Baitmonkey is killing me!!!

[Banor]

Ok so I've spent the last few days researching what I need for the tournament season next year based on the 2006 season. Darn baitmonkey wont leave me alone. This post is just about the rods I'm looking at. I am in love with Airrus rods but not all the specializations I need are available in Airrus. So, if Airrus has it I'll get it, if not then I'll go with St. Croix.

I still need a good senko/weightless plastics rod but havent decided on rod power/action yet.

Some will serve dual purposes (marked in parenthesis)

Here's what I have come up with. Opinions? Suggestions?

Crankbaits: Medium action needed

AC70MHM St Croix 10-20 3/8-1      $160

AC70MM St Croix 8-14 1/4- 5/8      $160

Worming - light: fast action medium power

AC70MF St Croix 10-17 1/4- 3/4 $160 (plastics)

Worming heavy: MH power fast action

AC761MH Airrus 12-25 3/8-1 1/8 $115.95 (jigs) Already Have

Frog: Heavy power fast action (slop fishing)

TBC70HF St Croix 14-25 3/8-1 1/2 $230

Already have Airrus 70 HF

Jigs:

AC761MH Airrus 12-25 3/8-1 1/8 $115.95 (heavy worming) Already have

Jigs (heavy):

TBC73XHF 17-30 ½-2 ½

Flipping: Long rod H power MF/F action

TBC80HMF St Croix 14-30      1/2 - 2      $270

AC710HF St Croix 12-30 1/2-2      $190

ACM761XH Airrus 17-50 3/4 - 2 1/2      $125.95 (pitching)

UXLC761H Airrus 14-30 5/8 1 1/4      $159.95 (pitching)

Topwater: Medium power fast/xfast action

AC68MXF St Croix      8-14      3/16-5/8       $160 (jerkbait)

TBC68MXF St Croix      8-14 1/4 - 5/8 $210 (jerkbait)

AC661M Airrus      8-20 1/4-5/8      $94.95 (jerkbait)

Spinnerbait: MH/Fast

Already have 7ft MH Fast Airrus

C-rig: MH Fast Long

TBC73MHF St Croix 12-20      3/8 1 1/4      $260

AC801MH Airrus 14-35 1/2-1 1/2       $115.95

B

(edit for clarification)  I'm only getting one rod per presentation - the ones listed are my choices.  LOL I will not buy several rods for one presentation.  

[Plastik]

Wish I could get the wife to sign off on just 1 new rod this year, let alone all of them!

[Raul]

You need a Kistler Helium ( several to satisfy the chimp ) All purpose rod in the length you like the most.

[Guest DavidGreen]

bshaner,

What circuit/s are you fishing? You must be placing in a lot of top 10 spots.

Good Luck

Tight Lines!!!

[gopherbass]

I use the AC70MF for senkos and I love it.  In fact, I love all my Avids.  Having said that, I'm only buying Kistler Heliums from now on.

[Banor]

bshaner,

What circuit/s are you fishing? You must be placing in a lot of top 10 spots.

Good Luck

Tight Lines!!!

Mech,

The military pays me well And the wife is a nurse. I'm a lucky guy, it wasnt always that way though, I'm just making up for lost time. I think I mentioned before that I lost all my custom gear to a dog while I was deployed, so this year was a rebuilding/fine tuning year for me in prep for getting back into the competition. I've been out of it for 6 years(enlisted) so this coming year I just want to get back in and get my name somewhere on the map.

I'll be fishing the Southern Opens (Bass) and the Michigan BFL this year. Maybe the Stren Northeast if I can fit it into the schedule. If not I'll fish an NBAA for a classic shot.

Raul,

I just dont think I'm going to get any Kistlers. I've compared them side by side with the Airrus (as recently as last week as a matter of fact) and the Airrus just feel better to me, especially at those pricing points. (It's all about preferences I know, Kistler could be 20 times better for everyone else.) I may pick up a Kistler to fill one of the gaps and use it for the season then make a more informed decision, but Airrus will be my primary. Ultimately I'd like to get a sponsorship (not sponcer,sponser) from Airrus, because I use and enjoy their rods so much. (I'm not actively seeking them out until I've put some more success under my belt.)

As far as soliciting suggestions, I'm more looking for power/action ratings suggestions for the presentations I've chosen. I think I've got it in line but always willing to take technical advice.

Gopher,

That looks like a great suggestion for the senkos.

B

[magic]

Airrus makes a good rod, just bought one myself.  They don't compare to a Kistler LTA though, not in terms of weight (LTA much lighter) or sensitivity.  Of course the LTA costs twice as much too, but if I had the money LTA is much better.

[Pa Angler]

I feel for you brother it gets me from time to time. ;D

Chow

[lubina]

Bshaner, I'm with you in the Airrus, I can't think in a trip w/o my UXLC701 that I use as jig/pitch rod. If I have to choose from the 8 BC combos I have, she will be the one ( and she is the cheapest ), that much attatch I'm to this rod. Just confort, performance and beautty.

My only St Croix is the EC60MF that is my jerkbait rod, shorter is just more confortable for me to keep the tip down for prolong period of time.

I just got my firt truly dedicated Senko rod and I went with GLoomis BCR 864 GLX, I never have any thing more sensitive in my hands, the first few cast I was setting the hook in leaves, to my surprise it casts small  weighless lures very easy, hightly recommended