DaveT63

If you are willing to try used, you can likely find a much nicer rod for your money. G Loomis MBR842C GLX would likely pair perfectly with that reel.

St Croix Avid is a very solid choice for under (just) $200.

If I put Boca ABEC7 bearings in a decent Shimano or Daiwa reel today, how long should they last? The life of the reel? 5 years? Thanks dave

I think the Zillion could be a viable option for me. That said, now I'm also thinking about a Metanium MGL. Can anyone tell me how that compares in size to the Alphas or the 50 size Shimanos?

Thanks!! That's what i thought, but have never seen them together. I love the size of the Alphas, so maybe I'll go with an SV 103 instead of the Zillion.

How does the Zillion SV TWS compare to the Alphas SV 105 as far as physical doze s well as palmability? Thanks, Dave

Sunline Supernatural

I have no experience with anything but St Croix. But I can attest to the quality of them. I have a Triumph, Premier, and 2 Legend Elite 2-pc rods. I can't tell the difference between them and a comparable St Croix one-piece, even at the bottom line Triumph level.

If you don't mind a used one, the St Croix Avid or Avid X 7' MHM rod pops up from time to time for less than that, and if you are patient, you can find a G Loomis CBR843C for that or less. I love mine for what you want to use it for.

I recently bought a JDM Scorpion 71. It's a great reel, but I prefer the size of my Shimano 51's and the Daiwa Alphas line, to include the Pixy and Sol over the 71.

I don't know about the older spinning reels, but I have an older Shimano Bantam Mag baitcaster from the 80's or 90's that will bomb a lure as far as my Shimano Cores.

Semper Fi to all the Marines, and thanks to all those who served in the other services. GySgt, Ret. USMC 1982-2002

Very nice! I do woodworking, but haven't had the nerve, nor the patience, to take up carving. Well done!

For rods its mainly St Croix and G Loomis. For reels, I like Shimano and Daiwa, although I'm close to ring out a Lews.

I use a 6'8" Medium Extra Fast spinning rod with a 2500 size reel, spooled with 10lb Sunline Supernatural Mono. Not really sure what the gear ration is on the reel.

Thanks for all the replies! This place is awesome for learning!!!

I read that IPT is more important than gear ratio. I get that having a high IPT would help take up slack on a hookset and get a fish out of the salad and into the boat faster. But aren't the two relative? What gives one 6.4:1 reel a higher IPT than another? Thanks, Dave

Yes. It took me a little bit to get it dialed in, but after that, it's good to go.

Like others have said, it depends on the rod. Sometimes I jump on the new technology, but other times.... I've got an earlier model MBR842C GLX that I wouldn't get rid if someone offered me multiple NRXs for. I've got a brand new St Croix Legend Elite, but I also have a last generation St Croix Legend Xtreme with the cork handle and recoil guides I'm about to advertise for sale, and Avids I will keep for a long time.

I've never used any of them, but the President gets some SERIOUS love around these parts, so I would probably go with that. I've never used any of them, but the President gets some SERIOUS love around these parts, so I would probably go with that.

I've never used a GL3, but I feel there is a quite noticeable difference between my IMX and GLX, so I'm sure you will notice a difference.

I think that rod is one of the best i have ever used. After i traded it, i missed it so much i bought the MBR843C NRX to replace it, but find I liked the GLX better. I used it for jigs and weighted t-rigs.

Friends and I have fished it one weekend a year for the last 4 years I now. The first three years, I had a 16' aluminum semi-v hull that worked well. I only used the trolling motor, and got around find. Last year I got a 19' bass boat and took that to Briery. We had only fished the lower end the first three years, and while there are a LOT of stumps, I was still pretty comfortable. This year, we launched one day from the ramp by the dam. There a stumps so thick in places up there that I wasn't sure I would be able to get out, and my nerves stayed on edge the whole time. I think that little 16 footer would have been better up there. I think this year I will be staying towards the lower end again. I guess after all that, I meant to say that I think you would be fine with a 16 or 17 foot aluminum boat with a 9.9, although I don't know how much I personally would run the outboard since I'm not as familiar with the place as Wayne is.

I do woodworking when I can find the time. I want to try my hand at making some balsa crankbaits this winter in my down time.

Both are great rods. I prefer the full handle of the Elites over the split grip of the Extremes, and the cork Extremes over the newer handle material. On the other hand, I really like the recoil guides of the previous generation Extremes over those on the previous Elites. Just picked up a new Elite with the Torzite guides, but haven't been able to fish it yet. I've thought several times about having a custom built on a St Croix SCVI blank with a full cork handle and the recoil guides. Just need to make it happen some day.