Alpster

I agree that the Citica combo would work for you. Check out this thread, it's a good read for those new to baitcasting. Good luck. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1151590913 Ronnie

Their bicycle parts were around in the late sixties, I used to work in a custom bicycle shop as a kid and we used their parts regularly. According to their website they got into fishing in the early seventies. I have a Bantam Mag reel that I bought in 1980. Ronnie

I'm still not clear if you are interested in a casting rod or spinning rod. The Loomis rods that fishtank and flechero suggest above are only available as baitcasters. Ronnie

You describe my fishing pretty well. I used to catch more fish when I lived in the South, but I'm not complaining. I alway expect to have a good time. Ronnie

Bantam Mag 10 XSG I think I bought this in 1980 . I still fish with this reel. Ronnie

LBH, It is 872,034,435 gallons of water. 223 acres X 43,560 = 10,149,480 square feet X 12' = 116,566,560 cubic ft. X 7.481 (gals per cu. ft.) = 872,034,435 gallons. Ronnie

What are you going to fish with it? I have a MH St. Croix & a MH G-Loomis IMX. They are about the same, in terms of power and action. If you want a heavier rod, go heavy on the GLX especially if you want to muscle heavy fish out of thick cover. You should also consider an IMX if you going with a heavier rod. You can save some bucks and I think you lose some of the advantages of the GLX in heavier power rods. JMHO Ronnie

This is a cool (pardon the pun) thread, but when you start de-icing the rod guides, I am heading for some shelter from the wind. ;D Ronnie

Hey castaway, don't tell anyone, but I have a couple of ABU reels in the closet that I fish with now & then. Welcome to the posse and congrats on the new reel. Let us know how you like it. Ronnie

I think black is a great color in NJ, I use it a lot with success. I also have a bag of chartrues, just to test my color choice every now & then. I would stick to darker colors. JMHO Ronnie

5BL, Any experience with Poe's 400s, I have them but don't fish them much. This is the year I conquer my crankbait phobia. LOL Ronnie

I'm getting ahead of the game now. Today was a marathon rod wrapping day. First coat of finish is on both the MB844 IMX and the Lamiglas crankin stick. Only have the Bounce Back swimbait rod and the St. Croix wormin rod to wrap and I'm all done with rods for the Fork trip. I tried a red maple wood reel seat on the IMX and I'm not yet sure I like the look. I will post a pic when it's done and get some opinions. Things are coming along pretty well. I have still got some work to do on the Bass Bus, but it looks like all is on schedule. Ronnie

My favorite didn't make the list. "ARKIE". Ronnie

Great review and a usefull comparison. When I get some more time and fortitiude, I will break out of my G-loomis fixation and try some competitors. Good is good, but better is best. Ronnie

1981 my wife (now deceased) and I were fishing (she loved to fish, one of many reasons I married her) 1/2 mile down stream of the ramp in a 14' jon w/0.5lb thrust sears TM. I was rigged with a 3/4oz Johnson Silver Minnow with a # 11 Uncle Josh pork frog trailer. I reared back to cast to a patch of lilly pads and on the fore cast the rod stopped abruptly and my wife screamed. Yep, I buried that big ole hook in her scalp, big time (with a pork frog, no less). It started to rain as we headed back to the truck. It took over two hours to get to the hospital and get the spoon surgically removed from her head. For years we looked back and laughed, but at the time, it was anything but funny. It's a great lure and I still have a couple in my box, but this is always what I think of when I hear "Johnson Silver Minnow". We always called them 'weedless spoon'. Sorry for the long story, I couldn't help it. Ronnie

Rod: G-Loomis MBR 844 Reel: Shimano Calais CL200 Line: Power Pro 50# with Vanish 12# leader Lure: 7-1/2" Culprit Black Shad worm 24-7-365 I will catch fish. Ronnie

OH, I think he has built a rod or two, but probably only has 25 or 30 years experience. If you can get David (Reelmech) to build you a rod consider yourself fortunate. JMHO Try this link to his rod building website. http://www.rod-crafting.com/ Ronnie

Hey Mike, I have been looking at the Fork maps and I have come to the same conclusion. If we could fish for about 12 years, we might cover the best looking fishing holes. Fluke & I spent about an hour on the phone the other night and agreed that we may have to make another trip. LOL Ronnie

Spoke to Andrew in customer service at G-Loomis today. He was a very nice guy and laughed when I told him I broke my own rod. He was genuinely sorry that he could not replace my rod with a blank (no way to justify it in the computer), but assured me that the factory built rod would be replaced, didn't matter how it was broken. I challenge you to call any other company in the world and confess that you broke their product by your own negligence and have them replace it under the waranty. With this one, I have 6- G-Loomis rods and will continue to be a faithfull customer. Ronnie

My guess is 80% of all of it was made in China. Funny post Roger! Ronnie

Scored a 17. Fishing's not addicting, I've been fishing for 40 years and I'm not addicted yet. Ronnie

I like Loomis too, but I also fish with Lamiglas & St. Croix. Ronnie

Both, and then some. Ronnie

I am working harder this year on cranks also. I am building myself a 7' Lamiglas all fiberglass rod for cranking. I am learning that you may want 7' rod with a moderate action for crankbaits. I hope this helps. Ronnie

Pitch, I see it's your third post, so I will say WELCOME. I like a longer rod, 7' MH with a fast tip for Senkos. The longer rod in heavy cover makes it easier to ease them over laydowns and lilly pads, etc. In deeper water, the longer rod helps with hooksets. I use 50# power pro for almost everything. JMHO Ronnie