ghost

Got the Mojo 6'8" wacky spinning rod & it's a very good rod. Right now they are made in the U.S. till St Croix gets their plant in Mexico up & running by the end of this year or next year. So the Mojo's you buy now are U.S.A. made for $90'ish +. I had the Magtouch & here's what I have to say. Nice rods, like the guides & blank, like the graphite handle. Here's what I didn't like: the longer rods had longer handles & I tended to get caught while working the rod or just fishihng. The reel seat on the b/c rod, the reel would wobble even if I had the seat screw tightened down good. The graphite handle & rod seat area made for very cold hands holding the rod, not like cork or eva grips to help keep some of the cold off your hands. Made in China. Prodigy rods, won't have a chance to try them out till sometime this week. But from what I know about it, having it in my hands & goofing w/ it in the basement; feels like to be a winner. I will say though the spinning rod is a copy in looks of the Shimano Cumara w/ the graphite insert around the reel seat. But be picky cuz as I mentioned, so of the Prodigy rods I saw the guides weren't all that lined up. All 3 rods in the $100 range & all have great possibilities for the budget fisherman who wants new cool rods for a good price...even better when they go on sale. It's a toss up, you'll have to check them out for yourself. I'll try & get a write up how well the Prodigy rod fishes soon.

Chicity, check your PM

I'm liking 2009 so far... Kistler Magnesium 6'10" MH Alton Jones b/c rod, 6'10" MH spinning rod. Shimano Curado 201E, Symetre 2500FJ. Cabelas Prodigy 7' MH b/c rod, 6'6" Med spinning rod. Shimano Citica 201E & Pflueger Supreme 8030. Berkley Lightning Rod Shocks: 6'6" M b/c rod, 7'6" ML spinning rod. Phew....

Hey Chicity, got my 6'10" MH XMLTi w/ last years Quantum Energy PT b/c reel out 3 weeks ago & caught over a dozen bass & some really big shads. Both felt like a match made in fishing heaven. I'm still trying to find time this week to try out the Prodigy spinning & b/c rods w/ a couple Shimano reels that I got w/ the combo deals from Cabelas. Snowed like crazy all day today...no trying new rods out....

Yup, looking to buying the tour edition, but in left hand. Not sure which gear ratio I want. I'm just waiting for Cabelas to send me a $30 coupon, then I'll get the reel. I really hate paying full pop when I can try & get it for a bit cheaper. I know that in a couple three years this reel will be under $100, but I think Quantum has a winner w/ their new line of reels. I'll be getting the Energy PT-B 30 during the BPS Spring Classic, it will be $30 off w/ the reel trade in...There's something to think about for those wanting a new Quantum, get it during the reel trade-in.

Added the size 4 Owner trebles & well the chance for the hooks to tangle up is high. So I am using size 4 VMC short shank black nickel hooks instead. These hooks don't tangle like the Owners. I also tried size 6 Owner trebles & looks more stout than the stock hooks on the lure. If the sink rate is too fast w/ the size 4, then I'll down size to the size 6 Owners.

For the 3:16 swimbaits check out Angler Marine in Anaheim, CA. Google them for the phone number, they have a webstite but don't sell stuff on their. Best bet is to call & see if they have what you're looking for.

From another post I started, I guess it got missed cuz the title of that post was "Bought a couple Cabelas Prodigy rods: "Also bought a couple of the new Berkley Lightning Rod Shox. Got the 7'6" ML spinning rod & the 6'6" Medium b/crods. The specs has line weight for both braid & mono. The 6'6" M b/c rod seems like it would make a very good topwater/crankbait/jerkbait rod. It has enough flex for the fish to set the hook themselves w/ mono line. The 7'6" ML spinning rod would be good to cast lighter lures on mono also. Using braids w/ these rods is what the intention is, but they seem quite versatile w/ braid & mono. Sensitivity seems good, I wouldn't use it for jig/worm fishing w/ mono. But would probably have good sensitivity when using braid. These rods go for $50-55 ea, that's a very good price on a split grip rod. If you're looking for an inexpensive crankbait rod w/ split grips & can do other applications w/ either braid or mono, this is one rod to think about."

Getting the Tru Tungsten Shad was an impules buy when I was at BPS the other day. I wanted to wait & read more on this lure but there it was in the sink rate I wanted. It was on my list of new baits to get including the BBZ-1 Shad, but I wanted to wait....there it is only a couple left of the one I want so I got it. I'll do the same thing & add size 4 Owner trebles on mine.

Okay, what techniques would you use the LTB Teaser rod for? BTW, very nice setup!

Will do! I prefer the lighter rod weight of the Prodigy versus the XML. I do own a couple of the XMLTi in 6'10" MH b/c & 6'9" Drop Shot spinning. I did get the 7'6" XMLTi musky rod & this thing is quite tip heavy. I don't know if I'll be keeping this one...bought it for $90.

Handle too thin? You mean handle length, if so I thought the handle length were good. Or if you mean how it holds w/ a reel on it, well if feels a little bit thick IMO. But still a good hold on the rod. Compared to the XML, I like the Prodigy more for the price. I think the XML is a bit heavier than the Prodigy in weight. I like the direct contact of the hand to the rod blank on the Prodigy as compared to on the XML.

Was at Cabelas yesterday & they had the new Prodigy rods in. I had a flyer that had them on sale for $80 ea, so I bought 1 ea of b/c & spinning rods. Also the flyer had the Shimano Citica Combo w/ the Prodigy rod for $160...that's a great price! And the Shimano Symetre w/ Prodigy combo for the same price & bought that also. First impressions on these rods are they are very nice for the price. The foam grips on them are similar to what's on the Shimano Cumara rods. The guides seem nice, don't know much about Pacific Bay Hialoy guides, but I would think they are in between the Fuji Hardloy & Alconite guides. The reel seats on both are very similar to the Shimano Cumara w/ the spinning rod having a graphite area on top of the reel seat, for more sensitivity. The weight port is cool, but I don't think I'll be using it. But here's something if you do decide to use the weight port to save some money. You can get steel washers w/ the same diameter as the post, instead of buying the weight set at $11.00. You gotta be picky when you get these rods. Some of the Prodigy rods I looked at, the guiedes weren't all that aligned. I picked the best & straightest of the lengths & actions I wanted. Static testing on the sensitivity of the rod seems good, very good sensitivty. The blank is the same that's on the Magtouch rods, but more subtle coloring than on the Magtouch rods. The Eva grips are a bit on the "thick" side. Hard to explain till you mount a reel & feel for yourself. This is comparing to the Shimano Cumara, which I think has a very good hold on the rod w/ the Eva grips. The Eva grips are on the firm side, not mushy. It feels a bit smooth, I hope that I get a good grip when the grips get wet & gets some use. The hook hanger is weird. It's an open hook hanger like on Kistler rods, but they have it facing up; not down. It would be easy to place a hook on the hook hanger, but if you use the rod for drop shotting, or if you want to just snag to the hook it's not possible w/ the hook hanger facing upwards. The pics on Cabelas website & in the catalog doesn't show this. I just bought these rods yesterday & wouldn't you know it, we have snow storms till late tomorrow. So I won't have a chance to try out these rods till during the week. But so far I am quite happy w/ these purchases. Especially happy that I got a couple combos at better than retail price! So there's not arguments, the rods are made in China. I would put these rods against the new St Croix Mojo rods, since they are about the same price by $10. Both are great rods at an affordable price & both are great looking. Also bought a couple of the new Berkley Lightning Rod Shox. Got the 7'6" ML spinning rod & the 6'6" Medium b/crods. The specs has line weight for both braid & mono. The 6'6" M b/c rod seems like it would make a very good topwater/crankbait/jerkbait rod. It has enough flex for the fish to set the hook themselves w/ mono line. The 7'6" ML spinning rod would be good to cast lighter lures on mono also. Using braids w/ these rods is what the intention is, but they seem quite versatile w/ braid & mono. Sensitivity seems good, I wouldn't use it for jig/worm fishing w/ mono. But would probably have good sensitivity when using braid. These rods go for $50-55 ea, that's a very good price on a split grip rod. If you're looking for an inexpensive crankbait rod w/ split grips & can do other applications w/ either braid or mono, this is one rod to think about. I need to head back to Cabelas cuz I goofed & picked up 2 6'6" M spinning rods. One is a firm action & the other is extra firm. I like the extra firm better for an all around rod & also for dock skipping. So if you're in the market for new rods & don't want to bust the bank, check out the Prodigy rods. This rod has alot of goodies that are offered in the more expensive name brand rods for $100. Check your local Cabelas ad in the next few weeks. These will go on sale & also the combos I mentioned. Lastly, the ad will have Rapala lures at 25% off!

I'm bumming out just a bit w/ this lure. I pulled out the pin to put one of the bb's inside. I then put the pin back & it pushed all the way through...AARRRGGGHHH!!! It popped off some plastic on the top of the lure & looks like crap. $20 for this lure & this happens. So I got some Gorilla Glue & put a dab on the hole on top, I hope that will hold it. I'm going to replace the hooks on mine & go w/ Owner trebles, those are just a bit heavier in size 4.

Thanks for the reply Randall. Now if I use a number 2 in front & a number 4 in back, do I have to still use the bb's for the sink rate? I know I have to experiment w/ the hooks, but you notice if you use both 4's or a 2 & 4 if the action of the lure is hindered at all?

I just bought this lure today at BPS, they had a few left. I did find the one I want, the shad color in slow/fast sinking. First of all, this lure is smaller than I expected it to be, also the 2 treble hooks are small. So I'm wondering, can I upsize the treble hooks on this lure? Also the hooks don't look all that strong to me. I'm thinking of either going w/ an Owner size 2 or 4 treble hooks, but I don't want to kill the action. You think I could do this?

Chronarch B, slightly lower profile than the Curado D. Also weighs just a bit less than the Curado D. I would like to add a Chronarch BSV to my collection. Bigger line capacity & longer handle, but slightly heavier than the B. But this would make an excellent swimbait reel.

Topwater= Shallow= Mid depth= Deep= Just curious what your go to or favorite cranks for any of the water depths. Do you prefer plastic or wood I guess time of year or conditions would play a role in what you would use. Also small discription of why you use or like this crankbait. Don't get too complicated, just list 1 or 2 that you have the best confidence in each depth. I'm not talking softbait, but hardbaits.

If I'm switching out the stock hooks on a crankbait, & I want to use 2 different sized treble hooks; 1 of them a size bigger, which end should the bigger & 1 size smaller go? Do I want a bigger hook on the belly or on back of the crankbait? And if I use a 1 size smaller to compliment the bigger hook, does that go on the belly or the back of the crankbait? Or do you keep the same sized trebles for the belly & back?

The more I look at those pics, they sure turned out quite nice from a camera phone. I'll be trying my luck again tomorrow & will be bringing along my 7' Daiwa Procyon b/c rod w/ a Abu Garcia S-L b/c reel w/ 12 lb P-Line CXX. Also 6'9" Cabelas XMLTi drop shot rod(I'll be using this for light crankbaits) paired w/ a Shimano Symetre 1500FI w/ 6 lb Yozuri Hybrid. We got snow last night & it's just not fun going out on a day like today. Also it's Valentines day...don't want the wifey getting all huffy & puffy w/ me!

35 deg air temp, ice finally off the river. After a rough week of quizzes & tests for radiology, I needed a little time off! The dinner bell rung & here the fishy's a cometh... Lure: New Rapala Shallow Rap Rod/Reel: 6'9" MH Carrot Stix/Team Daiwa Sol(10 lb P-line CXX) Lure: Sworming Hornet 1/2 oz head w/ 3" paddle tail Rod/Reel: Falcon Cara T7 6'10" MH Finesse Jig split grip rod/Shimano Calcutta 51 (20 lb/6 dia Sufix Braid) HUH??? Big bluegill chomps on a 3/4 oz SK Sexy Shad w/ 3/0 short shank treble hooks, this bluegill ACTUALLY bit the lure!!!: HUH PART DEUX: A big crappie on a 1/2 SK Red Eye Shad chrome/black, guess the crappie thought on chomping on the lure; but didn't move fast enough. I thought it was a small bass when I hooked it & was very surprised what was on the other end: Thank you for viewing...now back to our regularly scheduled program....

I just picked up a brand new Sahara 2500FB from D*cks sporting good, they had a few 1500's & 1 2500 FB's left for $40 on clearance. I had a $10 rewards cert that I used to buy the 2500FB. So....how are these reels? I have last years Symetere 1500 & it's a very good reel. For those that still own or used to own, how well does it perform, etc, etc...

Thanks for all the replies, this has been most informative & entertaining. As I said, I completely undstand why one would be brand loyal & that's great. But for someone like me, it would eventually become boring, but that's me. Now if I was in your shoes for tourney fishing, then yes matching rods & reels would be the way to go cuz the consistency is there & "no" surprises. In regards to Pflueger, I would love to try out their reels, especially the new ones, the Summit, Patriarch & the new President. But alas, they don't make left hand versions of those reels. Which makes me wonder if certain or most BPS branded reels are Pflueger, why does BPS they have similar Pflueger reels & offer them in left hand??? While Pflueger only offers their newer reels in right hand. Also I'm sure Pflueger if they wanted to can incorporate the swept handle & star drag like the BPS brand b/c reels have. I even asked a Pflueger rep that I ran across in a fishing store why they don't have any of the new b/c reels in left hand. The previous President had a left hand verision b/c reel, now in 2009 they don't. I would think that was a pretty good seller for them. The rep didn't give me an answer & just said that "yes, they need to come out w/ left hand b/c reels." I know the Trion b/c reel is a very good reel & it seems that alot of you guys own them, But I'm talking about now, 2009 models that the left hand user if not part of the batting line up. Again, thanks to all who respond to this post, it's just interesting on your guy's take on brand loyalty...it would be an honor of mine to one day have a chance to fish w/ any of you guys here on this board. You guys are very well educated & well versed on what you prefer for fishing equipment & don't mind sharing here, even though you'll get kudos for saying or get slammed. But most of you guys stick to your guns why you would use this or that brand & for this or that reason. Lets all have a great 2009 fishing season...it's starting...NOW!

I'll give props to Simmons Sports via ebay. I've bought a few things from them, especially when they drop the prices on the stuff.

Just curious why you pick or stick w/ 1 brand of rod or reel. Are you sponsored by them or just have a liking to a particular brand? If you are that loyal to a particular brand, would you or have tried other brands & if so, did you like that other brand or just didn't like it for some reason? I am not loyal to any brand rod/reel, I'm all over the board when it comes to what I like. It might be cuz it's new or something about it I just have to have. Or I found a very good price on that particular item. I haven't found a brand of rod/reel that makes me truly loyal to that brand. I know that all brands have good & bad or okay features that we like, or some we like but will deal w/ some things that we don't like. Why I ask this is for the mooks that are loyal to Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Quantum, Pflueger, Browning, Okuma, BPS, Cabelas, etc...but not in that order. Don't get miffed if I didn't list your brand first or second, it's just how I put them; if I missed not giving props to your brand it's cuz I forgot. So are you loyal to one brand or have a bunch of different brands? If you do have different brands do you like one more than the other? To me life is too short to be loyal to one brand...unless I'm sponsored to use that brand, then it's a whole different ballgame. I understand that others will use only one kind of reel or rod to keep the qualities & feel they want & not change out & have a totally different quality or feel. I don't tournament fish & so I don't know if having all my rods & reels being the same will improve the quality or feel of my fishing. I'm not trying to start a war here, just been curious since everyone has an opinion of what they like something & blast something they don't like for whatever reason. It could be cuz it broke, or the feel or quality wasn't what you felt it would be. Or someone talked you into that particular brand to like or talked you out of that brand for a reason. Something I've noticed when I watch tournament fishing shows, it seems the pro's aren't sponsored by Gloomis. If they are they don't seem to really get the exposure as other companies do. I don't recall a pro who is sponsored by Gloomis. But it's nice to see some fishing shows & see the rod or reel they are using isn't all the real expensive stuff. I saw Ike using a Daiwa Light N Tough rod on one of his shows & use a Daiwa Zillion rod. I saw Jason Quinn on a BPS fishing show using an All Star ASR rod. Another thing that intrigues me is all those guys on tv fishing shows seem to use right handed baitcast reels. Once in a great while I'll see someone using a left hand b/c reel, but it's not the pro but a guest. But it's nice to see the BPS guys actually using BPS equipment...I know they are getting paid or sponsored by BPS, but still nice to see that they are not using some other brands...on accident. : Step up to the plate & tell me why you're loyal to a certain brand of rod &/or reel.