flechero

Mostly to fisherman, the fish don't usually care. ...lol Save and except to clear water.

It's a great place for so many reasons.... When I first came here it was when I had shoulder surgury and was under Dr's orders no fishing for 4-6 months so I needed a way to feel like I was fishing. BR filled the void and turned out to be so much more than a website to visit. The Fork trip was the icing on the cake. What a classy bunch of people. I sincerely hope I also make the next "roadtrip" and meet even more of you. I'm only a PM away and about 3/4 of a mile. ;D ;D But- the next couple of weeks are tied up with bow season but when the smallies start hunting craws on the fall feed, I'll put the bow down and meet you at the ramp!!

Muddy, First I'll say, welcome back. Yes, we had a misunderstanding but I am glad you decided to return. I hope you also consider it water under the bridge... (am I still blocked from a PM?) on to topic: I bet you are right, just keep in mind, most of the active audience here at BassResource.com is not America's "norm" when it comes to fishing... we are the obsessed and the obsessive. ...lol Agree 100% and couldn't have said it better.

Nice!! I love to see some fire and angst from the boss!! He usually sends the mod squad! ...lol I tried to order the Premier when it first hit but got backordered... I really don't need one but I cant resist a mid 6 oz. brute! I'll have one or two, soon enough.

Careful, most companies do not use the same blanks anymore for casting and spinning. The spinning blanks are usually softer through the middle.

For those who couldn't see the pics, here you go. Is there any decent close up shots? Perhaps you can get a pic up close with the macro on? It looks like the side plate wasn't in the grove when assembled, but hard to tell from the pics.

Anyone have any idea why this summer has been so full of rod and reel bashing and trashing? There are like 5-6 threads on the first page of "rods, reels and line" that are like this... and this week is no recent exception. It's almost as if there is a need to be heard more than a need to provide info that's either factual or actual experience. I'm amazed at how much bad info gets posted as if it's been verified as fact. It's a pretty crappy trend, IMO. And it's certainly not limited to high end or high dollar rods and reels but a few brands trigger the best and worst, each time they are mentioned. I realize a part of it may be dollars motivated but I think there is something else to it. There isn't much to discuss about it I just wondered if I was the only one who was bothered by the recent spike or if anyone had a "full moon" theory for it.

More than likely you won't even be able to notice a difference in the guides... the length and actions are probably different but you might just like the 7'6" as a frog rod. So give it a try before deciding whether or not you need the frog rod. I would venture to guess the 7'6" will work well. BTW, welcome to BassResource.com

We are way off topic but I have to address one more thing... Sure, just like metal is metal- no matter if it's lead, iron, stainless, titanium or gold, right, it's all the same? Beyond the "metal", blank design, taper, wall thickness, scrim and the actual manufacturing processes all play a significant part in the finished blank. One more thing- Loomis is no more expensive (relatively speaking) than it has always been- there are just way more other quality rods on the market now and since many of them are lesser priced, Loomis "looks" more expensive in comparison. The fact that you can buy a 'good' rod for less money, only means that you can buy a good rod for less money- it's independent of the Loomis... but eager to compare. If you don't want to buy a Loomis, don't. But if you don't buy one, how can you tell people that X or Y rods are just as good? I think it's funny that about 95% of Loomis users say they are a GREAT value and about 95% of non-loomis owners think they couldn't be that good. ...lol

Well, wal-mart carries some good line.... Berkley XL, XT and Big Game for starters and they also carry Silver Thread, Stren & Spiderwire products as well as several others... so which lines are you considering junk? WHich have you tried? Most people would consider several of those good lines, I know I do.

Not so... there at least a dozen in the US alone. I wouldn't even guess how many there are outside the U.S.

The ugly stik should be a good crankbait rod. It's a moderate action and fiberglass... 2 of the cranker's favorite attributes. You would be better off starting with something like a batson glass blank though, it's dirt cheap (price, not quality) and you wouldn't have to try and strip down an ugly stick.

Just as an FYI to the F & F guys, there is a simple formula for determining what weights a fly blank will cast when built as a spinning rod.... that opens you up to litterally hundres of blanks to build as a F & F rod. And gives you lots of length and multi pc. options. (1 pc all the way to 7 pc. depending on your storage needs) Just a thought as it appears there is some real interest in this.

If you will contact Andy Dear at Lamar or Robert Tignor at FishSticks4U they will help you. CTS will make custom blanks to your specs for a small up charge, which will put them about the same cost as IMX blanks and the are available in natural, or several finished colors. There were extended delivery times back in the spring but those have been resolved. (but custom work does take a few extra weeks.) And in case you wondered- CTS blanks are fantastic!!

I can tell you exactly how much the price changed when the Xpeditor warranty was introduced. $0.00 That's right, the price did not go up when they began that program. What's more impressive is that the prices have gone up slower than inflation... My first MBR784 IMX was $225 in 1994 (I remember because that was the summer I bought my first good boat) anyway, the cost of the same rod (including the Xpeditor warranty is now $245 and the 783, 785 and 844 are about the same % of increase in that same time period. Remember it's the shipping you pay- for the new rod and the return shipping of the old one. The rod itself is replaced at no actual cost to you. And thus the term "warranty" and not insurance.

So do you think he did flips or something while jumping out of the water? Maybe played chicken with a boat? Dang kids, they never listen... ;D

If you look where it broke, that's no "slammed in door" break. Now, after spending $300(?), he has to spend another $50 and is w/o a rod for a week. For me,...that would be a problem. > Surely you are just stirring the pot... he didn't say how happened and it's a Greenwater $200 ish. For us regular guys, it cost in the $20-30 range to ship a rod. The Xpeditor is great for any non UPS or Fedex employee. Loomis requires the broken rod be returned... and for REGULAR guys, shipping and return shipping cost more than $50 and at least Loomis sends the replacement first to provide a return tube.

I have to say, Loomis IMO, is a good value in IMX and GLX but the GL2 and GL3 are (again IMO) overpriced and undervalued. I'd go All Star over GL 2 & 3 everytime.

No need to get mad, that's what the *unconditional* warranty is for. At least you have a good company standing behind you.

If you go #12 to #12 (XT to Hybrid) they feel pretty similar at first. (and in warm weather) The XT will have memory problems first but the XT can withstand a few more backlashes and I think more abuse. The ultra soft is a little softer than XT but as suggested, has less memory (better behaved) and I think a little less abrasion resistance. If you go up to the #15 and #20, the Ultra soft and regular Hybrid begin to feel the same... and then I think XT is superior in all areas. JMHO. Some of this is subjective to your location.... here in the deep south where the temps are warm most of the time, XT isn't bad to deal with 9 months of the year.... XT is not a good cold water line. Unless you enjoy playing with slinkies. ...lol

I would say so. I've built on those blanks and they are nice.

No offense to anyone but I think the gl2 and gl3 are WAY overpriced for what you get. IMX is nice if it fits your budget... if not look at some of the All Star rods. Anything more and you could have a ReelMech custom and some money left over.

Isn't it funy how differently we use the same rods for? I use my 844 as a fluke and senko rod mostly...

As a guy who owns a MG50 / custom 844IMX combo, I have to agree with Raul, 100% (and less than $50 more than the Curado) But if you are just building your rod/reel inventory, I would look to get a couple good quality combos vs. one high end. More like your original question. Revo's Citica's and Curado's are all very nice reels. The St. Croix, Falcon and even the All Stars are great rods for the money. You need to figure out what you want each combo to do and rthen we can help you better decide which pairings make the most sense.

Another vote for the IMX. as posted.... for that close of price, I wouldn't consider either of the 1st two. but- (to build the watch!) As for reels, what are you used to using? What do you consider deep and do you use braid or mono? These things may trigger different suggestions. (in the same price range) For example, you might want to think about a 50MG and a GLX (nearly same price as a Core and IMX) or you could use a premier and get a custom rod built and still be in the same price range. You are getting into the price range that doesn't work well with "general" suggestions, which is why I raise the questions.. if your mind is made up, just disregard my other stuff. ...lol