kschultz76

Spinning - St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M XF with Stradic CI4+ 2500 Casting - MB Orochi XX Diablo Spec R with Metanium HG

Awesome that it arrived safe. Looks like a bootiful stick. Enjoy it and go break it in!!

Gotcha beat I was 8 months old!

Hootie you're only as old as you act. At least that's what my wife tells me when she says I'm acting like a 12 yr old.

Are you curating a display for the bass angling Smithsonian? Recently saw an episode of Pro Patterns Exposed with David Fritts where he talks about and flashes back to his original Lews reels, and some he still has and uses.

Curado I any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Get some bearings to add to the knobs at it adds the cherry on top.

Using the search feature you can find a lot of past info on this subject. Based on persona experience I'd consider - St Croix Rage currently clearance on St Croixs Bargain for 89 each. I've not used the Rage but love my Avid, LTB and Leg Xtremes. I'd take the blank on the Rage over the Mojo any day of the week and twice on Sunday's. However the handle may not be comfortable for everyone. - St Croix Avid/ Avid X on sale, I know a bit over but really top notch performance. - Kisltler KLX on sale, again a bit over but I'm very impressed with the quality and feel of the 6'9" CRT model I got recently. They were running a great sale recently. Based on reviews here and elsewhere: - *** *** regularly reviewed as fishing well above its price point - Pinnacle Perfecfta DHC5 good reviews here and look like quality sticks - Daiwa Tatula - Fenwick Elite Tech Bass - Phenix M1 and Bass Recon Good luck!

No experience with the ALXs but based on my experience with the MB Orochi XX I'd just get both the EMTF and the Perfect Pitch. In fact I plan to get the Perfect Pitch very soon. I already have the Jerkbait Special, Spinnerbait Special, Tour Versatile, and Diablo Spec R. Love em all.

I've had many rods and many expensive rods shipped with no issues. If you order from a reputable retailer nothing to worry. I understand wanting to hold the rod first, but I've also learned it isn't critical, and as you've seen with your Duckett doesn't guarantee satisfaction. I think you're missing out on some great options likely in your price range by limiting to what that BPS has. I don't have any experience with them myself bc they aren't my cup of tea, but the consensus seems to be that the Abu rods tend to fish a bit on the heavy stiffer side. If you can see clear to try something shipped the St Croix deal on the Rage rods in their Bargain Room is a great deal and probably has some good options for you.

Any particular reason you're limiting your options to what that local bps has? What don't you like about the duckett and what's your budget?

You've got a ton of responses for far, and there's some valuable input and experience in them. However I don't think you've got clear enough requirements in your post to settle on the right answer. I'd assume if you are willing to invest $400 into fishing gear you're getting serious about the sport. But how serious? How often will you fish? How often can you afford to make additional investments? Are you going to be an avid angler for the next year, the next 5 yrs, the next 20? Where do you fish and how? Hopefully you have answers to all of these questions and can share some more info. I think you will far better advice and reach a much better decision if you can articulate a very clear goal. I have found my worst decisions have been made when I bought gear just to buy it, or just because it was a deal, as opposed to having a goal and a plan then finding a good deal. All of that said the best very generic advice I can give you is to buy the best quality gear your budget allows to suit your needs. If you need two rods and two reels and 400 is all you can ever invest, then buy the best 4 pieces of equipment you can for 400. Only you can decide if the enthusiast level investment, and diminishing returns you will see of investing in more and more expensive gear is worth it to you. I admittedly spend ridiculous amounts of money on higher end gear then is likely necessary or justified for me, however it's something I love and enjoy, and I work hard for my money. If I had a tighter budget I could do very well with more modest investment and would never suggest anyone has else shouldn't do the same. And some people would consider the money I spend to be modest compared to what they have into gear so it is all relative.., Love to give you some better input with better info if you can provide because I've gone through upgrading a lot of gear in the past few years. Good luck!

I have a Met on my Diablo, love it!

Did you decide on a new stick yet? If not the new MB Levantes might fit the bill for you at the 200 price point. You should look at the EMTF or Diablo depending on what length you're comfortable with.

I have no fishing experience with the E6x rods, recently fondled a couple at Canelas and was underwhelmed. At that price point there are other rods I'd be looking at. I recently got a KLX CRT and am so far very pleased. The build is clean and well executed, high quality, light, balanced. I actually really like the guides themselves, and love the action of the rod, but think the guide train would benefit from one more guide in the mix. My customs service during my purchase was excellent. However no experience with their blanks for single hook or heavy cover presentations so no idea if they would perform for your needs. Other options I'd be looking at are the St Croix Avid or Avid X. Fondled the Avid X at Cabelas and was very impressed as always with St Croix build and finish, but also with the weight and balance on the 7' MH Fast I was playing with. It was a far nicer better feeling build in hand for me then the E6x. Also like kickerfish I'd be looking at the Zodias, heard great things about them, they look beautiful as well. Again far more compelling for me then the E6x. If you can wait for it and are willing to be a pioneer the new MB Levante Perfect Pitch or Tour Versatile models should be very compelling options depending on your intended lure weights and uses. One other rod out there I'm curious about so Ill bring it up is Jackson Rods, they are a JDM rod builder and now available in the US from The Tackle Trap. They have 2 series and there's expensive one is in your price range. Have heard some really good things about these sticks. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

My Dad still fishes two 6' GL3 CRR casting rods that he's had for probably 15-20 years. I'm still impressed at how well they cast for 6' rods anytime I pick them up. You know what you like and enjoy fishing, if its what works for you it doesn't have to be the best of the best. Congrats and enjoy!

You got a new rod, and the thing your posting about is the cork sealer? Don't keep us in suspense what did you add to the arsenal?

Very curious as well, has potential to be a high value performer.

Hmmm they say it's composite, but not stating CI4+ material, very curious. Makes me think that it's maybe just a full graphite frame like the Saros. Just have to see how it performs once people start getting them. I personally love the 150 size for anything other then dedicated cranking duty.

Yep even some of the XX names are derived from other series.

You should get a Diablo or a Flat Side Special. From what I saw they rent doing the Jerkbait Special, ashame its a really fun rod.

Bargain room now has the Rage down to $89 with free shipping.

Just saw the line up. A selection of the same models as the XX series. Normal sized Fuji Alconites. They say the will feel different in hand and lighter action.

Now that I think about it they almost had to leave xship out as well as a couple of bearings. Otherwise it's too similar to the Chronarch CI4+ at a much better price point. And this is from a guy with 3 Chronarch CI4+ reels.

An intriguing offering especially at that price point. From what I see on TW doesn't have xship though, but lots of good reels don't. I wonder if its aluminum and the weight savings are a result of smaller frame, smaller spool, and less bearings?

Rage is on sale for $99, that's under $100 . And a killer value at that price. As long as you can get comfortable with the handle/reel seat. I don't have experience with them or know which one would be a good Senko rod, but Cabelas has *** Blacks on sale on their website now. Seems to have a good following and reputation as very sensitive at their price point.