Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH Review

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I finally got around to replacing my old, worn out texas rig and jig rod. After doing a little searching around, I narrowed my choices down between this rod, and an Avid of equal specs. After handling each for a little while, I ended up choosing the Crucial. It just felt better in my hands with the reel on it than the Avid.  I've been using it for about a month now and after a few PM's with Catt, I can definitely agree that this rod is very well worth the money.

This rod has a real extra fast tip on it, and oodles of backbone. Enough that I've actually broken a few hooks on jigs. Thats never happened to me before. It's got just ridiculous sensitivity as well. While I was fishing in the rain yesterday, I found myself trying to set the hook on raindrops hitting the line and rod as often as I was when fish were hitting my jig. You can literally feel the rod twitch when any slack is removed from the line. I generally don't one hand cast my rods, but roll casting this rod with one hand is an absolutely breeze. The balance point is just above the reel seat. Very comfortable in the hands. Couldn't be happier with it.  Now I just need to get a Curado to mate up with it.

Guides are Fuji Alconites (10 including the top). Exposed blank Fuji reel seat. The cork is very comfortable to handle as well. My only complaint is the hook keeper design. Shimano really needs to move to an open ended hook keeper one of these days. Easy enough to solve that problem with a Fuji EZ Keeper though.

Quick Pictures:

[islandbass]

I have the same rod and it is mated to either a Curado 101d and it is sweeeeeet. It would probably just as awesome with an E7 on top.

Congrats and welcome to Club Crucial.

Here's a little story on its sensitivity for me. Picture yourself fishing in the dead of winter, hands beyond frozen and numb even with mitts on, fishing 55' of water. Your fingers are so cold that you can't even bring them together to grab the handle knob to retrieve line. But I felt the subtle take of a smallie down that deep.  'nuff said. 8-)

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Well, this is my fourth one from the line.  I'm very happy with all of them.  I really need to get my hands on one of the heavy flippin sticks to dedicate to frogging.

[TJHfishin]

Really guys i have a 7ftmh fast or ex fast i dont remmeber and i think its sensitivity is terrible for the price i paid

[saint romain]

What a coincidence. I just went to Academy and got one on sale for $99.99, isn't retail about $149.99? I usually go to a local rod n' reel repair shop in town, but I made the trip for a new rod holder and I was pretty happy I did. Great rod, from the one trip I've taken it on so far, caught a few and had fun.

[Quillback]

$99.99 is a steal!

[islandbass]

Really guys i have a 7ftmh fast or ex fast i dont remmeber and i think its sensitivity is terrible for the price i paid

Well, if you have to know, I got mine for $59.00. Besides, sensitivity is subjective. Even an ugly stick in my hands is sufficient for me to feel the take of a 6" bass taking a 5" senko, sight unseen for me. 

[Billme]

Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH - my favorite rod especially paired with a Revo STX. It is my worm and creature pitching setup.

Unfortunately it suddenly snapped yesterday, I was stunned because there was nothing extreme about the bend in the rod. I'm trying to ignore the fact it was Friday the 13th.

Now I get to find out how well the warranty works. Wish me luck!

[Gale1980]

i snapped my x610mh thursday. i set the hook in to a 21" football and heard a popping noise. i did still get him in the boat though ! went to my tackle shop and they  switched me out no questions asked (2nd time). first time was user error lol......... d**n sunroof! i use it for texas rigging exclusively. i have used a few nice rods for worming and this definitely takes the cake. i also have the 7'6" heavy flipping stick for froggin and it is a beast for frogs. it has the backbone to pull a whale out of thick cover lol! best frog rod i have used to date. it was a no brainer as the 2 previous frog rods i had wore out and gave up the good fight.....

[Dockhead]

Well, if you have to know, I got mine for $59.00. Besides, sensitivity is subjective. Even an ugly stick in my hands is sufficient for me to feel the take of a 6" bass taking a 5" senko, sight unseen for me.

Who do you have to know to get that deal??!! 

[kikstand454]

i have the CRCX76MH  that i use with a quantum TE for carolina rigs and deep jigging. it is awesome. i really enjoy split grips and this is one of only a few they offer. wish they had a few more models with the split grip design. i cant afford a cumara. *SIGH*.

if i could get a crucial for 59 bucks id sell every rod i have and get 12 crucials!!!! lol.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I'd go out and buy a bunch more if I found them at 59 bucks.  Instantly.

[BASSclary]

How do those crucials compare to say a BPS Carbonlite?, I know you used to own a few before the hook keeper rusted.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I am much happier with them.  The Carbonlite was a nice rod, don't get me wrong.  The Crucials definitely are a better rod though.  They are a little more sensitive.  I'm not positive on the weight, but my 6'10" crucial is roughly the same weight as the 6'9" Carbonlite.  I do miss the eva foam though.  The Crucial also feels like it's much more of a solid rod.  I felt like I would break the Carbonlite if I really set hard into it.  For 100 bucks though, they're a pretty good rod.

[BASSclary]

I've been eyeing them at BPS but just couldn't pull the trigger. Next time i definately will 8-)

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I think you'll be happy with them.  Good line of rods.  You may want to check out the Falcon Bucoo as well.  The only reason I didn't buy one is because it didn't feel as comfortable in my hands.  The same went for the Avid.  Just do some shopping around when you're there and find something you like.  That being said, I wouldn't change what I bought for either of those now.  Was worth the money.

[BASSclary]

I own a Bucoo and like it, so i'm think about that crucial with a curado 50E on it  ;D :

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Those 50E's have been staring me in the face.  I've got one 200 and I love it.  Debating on if I want to get rid of my PQ's and move them up to Citicas or just go straight to the Curados.

[BASSclary]

Those 50E's have been staring me in the face. I've got one 200 and I love it. Debating on if I want to get rid of my PQ's and move them up to Citicas or just go straight to the Curados.

x2, I'm going to slowly transition my PQ's to Curados. Except them Curados are getting a paint job I just cant stand the green they chose! I think i'm going to keep my Carbonlite reel though, because i'm oddly attached to it

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Those green Curado's look fantastic with the green finish on the Crucials.

[BASSclary]

Oh I forgot that they had green accents on the rod!  ;D I just think about all the other rods that aren't green that just kinda look funny

[Gale1980]

wow, the curado paint it sweet changes from green to brown to blue in the sun! i love the looks of it..

[islandbass]

Well, if you have to know, I got mine for $59.00. Besides, sensitivity is subjective. Even an ugly stick in my hands is sufficient for me to feel the take of a 6" bass taking a 5" senko, sight unseen for me.

Who do you have to know to get that deal??!!

This was a few years back. I was looking in the Shimano section and eyeing the crucials and was surprised to see the $59.00.  So I brought it to the manager's attention that these crucials had a clarus priced. Surprised himself, he looked into this and later learned that the price was indeed correct. This rod and a couple others, the same model were on a display at a show and this was the reason for the price.  I snatched it up, thinking I had a major steal of a deal which I definitely did. But I didn't think ahead fast enough.  I could have purchased the other 2 and still made a sizeable profit on them, even if I sold them for $100 a piece. Doh!!!!!! At this time, crucials were still $129.00. The other two or so rods were gone by my next trip to the shop. :-[

[Catt]

I replaced a broken G. Loomis with a CRC-X610MH & haven't felt like I down graded any