DaveT63

I've heard great things about the BPS Carbonlite, and you might be able to get it in your price range during the Spring Sale. Also, keep an eye out in the Flea Market section here on the forum. It's not uncommon to find St Croix Avids and comparable rods for sale used in your range. The Avid is a HUGE step up from the Triumph, and a great rod. Not sure if these are still available, but at least it gives you an idea what you might find. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110991-stcroix-avids/

I would keep an eye out in the flea market here. You should be able to find used Avids and similar quality foot close to that price. I would look for a 7' MHF and a 7' MF, maybe a MLF, and maybe a longer rod for pitching.

The higher end rods most all come with some sort of lifetime warranty. So if it breaks, you aren't out all that money. That helps make the higher price easier to justify for many people.

My MVP would have to be either my St Croix Legend Extreme 7' MF or my G Loomis MBR 842C GLX. No matter where I go, at least one of them are with me, usually both.

I have a St Croix Legend Extreme 7'11" Heavy Moderate Fast rod and a G Loomis MBR844C IMX 7' Heavy Fast rod. I was thinking of using one as a frog rod and one for flipping/pitching. Would they be interchangeable for these purposes, or is one better than the other for either of these applications? Thanks, Dave

I can't speak to the 2012/2013 models, but I have a slightly older (10 or 11) Xtreme 7'MF that I use for light texas rigs and finesse jigs, and I LOVE it. Probably my favorite rod of any I've ever used. If the newer ones have been improved, then they have got to be great rods.

Stradic I'd a great reel, but I have a Sahara 1500 that will out cast my strati CI4 2500 all day long. I'm sure the 2500 Sahara is just as good, and I think I saw then on sale in cabelas bargain room on sale for $60.

I used to have a little Shimano Sedona 750 size reel that was awesome for that use. If you can find one of those, you will have a great little reel that will handle everything in the category you are talking, and at probably a bit less than the price of a Stradic.

Rod: Custom Built 6'8" MXF on a St Croix SCV blank Reel: Steez 103HLA Plastic: RI Kinky Beaver in Sprayed Grass Hard: Kelly J Prop bait

I LOVE Sunline Super Natural Mono. I mostly use 12#, but for lighter purposes, I'll go down to 8#. NEVER have any memory problems with this on a 2500 size spinning reel. And considering it's on sale 2-for-1 rght now, it's hard to beat!

Yep, Mike is a class act and an invaluable asset to this forum!

For spinning tells I would recommend either the Pflueger President, the Shimano Sedona, or the Shimano Sahara. The Sahara is normally $80, but i've seem it on sale for $60 several places lately.

Agree with the guy above. Earlier today, I saw, St Croix still has a 6'6" LTB MH casting rod in their bargain room for $120. ****** that up and forget the Rage.

Thanks! That answered enough for me!! Dave

Has anyone here tried this stuff? Why is it so expensive for a mono? Is it that good? Is it worth the extra cost over their Natural Mono? Thanks, Dave

In that price range, I would strongly consider either the Pflueger Supreme XT or the Shimano Stradic for spinning reels. If you wait until Tackle Warehouse or other places have their Black Friday sales, you can save some good money on them. It 's hard to go wrong with St Croix Avid rods for the price. They are a little above $150, but again, Black Friday sales should bring them down to that or lower. If you don't mind used, you can find some great deals in the Flea Market section, and stretch your money even farther. I've seen Stradic CI4's and Pflueger Patriarchs in there for well under $150 before, and St Croix LTBs and Loomis IMX rods for that as well. I'm relatively new to baitcasters myself, so I won't "strongly suggest" you make the switch. There is a learning curve to using one that I know frustrates less patient people like myself. But I finally got the hang of it and now use mostly baitcasters, with spinning gear for only a couple specific techniques. Best I can say is see if a friend with one will let you try one out for a while to practice with before yo make the decision. Dave

Road warrior is on the mark with the LEC70MHF. I'm not sure if there are any left, but St Croix had.several in their online bargain room for 30-50% off. Tough deal to beat!

I have to agree with the avid. If you post a "wanted to buy" ad for one in the flea market, you can probably get one for a great buy. I've seen several there in the past for $120 or under. At that kind of price, its almost a no-brainer.

I actually use Sunline 12# mono on my Stradics. I very seldom have a line memory problem, even when fishing weightless senkos, which can really induce some line twist.

I love the older USA made Schrades, especially the folders. The Uncle Henry line was, for the most part, stainless steel blades, while the Old Timer line had carbon steel. The more common stockman and trappers can still be found for a relatively good price on ebay, especially if you are looking for a good user. And they are a LOT cheaper than a lot of the ones mentioned above, such as Emerson, Strider, SOG, Spyderco, etc. I will also go a little different direction with a suggestion. I strongly understand the desire to buy American made. But if what you are looking for is a user that will take a beating and not kill the wallet, look at the Rough Rider or Colt knives. Yes, they are made in China, but they have a pretty good reputation even on some of the more hardcore knife forums for exactly what they are, users that you can beat up and not be afraid to lose. They can be perfect for a first knife for kids, and many can be had for $10-15 on ebay. Again, not my preferred way to go, but if it will fit the need, you could do worse.

I'm right handed. I grew up using spinning gear, casting with my right hand and reeling with my left. When I switched to baitcasters, my first was right handed, and it just felt SO wrong. I bought a lefty reel and never looked back.

I have last years 7'MF Xtreme casting rod, and an MBR842 GLX. Both are awesome rods. I honestly don't know that I could choose if I could keep only one. You can't go wrong with either the Xtreme or the GLX.

If you are going to put that much money into it after buying it, I would consider buying something else, given it's age and possible condition. You can certainly find the PX68 and Steez in great used condition. And last year's model of the Steez is on clearance many places new for under $400. I've never used a Sol or Lew's, but I can tell you, in my opinion, the Pixy and Steez are on a completely different level than the Curado's. But if you are going to look at Shimano, the Core can be found for anywhere from about $225 used to under $275 new if you are patient. It weighs about the same as the Steez and is an extremely high quality reel as well. In fact, there are many who argue that the Core is better than the Steez. As to whether they are worth the cost, that is strictly a personal thing. If you know somebody with one, see if you can use it. Try it on your rod if possible, even if you have to take your rod into Bass Pro or another shop to try it on. I've read many posts about people who are more than happy with a tuned Curado 51, putting the saved money into a better quality rod. I love my Pixy, Steez, and Core, and think all 3 were worth the money I paid for them. However, as they say, YMMV.

I am only aware of the 6.8:1 gears. I believe they are the same gears as are currently in the PX68. If there are faster ones our there for the Pixy, I don't know of them.

At roughly 12 ounces spooled, that combo will feel great in your hand! Carbontex is the way to go. Some people also change out the gears to the 6.8:1 and upgrade the bearings. Do a search on the forum for either "Pixilla" or "Pixzilla" to learn more about upgrading this reel to a monster!