Hulkster

So I use it for an all purpose rod and I like the MH taper with the 7'6 length. You can really bomb some long casts. I use 12 pound Sufix Siege mono on mine paired with a curado 200i. I even caught a muskie from shore on this rod, smashed a Mepps #5 Black Fury

I have 2 imx pro rods, the MBR 903C (7'6 MH baitcasting rod) and the SJR 901 S (7'6 light powered spinning rod) They are amazing rods

sounds like the bail spring is weakened or bent on your reels. It shouldn't matter what position the bail arm is in when you open it, the positive click feature is supposed to prevent reel from snapping shut on a forward cast.

What shimano spinning reel is doing this? I've never had this happen since they put the 'positive click' bail feature on them in the late 90s. is this an old reel?

Stradic 3000

I use Siege on spinning gear all the time. Not sure I would try Big Game though I think its too coily??

I tried braid on spinning gear and hated it because i was getting wind knots. so I just use a good quality limp mono like Sufix Siege or Elite. Casts long smooth and strong. no wind knots, little memory.

a few reasons. 1. the added bit of weight helps balance with longer rods 2. the price difference 3. the red and black color scheme doesn't look great with certain rods

I use Sufix Siege and Elite. they are both amazing. both are limp strong as hell with a palomar knot and cast smooth on either spinning or baitcasting gear

honestly If you use a good quality mono like Sufix Siege or Elite you don't have to worry about line conditioner etc. Even on spinning gear. Sufix Mono casts very smooth on both spinning and baitcasting gear.

I have the tranx 400A (the 300 is just a little more narrow) and its dead easy to cast. mind you I've been using a baitcasting reel for decades now lol Is this your first baitcasting reel?

I have the curado 200i which came out in 2016 and it is amazing. its the two tone silver one:

LMAO St. Croix really needs to fix their rods their reputation for breakage is just brutal now

Possibly. but we are paying the warranty price built into the rod. That being said for me, Loomis has some advantages over others that I don't mind paying for. Their tapers and balance is often better than comparable rods from others. Also they don't break easily like St. Croix's recent offerings do etc. same. I used to have all St. Croix and Loomis rods, now I am all Loomis with only one SC left, a pre pandemic Premier Musky rod. I don't like some of the downgrades they have done like the guides on the new avids and avid panfish/walleye rods etc. A big drop from the alconite guides of the original avids.

I've been using G. Loomis rods for 30 years and never broke one yet (touches my wood) but I know if I ever have an issue the warranty is good. I won't be paying full price for a replacement

I agree. the 70 and 150 size reels are not good for all purpose fishing, they are too small. Or even bank fishing where you make really long casts.

Agreed. DC reels are for amateurs!!

I have only handled the SC Legend Glass ones and they are, to me at least, super heavy. no thanks.

I believe these Legend Glass rods came out well before St. Croix started having so many problems. The problems seem to be post pandemic stuff, not before.

I think so yes. I have straightned hooks on a #2 Mepps with 6 pound tied with a palomar knot. 20 will never break unless its nicked.

Perhaps switch to Sufix Siege? Its just as strong only it casts 1000x better. you can even using it on spinning gear (not 20 though lol)

I like 12 pound mono over 14 because I find it casts a little better. you can make some long casts with 12 pound mono. I use Sufix Siege. I haven't tried Floro but I hear it is stiff.

I would check your guides for a possible flaw that may have caused a nick. I use 20 pound Sufix Siege with big swim baits tied with a palomar knot and its very hard to break, its probably just as strong as Big Game. Unless the knot was really faulty I think the line or knot was damaged somehow. A properly tied palomar with 20 pound Big Game should be like a cable to break IMO.

if that's the case SC needs to get to the bottom of it. They are taking a beating on facebook and reddit (also youtube where people show the broken rods and reel seats). their reputation is taking a hit.