Hot n Tot

Fat Ika, although it is probably a lack of confidence, or patience due to rigging issues. They ride down on the hook whenever they touch bottom or weeds.

Rapala Shad Rap #7

Loomis or St. Croix, whichever one I'm using at the time. If pressed, I'd probably say St. Croix spinning rods and Loomis casting rods.

Even within the St. Croix lineup there are huge differences in actual power. I have two 6'-6" medium power rods, one is an Avid with a very soft tip that is very close in power and action to My Loomis MBr782, and serves well for treble hook baits. My Medium power Legend Elite is much more powerful, very close to my Loomis MBR783 MH. So you really have to check out the rods for yourself. I would not use the 6'-6" Avid for worming or spinnerbaiting, but the Medium Power Legend Elite can do both...for me.

I have two of these, and like the rods but agree they seem to be a little tip heavy compared to 7' Loomis rods. I think they balance pretty good with Zillions, while the Loomis 843 balances pretty good with a Steez. The 7' MHF Avid compares to the 844 Loomis which they rate as a 'heavy' power. I like using this rod in thick cover with soft plastics and frogs.

I have to agree about he Avids. I have GLX, IMX & Legend Elites, but the Avids are such a great value for the money, you really cannot go wrong with them.

Yes, I got it at Gander Mountain. They also had Avids in 66MF, 66MHF and a 66MF spinning rod. I was tempted to add the 66MHF but my 803 GLX Loomis rod seemed very close power wise, and I think the 7' rod will be more versatile. Thanks for the replies.

I was considering purchasing a new Loomis MBR844 in GLX, however I found a 7' MHF Avid casting rod for 25% off and picked it up for $145 which I thought was a pretty good deal. I already had one like it, but decided for the price I couldn't go wrong. I also picked up a Daiwa Zillion for the old price ($279), so both together cost little more the the GLX on it's own. These will be for froggin' and larger soft plastics that my 803GLX does't balance well with. This is a follow up to an earlier post about the 844 Loomis. Thanks to all who replied.

Ronnie, are you saying you broke 2 of these GLX rods on fish? If that happened you wouldn't need to use the expeditor service, but could have them replaced under warranty..my understanding. I never really tried using the BCR803 with spinnerbaits, I normally use an MBR783 for those. I might give it a try. thanks!

I'm thinking that it's about time that I get this rod. I have a BCR803 that I mainly use for jigs and worms in the 3/8 - 1/2 oz range. I also have a St. Croix Avid 7' casting rod in MHF that I usually frog fish with, but to me it's too heavy to use for any extended fishing, and the GLX Loomis would be lighter and less fatiguing, at least that's what I'm thinking. I think the 844 would be a good rod for larger spinnerbaits and jig & worm fishing. What do you guys think?

I use spinning at lot for soft plastics, and Avids are becoming favorite spinning rods. I'd actually have this rod in a Legend Tournament series. Very nice rod indeed.

I have this rod as well, and I use it primarily for frogging, and occasionally larger spinnerbaits.

For casting I generally use a Loomis MBR782 with a Daiwa Steez 103. Spinning is usually an Avid AVS63MXF paired with a Shimano Sustain or Stradic.

This one or the 63MXF, take your pick. I think the shorter one is better for skipping docks.

I really like the Loomis MBR783. You could find it in IMX for around that price range. The St. Croix 6'-6" MF is also nice. Probably find it in LT or Avid in your price range. I stick with Loomis and Croix for all my fishing rods. In general I prefer Loomis casting and Croix spinning rods.

My latest spinning rod is a St. Croix Avid 6'-3" MXF. I really like this rod and highly recommend it. I also have the 6'-8" MXF in the Legend Tournament. Both are nice rods and are available in the Legend Elite. It's hard to beat St. Croix in spinning rods.

I use the 7' MH Avid for frogging. I've never handled the MXF Avid, but I'd bet the tip is much softer. My guess is it would make a nice spinnerbait rod.

What is the Iz'e HLC spool? I have purchased the TDZ 100M spool for mine and it seems to work really well.

Well, the Curado E must fish better than it looks, because it does not look good as far as fit and finish go. OTOH, it is Shimano's base reel. When you move up to the Chronarch you get more than just increased smoothness.

Geez, why was the Chronarch a disappointment..? I have the chronarch, and a 301E Curado. I find they both work great..Upgraded the drag in both. I use the chronarch for flippin, pitchin, and smaller swimbaits. The 301 see's duty 9n my heavy swimbait rig, and some saltwater duty. I'm not trying to compare them to anything, just sayin they are imho good reels.. 8-) Just fishing a new Chronarch and a new Zillion side by side, I much prefered the Zillion. I returned the Chronarch and bought another Zillion. Nvery subjective I know, but I thought the Zillion casted better and was noticeably smoother.

I've had both Revo STX and Shimano Chronarch. Both were disappointments and were returned for Zillions. Personally, I went to look at reels to get one to use only with braid and frogs. I thought this would be a good application for a Curado E7, because they are inexpensive. But, just looking at the Curado from a cosmetic perspective, just looks like an inferior reel, so I couldn't pull the trigger and ended up with another Zillion. Over $100 bucks more, but sometimes you get what you pay for.

Zillion hands down. You cannot compare a Curado to a Zillion..maybe the Chronarch is sort of in the same class as the Zillion, but even it doesn't cast as well.

If a Loomis rod breaks on a fish it is a free replacement. Too many guys have abused the $50 no questions asked expediter policy, so I'm not surprised that they raised the fee. I once broke an MBR782 trying to free a snagged lure. Totally my fault, but they replaced it for free.

that is very good advice!

casting: G. Loomis MBR843C GLX Daiwa Steez 103HA 12# Sufix mono spinning: St. Croix Legend Elite LES70MF Daiwa Steez 8# Trilene XL