FishTank

XL is great line but at $10 that seems high priced to me too. It used to be about $6 or $7. As far as using it for crankbaits, it works great but I find it does not last long in rough cover.

I think the 12lb would be great for a baitcaster but I have had better luck with invisix and trilene 100% FC on spinning gear.

I have a G. Loomis 783 GLX that fits the bill nicely for topwater. It is 6'6" MH Fast with a soft tip. It is a very versatile rod.

That's a great deal. I picked one up at Gander Mountain last month but not that cheap. I can't wait to fish it for a whole day though.

Great rod for the money. I would say, go for it and don't look back.

I have not tried the new crucials but I had tried the old cork handle crucials and had some issues. I broke two of them in same spot when setting a hook. I know people will say it was user error but not in this case. When I took the first one back to BPS, they just added it to the pile of Crucials with same issue. They even broke the one at the register that I was going to exchange it for. I took a different model home and 4 hours later on the water it snapped, same spot. I went back to BPS and exchanged for a St. Croix Avid. With all of that said, I have one the previous versions of the Crucial crankbait rods with the foam/eva grip and love it. I have had no issues with it what soever. It balances well, cast like a dream and fits it's intended purpose as crankbait rod. If the new version is a step up from the previous in any way, then you will have a great rod.

I would love to give this rod a try. Friday........

I have a ton of pictures. I have been using adobe bridge and now adobe's cloud. There are tons of tools and many different ways of setting up files.

I picked one up last year and so far it has been great. I have had no issues. It has made for a great cranking reel. I only paid about $80 for mine as well.

Drag washers, brakes and bearings are the only things I have replaced on my reels.

The Shimano Citica. It's an easy to use, get the job done reel.

5 inch Senko GYCB Fat Ika Any dark color for both of the above.

Nothing says you can't but most jerkbait rods are not XF and most crankbait rods are Mod. of Mod. Fast. For me personally I like my jerkbait rod to be 6'6" MH Fast with a soft tip and crankbait rods Mod. Fast. The length and power depends on the bait and water depth.

Senkos, weightless soft plastic, and any type of finesse fishing you want. Nice rod though.....

I use on my spinning reels with no issues. I do use the KVD Line Conditioner. It does soften it some and it improves casting but only by a little bit.

I got to chance to fish this rod and was impressed. I also tried the same branded reel out (not the combo set up, which oddly is a different rod and reel) and it was really nice. The rod was hard to compare to anything else I have fished. At $50, I can't imagine a rod that is as sensitive, light and as well made as this one. One thing that though, it didn't have that cheap rod feel. I guess the closest I would be able to compare it to, would be the Shimano Crucial but it would be a step below in quality. I think at $50 it is a steal.

I don't think effects the performance of the oil. I have a couple of bottles of Shimano oil that have yellowed over the years but the oil seems to work just fine. I do also use Ardent's Reel Oil and it works, as far as I can tell, about the same.

2500 is what I have always used. I tried a 3000 and it felt unbalanced on the rod I was trying to use with it.

I usually don't say this but.. If you search this forum you will see that there are mixed reviews on this line. I had trouble with line splintering and breaking. I tried multiple spools in different weights, all had the same issues. Most people I know tried it when it came out (this may have already been stated in another post about this line) but it was a sort of a "one and done" line.

I has been 55+ degrees in Indiana the past two days and my favorite lakes/ponds are still frozen in spots with no place to fish and the cold winter weather is coming back next week. It is driving me nuts. It maybe cabin fever but I wish this stuff was over with. I am ready for spring......

Dean Smith was always regarded as a great coach and a gentleman . He will be missed.

Short answer.... Yes, if I can see it, maybe the fish can too. Also, just an opinion, I would skip the Fire Line and try something else. There are several options that are better in braid line, Suffix and Power Pro just to name a few.

Nada.... I stayed home. I heard it was a mad house. Besides, I think I got what I needed at Christmas, Dick's Clearance Sale, and Tackle Warehouse's last sale for the rest of the year and then some.

Without a doubt, the rod. I think it communicates the most important thing, the strike. After that, all the reel has to do is bring the fish back to me. For crankbaits though, I might go the other way and invest in a better reel. In the end, I really want both to be a quality investment. If I had to chose, the rod would be my choice.

I love the G. Loomis rods I own but for whatever reason I have my doubts about this offering.