Capt.Bob

not a salesman and they probably don't like this. But I wouldn't talk you into either!! That is because I found out a long time ago, buy the best and it is easier and cheaper to UPDATE,,, instead of having to UPGRADE,,,,, when you do!! I bought my first Stradic Bantam about 20 years ago, I found out the big difference is how long that reel keeps functioning like new and how much the sell for when taken care of used! Since I bought my first Stradic I have not owned less since! The Stradic I used for three years back then in a raging river with 20# fireline and in boulder ridden whitewater throwing as much as 1 1/2 oz using split shot up to 1 1/8 oz to get my 3/8 oz jigs down in this current for 2 months nearly every day, from sunup till I some days sundown. snaggs and breaking off are often, the reel takes a hammering most fishing won't ever subject to them. It was the first reel I could use for more than one season without the frame and rotor gears and anti-reverse, being totally stressed out and sloppy, gears stayed smooth, super stopper held up, drag operated as it should. Befor that I bought top end reels from other manufacturers, a different one every year, and every year they needed more parts and work and could not be put back into service as the way they were new no matter what I did. Today those techniques have changed, now seldom do I need more than 1 oz to get my floating jigs down, using lighter lines on the bottom, Usually 1/2 or 5/8 will do the trick, much easier on the reels, but today I use nothing but Stradics and Sustains. They last and I do get my my money back when I replace em. Two years ago I updated my Stradic FI's, 2-2500, and a 4000, I replaced them with new 1000, 3000, and 4000 FJ's, I did this at very little cost, those used FI's sold for nearly what I payed for them, cosmetically perfect, and mechanically as new back in the boxes with what they came with, and didn't lose over 15 bucks from what I payed for them new! I did this when I went from the stradic FD models, the FG models and the FH models, every time I never spent more than 10 or 15 bucks to replace a reel I had used for 2 to 4 years with the newest brand new model. You won't do that with the less expensive models, I can sell used Stradics in the box like I bought them, and not loose more than 15 bucks from what I bought them for after using them for a year, buying them on sale new, but ya can't with a Sienna Solace Sahara or whatever other reels Iv'e seen. I'll spend 10 to 20 dollars every two to 4 years to use these reels over the less expensive reels I can't get my money back out of. I'm ready to sell some very clean FJ's now, and replace them with the Ci4+, smoother better drags and much lighter, and a huge improvement over the first Ci4's. I have already bought 2 2500's and a 1000 Ci4+, and yes no other reel compares that cost less than 600 bucks in my mind, and taken care of I will sell them when I am done with them for close to what I paid, and 2 of them probably more than I paid,,,,,,,,,don't ask, Not saying your reel is not smooth as it was new!! BUT,,,,, Before you think you know the true meaning of smooth,,, you gotta try a new Stradic CI4+ or FJ,,,, no selectable AR I won't try the newest, but trust me,,, the cardinal is not in the same smooth category,,,

I love the 6'10MXF Legend Extreme I have custom built, but the Legend Elite or Extreme in 6'10" MXF rod is in my opinion the best drop shot,,, finesse rod out their, very fast, super light,, with plenty of backbone for big fish. I think the MXF is the right action,,, you just the wrong the wrong rod,, good luck, I would expect them to have your back.

Every reel I own is filled with 832 sufix, and everyone has a 4' to 12' Fluoro or Mono leader on it, 4# to 25# test. always use a fuse,,,,

This wouldn't be near as much fun fishing fer Yellow Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, and small Trout. If I could only have two fishing outfits, one would be Baitcaster on a 7'MH rod, and the other would be a Spinning reel on 6' or 6'6" ML. but man I would hate to handicap my experience like that.

1000 Stradic 2-MGFB's , 1-FI, 1- FJ, and 1-1000 Saros F. Everyone strung with Sufix 832 10# test and use 4 to 8 #test Fluoro or Mono for leader material.

After trying about every braid out there I would never put anything but 832 Sufix on any reel I own,,, for 4000 size Shimano I would string it with 20 lbs test and use a mono or Fluoro leader of lighter weight, if you are targeting larger species go with 30# test, it is about the same diameter as most other 20# braids. I would never consider Power Pro on any reel ever again, it and the offerings from Spyderwire will never go on one of my reels again, If I could not use or get 832 again I would use Fireline, and I don't mean the Fireline Braid, I found it to be as bad as Power Pro. Sufix 832, and Fireline fused are the most abrasion resistant lines I have found from any of the Synthetics, but the 832 will flow smoother thru the guides with less noise and drag and cast a mile, it also is smaller diameter than most other braids # test for # test.

If I'm Spending that much I will be going with a St Croix Legend Elite.... but if you are fixed on one of these 3,,, I'd say the NRX hands down.

Dollar fer dollar I would pick any Lew's model over the same priced Snimano. I switched from Curado Castics Cronarch's and Core over to Lew's from BB1 and Super Duty to Team Gold's and Gold Team,, couldn't be happier with the change,,, so naturally I would get the LFS

A good Abec 5 or 7 is all you really need fer spool bearings, if going to ceramic most end up using a drop of oil to quiet them, the advantage to them is only really in the fact you can run em dry and this will allow them to run without slowing from the wash of the oil. Running them dri makes them noisy, cancelling any advantage to most including me! The seals I usually remove and never reinstall,,, this makes it easier to properly service when needed. I no longer run anything but premium ABEC 5 and 7 stainless steel bearings from Boca, or Big Green Fish, you need way more RPM's to see any advantage running ABEC 9's and true 9's are extremely expensive, and will never see an advantage on any casting. Lastly be carefull where you buy your bearings,,, most are selling subpar bearing with inflated ABEC ratings. I always trust my Bearing purchases to either Big Green Fish,,, or some ceramics, mainly spinning reel line roller bearings from Boca Bearings! Both offer excellent bearings at a great price, and you can be sure you are getting what is being advertised!

Only if the few drops of dawn on warm water don't work, fine grit I only use on heavy soiled cork. I use the U40 religiously, this will keep from ever having to use such material as sandpaper to clean the cork, as it is an excellent sealer and will help preserve the cork.

X2 excellent advice! You could have the Legend Elite custom built for with the finest components and custom built handles fer around $400.00 I agree the St. Croix is a better blank SCV,, or the Extreme Blank w/SCVI in the lower section when you can have it with full cork, both better than the SCIV Legend Tournament blanks!! All my custom rods go up in resale value every year I own and responsibly use them!! Take care of them and you will never loose money on a properly built custom rod that has been properly assembled with top quality components! Congrats on a great rod,,,, I almost always buy the Legend Elite over the Extreme when I purchase the factory built rod's, as I will take the full cork rear and front grip over the skeletonized any day!! The difference in that and the lighter weight are both a bigger defference with the Elite, the difference in sensativity between the two, which is excellent with both. I own two Legend Extreme rods and both are casting, I would have bought neither if I didn't get them on sale at 50% off, as I knew I would have another 100 bucks in getting full cork rear grips custom installed on both,,, that and the fact they were the year models that came with REC Recoil guides made them a no brainer fer me!! Enjoy that new Legend Elite rod,, EXCELLENT CHOICE!!

If it is the Ci4+ go fer it, if you are referring to the older Ci4,,,,, buy the FK,,, I would buy the FJ Stradic over the old Ci4!

St Croix Premier, slightly more than you suggest for price,, 7' HF or if you really want a broomstick 7' XHF , $160.00 to $170.00 retail, but if you look around you will get it cheaper,,, Try Maumee Tackle, a St Croix dealer that works with you.

spinning casting don't matter,,, all have Sufix 832 as mainline,,,, I choose my leader fer line preference,,, 6'- 12', depending on what I am doing and where I am fishing..

I use braid as my main line on all 22 rigs I have setup and ready, from UL to MH Muskie gear. Everyone uses Big Game for mono from 6 to 20 lbs. test when using mono leaders,,,, if using Fuoro. they all use Abrazx,,,,, but make no mistake I always use a leader as my "fuse",,,, always 6' to 12' in length tied with an improved blood knot,,, When I am fishing fer Salmon, Pike or Musky, I always use 100 test 20" leaders I build from Viscious Pro elite leader material, but that is the only time I use leader specific material on a spinning or casting reel.

Great Musky rod fer large cranks, don't know why anyone would buy one fer Bass???? Better rods fer about any situation I can think of one using this rod for.

My most used ones,,,,

This is it, the Largest river Walleye run in the world ,,,, on the Largest Tributary in the Great Lakes is in full swing now. Been a little slow but the fish er there, gotta work a little fer em but been bagg'n limits fer a little over a week now. This should bear good fishing till May now, and then the White Bass should be in by then and take fishing action hot and heavy into June! T'is that time of year folk's and I tricked again,,,, at least fer one more year, what a way to start yer day,,,,, it ain't watchin the sunrise from my treestand,,, but it beats the he!! outa sucken up coffee and dougnuts watching it rise from a patio window,,,,,,,, No hogs yet,,,,, but trust me, their comm'n!!

Nice report Hoot! I ain't been around much,,,,, Good to read your post and see yer hard at it,,,,

Here is just another reminder folks about what happens we think Bass boats are safe on any water. Last spring this time of year 4 people died on Lake Erie, less than 2 mile from shore, boat was recovered with no damage, but full water. This year already, this boat and it's fisherman were lucky, they got pulled to safety by a near by boat, but could barely make it aboard the rescue vessel under their own power. Big water is cold this time of year, and once you get wet Hypothermia will set in,,, no if or buts. Once that happens you better hope others nearby are able and willing to help. The other thing is most folks don't have tow insurance, one thing we never go without on the big water!! These guys learned both lessons the hard way. 1) No bass boat is safe in this weather on the great lakes, especially Lake Erie!! 2) They could have bought tow insurance for the season for life for the $3000.00 tow bill they paid to get the boat back to shore! Guys if your not experienced in these type of waters, trust me this time of year it is the most unforgiving, small boats ar a no no anytime, but this time of year you only compound the dangers venturing into big water with vessels not made for this task! Its our favorite time of year folks, have fun enjoy the season and keep it safe so you can enjoy many more!!!!! Fortunately these guy will fish again, but y it was a ruff start to their season, and not the way we want learn this lesson. you may trick the big water in these frigid waters, but it is only a matter of time and you will end up in the trick bag ......

And???????

It would be happier with an Avid, they are great rods, the legend rods are even better, the Legend Elite and Extreme in my opinion have no equals. You will be very happy with the Avid, and I am sure quite surprised with the LT!!

I use under 7' as much or more than over 7', 6'6" is my most used, and more accurate, if I am casting short and accuracy is my main goal, 6' and 6'6" are my favorites. I want 7'6" to 6' in my arsenal,,,

I don't use them anymore, but there top line baitcaster used to be a good buy when they were on sale. Their rods again only experience is with older rods, and yes the Burgundy blank Bionics blade's were heavy, but decent sensitivity and nearly as durable as a ugly stick, the Extreme series was better, when I bought mine was on buy 2 get one free sales,, That was 20 years ago and the grandkids still use em, and them are pretty good rods for starters,, in my book I would probably recommend a St Croix Premier instead of any other rod in it's price range, anything less than that price point today I wouldn't know about,,,,,

Trilene Big Game, cheap and great line for anything memory isn't a factor for. I use it for leader material also in dingy water, great knot strength and very good abrasion resistance. 700 to 1500 yard spools, depending on #test, sell for under 10 bucks,,, I like cheap, but if I thought there was better,,,,,I'd use it. I don't worry about diameter matching, but use 8# B.G. on 10# braid, 15# B.G. on 14-20# braid, and 20# for heavier braid.