HopelesslyAddicted

This assessment is spot on. Like I said I have an 8035 Pflueger Supreme on it that weighs 8.8 oz and it balances perfectly. If the reel was under 8 oz it would not feel right. hmongkidBee Sorry if I seemed confrontational. I believe you that your rod feels flimsy, but my MH is solid as a rock with power to spare. Hammer, as long as your are paying around 100$ for this rod you will like it. There are too many other better rods to get at its normal retail price of 150$ though. That being said I like mine a lot for 99.99$.

hmongkidBee, Comparing a custom wrapped rod to any factory rod in this price range is just silly. Of course a custom wrapped rod is better. And if you don't like to use that rod as a dropshot rod then maybe you shouldn't? All C3's are listed as having Extra fast action, so when you say that its too "soft" I assume you are putting too much weight on that rod. The ML is only rated for 3/8 oz max. Hammer, What kind of performance are you looking for and what kind of deal can you get on the 6'6M?

I bought C3 S701MH about two months ago. I paid 99.99 shipped to my house, and after using it for awhile I can say that it is without a doubt worth what I paid and then some. I researched the rod as much as I could before buying it and I'm sure you are finding that there isn't much information out there at all. So lets start with a comparison. My other two spinning rods are a BSR803 GLX and a Legend Tournament LTBS70MF. The Okuma is a bit heavier than my St Croix (3.5oz) and Loomis(4.2oz), but that's to be expected. It weighs in at around 5.7oz but the one you are looking at should weigh a little less. I have an 8035 Pflueger Supreme on it that balances it out quite nicely, so the weight doesn't bother me at all. The guides have Titanium frames with zirconium inserts, and they handle braid with ease. They appear to be made quite well and look remarkably similar to the Fuji Concept Alconite Guides on my Legend Tournament. The reel seat is a custom ported Fuji seat so no complaints there. It actually looks pretty cool with the carbon fiber grips. They provide a nice solid grip and feeling of connectivity to the rod, because they are not overdone. They say that when the carbon fiber gets wet, it actually gives you a better grip. I haven't gotten the grips too wet yet but I definitely like them, they are unique and effective. So my C3 is a MH power Extra Fast action and is rated for lures 1/4-1 oz. I use it for heavy plastics, some frogs, and small swimbaits. I have already had to steer several 5-7lb Largemouth away from some heavy cover with it and it performed flawlessly. It has plenty of power, and judging by how hard I've had to yank some of these fish, it is VERY durable. The situations I am using it in do not require the utmost sensitivity, but the C3 is actually pretty sensitive, which is a bonus. I really feel like it is worth what I paid for it, plus it comes with a Lifetime Warranty and their policy is very good. It also comes with its own quality rod sleeve. Any more questions? Here's the first fish I caught on my C3. Sorry for the quality, my hands were shaking with excitement.

A friend of mine needed a spinning rod for soft plastics so he bought a Carrot Stix from Cabela's. Today he tried it out for the first time and it broke on his 5th CAST. Not hookset, CAST. There is no doubt that they have some quality control issues, or maybe just a fundamental design problem. I had heard that they break far above the industry standard, but I didn't know what to believe until I saw it for myself today.

Try this knot: It is the Eye-Crosser which is really just an improved Uni-knot. One of the best possible knots you can tie for co-polymers and it is quick and easy once you get it. Just practice it ten or so times before you go out on the field with it and you won't have anymore knot problems. The key to tying it easily is holding the loop between your thumb and forefinger to wrap it properly.

For me: 18lb Daiwa Samurai + 6# Yozuri Ultrasoft + Albright Knot = Flawless performance and I never need to retie

Avids are great. But I absolutely love my LTBS70MF. It is one of the most versatile and pleasurable rods I have ever fished, and I fish decent quality tackle. Not to mention I bought it new for 180$ two years ago on Ebay. You might want to look there yourself.

Roadwarrior The samurai is awesome, and if you shop around and get a deal like I did, it doesn't even cost that much more than any good quality braid. One thing you NEED to know before buying it: the diameter on the box is COMPLETELY off. It is a lot thinner than the measurements on the box suggest, so plan accordingly. As long as you account for the thinness by buying a higher # test, you will absolutely love the stuff.

Honestly dude I use 6# Yozuri Ultra Soft and that's probably slightly weaker than what you're using. I caught a 25 lb snapping turtle with it so I REALLY don't think that your regular 6# hybrid is too weak for bass, it breaks at around 12 lbs! I have never broken off like you are describing, but I compulsively check my line for nicks or anything of the sort. Perhaps you had a little nick? I would really give it another shot because at least it pulled in that 6lber for you. You can always go up in # test if you really want stronger line. My suggestion would be to go up to whatever # your reel can handle, except maybe try Ultrasoft. So then maybe you can get the best of both worlds, more manageability and more strength. I have searched for the strongest co-polymers around and the only reasonably priced line that has a comparable or better strength to diameter ratio is P-line CXX. So I would stick with it personally but if you really want to change, try CXX. I used to use the improved clinch all the time but have since switched to the Eye Crosser after a little research. The eye-crosser is better, but I never had any problem with the improved clinch though! By the way I'm here in CT where you catching those 6lbers?

I'm with you. I love my Pfluegers, but I just bought a Daiwa Tierra for 100$ and I absolutely love it so far. It balances my Legend Tournament out perfectly.

Well 10lb power pro breaks at a little over 20lbs. So I estimate that the 15lb breaks at around 30 or more. Definitely strong stuff!

Yep just make sure you get 30lb Samurai because its so thin. Fireline would be my second choice, then Power Pro for value.

well now it makes more sense. but then your edit confused me. sorry if i missed this: can you xpedite a NRX that has already been 'wild carded'? that might get one, maybe two, NRXs in my hand but im pro'lly done with GLX and down... Yeah I'm not too sure about their policy with their NRX's. The whole wild card thing is a little weird I'm not sure if its separate from the Xpeditor. I'll tell you one thing this makes me think that the NRX's might be a little more prone to breakage than we anticipate.

First of all steezy, I said ON A HOOKSET that is a heck of a lot different than breaking it in a rod locker or stepping on it. One is IMO, not my fault, the other totally is. Honestly I think that's fairly obvious but whatever. In that case I would rather take my 100$ and spend a little more with a company who has a better warranty. Is that hard to understand? Its not the money, I've got money, its the principle of them doubling the cost of a service that I thought I would have for a long time. Oh yea bigfruits it makes no sense that I want to spend MY money the way I see fit. Yeah I'M the one who doesn't make sense here. : Yeah I'd rather spend a little more money with a company who has a better warranty and get a new rod, call me crazy. Oh yeah, and who says I pay FULL price? I have never paid full price for any rod. I got connections. EDIT: I just want to make myself clear. In the event that I break my GLX through my own fault, I would be inclined to pay the 100$, but I don't have to like it! And I don't think I'd buy too many new rods from loomis, maybe an NRX...

I can definitely see where you are coming from here. People need to have certain level of accountability. Of course all of us have gotten used to, and have even bought rods because of, the level of accountability previously allowed by the Xpeditor service. If I break my GLX on a hookset or something, there's no way I'm paying 100 dollars to get a new one. That 100 dollars will go toward a new brand of rod without a doubt. Dobyns, Powell, or St Croix most likely.

Shimano is the reason for all this. They took over G Loomis a while ago and are now altering the service that made G Loomis great. I may do a total boycott on all Shimano products. Lol Don't switch to Shimano!!! ;D Man this does really blow I have a BSR803 GLX, I wonder if that is discontinued? Yea I think I'm done with loomis if this is happening. I really enjoy my St Croix Legends a little more anyway.

Yea guys it is phenomenal stuff, and I love it but I would get 30lb for spinning gear from now on. The diameters on the box are COMPLETELY wrong. But that's ok now that I know I'll just get 30lb. It doesn't dig at all in my experience, and if you want to use it for your baitcaster definitely get 40+ nothing lower. Best braid ever. Its just that the diameter on the box is insanely misrepresented, so plan accordingly. As for actual breaking strength, it definitely is MUCH closer to the truth than any other braid. I was just expecting it to overtest like every other braid I have ever bought. Silly me. :

LOL that makes it even more perplexing, because the bait is proportional, so you can't tell from the picture that its bigger at all. He probably should have added something like that in the OP. : But yeah that's a big ol' Flappin Hog!

You have to take the cap off. That comment is as worthless as Mend It. Hey buzzcatcher you really must have gotten a bad bottle. First, in a good bottle you barely have to squeeze at all to get it to come out. It just drops like one drop at a time, and it allows for a very precise amount to be used. Second, it DOES NOT dry out if you always keep it in moderate temperatures and make sure to keep the cap on tight when not in use. The stuff works incredibly well when used as directed. I don't mean to imply that your dumb or something, just that you got a bad bottle. The good bottles don't dry out, definitely don't leave any residue, and most times you can't even see the repair. It just needs to sit for 10 or more minutes before it sets completely in your bait, then its all good. You are giving people the wrong impression of the product because, if you get a good bottle, which I'm sure most people do, none of the problems you had will occur. I bought mine directly from Will Hesch on Ebay about a month ago. That's where he sells it for the best deal, and if you're willing to try it again I highly recommend Ebay.

A flappin hog? What's the big deal? New color or something? :-?

d**n if I had known that I would have entered again, but I didn't want you to think I was cheating or something. That's what I get for trying to do the right thing. :-[

Gotcha well I can tell you this, if you are willing to spend more you definitely should. What are you looking to spend?

Right now Gander Mountain is selling Pflueger Supremes for 65$ and free shipping. That is the best deal you'll get right now. I have owned two of them for 2.5 years and it will serve you well.

Yeah I don't personally like the loomis rods below IMX but since you only paid 40 bucks you didn't do too bad.

Well thanks for the reply SJB, I don't think a lot of people have experience with this braid in the lower # test. I do love it but if I were to buy it again I would probably get 30lb for my spinning gear. I can break this 18 lb test with my hands. And yet I can't break 10lb power pro. Not to mention the fact that the diameter on the package is completely over-exaggerated. Luckily I'm using spinning gear where it doesn't matter as much. I hope I don't have any break offs while fishing, because that is the true test. As long as that doesn't happen I won't mind being mislead like this too much. :