My Fenwick HMX is on back order until March, so...

[BrianMDTX]

I cancelled the order and started looking at other options. I decided to take a step up and ordered a St. Croix Bass X BXS610MLXF. Should be in my hands next week. I’ll pair that with my new Daiwa Revros LT2000. Now to decide if I should spool up straight 6 lb mono or go braid with a leader. If braid, I have 20 lb Sufix 832 on hand. That diameter would match 6 lb leader. 
 

Suggestions? 

[LCG]

I use 832 20lb braid to 6lb mono leader on my BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'8" M-Xf spinning rod paired with a Stradic FL 2500. Works like a charm for me. No wind knots at all last year, line diameter is similar. I tired 10lb braid for awhile but had some issues, just too thin for me. 

[BrianMDTX]

Good to hear. I have issues tying knots when the line is very thin. Darn these eyes!!! 

[Spankey]

I think you’ll like the rod. My one grandson I bought him that for fishing soft plastics. Have a Shimano Nasci on it. He’s pretty young and learning. What was bought was what felt best to him. He want back and forth between that and the Mojo and wanted that. I fish quite a few Premiers and Avids. Everyone has their own opinions but I feel also that the Bass X has a better feel to it. Just my opinion. 

[BrianMDTX]

Well, if you go strictly by $$$, it’s the best rod I will own lol. But a lot of that depends on the user. You can tell just from BR that some love Rod A, others hate it and some think it’s ok but other rods are just as good. As long as I like it, that’s all that counts. 
 

I’m quite sure that, unless I hit PB or MM, I’ll likely never spend $250+ on a rod or reel. I’m sure they’re great, but I have other things I need $$$ for now or in the future. And my skill level probably couldn’t utilize the increase in sensitivity that a high-dollar rig would provide. 
 

If I find out this rod is meh (to me), I’d likely buy another Aird X or Procyon. 

[Fishes in trees]

You're in Texas.   Academy Sports has their headquarters in Texas.   I think it is a good bet that there are one or two, maybe more Academy Sports stores in Texas.   I understand that Texas is a relatively big place and there might not be any close to you, but if there are, go there and look.   I've got a couple of their H2O house brand rods that I like a lot.    They say on their web site that they are the exclusive distributor for All Star Rods - I have a few All Star rods that I got on sale at Academy and I like them.

[BrianMDTX]

I bought the Bass X from Academy lol. They do have a good selection of fishing gear there for sure. They just didn’t have the Bass X in ML so I had to order it. 

 

They do have All Star rods, but I thought I read on BR that they aren’t the same as past ones. Might not make any difference to me as I’ve never seen an old one lol.