I've been rod shopping....

[Jeff H]

I'd like to hear from the resident rod experts on these choices.

Loomis IMX SJR723

St Croix Premier PS6MHF

Shimano Crucial CRS-60MH

These are all 6' MH/Fast rods.

An Avid would be in this list but they don't make one and I couldn't find one that felt close enough or good enough to include.

I've kind of come to the conclusion that this Crucial is comparable to an Avid. It uses the same Alconite guides as the Avid series but what I don't know is how good the Crucial IM-9 blank is compared to St Croix's Avid SC III or Premier SC II. I've pretty much eliminated the Premier at this point so it's between the Crucial and IMX. The action/feel of these 2 rods is pretty similar but the IMX is lighter (or at least feels a bit lighter to me). Honestly, I'm leaning on the Crucial at this point since I'm considering it comparable to a Avid and it's $100 cheaper then the IMX. Am I way off base in my conclusions?

[ww2farmer]

Don't have any expierence with the IMX or shimano rods , but IMHO good choice excludeing the Premier, I don't care for them one bit.

[Jeff H]

ww2farmer,

Thanks for your opinion.  I do own a couple Premier rods and haven't had any problems with them yet.  I have come to the conclusion that at the very least they may be a little over priced.  Also very likely I won't be buying any more of them.  The one mentioned in this list just didn't have the action of the other 2 choices so I dismissed it.

I was able to find some information with the search feature, once I figured out how to set it right and I've made up my mind now.  I'm going with the Crucial this time.  Tough choice really considering the rep of the IMX but I liked what I read about the Crucial and $100 saved is just too much to sneeze at.

I actually had the IMX on the way to the cashier yesterday at Sportsmens Warehouse but balked and decided to check out the Crucial.  I'm glad I did and glad I took the time to search out the information on this forum.  I was able to check out Shimano Crucial, Compre, Clarus and Convergence rods today at Cabela's and I thought they were all decent rods for the prices they reflected.  Coming home with the Crucial tomorrow.

[grimlin]

Your picking a good rod IMO....I'm close to picking up one of those rods as well...but i'm also looking at the airrus rods too...

[Jeff H]

....but i'm also looking at the airrus rods too...

Thanks to you so am I now  Thanks for mentioning them, had a read at their site and am quite impressed.  The Spectra AFT catches my eye for some reason.  Sounds like the Puls-R is seriously wicked.  They are definitely different then most companies in their approach and that is going to work out for them big time.  I'd be tempted to buy stock in that company.

[Raul]

I 've got the SJR723 ....... sweet !, a hair less stiff than it 's trigger counterpart but all spinning rods are a little bit lighter than their trigger counterparts.

[Jeff H]

Well, it's done now.  My 5 yr old son and I went to Cabela's today and had ourselves a little "spree".  Just enjoyed the place for what it is and did our shopping for a couple hours.

Carson picked himself up a new Pflueger Microspin U (underspin type) spinning reel for his "custom" (short) spinning rod.  Nice quality little reel actually and much better then his current Zebco underspin.  When we got to the checkout counter though he spied some candy bars and I told him he could either have the reel or the candy bar and he said...."candy bar"...LOL.  Only took me a few seconds to convince him otherwise.  Even the guy behind me thought it was funny.

I ended up with the Crucial CRS-60MH(spinning) I went after in the first place, and....a Crucial CRC-X66M(trigger) along with a new Revo SC which will be used for "traps".  I debated between the fast action and X-Fast action and just felt the X-Fast would better handle the 1/2oz traps.

I think I'm going to be really happy with these sticks but there is one thing that bugs me about them.  They are not US made products.  I'll see just how much I like them next weekend.

[Raul]

The IMX is manufactured in the US.

Shimano does not manufacture in the US, it 's not even based in the US, it 's corporative headquarters are in Japan.

[Jeff H]

Yeah, I know....the Shimano rods are made in China I guess.  I like the rods, but I just prefer US made products and in hindsight I should have stuck with that.  I'll get over it though and it won't take long.  Such stuff doesn't bother me while I'm fishing so the heck with it, ya know?  It's good to try something different too.

Don't make me feel bad Raul...LOL ;D

[FishTank]

Based on the rods you have listed I would go for the Loomis IMX.

One other choice you might look at is the St. Croix Avid AS66MHF.  It is a great general purpose rod.

[idiot1]

From my experience out of those particular poles, I've only ever fished with the St. Croix Premier (I did just purchase a 6' IMX yesterday, though). I've had my PS60MF since late August 2001. It was my first St. Croix (very first graphite pole for that matter) and now I have 2 Premiers (that 6' for bass, and a PS5ULM for trout fishing), an Avid AS66MF2 (a 2 piece is a much easier fit in the back of a Jeep while off-road), and as of yesterday, my 6' IMX. As of right now, my Avid is my favorite pole by far, but I'd imagine that the IMX will take that spot very soon.

While I haven't fished all of the poles you were looking at, I do happen to work at a small fishing and tackle store, so I get to have my hands on plenty of rods on any given day. As for the poles you were looking at: The Premier is a nice pole, but there is better out there. If you're looking in the IMX price range, I wouldn't bother looking at the Premier. You can't really go wrong with the Shimano Crucial, and of course the IMX series is great.

By the way, I wouldn't worry too much about your Shimano being made by a Japanese company, instead of a Loomis made here in the USA. The money paid for the Loomis would eventually have made its way up to Shimano's money stockpile anyway.

[TournyFish001]

just out of curiousity why only a 6' in a MH action?

[lubina]

The SJR723 is way above the other 2 you've mentioned.

[Jeff H]

just out of curiousity why only a 6' in a MH action?

I like how they feel.  Just use to them I guess.  

[Jeff H]

The SJR723 is way above the other 2 you've mentioned.

The Loomis IS way above the Premier, but it isn't way above this Crucial in my opinion, except in cost.  I am totally stunned at the value in this rod.  For the $120 I paid for it it feels and fishes as good as anything I've ever used, including Loomis.  True value is only revealed over time though, so before I get all to uppity about these Shimano Crucial rods I have to let time deal it's hand.  I have absolutely no regrets in my purchase choice where performance is concerned.  I REALLY like these rods.