lmbfisherman

Best thing to do is take your reel in and put it on the rods you are contemplating. Pick the one that balances well with it! Since it will all be personal preference. I would also not rule out the Shimano Compre rod either.

That maybe true, but I've never had a single issue with Shimano as a whole. I've fished Shimano most of my life. Don't get me wrong, I don't just "own" Shimano and not a "fanboy", I like St Croix rods too. (Own 4 of them) I just wanted to point out St. Croix and the Made in America thing isn't the only "quality" rod and make it seem like all the others are made in "China". Which by the way I have no issue buying "IF" it's quality product.

I agree with Rockchalks assessment and to me Shimano Rods seem true to it's power/action. For example - I'll use my MH/XF Crucial and my Avid M/F with similar techniques.

Glad you like your St. Croix, but even though "Shimano" owns G Loomis, they are also all made in Woodland, Washington. Just to point out St. Croix isn't the only "Made in America".

This is silly, to be honest. If he thinks that maybe ask him to lower the price more. lol

To add to that, I'd rather buy the Cumara series over the IMX too and you can get the previous models or even newer models for around the same price. I have one of the previous models and love to fish with it just as much as my GLXs.

Personally I'd pull the trigger on the GLX line and up only. But it is a great deal, important question is for you. Will these be used in your arsenal?

Yes, I have no problem catching anything with Texas Rigged worm and worm fish a lot. I am confident with Jigs..etc. I just never caught a fish ever on a Senko even T Rigged. I think the biggest problem right now it's not a "confidence" bait. So I'll probably have to just force myself to just fish them all day until I gain that confidence.

I'd checkout Berkley's website to get the right answer. It could just be a misprint. Personally I don't own either rod so I can't comment, or it is possible that one place is selling the older model and the other place is selling the newer/current model. The Shock is a different line than the standard lightning rod. BTW welcome to the boards, maybe take the time to introduce yourself since you are new.

Well you can flip/pitch to weed pockets, which I do from shore at one of my spots. Definitely would stick to frog as your Topwater.

I suck still with Senko or imitation as for the life of me I still can't catch a darn thing. So for me both don't work! They both equally suck! I am going to be forcing myself though to do this type of fishing strictly a few times to see if I can finally land one.

I probably bank fish more than I can go out in my canoe/inflatable because of the restrictive time constraints due to being married with children. lol I 2nd - Spinnerbaits, Squarebills, and T-Rig...I also drop shot. It also depends on the situation too, I will take top water if I think the situation calls for it. (Frog or Buzzbait) These would be my main tackle I carry. I always carry 2 of each too (types of baits).

For those topwater baits I would definitely use a high speed ratio. For buzzbaits I use a 6 ratio.

I pulled a trigger over the winter on an Extreme when it was on sale. I bought the 5 ratio one for cranking. I think it would be better to buy the PQ (I own one) over this at regular price. If on sale at 69.99 when I bought mine it would be an awesome buy. Like stated I bought the newer one there is the always on brakes, I think it's an awesome reel to start learning on for beginners since it is forgiving (less backlash if you forget to use your thumb, which even I do at times). If you are an experience baitcaster user, I'd recommend getting the PQ over the Extreme especially at regular price.

Yes I wholeheartedly agree about Berkley. Especially vanish...I've changed my lines to 90% braid with floro leaders. The other 10% is PLine Floroclear or Yo Zuri Hybrid. I now use Seaguar Red Label as my leaders.

My choice from that list would be the Compre or Veritas. Those are the ones I have the most experience with. I like the Compre over the Veritas as to me it is more sensitive and is truer to it's rating.

Ah party pooper.

When I'm in my canoe, I use my older/beater gear I will feel comfortable of scratching etc..a canoe is tight quarter for 3-4 rods and sometimes bangs around more often. So I'd definitely take this route.

I have saved up money for the anticipated new Shimano Reels. I can't wait!

Welcome to the boards, I'm sure you'll be 20 times bigger after soaking up all the knowledge from here. Hopefully you won't explode.

Or they swallow it whole.

That is crazy! I could never take a hammer to my precious reels. EVER!

Yeah probably around that ballpark, but you'd be waiting a long time to even sell at that price point. It's sad really, mine is beat up and still works well and it is still smooth. Main reason I don't use it as much is that it's not as comfortable to palm as my other reels (I like more bottom contact fishing). Still use it as a backup spinnerbait reel.

Another choice would be Shimano Cumara, although I'd prefer the previous version. I would get the medium for finesse. I'd also go for the 7'2" version.

That rod would be a good all around rod. Might not be very sensitive when using plastics, but the braided line would help. Normally for an all purpose setup I would use a 6 gear ratio BC, but you should be able to use that reel. Just won't be the most "ideal", anyway. Roadwarrior has given you a good link. As far as I would start off with - Spinnerbaits - (Do a search around the boards to find out what would work best for you), My favorite colors are white and chartreuse. Actually anything Chart for me! I use 3/8 to 1/2. 3/0-5/0 EWG Hooks (For Texas Rigs) Bullet Weights - 3/8-1/2 oz Plastics - Worms any one should work fine, but I use Powerbait, Havoc Bottom Hoppers..I would keep it simple by starting off with 1 natural color (clear water) and dark color (for stained/murky water) Frog or Buzzbait - Easiest Top waters to learn imo. I use Booyah Buzzbaits and as for frogs I just grab whatever is on sale. I'd start with this first and learn from the boards to continue building up your tackle/arsenal once you get comfortable with the above techniques. The above tackle will also cover top, middle and bottom water.