All Star Platinum vs. Shimano Crucial

[Captain Obvious]

I've final decided to pull the trigger on a high quality rod. I've got it down to these two rods, I'll be using it for an all around rod and it will be paired with a Pflueger Trion.

Which one ??????????

[cart7t]

I'm partial to the Platinum though I've never fished with a Crucial.  The All Star is a quality rod with great sensitivity and is tough.  

[dodgeguy]

you can't put a pflueger reel on a shimano rod.totally incompatible.the rod will melt at the reel seat.it has to be put on a allstar to take the heat.

[South FLA]

I have a Platinum flipping rod and like it, but I also like the Crucials. I would go with the one that has the better warranty.  I have never dealt with a return on an All Star, but I can tell you Shimano's warranty department is GREAT!

[Micro]

I'd take the All Star.  I've fished one of the older Titaniums and I understand they are substantially the same as the Platinum.  It was an incredibly sensitive rod.  Top-notch components and great craftsmanship.  Given how my All Stars have held up, the five year warranty is more than enough.

[Captain Obvious]

Wow I'm shocked, 4 votes for the All Star, where are the Shimano lovers?  ;D

Sounds good guys keep it coming.

[Jeff H]

Crucial fan here.  Buy with confidence, fish hard, enjoy.  d**n good rod for the money.  Don't know squat about the Platinum but it sounds good too.

I would like to check out the Platinum as I'm looking for another spinning finesse but in order for me to choose one over a Crucial it would have to be cheaper.  How do they compare in price?

[burleytog]

Buy them both, sell the one you don't like.

[Cigarlover 1]

Interesting thread for me personally. I've got a MH All Star Platinum that I've been using for worm fishing. Recently I've been thinking about switching to another brand or action. The rod is very sensitive and I love that aspect but it seems to me like the rod is very stiff for it's rating.

Can some All-Star fans comment on how true the ratings of these rods are?

[Micro]

Interesting thread for me personally. I've got a MH All Star Platinum that I've been using for worm fishing. Recently I've been thinking about switching to another brand or action. The rod is very sensitive and I love that aspect but it seems to me like the rod is very stiff for it's rating.

Can some All-Star fans comment on how true the ratings of these rods are?

They seem stiff to me, too, compared to other brands.  

[cart7t]

http://www.allstarrods.com/as_actiontaper.html

[Captain Obvious]

Jeff H the All Stars are cheaper.

What do mean by "stiff" ?

And would it be something to worry about?

[Jeff H]

The Platinum 6'6" M/XF might just be exactly what I want.  Checked Cabela's for price...on sale for $129.95 right now.  Not too bad!!

[Muddy]

I have that same combo Platnium/Trion>>> It rocks!!!!!!!!

[Muddy]

Wow I'm shocked, 4 votes for the All Star, where are the Shimano lovers? ;D

Sounds good guys keep it coming.

They are fishing or asleep. I am sure they will answer ,in force and let all of us non She Man O users know how inferior we are for fishing other products.

[Muddy]

Interesting thread for me personally. I've got a MH All Star Platinum that I've been using for worm fishing. Recently I've been thinking about switching to another brand or action. The rod is very sensitive and I love that aspect but it seems to me like the rod is very stiff for it's rating.

Can some All-Star fans comment on how true the ratings of these rods are?

They seem stiff to me, too, compared to other brands.

I have a Platnium and an IM-10 Spinning rod , they seem to have " Siffer action" than my Cabelas Fish Eagle II's and Fenwicks. They are also "Stouter" in the area closest to the handle, which seems to account for that. I would ask Flechero, he turned me on to All Stars and he uses their blanks.

[cart7t]

I have the following in the Titanium or Platinum series.  The only difference between the two was the Platinums went back to fuji guides to reduce costs vs. the titanium guides.  

AST786 - 6'6" Mhvy fast

AST845 - 7' Med Ex fast

P785 - 6'6" Med Ex fast

P846 - 7' Mhvy Fast

If you wanted an all around rod I'd choose the Med Exfast models. The 6'6" model has a slightly shorter handle than the 7' model. You could throw a lot of different baits with that rod including larger soft plastics.

I believe the difference in action between the all Stars and others results from their bonding process during construction.

For a high modulus graphite rod, the platinums are tough. I finally broke my first one on the road trip on a hook set but it was only because I had stepped on the rod earlier in the day and must have lightly fractured it. Otherwise these rods really hold up better than most high mod rods and you don't hear many complaints about the Titaniums or Platinums breaking under normal fishing conditions.

[Micro]

"Stiffer" to means compared to the other brand I use. For instance, I have a TAS IM10 6'6" MH/F and a Fenwick HMG 6'6" MH/F. The TAS is stiffer. I would use my TAS for heavier t-rigged baits and my Fenwick for light t-rigged baits.

To me, All Star's ratings are accurate within that brand. But what All Star calls something may be something different in another brand. I think its like that with most companies.