Stasher1

I picked up a black one about a year ago and the cup/bill is screwed on crooked. I tried using it a couple times, but it just pulls too hard to the side for me. It's now sitting in my collection of cranks that'll never make it back out to the water. Maybe I ought to email Arbogast about a replacement.

I'm sure they're great rods, but the one I handled in the store just didn't do it for me. It might've been the fact that it was a 7' MH instead of a 6'6" M, but it just didn't scream "buy me". The reel is butter smooth, but I may put it on my worm rod and find a lighter reel for cranking. The weight of the EXT-Pro throws off the balance of the rod a little bit. I'm going to use it as-is for a while though. It just casts too well to take it off.

Well, my rod arrived today and I have to say that so far I'm impressed. It feels much lighter than any dedicated crankbait rod I've handled and isn't quite as "whippy" either. Short side-arm casts in the front yard using a 3/8 oz. casting plug, 12# mono, and my "new" Abu EXT-Pro were averaging about 100'. I think the combo ought to sling 1/2 oz. lipless cranks just fine with a proper cast. Now I just need to get it out on the water and see how it handles with a fish on the line.

Don't buy the Mustad "Heavy Duty Forceps". I bought a set, put them in the outer pocket of my tackle bag, went fishing the next morning, and when I got home I found them broken. I hadn't even used them!

Yup, me too. I bought three of the stupid things and never even got a nibble. Sometimes I think Bill Dance needs his @$$ kicked. >

I appreciate the help, guys. I made a mental note of models to check out and took a trip to BPS to handle as many rods as I could. After much thought, I decided that I didn't really need another rod for light plastics so I ordered crankbait-specific rod. I've got a 7' Kistler Magnesium TS "Alton Jones Crankbait Special" on the way. It's a bit longer than I wanted, but I think I'll like it once I get used to it. Now I just need to add another rod holder to my kayak.

I need to stop reading these "What's the best ____________" discussions. They cost me money every time. > I hit TW last night and ordered a few more Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Jackall TN/60, Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drums, and a Sebile Flatt Shad.

A drop of blue loctite would probably solve that problem and you'd still able to remove the reel if/when you felt like it.

Ima Roumba

I thought about that, but the only size they list is a 7'6" and BPS doesn't stock them in the store. I'd have to special order it and hope I like the feel. You know, the first rod to come to mind was a 6'6" JM Sig. Ser., but in M instead of MH. I've already got a 6'6" MH JM SS spinning rod that I like alot, but I wanted to try something a little different this time. They'll be going on sale again pretty soon, so it may still be an option if the price is too good to pass up. Right now I'm seriously considering the Avid (AVC66MF) or the Legend Tournament (LTBC66MF). I'm a sucker for split-grip rods, but the LT might be overkill for a cranks. It's not like I need the extra sensitivity for a DT4...but it would be nice for plastics, I suppose. Decisions, decisions. :-/

Yes, they're beautiful rods, but a bit out of my price range at the moment. :'( I've been eyeballing the LTBC66MF as a possibility, but I don't know if it would be too fast for cranks. It's supposedly a jerkbait rod. I've got a Crucial spinning rod (CRS66M) that does a decent job with light plastics and cranks, but I'd like something different for my new BC rig.

I'm looking for a 6'6"-6'9" Med. casting rod that can handle 1/4-5/8 oz shallow cranks but has a fast enough action to handle the occasional weightless TrickWorm or 7" worm with 1/8-3/16 oz weight. I typically fish from a kayak, so single-use combos just aren't practical. My budget is $150-$250, and it would be helpful if BPS carried it since I have some BPS gift cards I could use to cover it. Does such an animal exist? :-/

Mono: Sufix Elite Flouro: BPS XPS Flourocarbon Braid: PowerPro

The last Symetre I bought was in a clam-pack and is not as smooth as my other one that was in a box. It was also lacking the instructions, washers, and bottle of oil that came with the boxed reel.

It doesn't take much of a car to carry a kayak. I can easily carry this 12 footer: on my little commuter car:

To be honest, that's the only reason I watch his show. Of all of the TV fisherman, he's the only one that seems to be genuinely excited when he lands a fish. It's almost like watching my kids fish.

True, but you could also put in anywhere. No boat ramp necessary and no registration fees.

I would suggest saving a bit more money and picking up a small kayak. You can carry them on any car, and they'll get into places that even jonboats can't go.

Sufix Elite in 8# and 12#, and 30# PowerPro in and over the heavier vegetation.

I've bought about a dozen Rat-L-Traps in the past year, and at least five of them have felt sticky. The finish is actually soft enough that I can see my fingerprints in the paint, but they seem to go away after they sit a while. They're still sticky, though. :-/ Don't have that problem with my Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Frenzy Rattl'rs, or BPS Tri-Vibes.

If you wait a little while, the BPS Extremes will go on sale for about the same price as the Bionic Blade you're looking at.

You can use the gift cards online. Why not just order the rod you want and have it delivered? EDIT: Nevermind. They don't have the Zillion online either.

As much as I love my Crucial, I actually prefer my BPS Johnny Morris Signature Series. It just feels better in my hand. I've got them set up with identical reels, and enjoy them both, but lately I find myself lusting after the BPS JM Elite to replace the Crucial...

This is very important, IMHO. The weight of the reel changes the balance of the combo and its overall feeling in the hand.

BPS has their '07 Johnny Morris Signature Series spinning rods on clearance for $69.77 http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_58453____SearchResults I picked one up 2 or 3 months ago and it's rapidly becoming my favorite rod.