lmbfisherman

I'd take the PQ over the Accurist. Of course you didn't mention what the ratio were or what you were planning to use it for. I'd definitely pick the PQ if it's the 6 to 1 or 7 to 1 if you want a general purpose reel. The lower ratio 5 to 1 or 4 to 1 would be good if you are using for a crankin' rod.

Congrats man, I still can't go out! Still have to wait 82 days for the season to open.

The ones I like using day in and day out are all my Shimano BC reels - Curado B/E/G (50E, 200s), Chronarch 50E and Citicas Gs. I have set these on my everyday rods.

Hootie, I'm in the same boat as you, I have 2 Curado G Series. Don't have any issues with them and use them just as much as my E Series and Chonarch E. I don't have any issues in casting and catching fish with them and I don't feel I'm losing anything when switching them up. So we must have the only 4 good Gs in the whole lot.

Clarus is an ok rod, but if you can afford it I'd recommend the Compre. You can get one for under a 100, but if you can't the Clarus would be ok. I'd probably choose a Veritas over the Clarus. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with the Clarus..but you can find a Veritas for 79.99 and I think it is a better buy over the Clarus. The Clarus's only advantage is that it has a lifetime warranty imo. So to recap, Compre or Veritas over the Clarus. IMO, I own a rod from each line and rank them in that order. Of course the Clarus I have is a cranking rod, so it isn't the same as what you're looking at it for. To me when I checked out the Clarus in store, they seem more tip heavy and unbalanced compared to the Compre. There is a big difference. In the end though it's your choice of how it feels in your hands.

I use Power Pro original and Spiderwire Stealth.

Nice setups, and awesome consistency.

Still think Season 1 was the best season. I guess I'm in the minority. Not going to give away what happened last night because of the few who haven't watched it. The certain someone almost seems like he can escape everything and should've died numerous times and has super powers. Last weeks episode was to me not logical, but I guess it's a "fictional" show. LOL Still, come on.

Definitely, and I agree I'm not feeling the whole story arc this year. Hopefully they will get off this Woodbury kick and do something more creative.

Ahh, yeah the thought crossed my mind, ah man. Maybe then I should just get it replaced, I think the replacement would be the latest Crucial. Oh bother! Dang it, so hard a decision as it was my favorite rod in the beginning until I added to my collection during the course of 2012. I caught my 2nd bass with it ever.

So I have a Shimano VROD. It is a very light rod and sensitive, but I don't like the handle. I have a feeling with me fishing the newer rods with the blank exposed I am more comfortable with those now and I tend to not put this rod as part of my rotation. I really want to, but it's just not the same as my other rods. I know back in the day this was an awesome rod and it still is and want to see how easy or would it be worth it to send this to a rod maker to customize the handle and reel seat to a more "modern" design. I did think about sending this back to Shimano as the reel seat does have a minor issue, the locking (screw lock) has a problem where when I change or remove the reel the inner plastic piece pulls out and sometimes it feels when I'm fighting fish that it is getting a little wiggly. That is on a 2-3 lb bass too. I did get a comment from Bantam1 that it is still under warranty and could be sent back to get a replacement, but not sure if I want to do that yet as I do like the overall build beyond the handle..etc. So anyway, if I could get some advice that would be appreciated!

Ahh thanks for the comment. Not that I'll buy one anytime soon as I have a budget to get 3 more rods..not reels. Maybe the next time they go on sale I'll give it a try. I would be looking forward to hear some feedback though!

Wow, you guys catch a lot in your local ponds. I fish two side by side located in outside the city line often, it is pressured like crazy! It is man made, it was built by prisoners back in the early 1900s I believe. It is connected to a man made run off (small pond) and a creek. The creek is connected to the main river that goes through the city at two points. I am lucky to catch more than 1 fish in 2-3 hours. I will get skunked every now and then. I have never caught as many fish as some of you guys posted ever, especially bank fishing! Crazy. I have never caught any LMB from the larger pond still. It's a good pond in the summer to frog, I didn't get into frogging until late summer, but when I did start it was a lot of misses. The bass seem to short strike a lot ...of course in the beginning I also got too excited. Had to learn to breathe and then SET THE HOOK!

Would you say it is better built than the PQ since this line (Bionic) has been updated?

What he said and one reason why you use 50# lb test for baitcasters. Braid also adds extra sensitivity for bottom contact techniques.

Yeah, but that is where working full time during the summer and two jobs works! LOL

Very good tip from Darren, I have done the same trick many times. Works like a charm. As for your setup, that should work fine for what you are wanting to do.

I usually use the pencil style, really no reason why just like them more than the round guys. I do have a couple round ones, never used them..mind you I have only started the drop shot at the end of last season so...I should give the round ones a try to see if it feels better.

I was going to pull a trigger on that one, but I decided to get the previous model Crucial used (6'8" MLXF) for half the price. Have fun with your new Avid, they get rave reviews!

HA yeah, the Super Fluke is awesome, always get White Pearl. It took me some time to get the right cadence, but it's been deadly throwing it to the bank and slowly jerking it back to me. I have done a cast...sink jerk once and then wait a few seconds and then jerk again or the other cadence I've done is jerk it twice quickly and then let it fall and then jerk it twice again. It is also great because the first couple feet of water is clear, when I see it disappear I set the hook. I've also used Bass Pro's version and it has worked well too. I learned this technique from a local tournament fisherman, he happened to fish the same lake one day and watched him get fish after fish. I asked him and he showed me. Good guy, I can't thank him enough now. He also caught the biggest bass I've seen in our local waters that day over 7lbs. In the waters up in Ontario, that is HUGE.

Just as an example, from my current setups if I could only take 3, I'd take the following - 1. Veritas - 7'3" MH/F - Quantum Energy - 30lb Braid 6.2.1 as my all purpose rod - Jigs, worms, frog, flipping/pitching, spinnerbait, buzzbait, deep crank..etc. 2. Compre - 7'2" M/F - Curado50E - 10lb floroclear - lighter plastics, shallow cranks, jerk baits..basically a lighter version of no.1 3. Airrus - 6'7" MH/F (Although rated that, it acts more like a medium) - Abu Garcia 302 10 lb braid - for drop shot etc.lighter stuff that a baitcaster can't handle. If you buy a MH/F rod, you would have it all covered.

A 7' MH/F Rod would cover those areas. For deep cranking it might not be the most ideal, but it would work. A MH rod would be the best overall/all purpose setup.

Here's the thread I was talking about that was posted recently. Should give you a good idea. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/114246-perfect-arsenal/page-2?hl=%2Bperfect+%2Barsenal#entry1249277

I've never tried the devil spear, I love Havoc baits though a very good price. I've had the most success on the pit boss, I'll have to grab one next time to test it out.

I would also like to turn you to the Shimano Crucial - M/F 7'2" as another option and can be bought around that price. For me my two choices would be Avid or Crucial. I'd probably flip a coin between the two. Own both rods, love them both.