Need to upgrade...need help

[Arty]

First off, this is a great forum.  Kudos to the many contributors.

Ok, here's my situation: I want to upgrade my rods this winter.  I'm looking for 3 rods; 1 spinning, 2 casting.  I've narrowed down my choices to the following after much research:

Spinning:

AVS68MXF

AVS70MF

Casting (this is where the issue is):

CBR787C

MBR783C          

AVCMHF

MBR844C

MBR845C          

MBC70HF (Mojo Bass rod)

I Currently have a 6' Allstar casting rod, and 6'6 St. Croix spinning rod that I use primarily.  I'm just getting started, and I want to buy the best that I can afford.  I'm looking to build a well rounded arsenal, without having to buy a specific rod for every technique (can't afford it).  Any help you can give the newbie would be greatly appreciated ;D

[roadwarrior]

Spinning:

AVS68MXF

AVS70MF

Both are great, but you don't need to replace your AVS66MF with these.

Casting (this is where the issue is):

CBR787C

MBR783C      

AVCMHF

AVC66MF is a better choice for an "all around" treble hook rod.

I use mine for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, too.

MBR844C

MBR845C      

MBC70HF (Mojo Bass rod)

If I only had one rod, it would be the IMX or GLX MBR844C.

Although this is my dedicated jig rod, it is capable of doing

anything you want with with medium-medium heavy lures.

8-)

[Arty]

Thank RW.  Actually, I have a Triumph 6'6, so I think the Avid would be substantial upgrade?  I should have put that in before.  Basically I'm looking for MH, and H rod that I can throw a bunch of lures with.  I haven't really found my niche, but I'm looking forward to trying!  Thanks again.  Oh, and what about the GL3?  Is the IMX that much better?

[roadwarrior]

G. Loomis built their reputation with the IMX. Start there or buy

another brand. I am very happy with my St. Croix Avids

and Legend Elite.

8-)

[Raul]

If I were to purchase 3 rods after testing many rods for many years these would be the one I surely purchase:

Spinning:

SJR782 IMX

Casting:

MBR783C IMX

MBR784C IMX

IMHO the IMX is the best bang for the buck.

[Arty]

Well, I think I'd only really be able to afford 1 IMX rod.  Would you make it the spinning rod, or the casting rod?

[Raul]

Well, I think I'd only really be able to afford 1 IMX rod. Would you make it the spinning rod, or the casting rod?

No one but you can answer the question because it depends a lot on where you fish and what you fish the most, to me it would be difficult to decide because I fish two completely different types of lakes ( one ultraclear, extra deep and with very little cover vs a relatively clear, shallow and very densely packed with woody cover ) pretty much the same ammount of times, one week I go to one, the other week I go to the other.

I think that the first rod I would purchase will be the MBR783C.

[bigfruits]

Well, I think I'd only really be able to afford 1 IMX rod. Would you make it the spinning rod, or the casting rod?

which ever you use to fish soft plastics and jigs. you want this rod to be as sensitive as possible.

my advice would be to buy one IMX and save up for the other rods so you wont have to upgrade later.

that being said, i love my avids.

[Arty]

I'm trying to decide whether to go with an IMX spinning rod, and an Avid "all-around" casting rod, or to go with an Avid spinning rod, or an IMX "all-around" casting rod.  I guess one question I have is, can the "all-around" casting rod throw medium cranks well too?  I know both the Avid, and Loomis have specific crank rods, but I don't know if they're really good for anything but cranking?  I fish rivers, lakes, ponds...all sorts of stuff.

[roadwarrior]

As Raul already noted, the IMX series is the choice

for jigs and soft plastics. The Avid is an excellent

choice for an "all around" treble hook rod and can

handle all medium weight lures.

Specific recommendations:

IMX MBR844C

Avid AVC66MF

(Spinning) IMX SJR783S or SJR843S if you want G. Loomis

Otherwise, Avid AVS68MXF or AVS70MF

8-)

[Raul]

For my entire life I 've only owned 1 specialized rod, a Kistler Mag TS crankbait series, bought it a couple of years ago, fished with it a few times, liked very much how it fished crankbaits but finally sold it.

What I mean by this is that all other rods I 've owned are fast action rods but with different power ratings depending upon cover ( density and type ) and structural features; I fish cranks mostly with ML-M rods but if cover demands me fishing with heavier line I may fish with MH or H, finesse fish with ML-M rods, worm/jig with M/MH/H, flip and pitch with M/MH/H, spinnerbaits with M/MH/H.

That 's how it has worked for me for over 20 years, saying you fish lakes, rivers and ponds says nothing, I fish lakes and ponds too, it 's what 's in them ( cover and structural features ) that makes me decide which rod power I have to take with me, that 's why I told you, the only person that can answer the qustion about which one is you.

In practical terms any rod can cast almost anything as long as it weights as much as the power rating of the rod can handle.

You asked about which ones, as I said, if I were to purchase 3 rods based on my experience those are the ones I would purchase. Not saying that Avids are bad, they are great rods, but knowing what I know now and after trying with many rod brands I would jump on the IMXs without thinking it too much.

[Arty]

Wow, this is exactly the type of advice I was looking for ;D  I really appreciate everyone's input.  It seems I really can't go wrong either way.  Thanks again!