lmbfisherman

I would agree using a ML/XF rod would be fine, but I think a ML/XF Legend Extreme (or any St. Croix) has ratings more like a M powered rod. I'm assuming he is asking if his ML/F Shimano Compre 7' would be good enough, I'd say yes. I own a Crucial DS Rod (ML/XF), it is an awesome DS/shakey head rod, especially using light weights.

I've had no issues with Loomis either, crazy they didn't know what you were talking about. However, I always tend to listen to the local tackle shop guys more than anyone else, although you have to know first if they know what they are talking about. I think it would be better if you learned to trust a local shop. As for what you were looking for, I am not sure about the IMX FSR being the same as the (GLX) FPR series (I would assume it is), but they have a stronger back bone in general. (A 4 power FPR is not the same as a 4 power JWR.) A 4 power FPR is super strong and I would think that is what you are looking for. I had accidentally bought a 4 power FPR thinking it was a JWR..comparing each other when I took it back. It was no contest the FPR series had a hardcore backbone.

The 5 I've been using this year a lot - 1. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth - 6'9" M/XF - Symetre 2500 FI - Flukes, Drop Shot 2. Fenwick Aetos - 7' M/F - Stradic 2500 FJ - Tubes, weightless plastics, Squarebills 3. St. Croix Avid - 6'6" M/F - Daiwa Lexa 100 - Jerkbaits, Top water, bladed baits 4. GLX 854 - Chronarch CI4+ - Flipping/pitching Jigs and texas rigs 1/4 to 1/2 oz 5. GLX 853 - Chronarch 50MG - Lighter jigs and weightless

Yeah definitely my favorite rod for it, not sure what it is..it just feels natural and the length and power/action just seems perfect for it.

Get a Chronarch E series or if you want better go for a Chronarch CI4+ if you save another 30 bucks. You can thank me later.

I would've walked out with the broken rod and went straight to Abu Garcia/Pure Fishing and would never spend a dime again at that store. Really rude of the guy to accuse you like that. Just contact Abu Garcia this time and get it straightened out properly this time without the BS. As for rods under a 100 bucks - Maybe check out the BPS rods if you have one close by. Check out the Bionic Blade 79.99, Carbonlite or the Extreme rods. They all good great reviews. Carbonlite gets a lot of love on this board too.

Really those rods are inter changeable in my opinion. I understand you don't want to pay too much for a rod when learning baitcasting. In my personal experience the rod isn't the "most important" factor when learning to use a baitcaster, as long as you stay within the ratings and more so in the middle range when picking the lure/baits you will be using. I hope you picked out a solid reel, which is more important at this stage. So any of those rods will be fine. Only thing I can say is bring the reel in and see how it balances to make your decision.

You won't be disappointed, Avid is a great rod. My only Avid left is a 6'6" M/F and it is by far my favorite jerk bait, top water and bladed bait rod. I never owned the XF version, I'm sure it will be a good plastics rod as the Avid is good sensitivity.

Paulkuan, I own two Aetos and they are stellar rods. For the price point I can get them at .140 Canadian it is a steal, period. I own high end rods (GLX,Cumulus and midhigh - Cumara)...I fish the Aetos side by side with them and do not feel I lose a significant amount of sensitivity and comfort. The Aetos in my opinion is a rod that flies under the radar of the bigger manufacturers in the bass line up. They fish in the 200+ imo range, so for the price point it's an even better bargain. Still though, in the end it is personal preference on how a rod feels for everyone. Just letting you know my experience.

I'll third the motion for a Crucial if you want to try a different rod brand. However, I still prefer my Aetos over the Crucial. Reason being it balances better, fishes better and a tad more sensitive. I own 2 Crucials though, not knocking them I like them too. Just think in that price range the Aetos is a winner in my book.

Apparently you can get the Metanium and Antares now in the US starting the 21st. EDIT - Ha I see MediumHeavy beat me to the punch.

When I first started using mine, I had to dial up the brakes too, lots of backlash. I was like wow I really suck, it was a learning curve alright. I just found not to use much effort in your cast like I have to do with my other reels, where I have to put a little oompf. (I'm not talking swing for the fences or anything, just use a little more effort in the other reels) Once I learned that I didn't need to use so much muscle and just do an easy smooth casting form, I started to get less backlash.

Yeah same experience, but it gets better when you get it cleaned up. You'll be amazed, it is freakin' nuts how far I can cast it with minimal effort.

Check out the Fenwick Aetos line, I own the M/F 7'. very versatile stick and can be used for all of what you are asking. Plus they feel better imo than the Savvy and is a very sensitive rod. I'd compare them to at least a 200+ rod.

GaterB - I use to own a St. Croix Avids and I will say this, it would be too stiff for what you are asking for. As suggested earlier about the Fenwick Elite Tech M/XF powered rod can do all of what you are asking, has a softer tip than a St Croix. I am one of the big fans of the Fenwick sticks, they are are just awesome. Please note that I'm not knocking St. Croix as a whole though, they are good rods, but for the techniques you are asking for I think the Fenwick would fit the bill better.

As down4ttown stated, I also use basically the same brand (Power Pro, Seaguar, P Line) line on all of my rods and reels. There is definitely a difference when I fish my lower end rods vs my higher end rods. My Compre is sensitive enough, but my GLX and Cumara blows it out of the water.

I own all three and the CI4+. Yes it is worth it, the CI4+ for me handles better than the Curado 50E/Chronarch 50E. The biggest difference is how the CI4+ can cast effortlessly, this is where I notice the biggest difference. I can constantly throw 5-10 yards further and the best part is I hardly have to use too much effort. It just flies off and smooth. If you thought the Chronarch E series was smooth, wait until you try this guy. I haven't owned a Core yet, but I hear the CI4+ is just under par vs core, but don't have first hand knowledge. Makes sense since the Core is suppose to be a step up. If that is true, I may have to finally jump on a Core. Having saying that, it is really up to you if the smoother performance is worth the jump. Literally, I have to put a little oomph in my cast with the E series and G series to try and get close the new Chronarch. Oh and I forgot to add, the CI4+ palms just as easilly as the 50 series even though it is a 150 sized spool.

chase - very well put.

I was using a lot of mid range rods before I made the jump this year to the GLX and Cumulus rods. Here is why I'd continue to buy them. 1. Very sensitive, but can't tell you if it is 2x..well I will say though that there is a noticeable difference when I fish them for bottom contact. Which is where I think it makes the most sense to spend money on if you buy an expensive rod for these techniques. (Jigs, plastics.etc) My highest end rod before I made the jump to a GLX was a Cumara Gen1. 2. As others stated they are awesome to fish with, when I first used my GLX it was like it was part of my arm, it felt natural. 3. All of my high end rods have been bought on sale or some kind of deal off. I will say this, you don't have to spend GLX/NRX/Legend Extreme/Champion Extreme to get a jump up from 100-200 dollar rods, I think Cumara level is where you start seeing a difference. In the end though it is up to you if you think it's worth buying that level. However, you can find some rods that perform just as well...imo one of the best bang for your bucks all around. (Sensitivity, price and comfort that feels like higher end) - The Fenwick lines - Elite Tech and Aetos have impressed me a lot. Both rods imo fish like high end rods. Especially the Aetos.

He's got it right on the head. Like other slack line techniques, I am a line watcher, you have to watch it like a hawk. There is no wrong way to fish a fluke, you can even dead stick it. Yesterday, I caught a 3 lb bass, by casting it and jerked it twice, let it sit with a slack line for a good 30 seconds and saw my line just jump a tiny bit and I reeled the slack and set the hook. You are only limited by your imagination on how to fish it.

In my opinion the (used both) Compre has a slight edge vs the Veritas. So I'd go for another Compre if I were you. If you want to change it up though...here are other rods you might think about - Bass Pro Shops Carbonlite and *** *** for that price range. I don't either of these, but they both get great reviews and are around that price point.

I think one of the best bang for your bucks at that price would be to get a BPS Carbonlite and BPS Pro Qualifier combo. Especially if it goes on sale, like it regularly does.

For 400 - you can find a "good time" for 180 and still have the 220 to buy that combo as discussed in the other topic. I kid - If I remember correctly you wanted a crankbait or jig rod? For 400 I would spend 100 on the reel and 300 on the rod. Fenwick Aetos 7' MH/F - Shimano Cumara 7'2" MH - Light and awesome sensitivity in both.

Some people prefer it that long, I don't, I would also recommend if you do go for a Crucial, find the previous Gen Crucial (All Cork) not knocking current gen, but IMO it is tailor made for drop shot, comfort and excellent to fish with.

I'd get a cranking rod 7' and as for the price you already have stated you want Lew's reels, so that 100 bucks for the SS. I'd recommended getting a Shimano Compre or Clarus TC4 (Graphite Composite) cranking rod. I'd go with a MH for an all purpose one.