ChiCityBasser

I would check out the Cabelas XML rods which are pretty good rods. I hae a 3 of the spinning models and love them and the Cabelas warranty on them also. They are on clearance and normally $139 but now they are starting as low as $29.99 with a nice selection of lengths and power http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053033122637a&navCount=0&podId=0053033&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true I'll be adding either a 6'6" or 7ft MH to my lineup now that the price has dropped

I don't have the Lighting Rod but I do have the AMP and its a great rod at it's price point as well. It's my crankbait rod and is very decent as far as sensitivity. You can always like the guys have said check the flea market or Cabelas clearance bin http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat21428&forcedId=cat21404&cmCat=cat21406_feat or http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0052329122472a&navCount=0&podId=0052329&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true or http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053033122637a&navCount=1&podId=0053033&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true or http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053453122697a&navCount=1&podId=0053453&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true all great rods and on sale

My PB is 3lbs on a Strike King Black/White Gizzard Shad shallow diver

I fish spinning reels primarily as well but have my 3 baitcaster setups also. I prefer spinning reels as a sort of grab and toss method of fishing but my baitcasters have there place when I'm fishing heavy cover. I don't see anything wrong at all with using what works for you in a given situation and if you are catching fish on either a spinning reel or Baitcaster I figure you are doing good, cause catching and putting them in the bout is much better than just casting all day on either...

hey chi how do you like that cabelas mag touch?it remenids me of the lamiglas rod.dunno if i could get used to that carbon grip though and it being skinny I actually like the way it feels and have gotten used to it being skinnier than my other rods. The grip at least with my experience hasn't been slippery when getting wet either and is nice and sensitive.

I'll give it a shot since my setups most of the time serve multiple duties. Crankbait: Berkeley Amp 7ft Medium Power Quantum Kinetic PTI-B20 Yo-Zure Ultra Soft, 6# test Spinnerbait,Shakey Head,Weightless Plastics & Jig Fishing: Cabelas Mag Touch 6'6" Medium Power. Reel:Quantum Catalyst PTI-A20 Line: P-Line CXX Blue, 6lb Test Frogging: Cabelas XMLTi 6'6" Meduim Heavy Quantum Energy BC/LH Trilene 12# Mono (For now but switching to 30lb braid) Guess that's it for me but I do have other setups I use as well

Grat looking baits and like the BD Bluegill and Real Craw best but they all look good and nice job

I have the Cabelas Prodigy B/C which is made by Daiwa which is now on sale for $74.99 online and regularly $100. It's a very good reel and my first quality baitcaster and still have it to this day. The reel is about 2 years old now and not a problem at all with it. Doesn't handle lighter weights to well but that could have just been my lack of experience when I first got it. Easy to learn to use and great breaking system as well. Plus Cabelas stands behind there products

Quantum Energy PT (6:3) Cabelas XMLTi 6'6" MH Yo Zuri Hybrid 15lbs Spro Frogs & Rage Tail Toads

Great info as always Reel Mechanic

Broke 1 rod twice and it was a Cabelas XML. 1st.time snagged it while making a cast with another rod and it hit the ground and the tip snapped off. Had it retipped and took it out again 2nd Got a lure snagged on a large piece of wood or something and rather than just pulling on the line I used the rod to try to free the snag and snap. I couldn't believe it broke as I starred at the water. Good thing is I took the rod back to Cabelas and got a new one no problem

Looks good

I use H20 Cranks and very similiar in design to the Lucky Craft and they work great and get most or should I say all of mine off Ebay.

I have both the XML and the XMLTi with all my XML's being spinning and my XMLTi being a casting model. The XML rods are great rods and very sensitive with a great warranty. I have a 6.5 M, 6.5 M rig & jig split grip which is paired with a Daiwa Regal and a 7ft M which is paired with an off brand Rainbow 1000 reel. At the sale price they are even a better value and my brothers fish some of the other rods that were mention and I like my XML's better. The warranty is great also as long as you have the receipt. I broke the tip off mine and had it retipped then broke it again through stupidity and one of the salesman told me to bring it in and they would replace it. I took the rod in and they replaced it no problem. I also have the Mag Touch and the Fish Eagle II rods in both spinning and casting and they are all great rods

I don't have the Code but do have the Accurist PT and last years Energy PT. I handled the code and read some of the reviews and I agree with picking up either an Accurist PT or even an Accurist II. Tackle tour did a review of the Accurist II which was pretty good. You can find any of the 3 on ebay or some other sites fairly reasonable

I didn't vote but of the three I think the Shimano Sahara would be the best choice. I have the Sahara 1000 and its a great reel and I was gonna shy away because of the graphite but its not a main use reel for me so I figured it would be fine and so far its been a great reel. I also agree with the sizes the other guys have mentioned with the 4000 being a bit large for bass fishing.

I love the trade up program and kinda like taking my old chevy in and them just giving me a new one and nothing wrong with that to me at all. :)

Yeah there are a few of us here and we manage to survive among the many Shimano fans and do ok also and still no problems with my Quantums...

I agree I have never had a problem with my Quantums and liked them enough to switch my baitcasters from Daiwa to Quantum and just my personal preference. I have an old Quantum Incyte not the new Silver/Red model but an older Blue/Silver model and I haven't had one problem with it at all. Again boils done to personal preference and what works and my Quantums work with no problems. I do have Shimano and Daiwa reels also but the Quantums are my go to reels.

My suggestion would be the Quantum Catalyst PT. It comes in both Left and Right hand version and in either 6.3:1 and 7.0:1 weighs 7.5 oz with the 6.3 taking up 27"lpt and the 7.0 taking up 29"lpt Another suggestion would be last years Quantum Energy PT but most people consider them to be a little heavy. I know the Quantums catch lots of flak here also but I haven't had any problems with mine at all.

Ok I jumped on the RT bandwagon after hearing all the raves here about them and I've had some success with the Chunks as trailers. I have the Craws as well with no success yet and no hits yet on the shad and some misses on the toads and thats completely my fault. I will be picking up the Space Monkey this evening in the Black/Blue Flake and Water-melon/Black from Cabelas. I noticed they didn't have all the colors listed on the site and hoping in store they may have some of the other colors. I'll be giving them a try over the weekend and see if I can match my PB at one of the small lakes I fish at on a regular basis.

Great reel I purchased one off ebay for $60 and it's my go to BC and bumped my Quantum Accurist down to my second BC. I have it paired with a Cabelas XMLTi 6.5" MH rod

My vote is for the Quantum reel. I have a Shimano Sahara and it's a great reel but compared to my Quantum Kinetic PTI-B the Quantum is a better reel JMO. It's every bit as smooth and one of my go to reels after my Quantum Catalyst PTI-A Quantum

Here is a link that might help you with the Toad http://www.ragetail.com/news/rage-toad-rigging/ My favorite hooks are 5/0 EGW Superline Gammy and a 6/0 Owners Twistlock. Big O www.ragetail.com Thanks BIg O for the rigging info and that only happened with the Green Pumpkin for some reason but the Green Pumpkin/Pearl ran perfect but I will double check my rigging and hit the water with both again this weekend

I just picked up the frogs in the Green Pumpkin and Green Pumpkin and Pearl but haven't had any success with them just yet. I do have the Chunks in Blue and Green and have had lots of success with those as swim jig trailers I also have the Craws in Black/red flake and Blue but have really had those out of the package cause of all the success witht he chunks. I love the action of all the lures but did have trouble getting the Green pumpkin frog to run upright with the hook down in the water. The Green Pumpkin/Pearl ran great out of the package and is the first thing out on my next outing. I use them with a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG hook also