Jon G

I'ma actually about to pull the trigger on either a GLX or NRX just to see how it compares. I'm a St. Croix junkie as well so St. Croix definitely gets my vote.

I do not have the GLX (may change in a few days) but I do have the 2016 7'MH Legend Elite. Out of all the rods that I have used in the years I have been fishing the new Legend Elite is by far the best rod I have ever used. I've owned the rod for about a year and a half and I use it every time I go out on the water. I primarily use it for Trigs and jigs in the 1/4-3/8oz range but it will handle 1/2 oz jigs but that is as heavy of a jig I would use it with. That being said it is very versatile and can do the following techniques paddle tail swim baits, chatter baits, spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, powershot, and lighter Carolina rigs. The sensitivity of the rod is outstanding it is by far the most sensitive rod I have ever used. The first time I used it I was using a 3/8 oz football jig and was dragging it along a rocky point. I couldn't believe how distinctly I could feel the bottom and I could feel every little change in the bottom. As far as the power of the rod goes, it definitely feels like a true medium heavy. St. Croix rods are known to fish a power heavier than advertised but I feel that the 7'MH feels like a true MH. That being said it has a lot of power to pull fish out cover. Since I've owned the rod I've caught two 5lbers and one 6 all pitching a jig into lay downs. The rod also balances well with just about any reel. I've paired it with Curado 200 and 70, Metaniums, and a Chronarch CI4 and it balanced perfectly with all of them. I don't think you can go wrong with the Legend Elite

I use both braid and straight fluorocarbon. If I'm on a really good jerk bait bite I will switch it up to braid and a leader so my arm doesn't get so tired. When I'm using braid I use a long mono leader with around 10lb line. The purpose of the mono is to act as a shock absorber to help prevent the hooks from bending (especially when using Vision 110s). If you do use braid make sure your drag is set a little loose to help prevent your hooks from bending. In fact even Aaron Martens uses braid with his jerk baits (although he uses a much shorter leader than I do)

If you want to keep cost low Curado is the way to go if you want something fancy then go with an Exsence DC.

Shimano's are like potato chips, you can't just have one. I actually like the 70 over the 200 and think it is built a little better so you might want to look at that if you want to try one of the newer curados

200 I's are going on sale so I imagine that they are getting ready to release a new one. I haven't heard anything but I have a feeling it is going to be a new Curado with the MGL spool. You can get a Curado I NIB on eBay for $130

If you are looking for a cheaper reel, I personally would go on eBay and would look for used reels. You can get really solid reels for a great deal. They even have NIB Tatulas for $90 and free shipping.

Went to the local Gander Mountain to take advantage of the the closing sales. All baits and line were 40% off. I originally was planning to restock on hooks but they had a lot of stuff I liked on sale. They had at least 30 spools of Smack down for 40% off so I may go back and buy a few more also got a couple spools of mono for leaders. I was also pretty excited to find that Spro Rat. I've been wanting to try one for a while and I snagged that one for $15.

I go back and forth between braid and fluorocarbon a lot. Braid has its time and place and so does fluorocarbon. Braid is great for a lot of situations but it can be an absolute PITA some times. For instance have you ever tried casting braid into the wind? Believe me it is not fun at all lol. If you are fishing offshore and dragging a jig in 15+ foot of water your braid will have a huge bow in it and you will have a hard time feeling a bite. That is where fluorocarbon comes in handy because it has a lot of slack line sensitivity. I've never had a problem with casting fluorocarbon, granted it doesn't cast as far as something like mono but it is only maybe 10 feet less. With fluorocarbon you really get what you pay for. My biggest thing I tell people when it comes to fishing in general is you can get away with cheap rods, reels, and lures but never be cheap with terminal tackle and line because at the end of the day those are what is really going to land you your fish. I also don't really believe the whole braid spooks fish thing. I think as long as you use a leader you should be fine. When I use braid my leaders tend to be anywhere from 6'-12'

16lb FC Sniper

always use backing on your reels.

Love Power fishing but I also love throwing jigs and shakey heads. Not super into dropshotting and other finesse tactics like that.

Yeah I was going to get an 893 for that reason. If they made the Legend Elite in a 7'3-7'4 MH I'd buy two on the spot

I was pretty disappointed by that as well. When I saw the St. Croix rods were on sale and I immediately tried to see if a one of the new GLX rods would be 20% only to be let down lol. I think I'm going to add another Legend Elite to the arsenal by the time this sale is over though.

I have the 2016 7' MH Legend Elite (it's the rod in my profile pic) There is nothing to worry about braid and a connection knot passing through the guides are bigger than you think. The new Legend Elite is my favorite rod I have ever owned in all the years I have been fishing (which includes more than just bass fishing) I've been wanting to make a review with the rod after I've used it for a full year (I bought it December so it's almost a year) I use it for everything it is honestly one the most versatile rods I've ever owned. I primarily use it for texas rigs and jigs but have used it for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, keitechs, and a lot more. I think you will be beyond happy with that rod. If you have any questions I will be happy to help. try adding a St Croix to your cart on TW right now. A lot of the stuff that they say is excluded from the discount isn't once you add it to your cart

Like others have said find one which fits your hand and has a breaking system you like. Daiwa's have never palmed well with me and I have never cared much for their braking systems so I've always been a Shimano fan.

I have both. They are both really solid and have a major role in my arsenal. I prefer the 13 Met just a little bit more, I honestly don't know why but I just like it more.

3/8 about 90% of the time

Well I added some LC Pointers to my cart on TW and they had the discount on them so I had to order a couple more.... or 20

alberto

Another vote for the Pointer 78.

Some sort of spook such as a gunfish but I gave in and have been trying a Whopper Plopper and it's been extremely effective.

They are probably eating very small sized bait right now. Try using something very small like a little jerkbait.

You bought Cores for $105 a piece! With that luck you buy some lottery tickets

The new Legend elites are absolutely amazing rods and that reel works really well with it. TT just had a very goof review of them as well