Saladmander

Works like a charm. Everyone is different. You'll even notice that technique specific rods are available in different lengths, power, and action from different manufacturers given the same technique (ie. spinnerbait rods, crankbait rods...). You'll notice after reading several articles written about certain techniques by different professional fisherman that different guys prefer different attributes in a rod for that technique. Experimentation is all part of the fun in my (proverbial)book.

I think Okuma makes a great reel for the price. Their customer service is excellent, also. I don't think that I've paid for a single part yet. And that includes shipping.

Oh, that is just a replacement warranty through Dick's. They will replace it for free within 1 or 2 years no matter what. They work with a third party and will do a one time replacement. Shimano will warranty that reel for a year (will stand behind it for much longer than that) like RW said. The humming sound you're referring to may be the normal sound you would expect from a spinning reel. It's hard to say without actually hearing it. Spinning reels generally shouldn't make any "noise" but none of them that I've ever used have been completely silent. Hope that makes sense. But, you could go back to Dick's with the reel and just see if you could check a couple of them out to see if the sound you're hearing is common to all of them. The Stradics I have make a bit of a "whirring" sound that is normal for a spinning reel. I really only hear it if I'm listening for it. But, again, I would just see if you could sample a couple of them at Dicks just to see if what you're hearing is normal.

I had a problem with a crankbait once that I had to bend the eye much farther to one side than normal to get it to run straight. After looking at it further, I noticed that the bill had shifted slightly. It had some lateral movement if you pushed on it hard enough. I'm guessing because it was like 20 years old and beat. It was an old Norman quarterback. I miss that thing.

or PVA, poly-vinyl-alcohol. It's a mold release that I used to use when doing glass work on custom car installs.

I wonder why Shimano has this listed as a solution to that problem in the FAQ/T-shoot section on their website?

That is a great idea. No extra tools, and effective.

Unless I'm reading you wrong, you're adjusting the cast control so that the spool stops turning when the lure hits the ground dropping it from the tip, not actually casting it, right? Sounds like you have good thumb control towards the end of your cast. In that case, you can definitely leave it off. I may turn the magnetic brake on a couple clicks if I'm making long casts into the wind and backlash more than a couple times. Sometimes those sudden gusts can slow your lure down enough to give you some overrun. But, most times it's off.

Does anyone know about Thursday night doors staying open exclusively for rewards members? I either read or heard that somewhere. Can anyone confirm that?

I think he's talking about Hartford, CT. There is a stretch of the river between Enfield and the dam that has some pretty good size smallies. Not sure about below the dam above Hartford because I don't fish that far down, but heard it is a good place for stripers when they are running. I think muskies are resident in the river up in White River Junction. I wouldn't be surprised that stripers make it up that far. They pretty much chase the herring up as far as they're willing to travel. There are fish ladders at the major dams along the river. In Massachusetts, there are two major dams in South Hadley and Turners (or Millers) Falls. The river sure gets much nicer up your way. Now there are some killer smallies up that end of the river.

Don't have the rod, but absolutely love that reel. With the right rod, you can cast the lightest baits with that thing without issues.

When you do, let me know. I love obsolete equipment at obsolete prices. You and me both!!

I didn't see it as a flame at all. Sorry if I stated my point the wrong way. I was simply saying that a truly unbiased opinion could go either way. If either decision was made by "trying to convince themselves" of anything, it would simply prove that the decision was never really unbiased. I think we're all in agreement that the GLX is a better rod and that there is a noticeable difference. It's just a matter of whether or not that difference is justified by the $100 or so. I definitely agree that the build and feel of the rod is better; without doubt. BUT, on the water, if I'm fishing a jig, C-rig, whatever, I'll tie it to either rod and enjoy my successes the same, never consciously deciding which rod I would rather use. When I'm not doing so well, I may sit back and say to myself, "Wow, now this GLX is a piece of art!" TO ME, the extra $100 is worth investing in something that may help me have more of the former since I know the IMX is no slouch in the performance department.

I think there should be a sticky about: "Before you ask about opinions on what rods or reels to buy... 1.... 2..... etc." People starting the thread get belted with brands and models. But helping the person decide for him/herself is more helpful for everyone. Maybe some tips on how to get an idea of rod sensitivity on the sales floor, or how to check for reel tolerances. None of these are guarantees that he/she will like it out on the water, but neither does my or your telling them they will. If they still post a question on brand and model, then blast away. Let the posse loose. Obviously, you can pick a reputable brand off the top of your head and you'll find, through varying degrees of personal experience, both sides of build and performance for each. I am sure someone hated the Curado because they got a defective one out of the box, but loves the Revo because it wasn't bad out of the box. I am sure someone replaced all their Curados for Revos because they found themselves using it more often on more than a handful of trips. In both instances, you'll may get a post that says, "Hated my Curado, bought the Revo and will never look back." I remember reading a few posts where it was actually suggested that they go to a retailer and handle the available equipment to see what felt right to them. That's awesome... because that's how those of us with the boneyard full of tackle we don't use did it. They just need to know what we've learned to look for along the way. You know the "Give the fish, Teach to fish" thing.

Chances are you will absolutely love using your new Loomis rod and buy more of them, as mentioned. Buy either one, then as your next rod, buy the one you didn't get the first time around. You'll know after putting in some time on both rods which one the rest of your collection will be. You'll either not notice enough difference to justify GLX, or you'll love the feel of the GLX enough to say, "Oh, yeah, now that's worth it!!!!!" Either way, you'll have one Loomis rod that is a pleasure to use even if it doesn't match the rest.

I have nothing vested in this, so don't take this the wrong way... but, from a standpoint based on pure human nature, the exact opposite could also be true. Read: "I don't see how an unbiased person could possibly tell a difference. I almost think someone must be trying to convince themselves there is a big difference to justify the price." Both statements prove to be biased opinions.

It bothers you that much? You gotta just skip past those threads.

...Really?

I only have one GLX rod, but I have a handful of IMX and Mossyback rods. I can appreciate the differences in the feel and build of the GLX with respect to the other Loomis rods I have, but the differences are pretty subtle in the way they feel and fish on the water, IMO. I generally don't spend more than around the $250-275 mark on rods, so it's hard for me to justify the price difference given my appreciation for the IMX rods. In other words, when I grab a rod, I'm never really consciously aware that I've got the GLX in my hand unless I'm not catching fish.

The only thing I saw was a little flyer thing that had a couple things on sale for four days in march, 13th-16th if I remember right.

Sweet... I should be getting it tomorrow or within the next couple days anyway. Thanks. I did see a small flyer for the President for $80. I will definitely pick up a couple of those. I think it's just for the one day, though.

Where are you guys getting the ads? We just had a BPS open up in Mass a few months ago, so I'm not sure if I'm gonna get one in the mail? I got the grand opening flyer and a couple after that but haven't gotten one since before Christmas.

Thanks, guys. I saw them the other day and thought they looked kinda cool. Do they make the handle feel a lot fatter? Wrapping the reel seat adjustment threads definitely sounds like a plus on spinning rods. Do you wrap right over the exposed rod blank by the trigger on a bc rod or do you just work around it?

Does anyone use these? Are they functional and comfortable, or are they just for looks? Do they upset the weight balance of the rod? Thanks.

I picked up a couple of these at BPS a few weeks ago. I can't wait to try them out myself.