St. Croix Avid or Shimano Cumara?

[plymouthrockbass]

I can't decide between the two...im looking to get a new spinning and casting rod for bass fishing this year and i cant decide between either the cumara or the avid. Ive fished st. croix rods before and like them but ive read so many good things about the cumara that its making me want to try them out. I fish shimano reels and have never had a problem. for the spinning rod id be looking into the 6-8MXF paired with a CI4 2500, and for casting i was looking into the cumara reaction 6-9MHF paired with a curado. anyone have any opinions on either of these rods and would i be better off with either the cumara or the avid? thanks!

[DpDvr]

I can't tell you anything about the Cumara, but I fish Senko's with the Avid 6'8" mxf paired with a Saros and I love it. A good tip with plenty of backbone. Good luck trying to decide.

[plymouthrockbass]

ya thats the exact avid i was lookin into getting for a spinning rod also. I fish mostly senkos and t-rigs. Im headin up to basspro today hoping they'll have a few cumaras there so i can compare them to the avids. Idk how im going to decide i swear one day ill be thinking avid and the next day ill be on the cumara :-/

[DpDvr]

It is possible that you would be pleased with either one. I guess now it's up to whichever one feels best in your hands. Take the reel you would be using and put it on each one and see how they feel to you and go from there.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Lots of people here like Avids.  Lots like Cumaras.  Both of them are very good rods.  You need to get your hands on each of them and see how they feel in your hands.

Personally, I'd go for the Cumara if I was buying a new rod.  I just don't like the handle on the Avid.  Wasn't comfortable to me.

[northern basser]

I've fished with both and would probably give the edge to the Cumara.  They are both great rods though.

[RussBert]

I like my Avid's and LTB's. They are also made in the US. I like that even more

[Bluebasser86]

The Cumara is lighter and my experience with Shimano rods if you break one they'll take it back at any Shimano dealer in exchange for the same rod. I prefer St. Croix though, made in the USA hits a spot with me too.

[BASSclary]

Right now i'm trying to decide on a Crucial or Avid to buy with my christmas cash.

[plymouthrockbass]

so after the trip to bass pro shops ive made one decision. im definitely getting a Stradic CI4 to go on the spinning rod. Still havent come to a complete conclusion on the rod. I guess im leaning towards the Cumara. Both were very light and fit the reel very well. I was surprised when i found myself liking the grip on the cumara more than the avid. I usually always go for the cork grips but the cumara's grip felt good. And the CI4 just pairs up alot better with the cumara looks wise. I know that shouldn't matter but when theres not much separating the two rods looks can play a part. The clerk at BPS turned me on to another rod that i had read about a little over the past few months. The new TFO G. Loomis rod. I was VERY impressed with this rod especially for the 100$ price tag. It was very light, great tip sensitivity, great backbone, and a good looking rod as well. I will definitely have my eye on those in the future, maybe as a backup rod or a light setup for trout and panfish.

[J Francho]

I have a CI4 and an Avid AVS63MLXF. Caught the fish in my avatar with it. Great setup, can't go wrong with it.

[Shane J]

Both are fantastic rods. I have both, and I can't really decide which one fishes better, but I think my favorite is the Cumara. Either way, you'll be happy.

[0119]

I have a CI4 on a 7'2" Cumara. It is perfectly matched but one issue with the rod just drives me crazy, the hook hanger.  A tiny hole in the rear grip, it might be fine for a single hook rig but with a treble hooked lure it allows the lure to scratch up the reels foot/stem let alone the eva grip itself. Granted the cumara is a technique specific rod, but I dont use it that way.

[Iowa Matt]

I have several of each (Avids and Cumaras) and think they are both excellent.  I like the fact that the Avids are made in America instead of China, but the Cumaras fish sooooo nice that its easy to overlook it.  I think the choice for me (if I had to choose one of the other) would come down to whether I preferred a traditional cork grip or a split foam grip.  Its not trivial, most folks come to prefer one or the other.  Also, I seem to be the only person that really likes the Cumara hook holder.  I am a huge fan of the Avid, but IMHO the CI4 is a little light to really balance them well, but feels amazing on a Cumara (I have one on a 6' 8" ML Cumara).  I really like the regular Stradics and Sustains on Avids.

Matt

p.s. the best part is you can't go wrong with either!

[philsoreel]

I have a CI4 on a 7'2" Cumara. It is perfectly matched but one issue with the rod just drives me crazy, the hook hanger. A tiny hole in the rear grip, it might be fine for a single hook rig but with a treble hooked lure it allows the lure to scratch up the reels foot/stem let alone the eva grip itself. Granted the cumara is a technique specific rod, but I dont use it that way.

I have the same setup (CUS-DX72M) but mine has a wire keeper about an inch above the butt pad. The same keeper that's on the Cumara Reaction series rods. My regular Cumara's have the same style keeper just in the grip instead of the butt. It works fine for me because all I use them for are T-rig worms and jigs. I'd hate to have to hang a treble in it.

[Hooligan]

In regards to the Cumara, I've found that the only real drawback is that the dropshot rod, really is just that.  It's a one trick pony, not the greatest rod for working any other rigs or baits.  It's "OK" for running light split shot rig, but it isn't good for much else. 

If you're after the 7'2" for a Senko rod, the CUS72M is an alright rod for it, but I prefer the CUS68m.  It just has a better feel, and seems to have a touch more power.

The Avid 6'8" Med X-fast is more comfortable for me throwing Senkos and other light Trigs.  It has enough in the blank from start to finish to manage slightly larger baits without an issue.  A 5" Senko doesn't feel like you're overpowering the rod. 

I have several Cumaras and they rank high on my list for quality and sensitivity; it's my favorite rod series outside of my GLX.  The Avid, however, ranks higher for the purpose indicated here in my opinion.

[GLoomis711]

Cumara FTW.

[mike bat]

bolth are great sticks ... witch one feels better to you is the question ,,, we cant answer that for you ....

[Big Al23]

You need to like the style of the Cumara to really like the rod. I do see a lot of Cumaras for sale and very rare to see an Avid on a for sale forum. There is a reason for it.I would say more people are happy with their Avids.

[islandbass]

There is only one answer to your question... Get both of them. That's the bait monkey's answer and he won't waffle on his final decision....

[rayrock99]

I have both, the Cumara all the way!