kschultz76

I've used both the PQ reel and the JM Signature. There is a real difference, the JM has a smoother cast and retrieve, less effort required for an effective cast - the extra bearings supporting the spool and better quality bearings really make a difference. On top of that the finish is nicer and seems more durable. I bought a JM Sig and the returned for a PQ due to the price difference and bc I didn't like the handle grips on the JM. I often second guess that decision bc the reel was so smooth. Unfortunately only you can decide if you can justify the extra 60 for your use. I have 4 PQs and like them, but I am in the market for something more refined and maybe smoother for pitching applications. I do like the breaking systems and they're the same on both, but another nice feature on the JM is the clicking spool tension knob. I personally have my eye on a Tatula Type R.

Hey PhatBass, can't tell you too much about the reel or rod as far as value since its an older version of the Sedona. I'm a Bucks county native and have spent a lot of time bass fishing on Nockamixon. That lightweight rod unfortunately isn't going to serve you too well on that lake. That lake grows a lot of massive thick weed beds and mats and to effectively fish largemouth there you will need some heavier gear to get down in that grass and haul bass out. There are a few chunk rock points that aren't weedy that can be fished and a few areas of sparser cover. It's a beautiful lake and fun to spend time on, but can be a challenging lake to fish so don't get frustrated if you're not catching a ton.

Thanks Kicker, no offense taken. It was a good point, and honestly didn't occur to me to reach out to Dobyns directly until Rock and you brought it up. I had previously had great experience talking to people at St Croix so it should have occurred to me. I had a crazy day at work so couldn't call today during business hours. But I dropped them an email. Love to hear about your experience with Dobyns rods and any recommendations. I live in NJ, fish a lot in PA and Nj waters. We don't have giant bass in my neck of the woods, largest fish I've ever pulled in was about 20 in maybe 2.5-3 lbs. Average fish for me is 14 inch I'd say. Some of the lakes I fish have some heavier weed beds and slop but not stuff you could walk on, and no heavy timber. Mostly fishing lighter and sparse cover. If you're fishing similar conditions your input might help.

Kicker I've actually spoken to St Croix numerous times about my rod selection. I will be contacting Dobyns as well. The point of my post wasn't to negate talking to them directly. I like to find additional feedback from real world users, hopefully people who have experience the St Croix and Dobyns sticks I'm looking at. Rock was actually able to provide that, seems he had a hard time filling this gap in between a St Croix M and MH as well.

Thanks for the feedback Rock, good to hear you got to talk to Gary Dobyns directly for input. That's one thing I like about the Dobyns 4 power specs, they are rated down to a 1/4 oz but the Croix's only down to 3/8 oz in a MH. A review of the 735 on Tackle Tour even indicated it handled lighter baits well.

I'll start out with laying out what's in my rod rack today: Casting St. Croix LTB 6'8" M/XF Topwater (used currently for topwater, lighter plastics) St. Croix LTB 6'6" MH/F Jig n Worm (used currently for heavier trigs, crigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater frogs, pitching) St. Croix Legend Xtreme 7'2" MHM Crankbait rod (recoil guides) Spinning St. Croix LTB 6' 6" ML/F Splitshot (Currently my lightest finesse rod, dropshots) St. Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF (weightless Senko's, dropshots, shakeyheads, light trigs) St. Croix Avid 6'6" M/F (multipurpose, lighter jerkbaits, lighter crankbaits, lighter topwater) I'm looking to add another casting rod into the mix. Hoping to find something that will kind of fill the gap between the LTB 6'8" M/XF and the LTB 6'6" MH/F. I'm looking for something that if I was only taking 1 or 2 casting rods and 1 spinning rod due to space limitations on the boat could handle multiple presentations - heavier trigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, and ptiching. When not serving multipurpose duty I'd want something that would work for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, and some trigs that are too light for the LTB 6'6" MH/F, some pitching. For anything ligth weight I'm a spinning gear kind of guy, so not looking to throw finesse on a casting rod. In this scenario I'd be taking this new rod, my 7'2" Xtreme, and my 6'8" Xtreme spinning. Obviously I love St. Croix, and am heavily considering an LTB or Legend Elite 7' M/F rod as it seems like an action that fits the bill. However they're only rated up to 5/8, and was thinking I'd want something that would handle up to 3/4. Anyone out there like Capt. Bob who can share experience with these sticks and if their weight limits can be pushed? Or should I not worry about the lighter end and just go with the 7' MH/F? My 6'6" is a stout stick, and not sure the tip would work well for multiple applications, and I fear its shorter length doesn't help here, but that's making me leary of the MH/F route. I'm also considering a Dobyns Champion or Extreme. Again on the fence if I would need a 3 or 4 power in Dobyns for what I want to do. I'm consdiering in the Champion a 733 or 734, in the Extreme a 743 or 744. Everything I've heard about these rods is fantastic, just have never held one myself so not sure what to expect compared to my Croixs. The 3 power seems to fit the bill handling 1/4-3/4. I briefly considered a Megabass Orochi XX, but they all seem way to specialized to fill this role well. Of course I'm trying to make this choice prior to the TW sale ending tomorrow. I'd be thankful for any input/feedback folks have on these rods and weights I'm considering who have used them. Should also note currenlty all my BC reels are BPS Pro Qualifers but I'm hoping to get a Tatula to try on this new rod at somepoint. In the past I've fished more with my spinning gear, but really want to be come more proficient and versatile with casting gear. Thanks!

CI4+ is still worth it even if its not on sale.

I have the new CI4+, it is as smooth as the Sustain and FJ. Close your eyes and between it and a sustain you wouldn't know the difference. The FJ has a little bit lighter handle rotation but not smoother, which I attribute to the heavier graphite rotor compared to the CI4+ rotor. I wasn't sure I'd keep the CI4+ when I got bc I liked my FJ so much, but after a spooled it up and fished it on my SC Xtreme a few times I was sold.

Pflueger President is a good reel for a great price. However unless you go with a very very heavy reel you likely won't get rid of the tip heavy feeling. You may consider altering your grip so your holding more if the foregrip. Check out tackle warehouse they've got their Labor Day sale going on so a lot of gear is 15 % off right now. Some brands like Daiwa and Shimano are excluded.

I have a new Stradic CI4+ in 2500 as well as a Stradic FJ 2500. I highly recommend either reel, both are smooth, cast well, and manage line very well so far. If your prefer lighter weight go for the CI4+, it will be sweet with that St Croix rod. Depending on how well your rod balances you may prefer the aluminum framed FJ. IMHO and experience the Sustain isn't worth it, the CI4+ has all the same features and is two bearings short of a Sustain - one under the spool and one in the knob. I've used both and if I closed my eyes I couldn't tell the difference. I was interested in the Ballistic as well as I was a Daiwa fan, but I couldn't find enough positive feedback on them to invest that kind of money, and found too much negative feedback. I'm not a Shimano loyalist, these are the first Shimano's I've owned, but all my research made them the right choice for me.

On if you've already got some Croix rods then you know what you're getting if you go with the Elite. I'm sure you'll love it and sounds like the ML power is really right for what you're looking to do. I think I said it in this thread or another one, but once I got my dad a Legend Elite he won't go back to Loomis and always picks that rod up before any of his GLXs.

You mean the blue blanks on the LTBs? Huh I guess we all have different cosmetic tastes, I find the LTBs to be really sharp looking. It's not a bright obnoxious blue. But in the photos I've seen the Dobyns look sweet. I'm really interested in a 735c for a pitching, frogging, jig rod to be used with braid.

I would assume based on price the Dobyns champions would perform a notch above the Avids. It's about an $80 difference in price. But I know you can't always judge these things on price. However I'd think the LTB series of Croix's would be more comparable to the Champions.

All the good things I'm hearing about the Dobyns rods really have me thinking hard about trying one even though I love my Croix's. I'm getting curious to give some other options a try. Dobyns are at the top of that list along with Megabass.

Fwiw if custom build is an idea then St Croix blanks can be bought bare for that purpose. I think you'll love the Legend Elite, and the ML as some else said fishes a bit more powerful the a traditional ML for sure. Hooksets are no problem with the ML. Also depends how heavy a lure you want, the ML is only rated for up to 3/8 oz. that's where you might consider going to a ML/XF if the XF tip will work for your presentations. It will give you 1/8-1/2 oz range. Other nice benefit with St Croix is the trade in program. If full grip is a must you might want to also look at Dobyns as they come in full cork and seem to have a good service plan. But I have no personal experience with them. Also the new Megabass Orochis come all full cork, again no personal experience just read good things.

For 1/4 oz weights I think the MH Avid would be too heavy, it's min weight rating is 5/16 oz. now you might consider the 6'8" M/XF Avid, min lure weight of 1/4, and well suited to tubes and lighter Texas rugs. I have that taper in the LTB and love it for top water and lighter weight plastics like you're describing. In your price range I'd really recommend the LTB series over the Avid, but I know you want full cork. Unfortunately a Legend Elite would put you well over $320 but would be fantastic. I'd wonder if DVT or another builder could use the Croix SCIV blank of the LTB and make you a custom with full cork. That's one great thing about Croix is you can buy their naked blanks. Good luck!

If you like Loomis then don't be dissuaded, you know what works for you and lots of people agree Loomis is the best. I've just had a great experience with my Croix's, better then with Loomis. In that price range you'd be solidly in an Avid or at $240 into a Legend Tournament Bass. For those lighter lures you'd maybe want a ML power in a Croix. As far as the handle on the CI4+ is concerned the 2500 and 3000 aren't the same. The 3000 is larger and almost more of a flattened sphere. On the 2500 it's a smaller diameter and more of a barrel shape. The pics of it on the bass pro site are the 2500 size and it looks like tackle warehouse is showing the larger size. As far as I know there isn't a way to replace it with something different from any of their other reels. I really didn't think I'd like the handle on the 2500 at all, but after a few hours on the water I really liked it and find it easy to fish.

Sorry about your loss I have a 6'6" ML/F LTB spinning rod, it's a great stick and handles well. I've never hooked into anything big with it. It handles and has the same lure/line ratings as an older Loomis GL2 M/F spinning rod I have and the same way my Dad's GLX M/F spinning rods do. For his 65th birthday got my dad a 6' Legend Elite M/F and he loves it, says he won't buy another Loomis and ist his prefered to to rod now. He prefers spinning gear except for cranks. I also have a M/F Avid spinning and M/XF Legend Elite, the mediums definitely have a bit more backbone then the ML, but I love how the ML casts and use for light weight lures. Fwiw he loves how the orig Stradic CI4 handles on his Elite.

If you're going 2500 and freshwater only for bass I'd throw out the new Stradic CI4+ again. For an extra 40 dollars you save 2 oz with all the same features. So far I'm really enjoying mine and actually considering selling my FJ 2500 to get anothe CI4+ As far as rods what is your budget and what techniques or baits do you plan to use it for? Generally there are options out there that give you better sensitivity and performance the IMX for the same money or less. I'd suggest you at least consider in that price range a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass or Legend Elite. Id even say my Avid compares favorably to an IMX for less money, and have heard the same here from others. Also the new Megabass Orochi XX rods are getting a lot of good press and I'm looking at them as a front runner for my next rod, but I've not handled one. I can say the St Croix's I mentioned are awesome and perform better then the Loomis IMX rods I've used. Also Loomis's service plan has changed recently, you'll have better service coverage with St Croix in the event of accidental non warranty damage. I should add this is my opinion and my experience. Others mileage may vary.

If you decide to go 4000 size you may want to consider a new Stradic CI4+. You'll have a reel that is just as smooth and all the same features as the FJ but weighs only 9 oz. and the CI4+ material is perfectly safe for salt water use. However I know many folks prefer aluminum bodies for saltwater. I have 2 FJs and the new CI4+, love the all but the light weight of the CI4+ just brings a new and incredible feeling to things.

That's a giant leap from a Triumph to an Xfreme you're in for a real treat. My Avid for me hooked on St Croix, and I was lucky enough to be shopping for new rods when they had precious year LTB models on clearence in the bargain room, then again the next year with the Xtremes. To aceman, the elites are the same blanks as the Xtremes just different grips and components. Not sure you'd see a big difference unless you really wanted a split grip. But the new handle design of the Xtremes seems to have come with heavier rods then the previous Xtremes. I'm wondering if they added some weight in the handle to improve balance.

You're spot on flyfisher. You can go 3000 for the extra line capacity but the body of the reel and gearing are the same. The handle knobs are different though, 2500 is a flat barrel knob and the 3000 has a T paddle handle knob. I guess the 3000 knob is supposed to give you better grip and more leverage.

Can't weigh in on the saltwater needs. But I'll agree with everyone else, for bass and general freshwater use you can't beat a 2500. I can say its a beautiful, solid, and smooth reel.

Are you sure the spool is on the stem correctly and locked down? I have a Stradic FJ and a CI4+ and not had this issue with either. It certainly shouldn't be that way, so if the spool is correctly installed you should exchange if for another.

I predict once you use it you'll buy at least two more St Croix sticks!