Shimano Rods Icast '14

[RippinLips4]

Will the Shimano rods be more well rounded as in length's?  I wish they would be like the *** series they have almost any lenght you would ever need. I love the reel seats on the crucials. Also, some were tip heavy i had used.  Hoping they are more well rounded.

[FlipnLimits]

The reel seats are rather sweet!  I hear they are moving back to cork and getting away from the foam grips.  I hope so anyways. 

 

FL

[RippinLips4]

The reel seats are rather sweet!  I hear they are moving back to cork and getting away from the foam grips.  I hope so anyways. 

 

FL

i like cork better! i like the look and i dont think foam feels any better. 

[FlipnLimits]

i like cork better! i like the look and i dont think foam feels any better. 

Just my opinion, but the foam doesn't fell different enough, good or bad, to make the change from cork.  Meaning, cork lasts forever with just minimal care and it always looks good!!!  Foam, I can see it fading over time or shrinking.  I haven't had the new EVA foam long enough yet to say it has faded or shrunk but I don't have those thoughts with cork, so why change?!  I guess I'm a purist and just like the cork and see no reason for change if it works.  Sounds like you are thinking along those lines also.

[RippinLips4]

Just my opinion, but the foam doesn't fell different enough, good or bad, to make the change from cork.  Meaning, cork lasts forever with just minimal care and it always looks good!!!  Foam, I can see it fading over time or shrinking.  I haven't had the new EVA foam long enough yet to say it has faded or shrunk but I don't have those thoughts with cork, so why change?!  I guess I'm a purist and just like the cork and see no reason for change if it works.  Sounds like you are thinking along those lines also.

Yeah i feel the same, i wish i had more money so i could buy More Dobyns champions there cork and how its shaped is just awesome.

[FlipnLimits]

Yeah i feel the same, i wish i had more money so i could buy More Dobyns champions there cork and how its shaped is just awesome.

Had a couple on loan from a friend that's sponsored, thought they were nice.  I like the stiffer lines of rods like Shimano used to be.  The new Crucial is softer.  I really like Cashion for the sensitivity for certain baits. No foam or cork on Cashion but sensitivity can't be beat.  They are good workhorse rods, like I like.  Not super light, but grams don't matter to me.  There are great rods out nowadays, it's a matter of trying enough to find what you like.  I fish a lot and seem to find the work horse apposed to the high tech, high end stuff.  I tourney fish and seem to break 'em on accident often enough so warranty comes into play.  Shimano is over the counter so replacement is effortless and FAST.

[Jrob78]

Everybody loves cork but hates when rod prices go up, can't have it both ways.   EVA is much cheaper than cork, that's why so many rod companies are using it now.

[Jrob78]

Will the Shimano rods be more well rounded as in length's?  I wish they would be like the *** series they have almost any length and action you would ever need. I love the reel seats on the crucials. Also, some were tip heavy i had used.  Hoping they are more well rounded.

All the ***'s I see are fast or xfast actions, hardly well rounded.  Not bashing the Omens, just saying.

[RippinLips4]

All the ***'s I see are fast or xfast actions, hardly well rounded.  Not bashing the Omens, just saying.

Talking more about length 

[Jrob78]

Will the Shimano rods be more well rounded as in length's?  I wish they would be like the *** series they have almost any length and action you would ever need. I love the reel seats on the crucials. Also, some were tip heavy i had used.  Hoping they are more well rounded.

[RippinLips4]

 

Will the Shimano rods be more well rounded as in length's?  I wish they would be like the *** series they have almost any length and action you would ever need. I love the reel seats on the crucials. Also, some were tip heavy i had used.  Hoping they are more well rounded. 

Thanks for highlighting something that i already wrote. i almost forgot that i wrote that. If you would like to argue you can call Dr. Phill. Im trying to have a discussion here. I see i put length and action but in the post before im talking more about length than action. 

[Jrob78]

Thanks for highlighting something that i already wrote. i almost forgot that i wrote that. If you would like to argue you can call Dr. Phill. Im trying to have a discussion here. I see i put length and action but in the post before im talking more about length than action. 

Not trying to argue, just wondering what you were talking about.  Relax

[FlipnLimits]

Dr. Phil can buy us rods in any length and action we want.  Are you listening, Dr. Phil?  LOL

 

Come on guys, back to fishing      About the foam stuff......I'll post some positives I've noticed.  Doesn't get slippery when wet, as I thought.  And doesn't get hot as I thought it might.  Negatives...LOOKS!   And the jury is out on how long it will last.   And as for Shimano rods, my inside scoop from a rep was that the Crucial line will be much improved, more akin to the Cumara line.

 

FL

[Jrob78]

Dr. Phil can buy us rods in any length and action we want.  Are you listening, Dr. Phil?  LOL

 

Come on guys, back to fishing      About the foam stuff......I'll post some positives I've noticed.  Doesn't get slippery when wet, as I thought.  And doesn't get hot as I thought it might.  Negatives...LOOKS!   And the jury is out on how long it will last.   And as for Shimano rods, my inside scoop from a rep was that the Crucial line will be much improved, more akin to the Cumara line.

 

FL

I agree with you on the EVA.  I much prefer cork if it's good cork.  Most cork grips (especially on cheaper rods) are full of filler.  It's fine at first but after some use it starts to fall out.  I think I prefer foam over ratty grips with chunks missing.  It's kind of a no win situation though.  

[FlipnLimits]

I agree with you on the EVA.  I much prefer cork if it's good cork.  Most cork grips (especially on cheaper rods) are full of filler.  It's fine at first but after some use it starts to fall out.  I think I prefer foam over ratty grips with chunks missing.  It's kind of a no win situation though.  

Good point, I have noticed this also.  As a general rule, rods in the $150 and up range have better cork, atleast with less filler.  My old Croix's held up very well and the minor filler that did fall out made the cork feel as if there was More grip.  Mind you, little fell out because the cork is pretty good quality with Croix.  We are picky people, we fishermen. lol

 

PSTV, you may like Croix, if you haven't tried them.  Great selection for sure.  Slightly tip heavier but I really like that.

[ColdSVT]

I would probably own a shimano rod if they had cork!

Then again i could buy a loomis lol

All of mt loomis rods are pre shimano...i hate foam. No reason other than feel lol

[RippinLips4]

I agree with you on the EVA.  I much prefer cork if it's good cork.  Most cork grips (especially on cheaper rods) are full of filler.  It's fine at first but after some use it starts to fall out.  I think I prefer foam over ratty grips with chunks missing.  It's kind of a no win situation though.  

Also, if you dont like they shape of the cork you can sand it to your desirable shape. Not with EVA.

[Jrob78]

Also, if you dont like they shape of the cork you can sand it to your desirable shape. Not with EVA.

Eva shapes just as easily as cork.  Probably easier as a lot of it is softer.

[RippinLips4]

Eva shapes just as easily as cork.  Probably easier as a lot of it is softer.

never tried it 

[Jrob78]

never tried it 

It seems like it would tear to pieces but it actually shapes really easily.  I've never tried to shape grips on a rod that already had them glued on but I build rods and shape my own grips.  That's why I know it's easy to work with.

[RippinLips4]

It seems like it would tear to pieces but it actually shapes really easily.  If you have a rod with a grip you don't like, give it a try.

all my rods are cork! Haha, Might have an old ugly stick in the garage lol. The cumaras have like no EVA, why did they do that? Hopefully they change it.

[OK Bass Hunter]

I still have 7 cork Crucials and didn't buy any of the new Crucials for that reason. If they go back to cork Crucials I might hold off on switching brands. The feel of the old Crucials and the over the counter warranty were major selling points for me.

[John G]

Mark me down as another buyer of Shimano rods if they go back to cork. 

[dam0007]

All the ***'s I see are fast or xfast actions, hardly well rounded.  Not bashing the Omens, just saying.

 

 

Talking more about length 

 

Technicaly F XF etc is the taper just playing i kid i kid.

 

If Shimano puts cork on the next Cumara I will get another drop shot rod for sure! I don't think they'll be doing a new Cumara series for awhile though. My buddy will go broke if they launch a new Crucial series he has a bunch of those.

[TNBassin']

I love Eva grips myself so hopefully they stick with that. Any word if they are gonna release a matching rod for the new curado I? Maybe an updated Compre?