Thaddeus

I absolutely love my St. Croix Brown Legend Elite. If you know of anyone selling them (spinning rods) please send them my way

The MM in the premier series is too "whippy" as it is in Avid and Rage series IMO. Stick with St. Croix btw . I only like a moderate action (in MH) when I'm fishing deeper cranks (6-12 feet) or are trolling for other species. I prefer a fast action in medium power for shallow cranks/squarebills (up to 6 feet) and lipless cranks. So, to answer your question I'd go with either a 66mf or 70mf in the Premier or Avid Series (avid has lifetime warranty). The 66mf is a more versatile as you could use it as a topwater and jerkbait rod as well. Use FC or mono. My .02 Another rod to consider is the Dobyns 684CB. It is another very versatile rod. Check it out as well. It is hard to find in stores though...

My guess is that it was a bowfin (dogfish). Those suckers can live out of water for like 4 hours. I've seen them surface to gulp air at times. I've even seen one eat a mouse from shore.

Bluesteel- Bluesteel- Yes I purchased the Rarenium 2500 FA (not shallow spool) and I LOVE IT! It's amazing. I pair it with a Dobyns Champion 702sf w/ 8lb flourocarbon and it's one of my favorite combos. I use it dropshotting for bass and lindy rigging for walleye, and jig fishing on the river. I bought mine from Petrimart which is a German online tackle shop. I found a coupon online and got mine for $194 which included shipping. Got it in 4 days. http://www.petrimart.com/rarenium-ci4-2500-fa?filter_name=Rarenium

Excited for you! There customer service is the best-gotta love that the operation is family runned. I can stop looking for the perfect rods FINALLY and will only upgrade now to the champion extremes

I ABSOLUTLEY love it. Loved it so much I replaced all my rods with Dobyns Champions. BUY IT

I have a Dobyns 702sf which is a ML rod. I use it primarily for dropshots or fishing the mississippi river (smallmouth and walleye) with 1/8-3/16 ounce dartheads/jig heads from shore. This rod could get away with light shakyhead and wacky techniques too.

I use a Dobyns 703sf with a Shimano Stradic Ci4 2500 spooled with 10lb Seaguar Abrazx. I like the 3/16 ounce Owner Shakyhead

You should check out the Dobyns Champion 734 or 735 FH. I personally use a 704sf as I prefer spinning setups for any type of single hooked presentations. I own 6 setups and they are all Dobyns Champs-best rods I've ever used.

I just purchased a brand Shimano Rarenium 2500 FA for $198 including shipping. Can't wait to get it on the water!!!

I have a Lews Tournament MG 5:4:1 and it is AWESOME

Agree. I scored a brand new Sustain for $179 off eBay (took some convincing-hahaha). Best reel ever.

I think I will! But since I use the same rods I want the reels to be different somehow. I love my ci4 2500. There is a JDM reel called the Rarenium ci42500 that is basically the US ci4 but a different color (actually hear from many that it is a better quality reel-smoother,less handle play). I might pull the trigger and buy one this week.

Hands down the Dobyns 684CB. I prefer a slighter shorter rod and more of a parabolic bend (Mod/Fast) to keep 'em buttoned for jerkbaits (any treble hook lure for that matter) . This rod has it all, plus it can be used for topwater and shallow running cranks. Very versatile plus I've never held a more balanced rod in my life.

I want more line capacity as I will be using 8lb flourocarbon

I own both the Speed Spool and the MG. I love them both! Best baitcasters in their price range for sure. The MG is smoother and the tension knob and star drag clicks and are metal whereas the Speed Spool has a plastic tension knob and star drag that does not click. If I were to choose I'd get the MG.

Hopefully we can get the best of both worlds. Ci4 + x-ship=new for 2014????

any reel paired with a Dobyns Champ will balance-I got my ci4 2500 on a 703sf

The ci4 is soooooo much lighter. I can understand getting an fj in the 1000 size but when you enter the 2500 and up in the fj your wrist is going to get a workout if you are doing 3+ hours of finesse fishing. The 2500/3000 ci4 is AMAZING.

Good point. I did a little more research and discovered (I think-Japanese translated web pages are rough) that the 2000HGS is a 2500 size body. Wondering if the Complex Ci4 2000HGS F3 is a true 2000 (not much info on these reels). Leaning towards just getting a Daiwa 2000 now...

Would this reel be a true 2000 size? http://www.cloudninetackle.jp/product/247 Shimano Soare ci4 30 2000HGS

thank you! So the 2010 Complex Ci4 2000HGS F3 is a true 2000 size? Are there any other JDM 2000 reels that you'd recommend that is between $150-250?

that's a good question hahaha. I mainly want a 2000 size because it will weigh less than anything in a 2500 size unless I get another ci4 but I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between rods because all I own is Dobyns Champions.

I am in the market for a 2000 size reel. Would like to stick with Shimano as I have a Sustain 1000 and Stradic ci4 2500. This would pair up with a Dobyns 702sf for dropshots, light shaky heads, dartsheads, and river fishing for smallies up in Minnesota. Is anyone familiar with Japan's (JDM) 2000 Shimano offerings? Are they a true 2000 body like what Daiwa offers or just 1000 size bodies with 2000 spools? I am specifically looking at the 2010 Complex Ci4 2000HGS F3, 2011 Biomaster C2000HGS, and 2012 Ultegra C2000HGS. I would most likely be purchasing through eBay to get a price around $200. What do you guys think? Maybe I should just quit being brand loyal and grab a 2000 size Daiwa Ballistic? Sucks that Shimano doesn't offer a 2000 size in the states.