allenriddle

I use a G. Loomis IMX MBR782 for this application. It's also phenomenal for suspended jerkbaits. I like the 6'6 length for walking baits, but I think the medium action is the must.

X3 for James A. Reed. That time of the year, I'm not sure how catchable they will be, but that is where I did most of my bank fishing growing up, and they've got big ones. Lake Jacomo doesn't have very good shore fishing, about the only place I caught fish there is in sailboat cove, and you're not allowed to fish on the dock (one guy acted like he was going to kill me). I've had my best luck at Catclaw lake, but I never fished there in March.

Personally, I went with with a 6 1/2 ft rod for jerkbaits so I wouldn't be splashing the water constantly. I'm 6'2 and it seem sot be the perfect length. I can't say I've thrown buzzbaits or jerkbaits on my 783, but I feel that the 782 would be better since the tip is a bit softer and the fish would better be able to engulf a treble hook type bait.

I bought my 782 for that exact application and it excels. Just make sure to follow the recommended weights that the 782 allows. If you're wanting to throw smaller jerkbaits, it doesn't cast as well, and a spinning rod is probably the way to go. The 783 is my favorite rod I have (until I finally buy the 844), but that's because I fish jigs and soft plastics quite a bit. I also use the 782 to for small to medium crank baits and rattle traps. I caught a 6 lber last year using the 782 with a small jig, and it handled her just fine.

I have both rods as well. I bought my 782 for hard jerkbaits, and it excels. I've also use it to throw walking baits, medium sized crankbaits, and rattle traps and it seems to do well, but I have nothing to compare it too. Both rods have soft tips, but I think the 782 tip would be softer and better suited for treble hook baits where the fish needs time to engulf. The 783 is an awesome rod for medium weighted worms and jigs.

I use the BPS Extreme as well based off the Tackle Tour tests. I can tell you it is awesome, but I have nothing to compare it to because I just started using fluorocarbon too. But it is awesome compared to the mono I was using. I spent a lot of time researching knots, and can testify that the San Diego Jam works really well for tying to your hook. Just make sure any knot you use looks pretty and wet it well so it doesn't burn the line.

I purchased the IMX MBR782 for that exact application, and it excels. I Highly recommend it.

Put some KVD Line Conditioner on the line to tame it. That stuff is wicked sweet.

If you've been tying it for 25 years with no problem, I'd guess it's just a bad spool of line. For the sake of spreading information for others on the web to read, I'll say that literally just this weekend, I fished a new knot with fluorocarbon line, which fluorocarbon is infamous for breaking at the knot. The knot was called a San Diego jam knot, and I am sold. It supposedly can handle 95% of the lines strength. I pulled a good amount of fish out of through some very thick stuff with a strong current and had no breaks. I think the most important thing to note when tying your knots is to wet the line when you cinch it so the line doesn't burn, that seems to be the culprit for most breaks. But if you've stuck with a knot for 25 years and have a lot of confidence in it, stay with it and try a different spool of line.

Thanks all, I will go with the 844. I'll be getting the IMX. IMX on up is the only way to go.

Hello, I've been wanting to get a 7' pole for a while. Based on what I've read by a lot of people on here, the Loomis 844c sounds dynamite. I want to use it for pitching into medium cover, worming (7 to 10 inch worms), other soft plastics, and jigs. I live in Missouri, so most of the fishing I do doesn't have a ton of cover, but does have a decent amount of bushes and willows. I'm wandering if the 844c's heavy rating would be too much for most of my fishing. Would the 843c be a better choice? Or should I go ahead and get the all mighty 844c? Thanks.

I think rods might be more important for "catching" bass, but reels make the "fishing" more enjoyable. On average, my reels account for 2/3 - 3/4 of the total cost of a rig. 8-) I will agree with that.

I know your question is about what reel to get, and the rod may be secondary. I'm just throwing this out there, but if you are on a budget, I'd recommend on placing your priority on the rod first, then a reel second. I think most people are happier having a high quality rod.

I have used Stren original for a long time, the only reason I am wanting to take a look at other lines is because you only know if better is out there by experimenting. To make this short as possible, I have a couple questions. Can Yo-Zuri ultrasoft handle flipping or pitching well, and how does it do in heavy cover? Does the ultrasoft excel in all applications (spinnerbaits, worming, jerkbaits, etc)? My last quesion is about the visibility. If you are line watching, is it plenty visible (I can see the Stren original very clearly)? Thanks.

My opinion is that if you are in the market to buy yourself a nice setup, I think the rod is the most important part of the setup. So, it sounds like you are around the $250 range for the total setup. Like ReelMechanic said, you'll have to find a good balanced setup that feels great in your hands. Instead of getting a $150 reel with a $100 rod, I'd flip it around and get a $150 rod with a $100 reel. You could get yourself a St. Croix Avid for around that price point. I personally don't have one and I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on St. Croix rods, but the Avid series is talked about highly on this forum. If Avid owners agree with me on this, they could provide you with a good model number for fishing jigs and plastics like you had stated you do.

Sweet, I get to be the first person to recommend the Loomis MBR844C. It is out of that price point, but if you can afford to put some more money in it, I think you'd be extatic with it. I personally don't have one yet (I got the MBR783C), but I think it is going to be my next rod. I've tried it out, and it was awesome. Now, since I don't want to be worthless and recommend a rod that is out of your price point, I'd check out CastAway rods. I tried one of these, and was very impressed for the price it was.

I use my Loomis IMX MBR783 paired with a Curado 100D. Just had it serviced by Reel Mechanic, and it feels even better. I tell you what, I hope everybody on here puts as much in retirement savings as they do in fishing equipment. If so, we're all going to retire young, and we'll be fishing till we're dead!

RoadWarrior, your posts single handedly have me 2 seconds away from buying a MBR844C. A question though, I look at what the rod is weighted for, and from what I read, I'd think it'd be too much to handle senkos and other weightless plastics. Does it really handle these well? I was actually looking into getting either the SJR722S or SJR783S for such applications. What do you think? Is the 844C good for weightless lures?

I'd go with the MBR783C based on your description. The MBR844C gets raved about like crazy, I plan on getting one this year myself. But my first Loomis was the MBR783 and I bought it for exactly what you are talking about. If you check it out on Loomis's site, you will see that it is rated EXACTLY for what you listed. It is medium powered, and fast action. It is rated for 1/4 to 3/4oz lures. I throw worms and jigs a lot, and this rod is perfect for all around fishing. If you fish a lot of heavy cover, I'd go with the 844C.

I too have the IMX. I bought it for hard jerkbaits, which it rocks out on. I'll use it for light soft plastics like brush hogs. It's an awesome rod.

Last year, I bought my first rod for hard jerkbaits. I went with a Loomis IMX MBR782c. It is a 6'6 medium powered, fast action rod. I've been very happy with it. The CR722 is also comparable. I can only give you information about what I have used. As far as the soft jerkbait rod, I'd agree with RoadWarrior, in that a spinning setup is the way to go. Good luck.

They don't really get talked about much on this forum, but I think Castaway Rods are great for the price. http://www.castawayrods.com

Check out what Branuss04 mentioned. The model is called Curado 100 DSV, I believe it's new in 07 and the only difference is the deep spool. I'm about to pick one up myself to put on my next rig. The Calcutta is my favorite baitcaster other than than the high quality low profile Shimano's. Once you're in that price point, anything by Shimano is gonna be solid, it's just personal preference from that point. So if you say the Curado feels great, then go for it. I've got a Curado on my spinner bait rod and have never had a problem running out of line. Enjoy your purchase.

The 844 is more of a deep water rod and has more backbone than the 783 since it is a heavy powered rod ( the 783 is medium heavy). It's rated to be able to throw heavier weighted baits, so I view it more of a big bassin rod. I don't know if it would necessarily be better to have the 783, the main thing is it's not gonna be as powerful as the 844. So personally, I always would rather not be over powered when catching fish, it makes it funner. But both are killer rods that you'd be happy with. Also, I don't own an 844, I'm just basing everything off what I've read. Maybe you could find a retailer that carries Loomis's and you could check them both out.

RoadWarrior's suggestion for the IMX MBR844C is dead on (as most of his advice is). That is one rod that a lot of people digg. The only thing I'd add is if you do not fish in heavy cover or deep waters, you may want to check out the IMX MBR783C. Honestly, last year I was in the same boat you are in now. I did a lot of research and went with the MBR783C paired up with a Curado 100D, and it's been an awesome setup. I know a lot of the guys who fished the old Curado's don't care as much for the new ones, but I think anything by Shimano in that price range is quality. There is no doubt that in the fishing gear world you get what you pay for.