The_Natural

I saw these yesterday on BPS's website. I have been wanting these to come out for a couple of years...basically ever since they came out with the original 5 3/4". I even tried emailing Zoom to cohearse them to make the larger size. To say the least I am excited. 9" would have been better, but hey, I'll take it! http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_100931_100007001_100000000_100007000_100-7-1

I agree with the balance being one of my biggest issues with split grips. I purchased a few Steez rods to try out due to the fact they balanced well. I wasn't looking for a Powell, and read a time or two that they were tip-heavy, but when I ran into the redesigned series at Cabelas...it seemed that the tip-heaviness was gone. Anyway...people will never have the same preferences in fishing rods, and hence why the market can support so many product lines. Cheers...

Dobyns rods are made by Gary Dobyns, the same guy who played a large part in making Powell bass rods. Dobyns are much better balanced. For that reason alone, I have 3 Dobyns and 0 Powells. The hook keeper on the powells also catches the line sometimes, and can get in the way. I tried the Dobyns 765 vs the Powell 765 with a Revo STX, the Powell was extremely tip heavy, and balanced quite high. The dobyns on the other hand, balanced just above the reel, and wasn't tip heavy at all. Dobyns is just a newer version of the powells pretty much, with a few upgrades ;D Yes, Gary put lead in the butt of the Dobyns rods, which helps balance them but increases the overall weight as well. Some dig this, some think adding weight to a rod isn't the way to go. For instance the Dobyns 703 weighs in at a 5.2ozs, with the Powell 703 tipping the scales at 3.85ozs. For 2008, Powell lengthened the rear grip and repositioned the reel seat to balance out the MAX line; which I prefer versus adding weight. I'm not a Powell fanboy (I own a lot of rods...mostly Loomis), but wanted to share some facts and why I chose a Powell. I'm going to get out of here before the Dobyns Calvary comes in!

Sweet! That took some huevos to order a Japanese stick. Then again, I guess you are used to not having manufacturers back you there in mexico. Anyway; my Powells are made in China, and they seem very well put together. They must be crackin' the whip over there...

I own both, and I think the IMX is not only more sensitive, but balances a lot better. They lengthened the handle on the IMX's for '08. Not by much, but by about an inch. Makes them float in your hand near how a GLX does. I noticed this at Cabelas a few weeks ago...great change.

I purchased a few Powells recently, and they are indeed very surprising. I didn't intend to buy one, but Cabelas started stocking them. When I handled one it was all over. I like them even better than my Carrot sticks. My BCR's are still on jig and worm duty, but the Powell fishes like a high-end rod versus a model that is at the mid-level price point.

What's weird is they are $3 cheaper in store at Cabelas. $9 on Cabelas.com....and $6 in the store. Weird...

Congrats! Compre's are nice rods.

I believe you are right. I haven't taken mine out of the package yet.

You need a large 6/0 weighted hook. I picked up some Hollow Bellies from Cabelas...I've been waiting on them for some time.

Oh definitely could be...that was just a response to another poster; not the point of the thread.

I haven't had it on the water yet. I purchased a Sustain 2500 and two Fuego 2000's on Wednesday via Cabelas Bargain Cave. I didn't need a spinning reel, but I bought them right. The Sustain is not as smooth nor as quiet as the Fuego. It makes an audible noise when cranked. Not a grinding noise or anything, and it isn't rough, just isn't that quiet. The Sustain is however, very Solid and feels quality...it's a beautiful reel. It just seems like the drivetrain isn't as fluid/smooth as it should be. Very impressed with the Fuego...very fluid, smooth, and silent. I am VERY impressed with my Daiwa Advantage spinning reel as well. This reel is seriously blowing me away. I may just stick with my Advantage and sell the others...I haven't decided.

I definitely don't watch Bill Dance. Aaron Martens from Bass Edge gets on my nerves as well. He acts like a little kid; each time he or the guest catches a fish, he acts like it is the first fish he has ever caught/seen. I saw the guest catch the first fish o the day on a shallow crank, and man is Aaron over excited...I mean pumped! "OH MAN!!" "Do you need me to grab the trolling motor?!" "Should I grab the net?!" "Is there anything I can do?!" "Can you BELIEVE how shallow that fish was!!" "Holy cow...how much fun are we having!!" "Boy he just NAILED IT didn't he!" "How about that Bull Shoals...Man I tell ya!" "Woo-Hoo!" All this for a 15" fish. I'll pass...

I just purchased a new Sustain from Cabelas, and it says it is made in Malaysia. Previously, all Shimano's were made in Japan (my Cores are made in Japan). Japan generally has the highest skilled workers with unmatched build quality, granted this labor doesn't come cheap. Malaysia on the other hand, is on par with China. When did they make this change?

Funny you ask; I have 8lb CXX spooled on my IMX SJR 723. I tore'em up yesterday and today throwing finesse jigs, flukes, and creatures using only my 6' spinning rod. I couldn't have been happier; no issues to speak of.

Pline CXX is what I prefer. It's pretty much a no-nonsense, non-apologetic line as in it is ridiculously strong, abrasion resistant, low-stretch, and with that comes some memory as well. Trilene Sensation proved to be equally as low stretch in a recent test, but I'm still undecided on this line as far as knot strength. I'd just buy a couple of filler spools of a few brands and see which one you prefer. I use CXX in the clear...

Daiwa Sol for sure. It really is a refined little reel with a great paint job. I've owned a couple for a while now, and they are nearly the same as the JDM Alphas I own. Great reel for weightless baits....

Yes sir...love me some Beaver! I think you will love the 5.2 version...it tends to attract better fish. The 5.2 in Big Texan is one of my favorite plastics.

Boo on Tackle Warehouse or the shipping company I guess? Will Tackle Warehouse not pay to have it shipped back, or are you just assuming they won't. I would hope a large, profitable company like TW would make it right without any out of pocket expensive. Congrats on the rod; I don't own a swimbait rod, but I held and admired the new Loomis at Cabelas. Beautiful stick...

Yep. That is why I use crystal clear CXX versus the moss green. I can see it well enough above water, yet will match any water conditions. If you want bright, I'd probably go clear blue fluorescent. You can even get CXX in clear blue...

While weight is a contributing factor to sensitivity, as is balance; the blank itself remains the obvious main component in how sensitive a rod is. Also, faster actions of the same blank produce more sensitivity than their flower counterparts. Titanium Recoil guids also notably increase sensitivity I've found. Not because of material (ceramic guides and slicone carbide guides are harder), yet due to eliminating links to the blank. Vibrations travel through the line up to the guides, through the glue that holds the guide in place and the guide frame, then onto the blank itself to be felt by the hand. REC's cut out the middle man and the vibrations from the line are transmitted to the guide/guide frame combo and then onto the blank without any interference.

I can't comment on the Kistlers, but I love gone_Phishin's avatar! That is classic!

Reelmech is probably right...like a burger that is assembled wrong at a fast food restaurant; the product goes in the trash. The expediter is made to expedite your exchange for a new rod. You aren't paying $50 for a new rod, yet $50 for a new rod to be shipped to you along with the postage required to send in you damaged model. If you break a Loomis on the hookset, you can send it in without utilizing the expediter service and save yourself the $50, and they will replace it

Generally 6 on deck if I am fishing out of my boat or as a co-angler in a club tournament or FLW event. Some say to only bring 4 rods, but 4 rods takes up the same amount of space as 6. I feel 'naked' without all the options. You never know what the lake is going to throw at you, and I don't want to have to 'make due' with combo that isn't designed for the task at hand.

I have the Crappie version...swims very realistically and glides through the water. This bait needs to be worked with a medium retrieve...a slow roll won't produce any action at all.