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Are Zooms the same as the WEC cranks?

Speaking of the Light and Tough, can anyone give any opinions on the regular L&T rods (not the frog rod)?

Thanks for clarifying. I agree. I had been believing you thought it resided only in the mirror.

Isn't it obvious? Maybe not, let me explain. You are a self proclaimed buyer and seller of tackle, presumably of higher end tackle. I've garnered this by reading your previous posts. I may be wrong, but feel I'm on the right track. Perhaps you are even a professional fisherman, earner of high accolades in the field, and with many trophies on your wall. And clearly, as a buyer and seller, and whatever else it is you are, you consider yourself the ultimate authority in the matters you choose to discuss here. All the while ignoring the fact that someone else may have gathered some experience, in a particularly narrow field, along the way. As for me, I've obviously not risen to your level. I am merely a neophyte scarcely worthy of your time, and unworthy of any sort of civility. Nevertheless, the Achilles' heel of your position is the very fact I've mentioned before. You've ignored the fact that one can gain experience through time, if only in that narow field. Oh, I'd never claim to have the breadth of knowledge you possess, but a little experience, yes. Ignoring this is like forgetting the old hunter's axiom, "Beware the man with one gun. He probably knows how to use it." Discussions like this aren't new to me. I deal with lawyers most days. Most of whom are brazenly secure in whatever knowledge they possess, while dismissing anyone else that dares to discuss something on their level. Like the lawyer who, when confronted with someone who can speak to their level, proclaims, "I went to law school at Villanova!" Well, sir, all that tells me is that any dummy can get into law school. Thank you.

Now that you've mentioned it, an exceptionally keen sensitivity and high-powered perception, not to mention an obviously high regard for one's self, must be the difference. Experience must just have numbed me to subtle nuances.

That's precisely what I like about my "pitching" rod. The action is XF, but the tip is a wee bit soft. There is a distinct difference between my H/XF flipping rod and my H/XF pitching rod, and that's it. The flipping rod is like an oak table leg all the way to the tip.

I use a 7' H/XF. You didn't want a brand, but I'm gonna tell you anyways. I use an All Star American Classic ACPS2, rated for 3/8oz to 2oz baits. It's called a "pitching" rod but serves as my frog rod and is exceptional in that role.

I've cast Jackall Cherry Zero Footers with both and the difference is, again, negligible. Perhaps people are maintaining them differently.

I throw weightless senkos (4") on my SX with no issues at all. The difference in casting light baits between the STX and the SX are so negligible that in practical situations no one would probably know the difference.

First of all, the Revos are exceptional reels. They are smooth, well built, and cast great. That being said, I think I'm going to like my Daiwa Fuegos and Daiwa Zillions a little better. Here are some thoughts (in random order) off the top of my head. Compared to the Zillion: My Revos will cast baits very well down to 1/4 oz. In fact, my Revos will outcast my Zillions with 1/4 oz baits. They are about even with heavier baits. The Revos have the best drag out there in an LP. The Zillions are smoother. The Revos are smooth, but you have to try a Zillion to appreciate it. I know the Revo is powerful. I believe the Zillion is just as powerful. The Zillion looks more refined. It has a nicer finish, and the hardware (handle, drag star, etc) seems to be machined more nicely. Weight-wise, there is virtually no difference. I like the brake on both reels. Despite a couple of people here who strongly prefer other brands, people that have been using Revos since they came out know the Linear Magnetic Brake works well and is actually very refined. The Mag-Z brake on the Zillions is likewise very refined. Compared to the Fuego: Pretty much the same as with the Zillion. Except I have no problems casting 1/4oz'ers with my Fuegos. They will cast with the Revos. The reels looks very refined. It doesn't feel as smooth as the Zillion, but still a little smoother than the Revo. The Fuego looks great. It's light weight makes it very comfortable. I just bought the Fuegos and Zillions a few months ago. I haven't fished them to any extent, but I have been casting them and comparing them to the Revos. So far, I'm liking them a bit better. I'll be buying more Daiwas. I may buy a Sol for finesse fishing and a Zillion 4.9:1 cranking reel in a few weeks. I had 10 Revos up until a few months ago. I sold my Winch and sold two Revo SCs. I still have 3 STXs, 2 SXs and 2 Ss. I like these reels very much and will hang on to them. High end Daiwas stack up the Revos very well. I think they are more refined. But they also cost more. The Fuego and the Zillions retail for $49 and $69 more, respectively, than the STX. That extra money gets you a slightly smoother reel and one they seems a little better finished inside and out. But that's not to say the Revos aren't excellent. They are.

I can't argue they aren't great baits. They must be. But I don't think I've ever caught anything, ever, in my entire life, on a jitterbug.

The SX and the STX both have clicking cast-control knobs. The STX has a spool that does not have a fixed shaft that goes all the way through the crankside of the reel. When in free-spool, the pinion on the STX pulls away and the spool spins solely on the bearing on the spool and the bearing in the brakeside sideplate. The SX's spool does have the long fixed shaft. It doesn't make a lick of difference to me. The STX and the SX perform virtually equally. Other than this, and obviously the color and other bling, the STX has a TiN coated wormshaft that might give it a bit more durability.

I like 'em both, but the Bandit rocks!

Great! The EXT Pro is a solid reel. And it casts light baits very well. Too bad it was never more popular. It's a sleeper reel.

I like a faster reel, too, even for deep crankbaits. I don't have any problems slowing down a retrieve, and like the versatility of a little extra speed when I need it. As much as I like the Zillion Crazy Cranker 4.9:1 (22" IPT), I think I'm going to go with another Zillion 100HA 6.3:1 (28" IPT) for my deep crank rod.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwaviento.html I don't have one and never fished one. But the reel itself seems very nice. The twitching bar feature seems like a gimmick, though. I don't think it's any kind of serious tool. I'd skip it. If you want a great Daiwa, spend the extra $29 and buy a Fuego. If you want the grandmaster, save a bit more and get the Zillion. It's one of the best reels I've ever touched.

The posts I've seen and the articles I've read suggest the HMG is pretty much the equivalent to the Avid, and the Techna AV the equivalent to the Loomis IMX (with most I've seen saying it's better). Tackle Tour compared the HMG to the Avid in certain respects and found it essentially equivalent. In this respect, the Techna AV represents a better value than the IMX and the HMG a better value than the Avid. And most posts I've read from people that own or have fished both suggest the HMX is a decided step up from the Premier. I have several HMGs and they are outstanding rods. They are light, extremely sensitive, and seem to be rated for for a rather broad range of lure weights. For instance, the GT66M (6'6" light) is rated up to 3/4oz. The GT66M (6'6" medium) is rated up to 7/8oz, and the GT66MH rated up to 1 oz. With respect to sensitivity, I've fished a couple of the aforementioned competitor's rods and see no need whatsoever to spend the extra money on the Avid, unless you just want to or think you need alconite guides. It's a nice rod, but doesn't offer anything performance wise over the HMG. The HMGs on up carry a Lifetime Warranty (below that a 5 year warranty). I broke a HMG and it was as simple as taking the rod back to the retailer and exchanging it. I was informed that the retailer administered the warranty for the first year. I also own a couple of HMXs. They are great rods and great values. Light, sensitive, and ultra tough. I also have an EliteTech Crankstaft rod (7'3" MH/MF). The rod has a great combination of backbone along with a nice delayed action. The bottom half of the rod is graphite, the upper half fiberglass. The guides are all double-footed Fuji Alconite. Very nice. The grip below the reel seat is about 9 1/2 inches, very nice if you like to cast two handed. I also like the bulge at the end of the grip. It gives a very nice sense of control. I really like Fenwicks. After shopping other brands, I'm going to stick with Fenwick until someone comes along with a better rod for the same price. Until then, there is no reason to switch.

Bomber makes excellent baits. I haven't tried the baits you listed, but I've been fishing Bombers since I was a kid. I still do. I wouldn't do it if they hadn't proven to be excellent baits.

We need you to go to Daiwa and Shimano headquarters and tell them Americans want more of the cool stuff only you guys get.

Welcome to the site. I live and fishing in Virginia, too. Always nice to have another Virginian on the site.

Welcome! I live in Virginia, too. I fish some of the James east of Richmond, and the Chickahominy, as well as lakes further east. Virginia is a great place to live and fish!

d**n skippy. Nimrodery run amok.

I used snaps (no swivels) for the first time in a long time yesterday on some cranks I was fishing. It was 31 degrees, water was about 35, and after awhile I could barely feel enough to tie a not. The pickerel didn't seem to mind them.

Actually, it was 5Bass that recommended a good brace for me. Go to Walmart and get yourself a tennis elbow brace. The black one. If you have a big arm, the knee brace is a scaled-up version that works well (that's the one I used). Put it on your forearm about 3 inches down from the elbow, nice and tight to support the muscle. I wore that for a couple of weeks and gave mine a rest and it went away.

He rubbed all the insides on his hair. Oh wait...