The Yankee Fist

Boy, you ain't kiddin'...TOO many choices and the sad fact is alot of stores in my area seem to lack those core Croix models like what road warrior mentioned...also with Loomis. Tough to buy without wigglin' the stick until you fish one and then you can confidently order online. Out for delivery says UPS on my Bronzeback GLX spin rod...can't wait to hopefully fish it all weekend...the weather is crap but a nice new rod should part the skies I'm interested to see after 25 years of wanting a Loomis if it was worth the wait......that SJR721 was GREAT(crooked handle/seat and had to go back) and I'm hoping to kick that up a notch in power, length, sensitivity and that NICE handle on the Bronzebacks. Gotta touch the blank...finger on the money ;D ;D ;D

;D Thanks again!

I'm TOTALLY speechless. Wow!

Will do! I am going to be river fishing 80% of the time from shore and the other 20% will be lakes and ponds this weekend from shore as well. I am going to try and review all aspects, good and bad, from my perspective on the banks. Casting, current performance, sensitivity and the thing I'm most curious about.....LIGHT baits below even what the rod recommends. Casting in tight quarters will be interesting too....I'm hoping that GLX blank allows for quick, tight "wrist flick" casts. At 6'10" I know it will be tough but I bet this rod probably has a little mojo going on due to the GLX and I should see some of that helping on those quick flicks. I'll post it in the "Rods" area in the forum....high hopes over here!

Too late am I.. ;D Standard fare there.......northwest in am, work deeper off that as the sun rises. Great lake!

Hello, after alot of searching I did decide on the Bronzeback GLX simply because it fits alot of applications and species for this mostly shore bound goat ;D I like that I can fish down to 6lb, which I use mostly or 8 when the going is rugged on the rivers. Looks like it will be here Friday and I will file a full report after next weekend. I did fish an SMR750S-SP this past week and that rod was not worth 220.00 IMHO. Not even in the league of an IMX or those St Croix's mentioned above. I have a friend with the 66mf that lives in Texas and he uses that rod for EVERYTHING a casting rod can't be used for. Good luck!

Just south of the Mass line in CT.....shallows 2:00pm-ish and hugging the rocky banks of the Housatonic river but not many takers.

That's a happy day! NICE FISH!

I had a chance only to check out the med/heavy variants and at that money( even not on sale) they are pretty darn nice....I almost bought one but didn't need any sizes or actions they had in the store. 69 bucks, load up and sneak 'em by the lady!

Nice! Congrats! Weather is wreaking havoc with us I think. I got 2 smallies on 4/19 with white 1/8oz grubs. One was about 16" and one was about 14"....NOTHING else so far. One small largemouth today.....in clear water on a chartreuse crank....go figure. I WISH I had some black hair jigs. > I can't believe I forgot them last Cabela's trip.

If I'm bushwhacking 2 max, general shore fishing where I can get to my car, 4-5, 2 spin, 2 cast and an unltra light... boat...as many as I can Today I was shore fishing and some spots were really tight. I had a 6'3" spinning rod with 6lb test and a 6ft casting rod with YZ hybrid 15lb test that I use for cranks and spinnerbaits. I wish I brought my 7 foot casting rod to throw some heavy jigs in the current and pools. Runoff is still a bear here. Not one stinking smalljaw today or yesterday, it's unusually hot right now...one small largemouth though. ;D

Nice!

What a goof! I actually spoke to Cal who reviewed that rod. He said he hadn't used it on river but said it would probably work well. What's ironic is that article led me here! Also, it was like the only rod review I could come up with that was that in depth pertaining to what I was looking for. As with the Loomis stuff, St Croix around here is either the heavy tackle or fly stuff. I'm going to have to start driving all over and see who has what in stock or wait until they do have inventory.

Hi! Thanks! I looked at those at my local Cabela's but they were out of everything but the super heavy stuff. What are the models you like in those series? Forgive my "newbieness" but I am so amazed at the proliferation of rods/techniques/actions that I'm kinda lost for an all around smallie river spinning stick. The only reason I was looking att Loomis was that's all they had that felt like what I was looking for. I do think (Loomis) they are very expensive though. Even Cabela's own brand higher end rods were really nice but heavy and seemed a bit heavy feeling. I'm not stuck on Loomis so keep 'em coming! Much appreciated! Scott

Thanks again! I can't believe the amount of info here......home is right!

Thanks guys!

My name is Scott and I have a smallmouth bass obsession I finally joined after lurking and abusing the search function for a few months. ;D Just a wonderful amount of knowledge and what seems to be a great bunch of people. Oh yeah, been fishing for about 30 years, the past 15 of which I have mostly concentrated on smallmouths. Biggest largemouth bass: 6lbs 14 oz Local pond as a kid. Bigges smallie:Killarney park Canada: 6lbs 1 oz. in 2000. I primarily fish the Housatonic river in CT by shore and sometimes summer wading. I favor light line for smallies and for largemouth I bring out the heavier stuff as the ponds and lakes are so weed choked near me and weher I can fish. I love the hunt for smallmouth and the insane acrobatics and fight.

Hi! Great forum here, loads of info Okay, I'm in a bit of a dilemma here and in need of help.... I have finally decided to upgrade to a premium rod and reel for my river smallie adventures here in NW CT. The Housatonic River is where I go for those that may be members here who fish there. I bought a Shimano Sustain FE 2500 Reel which seems pretty nice...not like a Stella nice but nice. I have decided on a G. Loomis because I really like their actions and feel. I purchased an SJR721 IMX last week and it felt and responded beautifully however, the handle was installed off center of the guides and creating an odd feel and Loomis told me to return it, which I did. Only problem, no more and not for quite some time so I picked up a SMR 750S-SP.....not thrilled with that in currents but I love the Tenn. handle and I'm sure it will be great with light jigs and plastics in the summer but the budget will allow one good one this year and this isn't the one. Sooooo...sorry to be long winded but with so many choices out there today I'm kinda lost. Here is what I am looking at: SMR822S-SP GLX Bronzeback..seems to handle alot of variety, longer length, goodline choices( I use 6 and 8lb Yo Zuri Hybrid thanks to you guys here...magnificent line!) and the length/power/action may fit me well. The handle is nice too. I hated the standard IMX handle FWIW but would live with it. I'm a landlubber(no boat yet) so all fishing is done from shore. I would greatly appreciate your advice and opinions. Thanks so much, Scott 8-)