lmbfisherman

I only have experience with the Shimanos, you can get after market or spare spools easily. But IMO why buy one if as new2BC4bass says is true. Buy two Excelers since it is on list and save money. You don't have to change spools this way.

What DaveT63 suggested is a MBR (Classic Mag Bass), I haven't owned a MBR rod from Loomis (only JWR) because I haven't been able to see one in my local stores. (I don't like to buy rods without seeing them) I hear great things though about the MBR line for G Loomis, they are supposed to be a good all around technique type of rod. I think you putting that Alde on a GLX would be sick!

My vote is the Aetos, I have both those Fenwick, they rock. I used the Aetos and fished finesse trick worms weightless with ease! After talking about it, do you know how the new ones compare? I also am in the camp, wish I bought more before they were closed out.

Nice! Let us know how they measure up!

Shimano Zodias 6'10" ML, awesome rod. I own one and it is paired with a Met 13 HG and I use it for weightless trick worms, small texas rigs and split shot rig.

I believe there was a recent thread on the forum regarding this and your statement is in general true. They just said to provide a summary, although it helps you still need an educated thumb. That is what I got out of it.

I'm no Daiwa expert, maybe our resident master will come out to explain (rippin). What I hear the major advantage on the SV spool is that you can cast lighter weights and easier to skip with. But I don't have first hand experience, the only Daiwas I handled were Lexas (lower end). Shimano just works for me, I love the form factors in general and in love with the size 50-100 size reels they offer the most (to cast lighter weights and skip). That is why I just stick with them and now I'm loving my Conquest and Metaniums. Again though I'm not trying to convince you to stay with Shimano because in the end it is your choice, if that is what you want to do, do it? Maybe use Tacklewarehouse's reel test offer to make a decision? In the end it is your own personal preference that is important no matter what people say on the internets because they can only give you their personal experience/preferences.

I see, well good luck! It sounds more just like preference and that is everyone's perogative. If that is what you want, you should just do it! I don't think you'll regret this conversion this time. I'm assuming you are referring to Daiwa's Tatula for work horse reels? I beg to differ though on Daiwa is leaps in bounds better in this area. In my opinion the Citica/Curado I and 70 are still great work horse reels, with the new Chronarch MGL coming out not sure why anyone would think Daiwa is pulling far ahead in the every day fisherman range. You can regularly get the I's for cheaper than retail too.

Why not just have both in your arsenal.

Bingo, they have easier access.

I'm still not taking a risk. I probably won't dip into a Chinese made brand anyhow, no matter how good they are, as I'm a Shimano for life guy. ?

X2 by both the Mass guys.

Medium Heavy Fast for me.

Sounds like a good plan. I have two dedicated spinnerbait rods, a 7'3"' mh/f to bomb them and a 6'6" to sniper accuracy. Just means you need to pick up another one next year.

Impressive, light line and light weight.

I have 3 PQs and I still use them regularly along side my Shimano reels. At 50 that is the best reel imo at that price you can find.

So I'm down for work in NC and I wanted to pick up a rod for when I'm down here for work every month. I was going to pick up a Falcon or Ethos rod that was on sale until I heard a ruckus around the corner. It made me "cringe", it was the sound of "rough handling" of rods. You know that sound I'm sure when you hear your rods hit something hard! It was like someone took a lot of them and slammed them against the wall. When I looked around the corner it was a worker who was placing more rods to display. He handled them very rough and I'm sure he's damaged blanks and I was appalled. I put the rods back and will go find a local shop to go buy a rod.

My current lipless crankbait rod is a Shimano Sellus 7' MH/MF paired with a Bass Pro Shops PQ 6 ratio reel with 12 lb Big Game.

Looking for two rods, a rod for light jigs (NRX 852C) and a new DS rod.

Although I agree in somewhat about the coolness, but I love using baitcasters because I find I can use a BC smoother than a spinning setup. What I mean, for me a baitcaster is effortless and natural feeling vs using a spinning when casting and reeling in. I also find for me I'm way more accurate with a BC. Mind you I still have three spinning rods in my regular rotation though, love my FJ and CI 4+.

I think it is too early to say. I haven't liked the Crucial since the cork version like Darren. If I were you I'd get a Zodias, big difference in my opinion and I wouldn't go lower than Crucial after owning rods at the lower end of Shimano. (Compre and Convergence). It seems that is where Exage is going to be. Who knows though maybe I'm just spoiled now. ?

Only time I've seen a bass jump clear out is when they are hooked. Even counting a break off I had once, a bass broke off my spinnerbait. 5 seconds later jumps clear out of the water and flung the spinnerbait about 10 ft away.

I'm down in the area for next 6-7 months for work. I'm down there for about a week a month. Anyone have places they can share that has shore access? Of course not asking for secret spots. Just areas where I can drop a line! Of course if you want to meet up, I'd be game!

Yes I never had restrictions when I used the program. I haven't used it for years though. Last used I got a Curado E7.

I don't usually have this many problems with a reel, sounds like you just got a lemon potentially. I would return it and get a new one. Also I find that Shimano puts a generous amount of grease and oil. If you can clean your own reels I'd advise at least flushing the bearings and/or wipe some of the grease/oil off. If you don't want to do that, send it to someone like DVT to do a full service. You don't have to do what I just said, the reel will work just fine without, but there is a world of difference if you clean out the reel.