repper

I guess I lean more towards roadwarrior's feelings on this. i would go with a Shimano Compre rod 7 foot ML, with perhaps a Daiwa Sol reel. of course if you can spend a little more than I would put that reel on a Dobyns 702 champion series rod. i think that with such a light action rod I can feel even the slightest nibbles with even a Compre rod, which is a great rod for the money, and you are always working with the reel so it's nice to have one that works nicely, which I think the Sol does. there are lots of good choices. if you were talking about a rod for fishing jigs, for which you need a stouter rod then i would tell you the more expensive rods will help you feel the bites.

The Core 50

they become slower.no question.by breaking the last 2-3" you have removed the fastest,most flexable part of the rod. slower rods do not have the fast,flexable tip that extra fast rods have, so while your math may make sense to you, you simply can not make the rod faster by removing the fastest part of the rod. regardless of where the math shows the "new curve" the rod is slower in action.

the Okuma already mentioned would be a very good entry level rod. i throw 6" Huds a mile with a 705 Powell rod, and it only cost $20.00 more than the Okuma, and i think would be a better all around rod.

i think you would like the Legend better of the two. and for the baits you have listed i would chose their XF action rod. it would be more sensitive at the tip. better for the finese jig,DS worms etc.

ive got two LT rods, both baitcasters. i love em. i still think you should check out the Dobyns Champion seeries for a 7' or 7'3" medium action spinning rod though. but you will not be disappointed with the St Ctoix rod

if you already have a MH rod i would not spend the money for a rod to use specifically for chatterbatis. if you don't have a MH then i think for $140.00 the Powell rod, either 683 or 703 would make you happy, and you could use it for other baits too. i too think the cumara is a nicer rod but it costs quite a bit more too.

it sounds like you are pretty set on a Loomis, and they are great rods. i've got a couple myself. however, in the price range you are talking about you should look at the Dobyns champion Series rods. they make a spinning rod (742) that is 7'4" ,medium, fast action that i think would be perfect. i've got a couple of the generation 2 Dobyns rods, and for the money they are awesome. i believe the 742 is $240. and if you went with a 7 footer it's $220.

zillion. both are nice. i like the zillion better, and i think it will last longer. i've had several zillions for as long as they have been around, and have yet to have an issue with any of them.

get some of the original sweet beavers by reaction innovations and give them a try in your lake. i'm sure you will then realize what all of the fuss is about. fish them t-rigged. or as a jig trailer. separate the pinchers. fish them slow with an occasional pop. my favorite colors are oxblood and california 420. awesome baits.

if money were no object i would retire so i could go fishing all the time. i've got plenty of equipment, including the boat, i could just really use some additional time to use them! as to the 20 kids fishing i would think many on this site already have enough stuff to take 20 kids fishing! i have taken several of the kids in my neighborhood fishing over the years because mine are grown at this point. and everyone of those kids said they had the time of their life. of course i would probably upgrade some of my rods and reels too, if money were no object!

i agree with the 3 power for what you stated. and i agree that if you can manage it the BCR GLX rods will be the best choice for worms/jigs in the weights you stated.

a Fuego would look real nice on that Legend rod. i've got a baitcaster version of that combo and it looks awesome.

I think you will be happiest in the long run with the Daiwa, either a Sol or a fuego. Daiwa reels seem to last longer than shimano for me, in the spinning reel category. i've not owned the new Stradic though, and it seems like everyone loves them. if you go with either i'm sure you will be happy with your choice.

for use on a 7'M rod the 2500 will be plenty of reel.

x2 but I do throw cranks too, and i too have found those Spro LIttle Johns are deadly cranks!

i use a Dobyns 702 spinning rod, with 20 lb sufix braid, and a fluro leader,usually 6 lb, but I'll switch to 8 or 10 if need be. i have a Fuego 2500 reel on it. there are lots of good "shakey heads" but i like the spot remover or the owners best, and most times in 1/8 or 3/16th. for worms i use robos, or zooms' trick worms. it is a great technique when you know you are on fish, near or very near the bottom, and they are not hittin some more active type presentations. sometimes shakey works, and sometimes drop shot works!

i think you could get a shimano compre 7'M rod, and a Daiwa Exceler 2000, or 2500 spinning reel for $150.00 or so. you would happy with that combo!

i feel extremely lucky...about 2 months ago i used the expeditor service and got a brand new 844 glx for 50 dollars. i wont say how it broke, but i got a new glx. this post is making me hesitant to get another glx however.

the good news for me is I get my orders from T.W. the next day withoout paying extra. The bad news is I have to pay sales tax because I live in California.i would prefer to pay the extra shipping! T.W. is the best at what they do!

I think you should experiment until you get it how you like it. but try the Calais for cranking, and the Chronarch on your jig stick.

Of the three you have listed i would go with the compre.

your original question was a rod and reel for jis and d.s., or just jigs. for just jigs definately baitcaster. and for lighter jigs and nice versaltility the 842glx is my favorite. expensive though. and for dropshotting go with a spinning outfit. and for the reel you will have considerably less frustration casting lighter baits with a baitcaster if you get a reel that is made for throwing lighter baits. cheap, heavy baitcasters are not condusive for casting the lighter lures. do your homework before buying!

a new handle is a lot cheaper than a new reel. just bite the bullet and get a new handle. soon you will forget it ever happened

unless those trebles are hanging from something like a triple trout or a huddleston, get the core. i just got one about a week ago. what a reel! you will not regret it, unless the money was supposed to go toward your mortgae or something similar.