MH/F 7'+ 100-200 - Crucial, Avid..MH/F 7'+ I just bought an Fenwick Aetos and I really like how it feels and very comfortable. You should check that out. If it works out, I may have found my rods that I would use to compliment my GLX and Cumara. 200+ - Cumara 6'9" MH/XF As for higher than that, I wouldn't know personally. I did just buy a GLX, but I wouldn't call it an all purpose rod yet..(853c) I am probably going to use it as my main jig and worm rod. If I had to pick an all around rod, I would probably say St. Croix MH/F in Legend Tournament and above...line post..as the Cumara is geared more bottom contact.

It's my favorite for flipping/pitching. They are great, it worked so well that I decided to try out the bottom hoppers for this season. If they continue to produce I think I have my favorite line.

I'd only pony up the money for a Cumara if it was for jig and worm, that is where I think they would excel and worth the extra cash. I own a Clarus crankbait rod, works well and had no issues with it. I wouldn't pay for any rod in that range for moving baits, but that is a personal preference.

I finally pulled the trigger on my first Loomis (off shelf have a custom Loomis Flipping Stick), a GLX 853, I was originally going to nab the 893 but I didn't think I need one longer than 7' for now. I also got a discontinued Cumara 6'9" MH/XF and I was set to buy the discontinued Cumara flipping stick until I was recommended the Fenwick Aetos 7'6" H/XF. It felt better in store and felt just as sensitive as the Cumara. So I said wth, lets go for it. I got them all below retail, $30 off GLX, $20 off Aetos and $70 off Cumara. No more rods for awhile!

I agree, I own one and haven't had any issues with breakage. I bought a 7'3" MH/F and it served as a great all purpose rod. Especially when I went shore fishing, I used it occasionally as a frog rod and had no problems pulling them out of some lily pads and junk. They are especially better deal now that I can buy them regularly around here for 79.99 now.

Totally understand I hear you about holding one. That is why I haven't pulled a trigger on buying a Phenix Recon 2. They get rave reviews, but I just can't do it without holding one. (Can't find local dealers) Same for the Champion Extreme, I hear great things, but I can't find a local shop that carries them in stock. I did get to hold a Champion and Savvy, but compared to the discontinued Cumara it just didn't compare to me... Good luck though!

Well definitely the sensitivity won't be great with the shakespeare, but you could improve it by using braid or floro. You don't need to get a new rig yet, but using one of these lines would help increase the sensitivity with what you have now.

If you go to American Legacy Fishing you can get the discontinued Shimano Cumara 6'8" MH/XF if you aren't dead set on the 7' length. This would be most sensitive (higher tier) than the standard $150 rods everyone is recommending. For 132 on sale right now, normally retails at 219. They also have a 7' medium fast available for lighter plastics for 142.

I would recommend a fast tip. The moderate fast maybe too soft for a jig for a hook set, but who knows if it is adequate enough for as I do not own one.

I never had a problem with the Stealth line and have it spooled on a lot of my reels. Probably 50/50, with the other being Power Pro original.

Jake, I also wouldn't rule out the Compres. They would have all of the power/actions you are asking for and then some. They are sensitive enough as a jig and worm rod too.

I have one of of the Daiwa T Rods, the rod doesn't feel bad and is pretty comfortable. However, I haven't tested it on the water yet. I was going to use it for topwater, I bought the 7 MH. I believe they are all XF tips though, so it might not work for what I bought it for.

That is how I took it. I'm all for a good deal if they want to sell them for a low price.

I don't think it has to be set in stone. I usually make all my leaders around the length of the rod, I'll have extra line on the leader to play with for retying my lure/jig..etc

Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits is what I did last season. This season I'm going to expand and use a crankbait more often.

tbone, I don't think he was getting personal, he's probably getting annoyed like with all the Dobyns talk and I tend to agree that it's happening.

I haven't been able to test my 12lb Yo-Zuri yet, decided to get a spool to test out since everyone raves about it. I've used P-Line in the past and had no issues, but since it was on sale I decided to give Yo-Zuri a go.

Yes for spinning I'd probably put on a 10lb braid with a flouro leader.

LMAO

I would recommend a Crucial or Avid, although the Avid maybe slightly higher. You may need to wait for a sale. You can find an old model Crucial (cork version) for below 150, but you should be able to find a newer one for around that price. Also you could always go used if your patient (unlike me) in the flea market. I can only comment on the Veritas, I used one last year as a jig rod, it is has decent sensitivity. Although I find the newer Shimano Compre to be a little better in that department. Of course this doesn't mean it would be better for you. Compre is also in that price range. I'd recommend getting a hold of these rods before you buy.

I heard a lot of reviews say the Savvy Series aren't good for sensitivity. Most say go up to the Champion Series, so if you can I'd return it and go up a level.

For $160, I'd go with a Crucial 7'2" Medium Heavy fast....or you possibly could find a deal for a St Croix Avid 7' MH/F. Either one should be good and sensitive enough to do what you want.

I use two different rods, depends on which serves as my 2nd or 3rd jig and worm rod that day. 1. 7'3" MH/F Veritas - Paired with a Citica G6 - 50lb Spider Thread Braid 2. 7'2" H/F Compre - Paired with a Citica G7 - 30lb Power Pro Braid Since I bought a Crucial 7'2" MH/XF and next week I'm buying a GLX 893 for my main Jig and Worm setups, I'll probably dedicate my Compre as my main frogging setup and use my Veritas as my all around bank beater rod.

Yes definitely go with the PQ. Good all around reel at that ratio.

I own two Gs, nothing wrong with them and they were my work horses for 2012. I never had a problem with either of them or the Citica Gs (3).