clemsondds Posted December 8, 2019 Author Posted December 8, 2019 So do you like the avid x? I’m thinking I might up my budget. Looking at megabass right now...wish I hadn’t missed the Black Friday sale...they were sold out quick on those! Anyone have any experience with megabass spinning rods? Quote
5by3 Posted December 8, 2019 Posted December 8, 2019 I own a few of the ALX spinning rods - the Zolo maestro and trickster. The lakes are just about frozen here so I haven’t been able to use them much. I’ve used the trickster for some blade baits and a few jerkbaits so far and I really enjoy it. I can’t speak to its sensitivity since I haven’t thrown any bottom baits on it. They definitely aren’t as light as a few of my higher end Loomis rods, but they also don’t cost $400-500. The build quality seems good and they are comfortable to fish so far. Quote
Super User WRB Posted December 8, 2019 Super User Posted December 8, 2019 43 minutes ago, 5by3 said: I own a few of the ALX spinning rods - the Zolo maestro and trickster. The lakes are just about frozen here so I haven’t been able to use them much. I’ve used the trickster for some blade baits and a few jerkbaits so far and I really enjoy it. I can’t speak to its sensitivity since I haven’t thrown any bottom baits on it. They definitely aren’t as light as a few of my higher end Loomis rods, but they also don’t cost $400-500. The build quality seems good and they are comfortable to fish so far. You might want to get actual rod weights using a gram scale, Loomis rods may not be lighter! Tom Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted December 8, 2019 Super User Posted December 8, 2019 1 hour ago, WRB said: You might want to get actual rod weights using a gram scale, Loomis rods may not be lighter! Tom Yeah. Guys comment on how light a Dobyns feels, but it ain't necessarily because it is lighter, but because it is better balanced. I've compared rod weights (those that I could find) and Dobyns aren't always the lightest. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted December 8, 2019 Super User Posted December 8, 2019 On 11/24/2019 at 6:14 PM, Efishin said: I dont like ALX at all. All of my buddies sold theres as well. Around 150, I would recommend a Dobyns Fury, St Croix Mojo, Shimano Intenza, Phenix Feather. Those are the best in that price range. And yet I have read more than once that some guys feel their sensitivity is between the IMX and GLX. I don't know if you are the one that said the ALX felt 'dead' in your hands. I've only been out a couple times with my Zolos...and didn't use 'feel' lures...so I can't say Yea or Nay about sensitivity. I did like them the little time I got to use them. Not fancy but seem well built to me. The only 'high' end rods I can compare them to are a Gen 1 Diablo Spec R, 704CB Glass and a couple old Zillions. I remember when I got back into fishing in '09. If anyone on this site dared to mention there were better options than a Dobyns, they were almost driven off the site. It wasn't until a couple (or 3) years later that a few people started admitting that if you were after sensitivity, then there were better options than the Savvy in that price range. And, yes, I like my 704CB Glass. And my Diablo and 7'6" HF Zillion. Quote
Super User WRB Posted December 8, 2019 Super User Posted December 8, 2019 37 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said: Yeah. Guys comment on how light a Dobyns feels, but it ain't necessarily because it is lighter, but because it is better balanced. I've compared rod weights (those that I could find) and Dobyns aren't always the lightest. Agree, lighter balanced rod feels lighter then a heavier balanced rod however. Casting rods are easier for rod maker to balance with the center of the reel seat at the balance fulcrum point, spinning rods are a challenge because anglers hold the rod differently. Some anglers hold the rod with the reel stem between 2 fingers, others with 3 fingers in front of the stem while others just the opposite. How the rod is held affects it's balance greatly. To me paying for highend light weight rods and adding counter balance weight defeats the reason for paying for a light weight rod. Dobyns has it right by biulding balanced rods to start with. When you tie on a lure the balance issue gets muddy fast. Tom 1 Quote
OnthePotomac Posted December 9, 2019 Posted December 9, 2019 I bought a 7'2" BPS medium spinning Carbonlite on sale for $89 for my school teacher daughter and fishing buddy. She will only use a spinning rod and gets incredible effortless distance with the rod. Caught her biggest bass yet (4lb 9oz) on it last summer with 8lb mono. Quote
Randy Price Posted December 9, 2019 Posted December 9, 2019 For the $$ I really like St. Croix's Mojo Bass line. Quote
Revival Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 I love my ALX Ikos rods. I have 5 of them including the Soul which is the 7th medium fast spinning rod. I have owned Furys, Tatulas, and St Croix Premiers and prefer the ALX by far. I have tried a few different Mojos and didn’t care for it at all. Quote
OperationEagle Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 St Croix's split grip Premiers are on sale at Cabela's. Quote
Glaucus Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 On 12/8/2019 at 2:04 PM, WRB said: Agree, lighter balanced rod feels lighter then a heavier balanced rod however. Casting rods are easier for rod maker to balance with the center of the reel seat at the balance fulcrum point, spinning rods are a challenge because anglers hold the rod differently. Some anglers hold the rod with the reel stem between 2 fingers, others with 3 fingers in front of the stem while others just the opposite. How the rod is held affects it's balance greatly. To me paying for highend light weight rods and adding counter balance weight defeats the reason for paying for a light weight rod. Dobyns has it right by biulding balanced rods to start with. When you tie on a lure the balance issue gets muddy fast. Tom I've never considered that I could be a lot different than most people. My entire hand grips the rod above the spinning reel. None of my fingers hold the stem at all. I have small hands though. Quote
Dangerfield Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 TIL Major Craft will be getting my money in the future. Quote
kayaking_kev Posted December 11, 2019 Posted December 11, 2019 You can get a Dobyns Champion for about $170 on the Dobyns website under refurbished rods, they are always like new and in excellent condition. The Dobyns Sierra is also within your price range and is a nice upgrade over a Fury. I would definitely think about an Avid or Avid X though, but they are more pricey and even better yet if you can swing it is an Expride. What power of a rod are you looking for? I have a Dobyns Champion 704sf that is about a month old and only has about 10 cast on it that I would sell for under $200. Quote
clemsondds Posted December 31, 2019 Author Posted December 31, 2019 Ok so I'm bumping up my budget a little bit ha. I think I'm just going to buy one super sensitive spinning rod for my main, and then use my St Croix Premier as my back up spinning. So I'm thinking either the expride 7' Medium...or the g. loomis glx 852. Any thoughts? I'm thinking of using this rod as my main ned rig, shakyhead, senko rod. And I'll use my st croix premier ps70mr2 for drop shot. Thoughts? Quote
browne762 Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 If you are good up to $500, I would wait for a sale and get the NRX over the GLX. No reason you couldn't use a 852 for drop shot as well. Loomis actually has a 822 NRX specifically for drop shot fishing. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted December 31, 2019 Super User Posted December 31, 2019 My bias: Yes to Majorcraft, ALX ZOLO and Daiwa Tatula, Kistler (if you can get on sale in your price range) No towards: St. Croix (tend to be tip heavy, but not as bad if you stay M or ML), and Dobyns (well balanced, but many reviews will tell you they don't have the sensitivity of other comparable brands). Quote
clemsondds Posted December 31, 2019 Author Posted December 31, 2019 2 hours ago, browne762 said: If you are good up to $500, I would wait for a sale and get the NRX over the GLX. No reason you couldn't use a 852 for drop shot as well. Loomis actually has a 822 NRX specifically for drop shot fishing. Oh I Know, but I like to have stuff pre-rigged so I don't need to waste time setting it up when I could be fishing. I can get the 852 for around $300. But I'm also thinking of an expride...any compare these two? thanks Quote
Bass Rutten Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 @clemsondds mind if I ask where you’re getting the loomis rod for 300? New? Quote
moguy1973 Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 My favorite all around spinning rod I have is a Lews TP-1 Speedstick. Has winn grips, microwave micro guides, is really sensitive, and IM8 blank. $99 Quote
browne762 Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 1 hour ago, clemsondds said: Oh I Know, but I like to have stuff pre-rigged so I don't need to waste time setting it up when I could be fishing. I have more rods then I need on any given day so I understand that though process. I was meaning that if you were to get a NRX (or some other $500 rod), you will probably favor it more and end up retie-ing anyway. 1 hour ago, clemsondds said: I can get the 852 for around $300. But I'm also thinking of an expride...any compare these two? thanks I have a couple Expride spinning rods and a NRX. Although the Expride rods are great, they are not to the same level as a NRX in my opinion when it come to maximum sensitivity. The Expride is about 40% less money though so it really shouldn't be. I like the reel seat on the Exprides more then other rods I have. Most people will be very happy with an Expride. If you use a St Croix Premier now, it will be more sensitive then that. I don't have any GLX rods. If you are getting the GLX for $300 new then that is a decent deal at about 30% off. Just keep in mind that as you chase for the ultimate in sensitivity you can start to spend lots of money... Quote
clemsondds Posted December 31, 2019 Author Posted December 31, 2019 5 minutes ago, browne762 said: I have more rods then I need on any given day so I understand that though process. I was meaning that if you were to get a NRX (or some other $500 rod), you will probably favor it more and end up retie-ing anyway. I have a couple Expride spinning rods and a NRX 822. Although the Expride rods are great, they are not to the same level as a NRX in my opinion when it come to maximum sensitivity. The Expride is about 40% less money though so it really shouldn't be. Most people will be very happy with an Expride. If you use a St Croix Premier now, it will be more sensitive then that. I don't have any GLX rods. If you are getting the GLX for $300 new then that is a decent deal at about 30% off. Just keep in mind that as you chase for the ultimate in sensitivity you can start to spend lots of money... Thank you!! Ever compared those with a megabass whipsnake? Just wondering if the whipsnake and extrude are about the same level, and then a glx is better. Thanks! Quote
browne762 Posted December 31, 2019 Posted December 31, 2019 1 minute ago, clemsondds said: Ever compared those with a megabass whipsnake? Sorry, I don't have any Megabass rods. I like getting deals and have been able to find other high end rods for 20%-40% off MSRP several times every year. Megabass never goes on sale so I pretty much ignore them. Quote
clemsondds Posted January 1, 2020 Author Posted January 1, 2020 19 hours ago, browne762 said: I have more rods then I need on any given day so I understand that though process. I was meaning that if you were to get a NRX (or some other $500 rod), you will probably favor it more and end up retie-ing anyway. I have a couple Expride spinning rods and a NRX. Although the Expride rods are great, they are not to the same level as a NRX in my opinion when it come to maximum sensitivity. The Expride is about 40% less money though so it really shouldn't be. I like the reel seat on the Exprides more then other rods I have. Most people will be very happy with an Expride. If you use a St Croix Premier now, it will be more sensitive then that. I don't have any GLX rods. If you are getting the GLX for $300 new then that is a decent deal at about 30% off. Just keep in mind that as you chase for the ultimate in sensitivity you can start to spend lots of money... So if given the choice between a new Expride 7' Medium spinning or a demo GLX 852S JWR in perfect shape, which would you choose? Price would be the same (pretty much). Open to anyone's thoughts. Thanks Quote
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