Hasta la bye bye Carbonlite, hello Shimano...

[SoFlaBassAddict]

So I decided to ditch my Carbonlites. I really liked the rods, but I was just finally done with looking at the rusted hook keepers. I know eventually they were going to rust down through the threads and probably crack the epoxy that was coating the threads. I really didn't want to deal with that in the future. Took both of them back to BPS earlier today to swap them out. Customer service gave me absolutely no problems whatsoever. I figured what the heck, let me upgrade a little bit while I was there.

Most of my saltwater gear is Shimano, so needless to say I went ahead with a company I'm very comfortable with. Can't beat the warranty either.

Picked up a pair of Crucials:

CRCX76MH - 7'6" MH XFast Casting

CRSDX72M - 7'2" M XFast Spinning (Drop Shot/Shaking)

I realize the casting rod is considered a flipping rod, but I'll primarily be using it for t-rigs and jigs. We'll see how it works out, should be fine though. I need to play around with them some more once the rain goes away. Doesn't seem quite as sensitive as the Carbonlite for worming, that could be because I've only used it for a few minutes though. Need to acclimate to the rod. Overall though, I'm very happy with them so far. Very nice quality rods.

I wanted to grab some Cumara's, but I just couldn't justify spending the extra cash them. Messed around with a Stradic C14 while I was there. That reel is definitely on my Christmas list. Man that thing is light.

[K_Mac]

You've gone over to the dark side. ;D Just kidding Shimano posse.

I haven't had a rust issue with my CL, but have only been using it a couple of months. Based on the opinion of the many folks who use Crucials, I'm sure you made a good choice. 8-)

[SoFlaBassAddict]

You've gone over to the dark side. ;D Just kidding Shimano posse.

I haven't had a rust issue with my CL, but have only been using it a couple of months. Based on the opinion of the many folks who use Crucials, I'm sure you made a good choice. 8-)

Keep an eye on the hook keepers.  I'm generally very careful with my gear, stored inside, etc etc.  I've just seen in the past what rust can do.  I sanded both of them down, rust free, put a rust inhibitor on them, and it still came back.  I could have had some of the first run of rods, maybe they swapped them to stainless afterwards.  Who knows.  It was just something I didn't want to deal with anymore.

[K_Mac]

Will do. I will take mine back at the first sign of rust.

[BASSclary]

Have you tried the Falcon BuCoo's? I picked one up the other day with a carbonlite reel and man it is a Light combo! But i think the rod is very comparable to the carbonlite (never owned a carbonlite rod but have used one ).

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I personally haven't.  I've heard that they're great rods.  The Crucial just felt a little more comfortable in my hand.

[BASSINATORBIGJOE]

Wait a minute Bass Addict. What happened to the Pro Qualifiers?   Mike 8-)

[SoFlaBassAddict]

One of them is now sitting on a Crucial.  Another is on a Daiwa rod, a third is on a Pinnacle rod, the fourth is on a crankin stick.   

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I was bored so I decided to take a picture. Had a PM requesting some. My only complain is the hook keeper design. I would prefer an open ended hook keeper. Add a Fuji easy keeper though, and it's problem solved.  The spinning rod is absolutely wonderful to use.  The flippin stick is a tiny bit tip heavy, nothing bad though.  As I get some more time using them, I really am starting to notice how sensitive they really are.  Pretty good rods for the money.