kschultz76

I like Sunline Super FC Sniper or Seagur Tatsu for what you're describing. I haven't tried braid on my spinning gear yet, but I hate dealing with leader knots. I've not had anymore issues with memory or twist then I've had with mono.

Some Dicks Sporting Goods carry them in stock.

Yeah my post likely came across wrong. It's just for me that the total package of the Avid was always a better value then the Rage given the price difference. And the US origins and resulting better warranty was the icing on that cake. Plus for me I can't get comfortable with the handles/reel seats on the Rage.

Agree...if the Rage was on your radar then the current deal on them is very compelling.

Not quite accurate I'm afraid. The blanks are rolled using the same graphite. However they are not identical, the Avids are rolled in Park Falls in the USA. The Rages are rolled and built in Mexico. Also can't be sure the man eels and blank designs are 100% identical as a result. Also the warranties are very different. Only you can decide if these things matter for you.

X2 an important point, another reason I always suggest the Avid over the Rage.

Agree they are a great deal. Myself I don't care for the reel seats and handles enough that it wouldn't be worth it, plus I have too many rods as it is.

I've used a fair bit of Pline Floroclear and still use the 12lb test as a general purpose line on some of my bc rigs. First thing you need to realize is the knot is always your weakest point, knot strength on all lines is usually percentage of its rated test, mono floro braid doesn't matter. Grabbing the line right above the hook that way suddenly puts extra stress on the knot and with any line can result in failure. Look on TackleTour they did some very scientific controlled tests of different types and brands of lines. Now all of that said when I first started using Pline floroclear 8lb on my spinning gear I loved it, I swore by it, and bought a bulk spool of 8 and 12lb test. Then used up that first spool of 8 so bought another. The second bulk spool I started having issues with the 8lb test, random weak spots, unusual break offs, something just wasn't right. So I bought a few filler spools of 8lb, same issues. Compared it to 8lb Invizix and 7lb Sniper in some very unscientific tests and was much happier with the performance. I had lost confidence in the 8lb floroclear at this point and moved on. Could have just been one bad batch I got, but I now prefer floro for my spinning gear and if I need light mono am looking at other options like McCoy to try. The 12lb floroclear is still going strong and working well, I landed a 5lb surging monster of a smallmouth on it with a squarebill with total confidence. It's also possible that Plines 8lb test is just a truer diameter truer rated 8lb tests and the other lines I'm now using are rated 7/8 but actually heavier. Hard to say with no good industry standards and controls.

In case there are any fans of the Rage series rods or someone looking for a deal St Croix has them all up in their Bargain room online for $99. Usually means they're updating or discontinuing the rods.

St Croix Avid 6'8" M/XF, only thing is maybe not perfectly suited to is drop shot, especially really light drop shot. Another option I've heard is very versatile is the MB Orochi XX Shakeyhead rod, but it's 100 over your budget.

Several factors at play including length, taper/action, stiffness and type of graphite used. The St Croix graphite blends are even different between the Legend Xtreme and LTB or Avid. Without holding that Fenwick side by side and testing it against the St Croix hard to really say. But just bc it's different doesn't mean it won't skip for you. For me the key is tip speed with a fast tip and stiff back bone that responds well to the snapping motion of my wrist. However I can skip with other spinning rods including my Avid 66 M/F and LTB 66 ML/F but they aren't the rods I normally choose for this type of fishing.

Fwiw as a comparison I often skip and pitch more finesse presentations such as weightless 5" senkos to docks, under and around trees, overhangs, some gnarly places. Not ever into heavy weeds or grass though. My rig for this is a 6'8" St Croix Legend Xtreme Spinning M/XF rated 3/16-5/8 oz. with a Stradic CI4+ spooled with 7lb Sniper Super FC or recently 8lb Tatsu. I've pulled 3-4lb fish out from some ugly snaggy branches and trees, but it's done with gentle pressure, drag set properly, good boat control, and occasionally if I get hung just keep steady pressure until I get the boat in there to pull the fish out. It can be done and is a fun productive way for me to fish, but requires caution and some practice. It's actually one of the more productive techniques I fish. The tip of that rod is perfect for getting a high speed low trajectory skip over the water under cover.

In a St Croix spinning stick to the Med power fast action, will be versatile and handle a wide variety of presentations.

I'd really consider finding a sale on the Avid or Avid X over getting the Rage. I'm sure you could make do with the Rage, but in general quality on the Avids is better, and while the graphite used is the same they are not identical and come out of different factories. The minimal increase in price is worth the better quality build and better quality guides in my opinion, and cork grips. TW typically runs a sale for 10-20% off for 4th of July. Gander Mtn also has a $40 rebate on St Croix rods btw 180-239.

The President is a great value and great choice. I'd suggest you try and find a 4th of July sale to maximize your budget. If you can do that try and get the President on sale, and if you can find a sale on one a St Croix Triumph in a 6'6" Med Fast. It would be a great starter rod for you and serve you well for awhile. Also keep an eye out in the flea market here for good deals. Edit while I prefer 1 piece you can still fish effectively with a 2 piece, and the Triumph comes in a 2 piece. They also make a Triumph 4 piece travel rod but it is more $$.

Awesome way to break in a new stick. The Orochis are beautiful and addictive.

Op go check out the Flea Market. There's a used Avid MH/F there in your price range, and a great deal on a brand new Shimano Crucial in your price range.

Several good options in your price range. However I think you'll find it difficult to get 1 rod that will handle both 3/16 and 3/4 oz jigs plus trailer. For my that's two different rods. A bit above your price range but close if you get a sale would be the St Croix Avid or Avid X rods. I have personal experience with the Avids and other St Croix rods so happy to recommend them. In general something 7'-7'3" in a fast or xfast action around a MH power should fit the bill, look for something rated 3/8-1 oz or 1/4-1oz. Other popular options but I have no hands on experience with are *** Omens, Daiwa Tatulas, Fenwick Elite Tech and Aetos, Shimano Crucial, and Powell just to name a few.

That ad, and that reel, are older than me!

Argh that's a long hard wait but I'm sure it will be worth it. I have mine paired with a Met 13 and love it, but also fished it a bit with my Scorpion 1001 XT and it pairs well with both those reals. It's really well balanced in my opinion with either reel.

Awesome enjoy it!!

What kind of blanks have had custom crank rods built on? How do you like them and can you compare them to the KLX? I may go custom some time soon I keep kicking the idea around, just not sure what I want my first build to be.

Thanks Hogsticker. Agree anything that happens after 1 year is user error and service plan like you pay for on a TV not a warranty issue. The action sounds pretty interesting and appealing, sounds very similar to the action on my Megabass Orochi XX Spinnerbait Special. While I could get another of those I do enjoy trying different rods and seeing what's out there. Also seems like it would compliment my 7'2" Legend Xtreme MHM very nicely.

Even though I got the Avid for my Father, I'm very interested in the KLX rods and trying not to be scared away by the perceived warranty issues. I'm actually interested in the same 6'9" MH ModFast rod to use for target casting cranks around docks, overhangs, etc. Have you used the St Croix crankbait rods and offer any comparisons to the KLX? Does the KLX handle everything in its stated ratings, or is it better suited to some baits or weights then others?

Thanks for all the input and feedback, much appreciated!! Sorry for the partial thread hijack.