Bronzefly

The Loomis MBR 844 IMX is a fine choice for sure. I like the BCR series better for jig/worm fishing though. I'd take a look at the Shimano Cumara as well - CUCX72MH - it's a very nice jig and worm rod and can be found under $200 in the flea market sometimes as well. Lifetime over the counter warranty is hard to beat on the Cumara rods too!

Casting rod or spinning rod? The best shakey head rod isn't going to be the best senko rod - especially if you're talking about heavier cover. I use a SHR 822 GLX when I shakeyhead with spinning gear - it's phenomonal. I've tossed the occasional 4" senko around lighter cover, and it's done fine. I use a MBR 783SGLX for larger senkos around docks and heavier cover. It's ideal for this IMHO. It doesn't have a soft enough tip for lighter shakey heads though. The BSR 852GLX is also an ultra-sweet rod. Out of all the spinning rods, I think this one would be the best of both worlds. I use mine as a 1/4oz hair jig rod most often, but have tossed 5" senkos with no problem.

I am personally a fan of the Sustain FE model. It feels more solid, smoother, better built, and yes, heavier than the Ci4 Stradic in my hands. The Stradic Ci4 has the sleek, sexy, light weight thing going - and is an outstanding value at its price point, no doubt it's a fine reel. I am a huge fan of the Stella, and can say without hesitation that the Stradic Ci4 is not even in the same league as the Stella FD seres in my opinion. Nor should it be considering the MSRP difference.

I would check out the Loomis Bronzeback SMR 751S. This is a very fun little rod that will work well for your intended purposes. I use mine as a jerkbait rod and it's done a fantastic job with some bruiser brown and green fish, but has also handled a vareity of panfish.

I'd be more inclined to throw a float n' fly this time of year ;D 39 degree water hasn't produced many good swimbait bites for me unfortunately :'( We'll definitely fish sometime in the near future!

The 903 feels more like a noodle than the 843 for sure. It would make a great rod for trolling bandit crankbaits or something like that, but it has very little backbone. The only downfall of the 906 is the shorter handle length - but the blank is very good for a DT-16 and handles a DD22 pretty well also. The 906 makes an amazing lipless crank rod as well!

Does the term "as rare as than hens teeth" mean anything to you? ;D RW - I'd love to show your pets a big bait sometime! 8-)

I'd look in the Flea Market for a Citica E... they pop up for $100 or less from time to time. They are an outstanding reel at that price point!!

I run 4lb Yozuri Hybrid on my Presso baitcast reel, but like others have said, you'll want to match your line to your entire setup!

Well, I would say no because you are talking about spinning rods. The Calais is a casting reel. There are a number of quality spinning reels available that would be a good match for either rod. Which one depends on your budget.

Shakey heads 1/4 oz and under, no doubt the CUS68M. T-rigs would depend on the weight you plan to use. You are comparing a M rod to a MH rod here. I use the SJR783 GLX as a senko skipping rod most often, but it does a fine job for T-rigged plastics with a 1/4 oz bullet weight. A 1/8 oz T-rig and 6" worm with no larger than a very sharp 3/0 hook, I'd go with the Cumara. Both are fine rods though!

Yes I have. It's very similar to the Loomis SBR 813 - it does a much better job with 1/2 oz spinnerbaits than the 812 or the M action Cumara reaction rod.

Yes. The closest rod to the CUC70MH is the Loomis CBR 845. The Cumara reaction has a similar blank action. This is a super sweet mid-depth cranking stick - DT10, Deep Little N, shallow wide wobblers, etc. The CUC69M is modeled after the Loomis SBR 812 and feels similar in blank action. It makes a fantastic 1/4 to 3/8 oz. spinnerbait rod. Obviously, these rods can be used in a number of different ways, but they were designed with moving bait applications in mind. Hope this helps! 8-)

The Megabass ARMS rods were released in both LH and RH versions. MSRP is about $1329.99

I may be the odd bird out, but I like a sensitive rod for cranking. I like to be able to distinguish a light bite from bumping a rock when possible and find a more sensitve rod helps out here. If you wanted to go with a Loomis - the CBR 845 would be an ideal match for the weights you want to throw - they do show up in the flea market used from time to time around your price range. I would also consider the Shimano Crucial TC4 crankbait rods. The 7' MH TC4 is an outstanding rod for the money and will suit your needs extremely well. It also has a lifetime over the counter exchange warranty! And I DO NOT like glass rods at all!

I've used a few models and actually had my hands on all of them. The CUC711MH is a sweet deep crank stick! The CUCX711MH is an insane 1/2 oz rattlebait rod and does a fine job with buzzfrogs and paddletail swimbaits as well. I've fished a couple other models as well. If there is one in particular you're curious about, let me know and I'll be glad to tell you what I know about them.

I've had good success with Power Pro in 40lb and larger. I prefer Suffix for 30 and under.

I've read more than once that the palomar is not reccomended for FC lines, but I've had no problems at all and I use FC quite a bit.

I like to toss bigger swimbaits for smallies. Here are a couple from this fall on the 3:16 Lure Company Freestyle Herring. This bait is 7.25" and 3 ounces! 8-)

I think RW nailed it! 8-)

I've used the 874 for ribbit type toads and when paired with the right reel, casting distance was never an issue for me. It's a pretty stiff rod and doesn't load extremely well, but a well tuned reel certainly helps out. I currently use the BCR 875 for hollow body frogs and have found it very well suited to that technique. I've run through several of the Loomis BCR rods for ribbit toads and have settled on the BCR 855 for that purpose. The BCFR 863 also makes a fine ribbit rod and hollow frog rod as well.

I view these two reels as VERY different in both size, shape, feel, and most effective technique utilization. The Calais is a phenomenal casting and buttery smooth on the retrieve. Thats why for me, they're best possible use is for moving baits - crankbaits and spinnerbaits for example - these techniques allow you to take full advantage of the reels capabilities. The Core 50MG7 is a pitching machine for me. I'm sure it could be used in many ways, but I've found it in the zone for pitching smaller jigs and plastics.

I understood the cloud reference, and also thought big and puffy - a somewhat odd image for the lightest production rods out there. I thought Cirrus would have been perfect although it may have already been used elsewhere - but nobody asked me ;D. Nonetheless, I will certainly give them a shot sometime regardless the name!

Congrats on the rod - which model did you get? You'll need to be more specific about the topwaters and spinnerbaits you'll be throwing most often. A rod for a super spook isn't always the best rod for a pop-r! Are you looking for one rod? Two? Budget?

If you fish with it and get it wet, it will show signs of "water stains" unless you polish it after each use. It's a very unique looking reel - and beautiful in a display case. Just too much work for me as I'd have to polish it every time I used it. I'm just VERY particular about my gear! 8-) Some guys don't mind and think it adds character