Hot n Tot

What Shadcranker said...

What Triton said, either that one or the CR722 in GLX, depending on the length you prefer for what you want to use it for. The 783 is better all around, but I prefer the 722 for worming.

You should get the 6'-2" rod in casting, and the 6'-8" rod later in spinning. The longer rod is more of a finesse rod, which is better suited for soft plastics, and light balsa lures like Shad Raps and floating Rapalas. The shorter rod, would be much better for worming and spinnerbaiting. These are my very deeply held convictions ;D, but we both know you will have both rods before the next summer is over anyway. Actually, since you already have the 6' Premier, the 6'-8" rod should probably be your next, but it should definately be a spinning rod!!

Very interesting, I haven't used a boron rod since the early 80s, I'm not sure why they didn't catch on like graphite, but I do remember they were very delicate. I'd be very interested in testing a new one out though. I've always had an interest in boron, even though my old boron rods were sold off as I started my collection of Loomis. Let us know how you like it if you do get one.

If length is an issue to you, you should get the AC62MXF. You need this rod, and you know you do , The PC60MF is getting kinda lonely isn't it? Think how you will be snapping those worms into pockets you never thought you could hit, and think about the joy of tossing spinnerbaits with this baby!! Go and get it before I beat you to it!!

Yeah, Ronnie has a way of nicely putting things into context. I totally agree with the above.

I agree, once you get beyond Legend Elites, GLX, Shimano Chronarchs, you are not getting alot of value for the extra dollars, although if someone has the money, then why not? I also collect and shoot handguns, and they usually cost in excess of $1000 a pop, and I can't take them all to the range at once, but when I do take them I enjoy them. About the same with fishing rods, I collect them as well and have more than I can use in any one fishing outing. It's more than I need, but if I can afford it and enjoy it what does it hurt? Some (including my wife ) think it's excessive, but if I enjoy it, why not? It's my leisure time here and I'm not going to put a price limit on what I enjoy as long as I can afford it and still save for retirement. Back to handguns, you can buy a Kimber Gold Match (1911 clone), for under $1200, but easily spend twice that for a custom 1911. Will the custom shoot better? usually not, finished nicer? yeah probably, better handgun? yeah, sure marginally, and lots of guys say it's not worth twice the price. But there are enough shooters who will willing plunk down the dollars to keep the custom shops in business. Lot's of people today looking for ways to spend their leisure dollars. Hey, my wife likes to cruise in the caribbean, we can easily drop $4000 for a week in the sun counting air fare, souveniers, cruise ship fees, you name it. Me, I'd rather have a new GLX and Chronarch that I'll have for years. ;D

First, try a Rapala knot or a very small split ring. I always use a Rapala knot and usually fish these baits very, very slow so I usually don't notice how true they run. That said, when I have cranked them in faster they have always ran true out of the box. I'm sure Normark would replace it, maybe if you called them they's send you a new one?

Good choice with the Symetre. I think that is Shimano's best value in a spinning reel, from my experience.

Being a Loomis product, I'm sure it's a nice rod. I've heard the blank is between a GL3 and an IMX...nothing wrong with that, just not Loomis' best.

Heddon Torpedos, tinys and babies!!

Casting: Loomis CBR783 with either a 5:0.1 or 6:2:1 Curado for traps & wart type baits Spinning: Loomis SR843 or SJR782 for smaller lighter baits like #5 Shad Raps, etc. usually use Shimano Sustain 2500 or Symetre 2000 with these rods. Almost always crank with 10# Trilene XL on the Curados, and 8# on the spinning reels.

Both casting and spinning, close to what The Natural uses, both are 6' MF St. Croiix Legend Elites, depending on the wind and weight of the baits. For Rapalas, AC Shiners and other lightweight balsa lures I use a 6-1/2' loomis spinning rod, specifically the SJR782, this rod has a very soft tip and makes twitching the small light baits a joy.

Wayne, thanks for sharing that. Also, are these just small finishing nails, or are nail weights sold in tackle stores? I've never seen them...thanks

You might also land a St. Croix Avid and a Shimano Citica for close to that price. The Avid is a definite step up from the Premier, and the Citica is a very fine reel. That said, nothing wrong at all with the Premier...but for $270......for for thought.

Is this really the Avid we all know and love? or an imposter? ;D

Saharas are decent reels, but you will only save,$10 - $20 (not real sure), Symetres are noticeably smoother from my experience using both. I'd find a way to get the Croix, regardless. I know BPS has some nice rods, but I haven't used one in years so others can offer more help. If money is a real concern, you can find some decent rods at Wal-Mart such as Berkley Lightning Rods, but I'd strongly suggest not going below the Shimano Sahara in a reel. Hope this helps.

I would recommend the Symetre in either 2500 or 1500 size, and if I were limited to one rod, I'd get a 6-1/2' M or ML rod. The Croix model number for the Premier would be PS66MF or PS66MLF. I'd get a 6' rod before I'd go with a 2 piece if that were the choice. If this rod will also be used to panfish, I'd get the Medium light.

I generally use a rod rated for 1/4-3/4 oz lures and 10-17 lb line. Loomis MBR783 or St. Croix EC66MF, the loomis is rated MH whereas the St. Croix calls theirs medium. Rods differ alot due to the materials used. Compare an MBR782 in GL2 and IMX and there is a huge difference. But they are both rated MH, so go figure.

I really enjoy fishing Horny Toads and Sizmic Toads. My personal best last year came on a white Sizmic Toad fished slowly on top near some thick lily pads. I like using a 7' MH St. Croix Avid, Shimano Castaic SF reel and 50# power pro. The Horny Toad hooks are good. I don't like how the toads slide town on regular Gammy wide gap hooks. I can't wait 'till spring!

Jetsprint has a good point about the lb test rating vs other brands, but I really like the stuff. The regular yozuri gets better with time, and the ultra soft is very limp and castable. I like the 6 lb on spinning reels and the 12 lb on casting reels. I keep reels spooled with different lines, and match the reels with the rods I want to use in certain conditions.

I personally feel that the St. Croix fast action rods are not well suited for crankbaits. I was losing lots of fish on Rat'ltraps with a fast action rod. Problem got much better when I picked up a Loomis crankbait rod. Now I don't lose nearly as many fish. I admit to being skeptical about the benefits of moderate action rods for crankbaits until I started using one and now I'm landing a much higher percentage of the fish I hook. Some of it may be coincidental, but the fish don't throw the hook now nearly as often as they did. As in everything else in fishing, your results may vary

Tough question, because it changes all the time. Right now it's a 6' GLX CR722 with a Shimano Curado 100 (which might just get changed to a Chronarch 50mg).

7' St. Croix Avid MH casting rod and a Shimano Castaic reel. And you can also toss those frogs into the vegetation and put a hurtin' on largemouth. I usually use 50 lb Power Pro braid, or 12" Yozuri hybrid depending on the cover.

Congrats on the new rod, that's also the one I usually use for c-rigs. I generally put a Curado on mine so cannot comment on the reel, although I've been considering a Chronarch for my 6' GLX worm rod; either the 50mg or the 100 size Chronarch or Curado. I've heard nothing but positive comments about the Chronarch, so I'd be surprised if you found that you prefered the Curado to it; nothing wrong with Curados though.