Jiggen

I guess i am the only one that owns Pinnacle Perfecta rods.and I own almost every other. For the money I don't think you can buy a better rod. It is as good as some of my Loomis rods. Don't buy without trying different brands yourself. Not all rods fit everyone.

Modified Uni. Since I started using it I have never broken off at the knot. It gives a hole new meaning to using Fluoro and gives you all the benefits without the worries of break offs. Just and amazing Knot with Fluoro. Still use Palomar for everything else.

Modified Uni for fluoro. Just a uni 2 times threw the hook eye. Tested this knot against many. The line will break most times before the knot. Berkley Braid knot seems a bit stronger, but large and difficult to tie. Palomar for everything else.

I seen some very good reviews about the Pinnacle Perfecta rods from you previously. I believe they are one of the best rods out there for the money. My Glx's and my Perfecta rods are my most used. I would like to know if you have changed your opinion of the Perfecta, because I thought your review was dead on. Jim

Braid is only more sensitive then Fluoro on a taught line. Just for a test try experimenting by holding the line when you pull over the bottom and see if you feel a noticeable difference. I believe you will. If so it is most likely your rod. Pinnacle makes a great rod for the money. Jim

I have not used Fluoroclear, but I can tell you knot type is critical with any type of Fluoro line. Also the best knot varies from Fuoro to Fluoro. I like P-Lines 100% Fluoro, and I use 8lb test for Dropshotting Perch in deep water. Now you know I am using a Polamer Knot and guess what? If I do not retie after a good day it will break at the knot. Now as a leader I use a modified Uni and I can pull my boat with it. Don't consider that line is junk with out trying numerous knots. Jim

I second the Pinnacle Rod. My 7' heavy is 4.2 oz. Great rod for the money. Also the Shimano. Crucial

As far as rods go I do not feel much difference if any between my GLX, Perfecta or my Crucial rods. I think once you get rods down in weight the playing field gets a lot closer then everyone realizes regardless of cost. Modulus ratings mean little to me. How you build the rod can make up greatly for a lesser quality blank. Sensitivity is an equation. You have a lure, line, rod, reel and lastly yourself. The only variable is the angler and also the weakest link. Jim

I have an XT and have fished it a lot. I am also a shimano believer, however for the money I don't believe you can buy a better reel. Actually most other reels I have in that price range don't even come close to the Optimus. I have heard pro's and cons on their spinning reels, but nothing but positives on their baitcasters. Jim

Modified Uni Knot

It is true in most cases braid is not as abrasion resistant as fluoro, however some fluoro's have no better or worse abrasion properties then a good Mono or Copoly line. One thing to remember Braid vs Fluoro. If Fluoro gets nicked by anything or starts to fray it will break with little effort. If Braid frays it will hold up quite well for a long time so you have more then adequate time to retie. Not so with Fluoro. Jim

I had both. Either is a good choice. You need to get both in your hands before you buy if that is possible. In my opinion their is quite a difference in the reels. I sold my Curado's and have upgraded some of them to Chronarchs. I still own my Optimus XT. I use it on my Dropshot rod. I will be upgrading some of my older reel to the Optimus if that tells you anything. In either case the curado is a good reel, just overpriced in my opinion unless you get some of those killer deals on the older model close outs. Jim

Toray Super Hard Upgrade is hard to beat, however if the pocket book is a concern use P-Line 100% Pure Fluoro. I have used and tried most. I prefer Fluoro with lower stretch. Less manageable, but more sensitive. Also with these types of Fluoro your knot becomes very important. Use a modified Uni and you will not break off at the knot. The biggest fault people make with fluoro is to up their line size to compensate for break offs. Larger lines less fish. Debatable, but true. Hope this helps. Jim

Pinnacle Perfecta or the Shimano Crucial. Both great rods for the money. It most likely will come down to the handle you prefer. Jim

Here are two. I will weigh the rest of my rods at a later date. Pinnacle Perfecta 7' Heavy Baitcaster 4.2 oz. Powell Max 7' Heavy Baitcaster 5.8 oz. Jim

Agreed. Jim

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Revo knockoff??? I don't know where you are getting that from. I am a Shimano Guy and I do have one of the XLT's and in my opinion as far as the price point goes they are much better then some of the Shimano reels I have. Now I am not talking about the Calais or the Core of course. Jim

I know I am the problem. It is not so much the hookset, but I seem to grip the reel hard on the set and bend the handles back either causing the shaft to bend or crack the frame. Take my word for it i have tried to stop, however it still happens. Smaller profile reels with large handles just don't have a chance . This only seems to happen when i am pitchin. All other applications no problem. Jim

I am looking to buy the most durable reel I can buy. The problem I have is on the hookset I break reels. Smaller framed reels don't stand a chance especially if they have large handles. I have really strong mitts and I can't seem to lighten up. My best reel too date is the Chronarch 100b. If I could purchase more of them at a decent price I would. Any suggestions? Jim

As I stated in my review. This rod was as good if not better them some of my $300 rods. Just so much for so little. Great buy for a rod in that price range. Jim

Try the new Pinnacles. I know nobody believes it, but they are as good as some of my higher end rods. Just locate one, pick it up and the rest is easy. Jim

Well I have. Almost one an half oz lighter for the same rod and the balance point is near the same. Not saying the Powell is not a great rod, but come on. Weight and sensitivity pretty much go together. Just my opinion. Rooster the rods fish pretty similar, however the Pinnacle seems a little stiffer and loads up a little quicker. They will both handle 1 oz weights, but I prefer stiffer rods for punching and applications that warrant that kind of weight. I can't say enough good things about either rods. As of right now I own 5 Powell rods and just 1 Pinnacle, however those numbers are about to change. Again it still comes to personal preference. Jim

Pinnacle check out my rod review. Your rods are very impressive. I mentioned on here I would compare it to my Powells. Powell is a great rod . I would have never thought that you would have fared so well. I am testing one of your Optimus reels against my Shimano Chronarch 100 B. It will be a tough act to follow. So far so good, but time will tell. Jim

First off this is not my first post on this forum. Some how I lost my password and was not able to get it back. This has happened twice to me. Also I am not afiliated with either rod One of the things that I have liked to do threw the years is buy different brands of rods and reels and make my own conclusions on what I prefer. I own Loomis, Powell, BPS. Falcon and Ocuma Rods. My rods range in price from $50 to over $300. As for bang for the buck it was my belief that Powell was hard to beat and it still is. Here is some data on the rods. Both rods are 7' heavy casting. Real seats are Fugi, but not the same. The guides are Fugi and are the same. Including the tip the Powell has 11 guides, one more then the Pinnacle. Because the front of the seats are at different points measured balance points will be from the back of the seat which are the same without the reel. The distance is 6 7/8" for the Powell and 9" for the Pinnacle. With a 7.7 once reel mounted the balance point from the actual front of the reel mount is 1 5/8 " on the Powell and 1 3/4" on the Pinnacle. So much for balance points without reels attached. In hand the Pinnacle feels lighter and in reality the Pinnacle weights 4.2 oz and the Powell weights 5.8 oz. Both rod feel sensitive, but I feel the Pinnacle has the definite edge, but as you know sensitivity is difficult to measure and is mostly judged by the angler. Both rods fish great, but the Pinnacle just seems to be effortless as the day goes on. I do prefer the reel seat better on my Powell and it is what I am used too and you do notice the difference at first. At this point in time I believe the Pinnacle Perfecta Rod gets the nod in looks and overall fish ability and I also feel it is as good as some of the much more expensive rods I own. No doubt Pinnacle has stepped it up over the so called reels and rods they used to produce. Jim