The_Natural

I'm not big on swimbaits, but hey...this is a shallow crank! Granted it's a $68 shallow crank. It looks so real I was ready to pan fry it.

Great rod...you'll love it.

I haven't seen it before. They must have a couple of used Sol's that got returned and they are willing to loan them out. I guess it's good if your in the market.

It is the IM6 blank and it cost about as much back then as the GLX's do today. Don't yall think it qualifies for the expediter service? Witch rod in their line up is comparable to the IM6? The original Loomis IM6 started it all. There are very few of those around, and I would rather retire it versus trading it for a new model. Maybe you can have it restored? Do you have any pics? I haven't seen one in 20 years. I bet someone like fletchero could restore it and give it some new cork.

Well, you weren't backlashing much when we fished in that horrid wind, and I totally ruined one of my reels . I thought "Dam...I just met this dude and now I have the worst backlash in years". It was awesome. I think this proves what works for one may not work for another. There are plenty of folks who swear by the Revo's magnetic brakes. I probably gave up to early.

Back in early '04...I used rod wrap on my handle and foregrip...that is what motivated me to seek something better. Trying to put rod wrap on the foregrip was ridiculous; it was clumsy and looked like crap. The heat shrink is significantly cleaner. As far as rod wrap or the prince overgrip, it has no adhesive on the backside at all. You start it and wrap it on top of itself, and I finish it at the handle with a drop of super glue (I super glue the wrap to itself...not the handle). If you try the prince overgrip...you won't go back, and if you sell your rod it will look unused. That is the biggest bonus of the wrap/shrink combo. When you take it off...you unveil a rod with brand new cork.

Somebody sells textured heat shrink for the trigger handle, but it is like $15 and doesn't look that great IMHO. Just get the prince overwrap and you will be good. I get it at Academy; it grips very well, is non-adhesive, and lasts forever. It's better than rod wrap, lasts longer, and is 1/3 cheaper. I wanted heat shrink for the foregrip because I was so picky about getting my cork dirty when I finally spent the money on Loomis rods back in '04. It was just a bonus the shrink came in a variety of colors....I thought it turned my Loomis rods from traditional to badass. Opinions vary though...I've received some funny looks

The magnetic brakes were just touchy for me; I think like anything it is just a matter of getting used to them. I bought my first Shimano in '04...a Chronarch 100a, and even though I had used a baitcaster for years....the centrifugal brakes were new to me and I backlashed like a mofo. It took several all-day trips to the lake before I got mastered it. I didn't give my Revo that kind of time....

I was actually disappointed in the orange (and green). The orange is lighter than it appears in my pic. Not as 'dark' as a daiwa Sol for instance. When I had my Sol's I ended up doing gray (which looks pretty badass on any rod). Anyway....it's kind of a washed out orange, but I'd be willing to send some to you if you had a foregrip to cover. Honestly though...I don't think you'll like it. It is pretty simple to do; you just leave about 1/3" on both sides and use a hairdryer starting at the base. (if you have a heat gun...this is the best obviously). I will use a lighter to finish it...the lighter obviously gets hotter and tightens the ends. Just hold the flame low and rotate the rod. I've almost bought a heat gun numerous times...I need to just buy one.

It is indeed. It is 'overwrap'...not the thick adhesive stuff that tennis and raquetball rackets have as a base. It is literally identical to rod wrap, only better I think. Very thin and doesn't 'fray' or have fibers that start popping out like rod wrap does (I'm a long time user ). Yeah...the foregrip is just oversized colored heat shrink tubing that keeps the cork preserved. I thought I was going to sell it at one point, but ended up just handing a bunch out and letting people know where to get it. I dig it. The heat shrink does come in clear, but why wouldn't you want some color?! Prince Overwrap ($3.99....will do 3 rods) Cable Organizer Heat Shrink Tubing. 1" internal diameter. It had been so long since I ordered it...I forgot what I ordered the first time. I measured the heat shrink I had been using for 3 years, and it was 1.5" flat. So I ordered 1.5". It was waaay to big. Internal diameter is a lot different than flat length. 1" internal...remember that. The gray, magenta, and purple are my favorite colors, but the blue looks great as well. Ooops! Waay to big. This is 1.5" internal diameter...you need 1". Here are some pics from a couple of years ago.... Before shrinking... Not permanent....

5/8 oz Old Glory Spooky Shad Clear Chartreuse Gold Black +1 I was like crap.... RW wanted to pick up a couple of these and I missed it. Looks like it didn't matter. That is a 10-4 on those recommendations. It is rare to have an inexpensive bait that I want to admire for a little bit. I had a great bite going on the 5/8oz Old Glory on Ray Bob here in Texas...and I broke it off. I was very unhappy. The $5.99 didn't bother me...it was the fact I didn't have another one. It's a Lucky Craft for the masses. I actually have been reaching for them over my LVR's, and saving my LVR's for more subtle trap bites (if there is a subtle trap bite ;D)

You do know that Cart 7 will try to get his hybrid reel to do this now? : Hybrid reel?! That is classified information! You could get whacked for knowing stuff like that....

Toray is great line; they spool for BPS. I've heard Sunline is spooled by Toray....yes, Sunline doesn't extrude their own line. Supposedly there are only two or three manufacturers of fluorocarbon in the world.

Micro, You're right and I came back to delete my post, but it was already copied. I guesse we're all bored tonight. Regarding "dedicated": I fish 1/2 oz jigs + trailer ~ 3/4 oz. Heavy lures have a dramatic effect on all aspects of a reel's casting performance. With 3/4 oz, nothing is subtle. Other impressions: The STX is beautiful, solid and strong. Ergonomics are outstanding, especially for palming the reel. I would like everything about the reel if (when) Abu Garcia changes the braking system. As Mircro has noted on other occasions, spending time working with the reel will resolve problems for most fishermen. I just don't want to have to fight with a reel or any of my equipment. 8-) I can agree with that....even the Skeet Reese model with it's centrifugal brakes needs an upgrade. I had pretty much decided I wanted two of these reels before I took off the sideplate and saw Abu's version of centrifugal brakes. They just seemed cheap; and I'm mostly a Daiwa guy. I guess my 'homer' opinion is that I like centrifugal brakes in general, but if a reel has magnetic brakes....it better be Daiwa's Magforce V or Z.

I can't imagine it being any harder on the reel unless you try and engage it while you are reeling. What made you want to do this versus turning the handle?

I have only owned the SX...and I was having trouble casting 1/4oz baits with it my first time out. I returned it after that, but you might get accustomed to it with more usage. The line capacity is what holds the Revo's back in casting lightweight baits; it's is the same thing that irritates me with the Zillions. It doesn't matter how light the spool is when it holds 145yds of line. Line is heavy! That is why the Mg50 casts lightweight baits so well....it only holds 85yds of 12lb line.

Oh yeah...you can still use the expiditer on your '88 Loomis, and you will get the new Fuji seat.

I like the ring, but I may be in the minority; I've heard people gripe about it before. What's up with that cork? I don't build rods, but I didn't know you could buy cork without 'knots' in it. It's a shame I'm too contemporary to show it! And 1988? I thought Loomis only had the original IM6 out at that point. I saw the IM6's in Okiebug in Tulsa when I was 12 and couldn't believe how expensive they were. I was making $10 a week in allowance, and couldn't fathom buying something like that. I thought it was crazy!

I hated braid and swore it off, but was willing to deal with the sewing thread if it meant more sensitivity and I could keep it hidden with a fluoro leader. However; I always felt the knot when it hit the first or second guide, and it bugged me big time. If you can deal with braid and the knot that attaches the leader; it is an advantage. I tried, and the knot was too much.

I love Daiwa, but the Mojo is seemingly unchallenged at $90. It is the most rod available at that price point. A close second is the Compre. I go to Cabelas once a week and always play with a lot of the new rods, and the Mojo's represent a much higher fit and finish than any rod that is made in China in that price range. I can't give St. Croix enough credit; it is the first rod under $100 that is actually attractive and something that you would be excited to own and show off. It is the Premier blank, but the Mojo is lighter and has a totally different feel. I'm more impressed with them every time I handle them. St. Croix is steppin' up....

Yeah...thanks. I realize unless you have owned both an old weible and a current model with the Fuji seat my post might seem a little crazy. I'm sure some folks are like 'just because Loomis used to make their own reel seat?!' The weible seat puts the rod below the hand at a slight angle, and the metal locking ring is heavy duty and just....well...nice. Handling one will show you the difference; if you see one...buy it. There must be a couple sitting somewhere in a small ma and pa tackle store.

My first impression with the Quantum reels was that they felt 'tighter', or had tighter tolerances than their predecessor. They seem to be a significant improvement over the blue Tour Edition PT that I ordered two of when they went on sale for $129 (I sold them soon after). The KVD cranking rods should do their job well...it is the light/fast/sensitive blanks that are more competitive in the rod market. I definitely dig my PT Superlite rods; the original Quantum Tour Edition rods were my first 'high end' rods back in '91. That was the birth of the HSX blank that Lamiglas rolled for them. Sorry...had a bit of nastagia. Anyway...give us a review of the rods; China can be crappy or great....it varies quite a bit.

One of my favorite baits. I probably threw the BDS 1 and 2 more than any other crankbait (last year anyway). It was a close tie with the cb100 I guess. Anyway; the BDS 2 is a wobbler that doesn't roll...a polar opposite to the Bomber model B or an H&T HT2. The BDS is a 'wobbler' only in the sense that it is a fat/robust bait. It actually has a fairly tight action.

I think this is an unanswerable question just like a best reel or rod thread. No bait has the same action as a BDS 1 or 2...or any bait Lucky Craft makes for that matter. No bait has the same action as any of Marty's baits. Unfortunately, my crankbait collection and addiction was started because I found out a $3 crankbait can be as effective as a $20 crankbait at times. You've got to have one (or 9) of every type, and knowing when to throw which one is an endless puzzle that has gripped me ever since I started being successful with cranks. Some are more consistent...some are works of art, but sometimes you need to throw that bomber or Berkley Frenzy. It's maddening!