The_Natural

They felt tip heavy to me, but then again every split grip I've held seems that way. If they would just make the rear grip longer for me, I bet it would solve the problem.

I'm going to have to disagree (X gets a square ;D). I own IMX's and GLX's, and I don't see any quality differences in any of the Loomis line, only different materials. The IMX is significantly cheaper (from fat fish), at $160-$180 depending on model, with the Helium running about $220. Nobody will argue against the fact Heliums are light and sensitive, but Batson components (reel seat/guides) are not on par with Fuji. The reel seat problems that have plagued the Kistlers are due to the Batson seats. All the top custom rod builders use Fuji seats and either Fuji titanium framed SIC's or the new REC's...they are more expensive, but better. I'd take the IMX even without considering the warranty, but considering the warranty it's a slam dunk for Loomis. See...I tried to make my point tastfully .

I read the entire review, and I didn't see where they said it was better in any area versus the GLX. It weighs less, I did notice that, but other than them using the mbr glx as a reference point (they do in all their reviews), I didn't notice any direct comparisons. A couple of months ago, they tested a new bcr glx, and zander claimed it was "The most sensitve rod I have ever fished with." In all honesty, I'm sure it is a tremendous rod, and you can pretty much pick your poison when rods get over the $300 mark. Any rod over $300 is going to be light and sensitive, a la Croix LE's, Loomis GLX's, Kistler LTX, Megabass, Evergreen, etc.

I definitely think that is a factor, and I'll take an advantage any way I can get one

Hey RW...you should check out Backwaters ( www.backwatersonline.com ), they have a bunch of L/C's on sale, including some fat CB's. The Fat CB's really produced for me last year, and I think once you see how these baits behave (and produce ), you will have a collection by the end of the year. As far as the Fat CB's go, I could do fine all year with just three colors. Chartreuse shad, Rootbeer, and Parrot are my main go-getters.

Not another Lucky Craft thread! I always read the FLW and Elite series event coverage, mainly to stay on top of patterns and baits that are winning the big tournaments. When I read what the winners were throwing, I thought it was on topic with what we have been discussing lately about these expensive baits. FLW and the Bassmaster Elite series both had events on 11/15-11/18. The FLW event was on Lewis Smith lake in Alabama, and Texas Sam Hoernke pulled out a win with limits each day caught on a Lucky Craft BDS 1 crankbait. Sam, whom is not sponsored by Lucky Craft, started out the tournament throwing the BDS 1 in Rootbeer, but caught his heaviest limit of the tournament on day three when he switched to a Matte Tiger BDS 1 due to the dingy water. Lucky Craft Pro Gerald Swindle made a huge leap to a third place finish after weighing in a lone 2lber on day one when his deep water pattern fizzled. Gerald decided to go shallow, and used a Gunfish 115 in American Shad for an early topwater bite, then switch hitting the rest of the day between a BDS 3 in Matte Tiger, and a Rick Clunn RC 2.5 in Chartreuse/Black back. The Bassmaster Elite series event was held on the same dates (I wonder why ), and took place on Florida's Harris Chain. Ben Matsubu pulled out the 'W' with over 40lbs he said were mainly caught on a 'Rick Clunn RC 2.5'. Ben Matsubu is not sponsored by Lucky Craft, and did not specify the color of his RC. I like to see my two favorite baits, the BDS series and RC series, dominating the majors FLW series winning baits.... Sams winning BDS 1's... Swindle's choices (and Ben's Elite win on the RC2.5)

Gameover has Lucky Craft's on the brain . I'm in the 70+ category, with well over a hundred. They are very addictive, because not only do they catch fish, but they are gorgeous baits and just an all around pleasure to own. You either have no L/C's, or you have several, because once you buy one, more will follow

I just watched a DVR'd FLW outdoors event on Lake of the Ozarks, and Clark Wendlant took third place, with nearly all his fish caught on a Lucky Craft BDS 3 in old Tennessee shad. Clark is not sponsored by Lucky Craft, but when $100k is on the line, $15 for a crankbait doesn't seem like all that much. I'm actually glad Lucky Crafts are expensive, because this means not all anglers will buy them, and I think it gives me an edge.

You really should stock 2's, 4's, and 6's, but 4's are what you are looking for to replace 1/2oz trap hooks. I use Daiichi 4x red trebles, and buy them in 100pks from Cabelas to save money.

The people who fish for a living swear color matters. Aaron martens, KVD, Gerald Swindle, etc. have all expressed their belief that color makes a difference. I was watching a bassmasters episode I had DVR'd, and Gerald Swindle had a trap pattern going, and he was throwing an LVR D7 in Aurora black. His bite fizzled, and he immediately switched to an LVR that was almost identical, but had a brown back versus a black back. He proceded to catch a fish on the next two casts, and piped up about the difference it made to 'make a color switch'.

8lbs on a Bagley B2 in pearl/black back.

+1 I don't throw them very often, but there is no denying their success.

The 6'2" SBR you mention would be ideal. I owned one for a while, but I generally went with my longer rods and couldn't justify owning it any longer. The Loomis spinnerbait rods are a great value, and Fat Fish has all the SBR's in stock right now for around $150. www.stores.ebay.com/fatfishfarmer

It's just an easy comparison to make...more expensive cars generally give a more pleasurable driving experience. By the way some anglers talk, they don't buy anything nice or expensive. Do you buy 'always save' or 'great value' grocery items? Do you buy bic single blade disposable razors or gillette mach 3's? Do you still have a 13" black and white television? Do you ever go to Outback and order a steak or do you always eat out at Taco Bell? Nicer things are just...nicer.

I've only used the FC Sniper fluorocarbon, and it is the best fluoro I have used (and I've tried a bunch!). It's too expensive for me, so I use Vanish.

I use Pline CXX in 10, 12, and 15lb tests.

Fluoro- Vanish (not my favorite, but a great value) Mono/Copolymer- Pline CXX

Which one would you rather drive?! Toyota/Lexus dominated the initial quality, which surprised me that Honda wasn't in there more.

I use garlic oil spray in whatever brand is the cheapest. I was using bang garlic, but I ran out and found jack's juice garlic at the tackle show for $2 a can, and bought 4 cans. The bang garlic in the 16oz spray is a good deal at $9.99.

I'm getting ready to purchase about 16 RC's at the $9.99 sale price. These baits are normally $14.99. I mainly use the 1.5 and 2.5, and stock the splatterback shad, purple/chartreuse, brown/charteuse, copper green shad, and bull bream. Avid- the bull bream works great in the latter part of the spawn when some bass are still on beds and others are guearding fry. I throw the bull bream and the other chartreuse varieties at this time.

Yep...my first DD minnow was a spoonbill in Tennessee shad I found in a tree about 18yrs ago when I was a kid. I caught several fish on it, and it gave me a lot of confidence in those baits.

I've got a few of the persuader lures. I think Rick is a class act, and has some of the best customer service in the business. That said, the stealth shads I recieved just didn't blow me away. I feel the finish on a mass produced lucky craft is better, and the hooks could be better for a $20 bait. I prefer the Zoom/WEC and Brians B's (Just recieved the B's...haven't fished them yet). Just have to give my honest opinion to the BassResource.com readers. I'll post up a pic of a few of mine tomorrow...I'm about to run out of battery!

I've probably answered this question a hundred different ways depending on my mood . Sure they have better components and superior paint finishes, but will they catch you more fish?! Not all the time. Some days they rule the water, but other days a bandit 200, an X-rap, or a Zara Spook will kill their Lucky Craft counterparts. I think a serious fisherman should have all the tools necessary to get the job done depending on the conditions, and therefore should have a few L/C's in their box for the days they work better. There is also the intangibles...no know, that feeling you got when you were 10 and you bought a new lure? I love buying lures, but haven't gotten that 'feeling' like I did when I was young since, well since I was young. That was until I ordered my first few Lucky Craft baits. I got that tingly feeling all over again, and I found myself admiring these baits like I was 10yrs old again, and even placed one on my nightstand so I could pick it up and gaze at it routinely. You'll understand when you buy one 8-).

Loomis crankbait rods are 100% graphite, and probably more sensitive than several rod companies higher end models. Get the CBR845...it will be perfect for 1/2-3/4oz traps, and can double as a spinnerbait rod or even work for lighter plastics.

The IMX is lighter in weight, while both are probably comparable in sensitivity. The IMX has a distinct price advantage when purchasing it from fat fish farmer