Hi Everyone,
I'm new to forum here. It's a pleasure to be a member here now.
I have been bass fishing since I was 12 years old and now I'm 26, so I have about 13 years of experience. I'm just recreational fisherman and not a pro or anything like that, but I'm a passionate about fishing and know what I'm doing.
I live in San Franscisco Bay Area, so we have a plethora if species to fish for here in the ponds, creeks, lakes, delta, rivers, bay and ocean. I fish for a lot of different species depending on the time of year and my mood. Some of the species I fish for are trout, bass, catfish, lingcod, rockcod, halibut, stripers, salmon, and sturgeon. Of course there's many more species around here you could fish for, and I do fish for other species other than those that I mentioned, but the species I mentioned are the ones I have most interest in fishing for.
Lately, I've been working a lot, and it has been hard to find the time to fish, so I've been keeping it local and catching some bass in the ponds next to where I live.
I am writing to you here today because I am ready to upgrade my jig and worm bass rod. I am going to buy either a G. Loomis IMX 6'8" Med Hvy 803C JWR Extra Fast, 12-16lb, 3/16-5/8oz - Jig and Worm series OR I am going to buy a St. Croix Avid Casting Rod 7' Medium Heavy Fast, 12-20lb, 3/8-1oz.
I've already done my research. I've looked up all of the threads I could find on this forum and others, but I wanted more information before making this purchase since it will be the most bass expensive rod I will own. I already own a Shimano Crucial and Okuma Helios rod which are about $200 each that I use for flipping, pitching, and punching. However, thoses rods are technique specific, and I want to upgrade my main jig and worm bass rod that I will be using the most. Currently, I'm using a Berkeley Lightning Rod, so either an Avid or IMX would be a big upgrade.
From what I found, I think that the Avid AVC70MHXF is the most versatile and is the best bang for your buck, but I don't like that it weighs 4.7 ounces. That's pretty heavy if you ask me for a 7' MH rod because my Okuma 7' 6" Heavy rod weighs only 4.3 ounces. I hear that it's tough and sensitive though, and in a pinch, this is a rod I could also use for halibut, stripers, lingcod, and rockcod throwing swimbaits from the shore.
The reason why I want the IMX 803C JWR is because G Loomis is considered the best of the best. The original IMX Rods were the Series that put G. Loomis on the map as the leader in graphite technology. G Loomis has a mystical feel to it; the brand has a certain allure that I cannot explain. Although I don't think 803 JWR will be as versatile, I know that the quality would probably be better. The rod would probably be lighter and more sensitive.
Both rods have lifetime warranties. The main difference is in the quality and price. Is the G Loomis IMX worth the extra $100 to upgrade from a St. Croix Avid? I'd love to hear your opinions especially if you own or have fished with both.
Thanks,
The Pond King