Dr. Watson

Well, I can't speak for everyone else, but as far as soft plastics go, I catch the majority of my fish on: color: junebug, green pumpkin/red flake, and watermelon/red flake lure: ribbon tail worms (edit: this includes senkos), creatures, and grubs brands: rage tail, Gary Yamamoto, reaction innovations, and since I can't do just three, culprit

X2 on price range... also, are the frogs you use topwater or do you T. rig them? Cause from the looks of it you're going to want a bottom contact rod.

Check these guys out, I haven't used them for fishing since I moved back to FL, but when I lived in TN they were great. They were just my PT gloves, but they work for just about every thing; very durable products and they make a ultra light weight all weather too. http://www.seirus.com/home The gloves I have: http://www.seirus.com/tactical-detail/1844/?ltag=tactical-ByTag/all-weather/

I like their other live target cranks, they work great for me; this just seems like a experimental umbrella rig without all the wires. I would think it would work in theory, but I'm not going to be the guinea pig. lol

I always use flourocarbon leader on my braid, makes it a little more forgiving on hooksets, yet keeps the sensitivity of the braid. Just make sure you tie good line to line knots when pairing the leader to the braid. I use a double uni knot, one tying the braid to the leader and one tying the leader to the braid, they tighten down on each other making them slip proof. I'm always looking for fishing buddies, send me a PM.

I'm noticing a trend here...lol; liking the Legend Tournaments and Curados are we? My Legend Tournament teaser is one of my favorite rods...great for finesse applications and a great frog rod too.

Could have been funnier with Patrick Stewart instead of Tony....

Just keep in mind, St. Croix rods are generally stiffer than other brands, so a Med. powered rod fishes like a MH powered rod of others and so on. I love both of my St. Croix rods, I think you'll like that Avid once you get your hands on it, make sure to try it with a reel on it.

I always carry my multi tool (leatherman), a small hand held scale, and in my terminal tackle box: assorted bullet weights, rubber bobber stoppers (good for pegging), Owner hooks (3/0-4/0, organized by size and type), assorted swivels, and extra treble hooks.

I would go with the Chronarch, I love my MGX, but all my Shimanos feel more refined/solid. If you are looking at that MGX take a look at the review I did a while back on mine vs. my Core: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/102687-core-50mg7-vs-revo-mgx-711/ it might give you some more insight as to what you are getting.

Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra soft....that is all.

Green Suffix 832 for me!

I always use a backing with braid, it keeps it from slipping on the spool and cutting into it. However, I don't use mono or fluoro; I use electrical tape, works great and you only need a couple of wraps around the spool with it. Plus, you don't waste expensive fluorocarbon when you use electrical tape.

Doesn't sound like junk to me....

I don't really fish a lot of bladed jigs, but I was thinking that maybe you could construct one of these weed guards for it with some small gauge wire; that might help with heavier cover. http://www.abfishingtackle.com/acatalog/MustadWeedGuardHookImage1.jpg

This is great guys, let's keep it going....and it doesn't matter if you have "junk" gear as someone said earlier; it took me some time and a deployment to build the gear I have up from a Zebco 5'6" combo rod . If it works for you then that's all that counts!

X2 for the SC Avid, it's within your price point and is well worth it. Sensitive, light, made in the US, and backed by lifetime warranty and great customer service.

Mine have been stored rolled up in their original bags inside of a ziplock for a couple years now and are still soft. I've only used MegaStrike on them for sent and a little of it goes a long way.

If you want to send one of those replaced GLX's my way, I wouldn't complain

If your wanting a St. Croix, at least step it up to the Avid, more sensitive and made in the US not Mexico plus Lifetime warranty. The Avid has many lengths and actions to choose from, I'd say 6'8"-7' MH Fast, would be the best all rounder. Pair it up with a reel you like and I don't think you can go wrong. Personally I think the older Curado E's and Citica E's are great for all around/multi purpose setups and you can pick them up really cheap now. I think this setup would be wonderful and you'd have money left over to spend on lures and terminal tackle, which makes the bait monkey happy!!!

I want to hear what y'all have to say about a dedicated all around jig/t. rig setup, money is of no issue cause I am just playing around/researching right now and not looking to buy something anytime soon. My current jig rig is a G. Loomis IMX MBR 843C 7' MH with a Curado 200E7 and suffix 832 #20 braid w/ approx 15 feet of Seaguar Invizx #12 floro as leader. My soft plastics t. rig rod is a G. Loomis NRX 802C 6'8" M XF with a Core 50MG7 and #12 Seaguar invizx florocarbon. I absolutely love both of these setups, but was thinking about trading the NRX in for the MH version (803C I believe). What do you think?

I have a Savvy for T. Rigs, Jigs, and Spinnerbaits. It's very light and balanced. I'd let you try it out if you want, I'm supposed to be in the fish eating creek area next month. as for the original post: I wouldn't say I have a particular brand I follow, as far as rods go, but when looking for one I: - Check the power and action by pushing the tip down slightly on the floor and seeing where the rod bends and how stiff it feels - It may sound funny when your in the store, but I check the sensitivity by having either someone i'm with or one of the store clerks, stick the tip of the rod in the hollow of their neck and hum; if the rod is sensitive you should feel a strong vibration in the reel seat - Try to go for a lifetime warranty (I think all my rods, but one, have a lifetime warranty) - Compare at the pricepoint vs. features/components - Check how it feels in the hand with a reel on it and how light the rod is and does it balance well - Check the overall build quality, straightness of the blank, guide wraps, guides, glue points, reel seat fitting, grip, and but cap The last thing I look at is the overall look of the rod, is this something you can stare at hours on end with your reel on it, cause after all if you don't like it, then why buy it?

Try the M setup with that Chronarch, that reel works exceptionally well with light lures. As for the rod, I'd stick with that M, I say this because my SC Legend Tournament is the teaser rod made just for weightless plastics and it's a M. power. Also, like I said previously SC's rods are a bit stiffer than advertised. Experiment, see what you like the most and most importantly, what the fish like

I'd go with #1, just with a lighter line, 10-12 LB would be better in my opinion for weightless applications. Don't worry about the med. power, it's a St. Croix, they tend to be a bit more powerful than advertised; so, a M. is closer to a MH, and a MH is closer to a H. I own several St. Croix rods and love them all, great craftsmanship and wonderful customer service (not that I've ever had to use it).

Spinnerbaits and smaller cranks are better "scouting" lures in my opinion, you can cover a lot of water somewhat quickly and the bass usually love 'em.