Lucky Craft Man

Yup, in 6 or 8. x3 on the 8 lb.

This is a great technique. I have used it many times and from what I can tell, the fish I have used it on swam away fine (though, from reading the other posts, they may have swam away to die somewhere else). It's an easy technique to learn and when using Tiki Sticks, it will be used several times.

Or maybe G Loomis will come out with a split grip ;D I hope not...I love G Loomis (and I hate split grip). They are the last good rod company not following that fad (though, I assume they soon may)

I tend to agree with Alpster with the DSR820S - GLX, because it has a slightly stiffer tip then the regular DSR820S, which I think is just too soft. As for me, I fish Lake Erie alot and at times I'm drop shotting 3/4 to 1 oz wieghts to keep contact with the bottom in 35 feet of water (in heavy wind), so a little heavier rod is needed. (Disclaimer: this is my personal opinion based off of my experience, which I'm not sure if it is worth much)

I had the Shimano Crucial 7'2" medium drop shot rod and like you, I broke the tip off. After a big hassle of trying to exchange it under the supposed "over-the-counter warranty," I decided G Loomis was the way to go. I have the G Loomis DSR822S, which I love. I would highly recommend that one or the GLX DSR820S (which is a little more rigid then the regular DSR820S). If I were you, I would avoid the regular DSR820S (It is of my personal opinion that the tip is too soft for this rod, but again, this is only my personal opinion).

I have both the MBR783 & MBR843 (both in IMX version). I use the MBR783 for mostly spinnerbaits and the MBR843 for tubes and soft jerkbaits.

Don B, Thanks for the information. I actually just received my Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop Catalog in the mail yesterday. I figure, I will just have to take a chance and order them. I'm sure I will be happy with them, but I always like to hold the rod first. This maybe a case where I just take a chance. Thanks again for the help.

Like was previously stated, technique specific rods are just made with a little different power and action, but you by no means have to use a rod that says "crankbait" on the side strictly for crankbaits or any other type. I use technique specific rods for techniques they are not stated to be intended for. It is just a matter of comfort and how you feel with a certain rod, while fishing with a certain lure.

Thanks guys for the response. Pittsburgh Reeler, I have tried Sportsman's Warehouse (on Mt. Nebo Pt.) and Cabelas (In Wheeling, WV and Hamburg, PA) and they do have a lot of G Loomis rods, but they don't carry the Swimbait or Muskie line in the store. They could order them for me, but I would hate to have them go through the trouble of ordering a rod that I end up not liking or buying when it arrived. HPBB, I have also tried Tackle Unlimited on Rt 51. They also have some G Loomis there, but not the line of rods I was looking for. I also lost a lot of respect for that store. I went in to ask how much it would cost to have a Pflueger President reel cleaned and lubed. The guy said that spinning reels are a little more expensive and I told him I was looking at getting a Pflueger President baitcasting reel cleaned, not a spinning reel. He told me there was no such thing as a Pflueger President baitcasting reel. I told him that I indeed had one, and he said that was not possible, since they didn't exist and walked away. I was taken aback by how curt the guy was with me and I figured it was probably for the best, because I didn't want someone cleaning a reel that they didn't think existed (and I would assume they should be up on these things). I want to thank the both of you very much for your responses. I appreciate the help greatly.

I own the IMX843C and 844C as well as the GLX BCR854C. For worms and jigs, the GLX BCR854C is in my opinion the best, but if you are only considering the Mossyback BCR854C, then I would definitely purchase the IMX844C. Great rod for soft plastics and jigs. (Disclaimer: this is based only on my opinion and experience with these rods)

I am going out, but just because it is a tradition with my family. I love trout fishing, but I don't enjoy first day (where there are hundreds of guys on a stream). Wouldn't your cousin's brother also be your cousin?

I'm looking for a tackle shop that is relatively local (anywhere in western PA) and stocks G Loomis Muskie and Swimbait rods. I am interested in buying a few of these, but I would hate to buy a rod without holding it first and I can't find a store anywhere that has these. Does anyone happen to know if there is such a store? Thanks in advance for your help.

What do you guys usually do to your boat and engine to prepare it for an upcoming season?

I own 8 Cabelas XML rods (7 casting and 1 spinning). I love these rods. They are very well built and have a pretty good level of sensitivity (better then the Bass Pro Extremes, but I can't speak of any other Bass Pro Rods). The reel seat has two cut outs where the blank is exposed, which makes the rod comfortable to hold. You can also add a balancing weight at the end of the rod to get the neutral point right at the reel (which really makes the outfit feel weightless). The best part about the rod is the warranty. Anything happens to it for the next 25 years, just take it to Cabelas and they replace it with no questions asked. I have widdled my rod arsenal to only two rod types, G Loomis and the Cabelas XML (two of the best warranties offered).

x2

Spencer_w, Thanks for the information. Those are some pretty good websites.

I own the IMX MBR783C and the IMX 844C (I also have the IMX 843C). I use the 783C for Spinnerbaits mainly and the 844C is used as my pitching rod. If I take one rod with me to use for all applications (mainly if there are three in the boat and I am limited to one rod), I take the 843C. The 843C is light enough in power to throw smaller plastics, but has enough juice to pull fish out of weeds. Admittingly, the 843C isn't ideal for heavy weeds or wood cover, which is why I bought the 844C, but just short of that application, it is a very good all around rod. The 783C would be my second choice as an all around rod, but I like a longer length for soft plastics. The 844C is a great rod, but as mentioned before, the power maybe a little heavy for an all around rod. Honestly, all three rods are great and I enjoy fishing everyone of them, but when it comes down to me taking one, the 843C is it. (Disclaimer: this is based only on my experience, fishing style, and opinion)

I believe what you are describing is preference based on past performance, not proven long-term performance superiority over other newer products. Many of us love St Croix and G.Loomis rods because they have been mainstays for years. Due to this fact, we won't even try a Dobyns, a Powell, an Airrus, etc. because we have closed our minds to something different. Now that's not to say that these rods are better than the older manufacturers' rods . . . . it's just that many of us haven't really made a fair comparison due to our bias for our tried and true rods, or what we have been told is a tried and true rod by more experienced anglers. Preference, based on biased information from other anglers who have never tried every rod, trumps performance. I still believe St Croix and G.Loomis are some of the best rods made. I just believe that a large group of people who buy them do so based on someone else's preference. Good point. I bought my first G Loomis based off of what others were saying and after my expereice with it, I now have 15 more. I don't really think it is important whether a rod can outperform another. I think where the performance difference comes in is in the confidence of the angler. I feel more confident with my G Loomis and it has helped my end result. If someone feels confident with a shakespeare ugly stick, then I bet that they could probably outfish a die-hard G Loomis loyalist who was forced to use a Kistler rod (assuming both anglers are experienced anglers). Confidence is the most important aspect of fishing in my opinion. Without it, it won't make a bit of difference if you are fishing with a $1000 rod.

I used to use braid for everything, but as time went on I discovered that braid may not be the best choice for all situations. For example, I seemed to get much better action and maximum depth using Flouro. for jerkbaits. I also got used to using mono for topwater lures. I now use braid for only Carolina Rigs, Jigs, Frogs, and Heavy-Cover Plastics. I think it is a preference thing, because I'm sure KVD could out fish me using steel cable.

I have a business trip scheduled for Omaha, NE in May. A buddy and I will have to spend the weekend of May 17th & 18th in town and was looking for some fishing opportunities to occupy our time on the weekend. I was wondering if any fellow BR member would be willing to give me some advice as to which lake would be good to fish for Bass. Also, I was wondering if there is any place where we may be able to rent a boat. I appreciate the help and I look forward to my visit to the Cornhusker state.

Has anyone been out yet this year? I am curious if anyone has been doing any good in the area.

The only one of the three that I ever used is the Cavitron Buzzbait. After using it pretty extensively (along with other buzzbaits), I have to say it is probably the best buzzbait out there (though, I haven't used them all). It stays on the surface with a pretty slow retrieve and is very durable. I highly recommend trying it out.

G Loomis Mossyback BCFR894 / Daiwa Megaforce / 50lb. Cabelas RipCord Si Plus G Loomis Mossyback BCR 874 / Quantum Energy PT Burner / 30lb. Cabelas RipCord Si Plus G Loomis GL3 MBR845C / Quantum Energy PT Burner / 30lb. Cabelas RipCord Si Plus G Loomis IMX MBR844C / Shimano Curado 100D / 30lb. Cabelas RipCord Si Plus G Loomis GLX BCR893C / Shimano Curado 100D / 12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis GLX BCR854C / Daiwa Fuego / 12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis IMX MBR843C / Daiwa Viento / 12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis CBR906C / Daiwa Sol / 12 lb. XPS Flourocarbon G Loomis SMR814C-CB / Abu Garcia Revo SC / 12 lb. XPS Flourocarbon G Loomis SMR814C-CB / Johnny Morris Sign. Reel / 14 lb. Cajun Red G Loomis SBR813C / Pflueger President / 12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis SBR661C / Johnny Morris Sign. Reel / 12 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis SMR882S-SP / Pflueger President / 10 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid G Loomis DSR822S / Pflueger Trion / 10 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid

I used to use braid for Senkos, but I found that my catch ratio went up since switching to Hybrid. I'm not sure why, but I catch a lot more now then before and I can only assume that the braid affected the way the senko would free fall.

Then that would mean if you used mono with a jerkbait, the line would float and the jerkbait would not suspend, but would be drawn up with the line. Seriously, flouro doesn't sink like lead. If you paused the jerkbait for 5 seconds, I still don't think the flouro would sink fast enough to draw it down. I guess everyone has their opinion.