Hot n Tot

I have a 2500 Sustain and it's by far the nicest reel I've ever uses. Not to start an argument, but my Sradic 2500 is the most disappointing reel I've used, maybe I just got a bad one.

Like RW, I use a Legend Elite spinning rod in 7'. Mine's a medium light (ES70MLF), and I have a Shimano Sustain with 6" Yozuri Hybrid.

It just depends on what you want. If you just want a good rod for drop-shotting, get the Crucial and I'm sure it's a nice rod. But if you want the best, and don't mind paying for it get a GLX and you'll understand why so many guys spring for it.

I tried power pro on a couple of spinning rigs and was disappointed. It didn't seem to cast very well, and just didn't feel right when retrieving line. But I really like it on casting reels for some applications.

I have several of both of these rods, and for what it's worth I think the Legend Elite compares closer to the Loomis GLX. I believe it to be a step up from the IMX. Others may disagree, but compare them side by side and make your decision.

I've picked up a few Legend Elites in the same manner. Finding the older models discounted at Gander Mtn., these are great rods for the money. If you like it, you probably will not find it any cheaper. I have the 6' MF in both casting and spinning, the spinning version is my favorite Senko rod, and the casting model makes for a great T-rig and Spinnerbait rod. My .02 cents.

St. Croix rods compare pretty well with Loomis rods in my opinion. I have heard good things about other rods manufactures such as Kistler but have no experience with them. Some Fenwick and Shimano rods seem to be very lightweight and balanced, but I've not actually fished them. That said, the IMX and GLX are the rods that others are compared to. However, I really feel that St. Croix Legend Elites are nicer than any IMX, and the lower end legend tournaments and Avids compare very favorably to IMX rods. The GLX really has to be fished to be appreciated, and it's hands down far superior to IMX graphite. I guess I'm beginning to feel IMX is overrated, maybe it's because I'm fishing GLX and Legend Elites. Funny how you can get spoiled when fishing the best of the best :

Those rods are all too long, a 6' rod is perfect for senkos

If I had to pick just one rod, it would be the MBR783 in GLX! But you'll probably end up with both, because you will need the 844 (or equivalent St. Croix) for frogging.

I will go against the grain here a bit, and suggest you look at a 6' length. I find it much easier to finesse my worms with the shorter length, because when I manipulate the worm with my rod tip I'm not moving it as much as I would with a longer rod. Also, I cast more accurately with that lenght. For the worming you described, I'd get the Premier PC60MF, and it will also double as a great spinnerbait rod. Good Luck!

For your price range I'd recommend a St. Croix Premier 6' casting rod in either Med or Med heavy power with a fast action (PC60MF or PC60MHF).

I prefer using casting gear for most crankbait fishing, however I also have an SJR782 that I use for tossing Minnow baits and Shad Raps. It's just a joy to use with these baits.

The Avid should be around $150 to $160 max. unless the price has recently gone up.

I got a Loomis rod IMX MBR782 replaced at just the cost of shipping, I don't remember exactly how much it cost but it was far less than $50! By the way, It was my own fault that I broke it, and I even told them that! A brand new IMX rod arrived in the mail shortly..I think within a week or so, anyway it was certainly sooner than expected. You are misleading people by telling them it cost $50! It may for the expeditor service, like to get a rod the next day...but that's not the warrantly cost, it's expedited next day air service!! Use your Rogue rods, but don't misrepresent other manufacturers warranties.

St. Croix Legend Elite EC60MF Shimano Curado 100 12# Yozuri Hybrid ultra soft line

It depends on the water you'll be fishing. When floating smaller rivers I like 6' rods such as the Loomis SJR721 and SJR722, but when fishing more open water I prefer longer rods such as my 7' ML legend elite. A good compromise might be 6'-6" medium power/fast action rod like the Loomis SJR782 or perhaps a St. Croix AS66MLF. I've heard Roadwarrior mention fishing on the Tennessee which is much larger than our local rivers where a short rod is much more versatile.

Aaron, Avid gave you the best advise, you really have to handle and compare the rods in question for yourself. I said it's like between pepsi and coke, but what I mean is that neither is 'better', but both are different. Roadwarrior rates the legend elite as comparable to the IMX, and my own perception is the legend elite is far above an IMX and more comparable to the GLX! Believe me, I own and use all of these models and each has a different feel, balance, action, sensitivity..all of these qualities are subjective to the individual. The legend tournament that Avid mentioned is a great rod, I have that rod in spinning and love it, that extra fast action is really nice at times. enjoy whatever you purchase, you really cannot go wrong with any of these rods.

Look at the CBR783, it is a great rod for small to medium size cranbaits and doubles nicely for topwaters. I used the MBR782 IMX, but quickly changed to the slower action (CBR783) crankbait rod due to losing too many fish with the fast action. I cannot claim extensive experience, but I sure seemed to lose a lot of fish which I attributed to a 'too fast and responsive' of an action. I think this is a good compromise rod (6'-6"), due to my preference for a shorter rod when using topwaters.

It's like asking which is better: coke or pepsi

That's why it's so hard to give someone advise on different rods, $100 has a different value to each of us. As does how different rods feel to individuals. I have several Loomis IMX rods, but actually prefer the feel and power of the St. Croix rods (even the Avids) to the GL3 & IMX Loomis rods. Now the GLX Loomis is an awesome rod in every respect and well worth the extra dollars (to me). Also bear in mind, that using terms such as MH and Heavy become very confusing when comparing rods from these two manufacturers. A MH IMX (MBR series) is not a very powerful rod to me, however pick up and Avid rated MH and you'll be holding onto a very powerful rod indeed! If you have the bucks, look at GLX 1st, alternatively you can find Legend Elites for considerably less if you shop around for the older green models. These rods are far superior to IMX, but I honestly believe the GLX is above it...hard to say why until you fish with one. In short, handle the rods, compare them side by side and then decide what exactly you want to use it for and buy the best one you can afford. Sorry, I guess this got long winded

I think the ML would be a better choice for split shotting and drop shotting, whereas the Medium power might work better for general 'worming'. The ML compares to a Medium power Loomis, and the Medium St. Croix is comparable to MH Loomis (as a basis for comparison). I generally prefer casting rods when stepping up above a ML St. Croix.

Legend Elites are truly great rods for that price. I have several and prefer them to the Loomis IMX. I'm sure you will be very pleased with it.

You will love the Avid rod, they seem to be more powerful than the Loomis rods as far as the 'medium' or 'medium heavy' terms. A St. Croix Avid rod rated Med power would have approximately the same line size and lure weight recommendations as a MH Loomis IMX rod. I think there are better choices for crankbaits, but not for soft plastics and jigs. I really like both manufacturers rods, but you gotta determine what the applications will be, the St. Croix Avid will have a very fast action which I wouldn't like for crankbaits, although I've had success fishing minnow baits such as Rapalas with them...go figure. If you are a two rod man, purchase a similar rod with a moderate action and those two would cover most everything you want to do. I still think you need a casting setup for frogging and spinnerbaiting, so about that third rod.............. ;D

I guess I'm a traditionalist, I'm right handed and hold the casting rods in my left hand and reel with my right. As was said, when I learned baitcasting that's about all that was offered and I never gave it a second thought. I also reel with my left hand when spinning, I guess it just feels natural because I've always done it that way. Spinning and casting to me are different, and I use both methods and don't see any reason to change.

Spinning rods: St. Croix Casting rods: G. Loomis