Shimano Crucial History?

[Catt]

@Jeff H

Jeff & I are discussing the different changes to the Crucial rod over the years. I thought it would be a good subject to openly discuss on the board.

My first Crucial was purchased more by accident than on purpose! I was browing the aisles at our local K-Mart back when they had a decent tackle section. I noticed a little sales girl grab 4-5 rods & start marking them down. The last rod was a 5' 6" medium heavy fast Shimano Crucial & marked it $24.99! 

I picked it up walked to the register & paid for it!

This was 25-30 years & I'm believe it was a first generation rod.

[d-camarena]

My favorite line of rods, i have a mh spinning with the tiny little grip. Love it. 

[Jeff H]

Oh boy!  25+ yr old Crucial?  I didn't know.....

I don't have any Crucial that date to the 90's let alone the 80's!  All mine were bought after 2007 I believe.    I didn't know they existed that far back!  I was with Berkley back in the early/mid 90's and used Lightning Rods, Series Ones and The Pulse.  But, I did have some Shimano Convergence rods that I used for crankbaits and spinnerbaits some times.  That series still exists also, still heavy too!

I certainly would like to be learning more of the history of this series.  Overall, they are probably the best factory built rods I've bought.  The warranty and price were unbeatable and they fished well beyond their price point in my opinion.  I was told they were a new model when I bought my first one so I thought ALL mine were gen 1 models.  It appears I am way off about that!  My first one was the CRS-60MH and then they just kept coming.  I stumbled on a guy clearing out his retail tackle shop and bought at least 6 more from him at under $100 ea if I remember right.  Anyway, I've got a bunch of them now and really like them. 

I just ordered a new current model for travel/float tube use.  It's a 2 pc spinning 6'8" M/XF.  I have not fished the new models yet so I'm looking forward to that to see how it compares.

[JustJames]

Also my fav rods so far. I got 3 so far two of them drop shot specialty for both casting (gen2) and spinning(gen1) the last is MH spinning for deep water fishing.

[mrpao]

I use to love those first generation  crucials.

I had five if them. 6'6" to 7'.

I still have the 7' model. Its very heavy compared  to today's  rods.

I still have  a 7' hvy canais casting  rod also.

I have owned every generation  crucial, except   for the foam handle  model. Never cared much for the foam handle.

[BobP]

I don't know from "gen X" but about six years ago I got a CRS-DX68M medium power xtra fast action dropshot rod based on the recommendations of several early west coast dropshot experts.  It has what they termed a "hinged" action - a light power xtra fast tip section paired with a medium power butt section.  Cork handle, Fuji Alconites guides, lifetime warranty.  I've tried other rods but this is the one for me.

[Kidflex]

The first crucial rod I've seen was in the mid 90's, cork handle and green blank with gold trim, top of the line for their baitcasting rods at that time. I have the equivalent in their spinning dept called the scabbard. Both rod series looked to be the same and both priced at $99 in 1995. 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Kidflex said:

The first crucial rod I've seen was in the mid 90's, cork handle and green blank with gold trim, top of the line for their baitcasting rods at that time. I have the equivalent in their spinning dept called the scabbard. Both rod series looked to be the same and both priced at $99 in 1995. 

Zoom in on the pictures above!

The blank is green & even though the reelseat is spilt the handle is full cork.

I think the spilt seat added to the sensitivity because it allowed for two fingers on the blank.

Here's another model I own; CRC-X610MH extra fast

[Jeff H]

19 hours ago, BobP said:

I don't know from "gen X" but about six years ago I got a CRS-DX68M medium power xtra fast action dropshot rod based on the recommendations of several early west coast dropshot experts.  It has what they termed a "hinged" action - a light power xtra fast tip section paired with a medium power butt section.  Cork handle, Fuji Alconites guides, lifetime warranty.  I've tried other rods but this is the one for me.

I have the same rod in Medium Heavy.   Another gem!

[Catt]

Anybody noticing a trend here?

It seems a lot of guys prefer an extra fast!

For my style of fishing bottom contact techniques I believe Shimano's Crucial Medium Heavy Extra Fast sensitivity is as good as any on the market.

[Turkey sandwich]

For bottom contact baits, it really is hard to beat an extra fast action.  I've never owned a Shimano Crucial, but I have liked the ones I've handled.  It just seems like there are so many very good rods on the market now that it's hard to go wrong and individual preferences are all it comes down to.  

[timsford]

Some of those older crucials were very sensitive rods. I'd say the cumulus was lighter and a nicer rod, but cost more too. I got turned off to shimano with the foam grip rods (crucial, clarus, convergence) and started buying a lot of other brands and just never went back. The new ones feel pretty nice, but I've bought others in the same range and even cheaper rods that felt better in hand and while fishing. Those older mh ex fast crucials are really special rods

[Jeff H]

I'm plenty happy with mine.