christine Cellino

The bcr802 or 852 rods are simply amazing; Just ridiculously fast and crisp. Extra-fast doesn't do the rod justice....they are the fastest blanks on the market, which equate to unreal sensitivity. I haven't fished a mossyback, only the GLX version of the BCR series. The Mossyback is reported to be a blend of IMX and GL3 fibers, and although it is generally stated that Loomis really 'begins' with the IMX series, I've heard good things about the Mossy's.

I'm 5'2" BTW, so don't be scared of the longer rods. I used 6' and 6'6" rods forever, and just the past couple of years switched to 7 footers, and it greatly improved my hooksets.

This idea of a 7' 6"+ rod being balanced at the reel seat is a fantasy. The longer the rod the more tip heavy it will be. The only way to "balance" these long rods is to place the reel seat 2 feet or more from the butt or add weights to the butt end, which seems crazy to me. Why would you put additional weight on an already large, heavy rod. Long heavy flipping sticks have a specific purpose and they might feel "out of balance" until you hook a nice sized bass and have to reel him along with 5lbs of grass or a a 4' foot long tree limb. This when you will appreciate a big, heavy, out of balance pool cue and 65lb braid. JMHO Ronnie True, but the Mojo's have always felt tip heavy to us, and the reason we haven't bought one.

The Bucoo is the lightest rod in the $100 price range, and actually the lightest rod Falcon makes. Balance is there as well. My hubby and I try to stay around the $100 mark, and we have a lot of different rods in that range, with the Bucoo being our favorite regarding weight, balance, and sensitivity. When I was at Academy last week, they had the new Bucoo's with Micro guides, and they appeared to be very nice sticks.

No, it is a 'Hybrid', as the name implies. Yozuri is mono and fluoro co-extruded together; i.e. a blend. This is similar to Pline's 'Floroclear' in that they are both mono and fluoro mixes, but the Pline is a copolymer with a fluorocarbon coating, not an extruded blend like the Yozuri.

My advice would be to fish the first two before you buy the third....

Even better is the fact Academy does their 'Rod Riot' several times a year, and just had one two weeks ago. During the rod riot, all rods are on sale, and the more expensive the rod, the more $ you save. The Ethos were $39.99 during the rod riot. Definitely a great bargain. I don't expect the rod to be a G. Loomis, but it is light, balances well, has a crisp fast action, and Alconites. Weight and balance is big for me, because I'm short, and a 7ft rod is like a 7'6" rod to me. The 6'6" casting rod was the lightest and best balanced of the bunch, but only comes in a medium-heavy.

I thought it had too much memory.

My mojo spinning rod is rather heavy, or maybe it just isn't 'balanced' as well as the other rods in that price range. I don't own a Veritas, but my husband does and he likes it. The white color makes for a handsome rod, too.

Lots of options in the $100 price range. Between my hubby and I, it seems like we have one of every new rod that has hit the market at $100 or under, including the Veritas/Vendetta, H20 Ethos, Falcon Bucoo, Carrot Stick, etc. The new split grip rods with foam handles just look sooo sexy :-* , I think I'm buying them just to display them, lol. If I had $120 to spend, I'd buy 2 of the new Academy 'Ethos' rods instead of 1 Bucoo or 1 Falcon Lowrider. Academy stands behind everything they sell, and will take it back for a full refund if you aren't 100% satisfied. The salesman told my husband that if 'it wasn't sensitive enough, bring it back in and we will refund your money.' I love that! I just wish the fishing department staff at Academy and most everywhere else would treat women like they know how to fish!

Hubby and I were at Academy on Saturday hear in Tulsa, and the salesman was anxious to show us the new H20 Express rods they just got in. The rod line is called the 'Ethos', and they sport a bright blue blank...very similar to my Legend Tournament Spinning rod, yet with a matte blue finish. These rods are split cork grip/no foregrip. These rods are light; like carrot stick light. Color me impressed. The guides were a nice surprise as well, with the tag showing they were Fuji Alconites accompanying a Fuji ACS reel seat. They are only $59 as well. I purchased the 7' MH, which obviously will be a good all-arounder. Balance is incredible. You all should give these a look if you have an academy near you.

Def. an awesome vid...

I like Ike's show...

As stated; Frog all the way. It weeds out the men from the boys.

Does your index finger get sore from throwing swimbaits with a spinning rod? It seems like mine would.

Reels: Daiwa/Shimano Rods: Loomis/Abu/H20/Daiwa Hard Baits: Lucky Craft, Bagley's, Xcalibur , OSP Line: Pline CXX, Trilene Fluoro

The color RED!

I would wait for the Curado 100E to come out later this year if you like smaller, lighter reels. The Japanese version came out already (the scorpion 1000), and Shimano doesn't make a low-profile baitcaster in Japan that doesn't have an American counterpart. I have an old scorpion 1000 which is my favorite reel, and I'm kind of counting on the 100E to be as good or better. I know a lot of guys use the 100 size due to weight, but it's a necessity for me because of my small hands. I also like the line capacity of the smaller reels; I use 12lb line for most of my needs and don't need a deep spool.

Quick background, if I may. I've been using JDM rods for probably 7 years now, Megabass, Evergreen and Daiwa (Japan Versions). Last year, I got tired of worrying about stuff walking away during tournaments, stuff being kicked overboard or broken so I picked up the Vendetta 6'9" casting model. I liked it so much I picked up the 6'3" caster, than the 7' med moderate, then the 6'9" spinning and the 7'6" heavy flippin. For about $350 I have a great set of rods that I can take anywhere I use any way I see fit without a second thought. I wouldn't use them in tournaments if they were garbage, that's insanity. The gap between great equipment and excellent is narrowing. I'd enjoy seeing some pics of those rods; I've been thinking of buying my husband a 'special' rod for his birthday, and I've always admired those Japanese fishing rods.