Lard_Bass

X2! And you will not believe the weight of this combo! Throw it all day! x3 but mine is paired with a Curado 200E7. Very light rod, and great backbone. I have also used this rod to do large lipless cranks and some small swimbaits. Very versatile. No problem with the guides either (using P-Line CXX).

Ahh, a question I asked about over 2 years ago when I looked at the Avid MF, MLF, and MXF. I ended up with the MF and MXF. The MF amd MLF is too whippy for jigs and plastics so I went with the MXF for that application. Here's the forum that talked about all three rods: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1194961598 FYI, I was quite happy with both MF and MXF rods for the applications listed in that forum. However, my MF recently broke and St. Croix replaced but gave me the chance to upgrade to the Legend Tournament line which I did for both rods.

SuthernHaze, I am looking at crankbait rods as well. I would encourage you to look at some glass rods. I originally was going to buy a Shimano Cumara Reaction Series Rod but did more research and saw glass rods as they way to go. I have narrowed it down to the Powell 703 and Lamiglas Excel 705, both glass rods. There's higher hook up ratios with regards to glass and both rods are great values. I am leaning towards the Excel and will most likely purchase in the next month. Good luck with your search.

FYI, I picked one up as well. One thing I noticed is that it only has 6 bearings and when I googled this model, this was the model released in 2007 (see tackletour review). The new model has 9 bearings. With that being said, this reel is extremely light. It's lighter than my Curado and much lighter than a Revo S. I am quite happy with the purchase.

Now that's funny. A good fishing buddy of mine also has a pontoon. We were thinking of entering a bass or muskie tournament for laughs. We figure we could grill some brats and fish at the same time. Glad to see someone do it and win. My best story was one day I was fishing in 12-15 FOW and about 3 - 4 bass boats pull up in front of where I was casting. They wanted to flip/pitch the shallow shoreline. I knew that part of the lake well and knew that the docks and shoreline were dead. Each boat pulled away after 30 minutes of fishing. Funny thing was that they all had their backs turned to me and didn't see me land about a half dozen 2-5 lb bass and a nice pike in the time they were fishing the shallows. It's funny, I know guys who will watch and see if guys in fishing boats are catching any bass/muskie but they won't give guys in pontoons the time of day. I consider it stealth fishing. Nobody will ever know the spots I am fishing because nobody cares.

Hipster, I was in the same boat as you. Almost got a mod V but realized it was too small for my family. I looked into the Gilgetter pontoons (7518) as well and ended up getting a Premier Explorer 241. The Gilgetters are not a bad setup but decided on a larger platform because I decided to boat on a larger lake. I was also like you that I didn't care about speed but after a lot of research, I decided that this should not be overlooked. First, pontoons have a lot of drag and a 60 hp engine at top speed (and low weight), you may hit 15 mph and cruise at only 10-12 mph. If loaded, you are looking at cruising speeds in the single digits. Second, you will find pontoons and engines that have been sitting on lots for a couple of years that have been marked down (I found a 2 year old model that was never used) versus a new Gilgetter. You can probably get an unused older boat at slightly a higher price. Your resale value is much better because you are already buying at marked down price and with a larger platform/engine. Third, if you are towing kids (I have 3), you want space and the ability to do other stuff. I have a 125 hp engine and can do tubing with the kids at cruising speeds that don't strain the engine. As far as fishing goes, I love my pontoon. I get no respect from the bass boat community but I don't care (heck I have outfished guys in Comanches and Rangers in my pontoon). Pontoons biggest drawback is they get blown all over the place in wind. I have mine rigged with a trolling motor and I have to kick it in high gear when the wind blows over 12-15 mph. However, the rest of the time the boat is fine. I cruise around docks and pitch/flip without issues. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Since the Lamiglas Skeet Reese rod is no longer being produced, is the new line the Ceritified Pro? I believe the Certified Pro blanks are used on the Excel line. Is this correct?

So, I have looking into the Powell and Lamiglas rods for a crankbait setup. Anyone use glass rods? Which rod and would you recommend? I read through most of the reviews on Tackle Tour but wanted to get some non-technical feedback. Thanks.

Goose52, You pretty hit the nail on the head with everything I considered (storage, versatility, transportability). My canoe is hoisted to the ceiling of my garage. I can rig it up myself and cartop it anywhere (I didn't feel the need for a trailer). Plus, registration in PA was somewhere around $30 for 2 years. The only other thing I thought that was comparable was a porta-boat. However, they were much more expensive. One other issue for me, many lakes near me in PA were trolling motor or no motor at all. Hence, my comment that my canoe could go where boats couldn't. That's a huge plus for fishing some smaller lakes and getting to fish that were not pressured as much. Lastly, with the outriggers, I had zero issues with tipping over. I only venture out on decent days and the worst I usually deal with is some bozo on a bass boat who's 9.9 hp motor is really a 50+ hp motor with a fake sticker on. I have dealt with some bad wakes and my canoe never had an issue (if you see those waves coming on, just turn right into them). I wish the game warden were around to bust those guys.

Hitchhiker, I originally was going to buy the Powell rod and then discovered the Lamiglas Excel rod. I like that the Powell has Fuji guides but read good things about the Lamiglas rod blank. Tough decision. Since the water doesn't melt up in MN for a couple of more months, I can wait and see what everyone thinks of the new Excel rods.

I am looking for a new crankbait setup and came along these two rods. They look like great values. I will be tossing 1/2 oz spinnerbaits, DT-4s, DT-6s, and occassionally a deeper diver like a Jensen's Hot Lips (1/2 oz lipped crankbait that can hit 16' feet). Both have limited lifetime warranties. Powell has a power rating of "3" while Lamiglas is "5" (I don't quite get this numeric system because both rods are listed as Medium Heavy power). I am leaning towards the Lamiglas. I cannot find the rods locally so I was hoping the forums would help. Either rod would be paired up with a Revo S.

Yeah, the canoe I bought had been sitting on the lot for almost 2 years and the dealer ran a 20% off anything in current inventory during the fall and off an already marked down price (which was around $680). He also ran a deal on the outriggers too so I went back to get them too. I was debating getting a porta boat but this deal was too good to pass up. BTW, check craigslist. I missed out on the same exact canoe for around $500 because I was on vacation. The guy listed it and sold it within a day. There are plenty of canoes on craigslist.

So, I am getting a lot of questions about my canoe (glad to see people want to copy my rig). Here's are the specs of my rig: Canoe Type: Radisson (called Sportspal in Canada, and NOT to be confused with Sportspal in the US, however both canoes are identical in my eyes). (approx $550, I got from a local dealer that was clearing out stock) Length: 12' Trolling Motor size: 35lb Thrust ($100) Deep Cycle Battery Size: 27 ($90) Marine Charger: Minn Kota MK 105P ($45) Outriggers: $170 (my local guy was clearing them out too but you can find them at Cabelas or Spring Creek Canoe online). Fish Finder: Eagle 320 ($120) Chairbacks: $50 ($25 each) Rod Holders (Horizontal): Cabelas/Scotty Superlite ($30 - $15 each) - attached with cable ties ($2) Vertical Rod Holder: Berkley 4 rod holder ($10) - attached with cable ties Drink Holder with holes to hang lures - $7 - attached with cable ties Canoe dolly: $40 Total approximate cost: $1215 I kept some of my cost down but only jumping on deals when stores were clearing inventory. Also, a lot of the gadgets that I purchased (like the fish finder and canoe dolly were done later than sooner). The must haves (canoe, trolling motor, deep cycle battery and charger, and outriggers) ran me about $955. I love my canoe and it gets me places where many boats can't go. Also, the canoe has banged up on rocks and has some dents now. However, I do not have any concerns with aluminum, it has handled banging on rocks and stumps with no problem. If you are going down rivers or streams with lots of rocks, then this is NOT the setup for you. I use mine only on lakes. I have recently stepped up to a fishing pontoon since I moved to Minnesota. However, I am registering my canoe this year so I can use it on a lot of the small lakes around here. Hope this helps.

No problem, glad I could help with the ideas. The big reason I suggested the dolly was because it is much easier to load and rig the canoe (the outriggers) on land than in the water. Even you load up your canoe on the launch ramp, there's a lot of equipment to put on (trolling motor, outriggers, battery, etc.). I can easily cart a fully loaded canoe by myself now and not go back and forth to the car (you'll see what I mean after a couple of trips). As for a horizontal rack, I looked into some but didn't find any that I liked. Instead, I point my cabelas/scotty rod holders horizontally when I am fishing (just be careful with those rod tips when you are getting close to shore). I usually have 3 rods with me. Two are in the rod holders (horizontally) and I put the other in a vertical rod holder. I'll take the one out of the vertical holder to fish (or swap them around so no rod is vertical and interferes with my casting). I would say in your setup, you really don't want to bring more than 4 rods. Hope this helps.

Good luck with your rig. If you get a little extra room in the budget, get a canoe dolly/cart (you can also make one yourself out of PVC pipe and some spare wheelbarrow wheels). However, I found a dolly for only $39 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

x2. I got a Saros for the same price and I think it's a steal. I also have a Stradic and notice little difference.

I am looking at the CUC70MH and CUC70H for 1/2oz+ spinner baits and some DT-6s to DD-22s. Bantam1 recommended the CUC70H. Let me know what you guys think. I am also thinking of pairing it up with a Citica. I was thinking a Curado 200E5 but I want a higher gear ratio.

Great value rod is the Shimano Clarus line. About $80 and lifetime warranty (just exchange over the counter at any retailer). I have one for travel purposes and it blows away some higher end rods with no lifetime warranty.

By "mainly use spinning" does that mean you haven't used a BC? If so, then I recommend you start learning with pitching jigs and t-rig plastics 3/8 oz. and heavier until you have mastered an overhand snap cast. For cranks you mentioned, any 7' MH/Moderate action spinning rod will do. You don't have to get too fancy for cranking, I own some high end gear, though my two cranking sticks are nothing exorbitant, St Croix Avids, AVC70MM and AVC70MHM, both ran me about $160 each. I have a couple of BC's for freshwater and grew up fishing BC's on saltwater. I just prefer spinning. You bring up a point about high end gear. I have been debating this in my head for the past couple of days. Do I go with an Avid/Compre rod or step up to Cumara? All are good rods. Just can't decide.

Steezy, I was looking at the 7' MH. What have you tossed with your 7'M and what reel is paired with it? The Cumaras have really peaked my interest (originally thinking Compre and Crucial). I am thinking of getting the Curado E5 to pair with my crankbait rod. I am also getting some gift cards that will help my price sensitivity. Also, I have made the mistake before of not spending a little extra cash and get the right rod. I eventually end up spending it over the long run. Thanks to everyone for the great rod advice.

Looking for a new crankbait rod around $100-$150. I mainly fish with spinning reels but should I go with a baitcasting rod with a crankbait rod? Mainly looking at throwing stuff around 1/4 to 5/8 (a Norman DD22 at times but not often). Any suggestions? Thx.

x3 on the CLTX701XH-C. I bought the XH when it was being cleared out for only $100 at a local dealer. Initially, I was worried about all the feedback but after my first season fishing this rod, I was not disappointed. It is very light but also versatile. I have used it for jigs and also tossing bigger crankbaits. I have caught large bass and pike on this rod and it handled everything nicely. I highly recommend the rod.

I have a 7'0" LTX Extra Heavy, Fast and love it. No problems and have caught plenty of fish on it.

I recently returned a Bionic Blade after the tip guide came loose. It came loose while casting and not during some snag or fish fight. I could've replaced the rod but I choose to go with a Shimano Clarus rod ($80) instead. I mainly fish with St. Croix's but needed a lower end rod for travel purposes. In terms of feel, I like the Clarus' feel vs. the Bionic Blade. The one thing that is really nice about the Clarus vs. the BPS rod is the lifetime warranty. The BPS rod only had a one year warranty. I didn't feel good about that warranty after the guide came loose after one week of fishing. Also, I don't live near a BPS so I have peace of mind with Shimano's and St. Croix's lifetime warranties.

I both have the Stradic and Saros. As noted above, the only difference is the AeroWrap Oscillation II system on the Stradic. With that being said, I have braid on my Saros and had no issues. In terms of "feel" I would argue the difference is small. I don't think you can go wrong with either reel. However, if you are doing a lot of finesse fishing with plastics, go with the CI4. The lightness of the reel when paired up with a nice rod really helps detect those subtle bites. I have the CI4 and love it.