Bassoholics Anonymous

Contact Bantam1 in our Shimano section. I am 100% sure he will resolve this for you. Your next replacement will be perfect in every way. It isn't too bad, but it would have been nice if there weren't small bits of paint missing. I'd settle for a bottle of touch up paint.

I sent my Stradic in last month and was replaced rather quickly. Of course, the replacement was kind of dinged up in a few spots and missing small bits of paint. I'm not exactly too pleased, since the reel I sent in was pristine. >

I've never really put much into it, but all of my current rods are made in the USA (St. Croix Premiers, Avid, and Loomis IMX). I wasn't aware that Loomis ever made any rods outside of Washington. St. Croix has rods made overseas, but Loomis...

They'd probably give you a bigger hassle if it had a 5 year warranty like a Premier, not a lifetime warranty like the Avid. They've treated me well in the past.

I think $20 is important when guys are loooking for the least expensive option. 8-) You got that right. The local tackle shop was my first job. $20 goes a loooong way in making the sale when you're talking about the entry level price point. Some of the people looked at me like I was insane. When people would complain about a $25 combo, I would mention that we had rods for $100, let alone $300+.

That's pretty much my take on it. I have three Stradics and I LOVE them. ;D

I love my Stradics. ;D The law of diminishing returns kicks in above the Stradic if you ask me.

Doesn't get much better than that for the price. ;D

That wouldn't be my first choice, but upper 90s shouldn't be too bad as long as you keep them out of the sun. Keep them standing vertically, or lay them horizontally and supported at multiple locations, and I think you should be ok.

If I were you, I would try it first on some cork that isn't on your rod...just to make sure that it works well.

where would you get that ? , at a craft store ??? Cork seal? I think Basspro has it.

You just made my decision even more difficult. Oh well...I'll probably wind up going with my gut and getting the Loomis. I still can't get over how much I enjoy fishing my first and only (at the moment) Loomis. I was pretty much set with an MBR783 paired to a Curado until I saw that the Legends were on sale. Save a few bucks, or go with the rod I pretty much know I want?

If you dye it and then use some cork sealer, you'll probably be able to keep it from bleeding.

Why do decisions like these have to be so difficult? I'm stuck between a EC66MF (link you have) or a MBR783 from Loomis. Ever since I got my IMX I've been completely in love with it. It just seems like everything is just about perfect with it. The Legend is supposed to be even better yet cheaper, though.

I love Shimano...although I did have some issues with my latest Stradic. That should be taken care of soon, though. The cheap Diawa I have on one of my older rods isn't bad, either. For the price... ;D

I would go with an Avid, or maybe a clearance Legend Elite if you can find one... Oh yea...Reedssports.com has them. Comes out to under $200 after all is said and done. I'm even looking at one of these... IMX Loomis for $50 more, or one of these? Decisions decisions. ;D Split grips aren't for everyone. I can't stand 'em.

I was about to post that "no, St. Croix has it on their site that they're made in the US" but then I realized that they are made in "North America" while all the rods made in the USA they say "USA". Clever St. Croix...clever.