lmbfisherman

bassum1 - You are making a lot points that a lot of people would disagree on, specifically the carbonlite. There are lots of guys on this board who use and love them. It sounds like your "friends" aren't taking care of them and "abusing" them. Not trying to offend, but if what you say was a rampant issue..the guys on here wouldn't be raving about them.

My recommendation for a rod would be Fenwick Aetos M/F 7'0 the lure range is 1/16 to 3/4. I own this model and it rocks, it is light/very sensitive and usually can find this on sale that it would be close to the Elite Tech price. For the reel, what farmer said about the reel size, I'd agree.

Yeah wondering the same thing, I can see people start hording them when they get discontinued/clearance for fear that exact fear.

I concur with this statement 100%.

The Carbonlite-BPS Pro Qualifier combo, this is an easy question.

1. Patience - Slow down. 2. Keep an open mind and change it up. 3. Keep at it, don't GIVE UP!

Basically have the same experience as the quick review from the link. I did get my casts further out than my Curado E7 and Chronarch E6 (same range around 10 feet further). Most of all I like how it feels like a 50 sized reel with more line capacity & casting/reeling is a real treat, very SMOOTH! (I own 4 size 50 reels as comparison). I understand though your opinion about it being new and not tried/true, but I trust Shimano doesn't want to destroy its reputation as a long lasting reel. I have full confidence that it will last a very long time.

I have this rod like RW and dedicated for the same use, I've had it for 2 years with no issues. Of course I don't have it paired with a reel like that, it has a Daiwa Lexa 100.

This is from my experience on the 6'6" M/F Avid - Freaking AWESOME for Jerkbaits and Topwaters. Just something "ABOUT IT". I also use it for swim jigs and spinnerbaits on occassion. I've gotten rid of my other 3 St. Croix rods, but had to keep this one. Nothing I've used has yet to dethrone this rod for jerkbaits.

In my experience - (In Order - Please note "Retail Price") Fenwick Aetos Fenwick Elite Tech Shimano Crucial St. Croix Avid You can buy under 200 if you look (recommend over previous list): Shimano Cumulus Gen 1 Shimano Cumara On my wish list after handling: Daiwa Tatula Rod In the end I recommend you check them out personally before making a decision.

Wow nice haul, I am jealous! I'm sure they will be working great for a long time.

As a Shimano guy like you, I find at this price point the Fenwick Elite Tech is very sensitive and close to some of the 200 dollar rods that I own. Due to your experience with Shimano Power/Action, I think the Fenwick ET will feel just right too. (I find both brands are about the same in Power/Action, but still different.) Also, take a look at the Aetos which has more offering and is as price suggest better. Not that I'm knocking a Crucial, but the Fenwick's at the price points win in my opinion.

I use a 7'0 M/F Fenwick Aetos for wacky rigging most of the time.

I've decided to stick with 3 different manufacturers that fulfills my "needs" (G Loomis, Shimano and Fenwick). It took me 2 seasons to figure out which brand really felt comfortable for me to fish. Here is the breakdown though of my arsenal by brands. (I tried Abu, St. Croix, BPS) BC Abu Garcia 1 Custom Rod (Loomis Blank) - 1 G Loomis - 4 Shimano - 5 St. Croix - 1 Fenwick - 2 Spinning Airrus - 1 Fenwick - 2 Shimano - 1 Still it's not set in stone though. The odd balls I have are ones I liked and haven't gotten rid of. (I sold 12 rods this year)

Same here.

Right now you can buy a BPS PQ for 80 bucks (on sale). For me under 125 this reel is the best bang for your buck, frankly instead of buying the Citica G Series - (Not knocking the Citica G still love them), I would've bought the PQs instead in it's place (instead of 4 Citicas, I probably could've bought 6 PQs), if i could do it all over again.

I second the Fenwick rods. Awesome rods.

That made me chuckle. I would also SECOND DVP's recommendation, the BPS Pro Qualifier is awesome and when they go on sale at 79.99 even freaking better.

Honestly I'd stick with the BPS Pro Qualifier, in my opinion it is the better bang for your buck. If you wait for BPS sale then you can get it even cheaper. Not that there is anything wrong with the Citica or Lexa,(own both) just think you don't see a huge jump in performance in that range. So get one of those, I'd recommend a Chronarch if you can spend more. (70).

I am curious, how old is yours? Mine is the 2005 version and it rocked sensitivity wise. It was also my first dip into mid end, I still have it but it has kind of rotated out of my rotation. (Not because I don't like the rod, but it is a Spinning Rod MH/F Rod, normally I use a baitcaster instead of spinning in that power/action.) It is now used as my spare for my wife. I have been thinking of getting one of newer ones as they do seem pretty awesome looking, but just didn't dive into it yet.

Also, just in case things don't go right with the call. I'd definitely would send a message to Bantam1, you can reach him at the TT board. He's very responsive and helpful.

1. Amazing day for me this year was to set my PB LMB caught on my birthday at 5lbs. 2. I was in my inflatable boat, while fishing with a KVD Squarebill. When a fish picked up my lure and took me for a nice ride, it was an interesting experience. Unfortunately, I do not know what it was, as I was trying to reel it in as it was dragging me around I couldn't get enough leverage to pull it away from the timber it was heading for. I waited a few minutes hoping I could pull it out, but alas I had to cut the line. So I don't know if it was a bass or whatever it was, but it was a fun "ride". 3. Yes, I have definitely caught more this year than last year. My best day was 14 bass. This year I caught 144 fish, however most of them were in the 1-2 lb range (118). Also caught more pike than ever, I am at 81 this season so far. (They were extra crazy this season, must've had a good spawn few years ago in my area.) 4. Set a PB for LMB 5lbs, SMB 4.4lbs and a 33" pike was my biggest. 5. No not really tearing up lunkers, would like to get more "quality" next season. 6. Drop Shot, Senkos/Wacky Rigging - I was killing them this year with both techniques. I tried to do more cranking this year, I caught a few on it, still learning to be confident with them. 7. This is only my 2nd year of serious bass fishing, there was a definite improvement. Thanks to bassresource.com too!

6'9" ML/XF - Shimano Crucial (Old Cork Handle) - 6'lb line 7' M/F Fenwick Aetos - 8lb line

Check out the Fenwick Aetos line - imo better than a lot of rods in the price range.

I agree with ww2farmer here. The Veritas is a great all around rod and I still use one as my back up all around rod. I own a 7'3" MH/F, if I need an extra jig/worm, spinnerbait, top water, frog rod or flip/pitch I use this to be that rod to help round out my arsenal on a given day.