Poolshark

I own many and have never had an issue.

You purchased a great reel that will last you many many years. The only inherent "problem" this reel supposedly has is occasional screechy breaks. In which shimano instructs owners to oil the break drum every 5 outings or so. Other than that the reel should be problem free. I will say that shimano really packs their reels with grease in the factory. Excessively so...so I usually break it down, clean and re grease sooner than later. I've done this with every shimano casting reel I've purchased. They have ALL held up well over the years.

My preference is for the 71 mhf and the 71mf as "all purpose" rods

The spinnerbait model can do a lot, but it is not my first choice as an all purpose rod the mojo lineup. Give it a shot and if you don't not like it, get the mhf model.

I own the 843 and like it. It's better than the gl2. I'd compare it more to my avids as far as quality and feel. If you like it. Use it. It carries the same warranty as the higher end loomis rods and the mag bass tapers are hard to beat.

I own that rod and I feel like the tip is too soft for bottom contact techniques. It has backbone, but setting the hook would be a chore from a distance. I think that the plain old 71 mhf is the best all around rod and if I had only one, I'd take that one. If you want to throw stuff with trebles than spool it with mono and back off your drag. Id also consider the medium fast model if I used braid but it doesn't fish heavier cover as well as the med heavy version and again, setting the hook from a distance with a lure like a frog is a chore for me with that rod hope that helped

Your combos look pretty well thought out. how many combos are you allowed? I think 5 is a good number. It's not too much and you should be able to have your bases covered. I have a core 4 combos I always bring and I adjust the fifth based on where and what I'm fishing. I like a 7 to 76 heavy fast rod with a high speed reel and braid. A 73 mmf glass rod for topwaters, jerkbaits and crank baits with 12 to 14 mono a 7 ft mf spinning rod. With 20 lb braid/Floro leader or 8 lb mono for finesse A 7 ft mhf rod for bottom baits and utility. 14 to 17 Floro If im fishing clear water and finesse is key, I'll bring an extra spinning rod if I'm fishing heavy cover in summer, I'm bringing an extra flipping rod if it's fall and they are chasing shad, I'll bring an extra cranking rod etc.... everyone has different preferences so I hoped I help somehow. Good luck!

You can do anything with spinning gear. The only place I'm hesitant is in the heavier line techniques, not because it can't be done, but because I find the heavier bulkier reels more cumbersome and tiring. With all that said, for the type of fishing you do....if you are happier using spinning tackle exclusively, than why not? As to why one might prefer casting gear? I simply find it more fluid and more comfortable. I have less problems with wind knots and it's easier to load a compact casting reel with heavier line without issues.

My experience is mostly with st Croix rods and I really like the mojo bass series for that price range. I could make my entire collection of this series and be happy. That being said there are so many rods in that range of price that you could could go with almost any of them and have a rod that will perform as well as you'd ever need it to.

Bass pro cranking sticks and Abu winch are going for $80. If you don't want to swing that it would be a lightning rod shock or an ugly stick pro lite for me. These would all serve you well... just the other day, I saw a falcon Jason Christie squarebills rod for $14 at a local Walmart. That would have been your ticket. Look around online as well, lots of deals

To me they are close but I feel like the e6x is a slightly better rod, especially for the money. I don't see why I would spend more on the gl3.

I've stumbled upon many Bucoo and Jason Christie signature series for less than 15 bucks at my local places. I've learned to always look whenever I'm in there now

I love the LTB series. I have the spinnerbait rod and use it to fish lipless cranks in grass and for spinnerbaits. I do not prefer it so much for casting squarebilled cranks unless it's around heavier cover. Casting anything less than 3/8 an ounce is not optimal for me with this rod. I have other rods that load up much nicer when casting them. Hope that helps

If you like st Croix, which I do, than they would make a fantastic collection of rods. IF you are not fishing heavy pads or matts, than a 7 ft medium heavy fast action mojo bass would work great. it would also double as a great rod for jigs, Texas Riggs, senkos, buzz toads, small soft swimbaits and spinnerbaits. I love st Croix rods and own quite a few. I think they are a great company. There is nothing wrong with them to fill your needs. I see the merit in going with one company for all your rods. There will be more consistency between power and taper ratings and it can help you develop a better feel when picking rods for your different techniques. Hope that helps

I am not agreeing or disagreeing with this, and I know there a ton of fantastic rods out there to choose from. My question is this... what specifically about st Croix makes them the last place for one to look to fill all their rod needs?

The slop and frog rod is certainly designed to fish super heavy cover. If I'm casting it and working a frog on a weed line or a boat dock I'd rather be using the 7 ft mhf

The new mojo bass 7'4 heavy fast action rod is a good frog rod. I've been using mine for the last couple of weeks and have no problem casting with it. It is a true heavy powered rod, with a softer tip than the previous version. It feels similar to my 76 mhf veritas in feel. The new mojo also makes a great pitching rod. I have been using it to fish big EZs, horny toads and pitching weighted plastics in heavy cover and have no problems If you are casting the smallest frogs <1/4 ounce in moderate cover the plain old 71 mhf version works nice as well.

My favorite technique with this rod is small Texas rigs, jigs, soft jerk baits, stick baits with braid. With mono I use it with Lipless crank baits, spinnerbaits, square bills and top water. It is a very versatile casting rod. one of my favorites.

I just bought two mojo series 74 heavy fast models and I've used them now on 4 trips. The rod is an absolute beast. It will cast 3/8 ounce plenty far. They do well for pitching weighted plastics/3/8 ounce and up frogs. I haven't used mine to flip yet, but I've caught a few bass and had absolutely no trouble pulling bass out of the heavy pads. The mojo not much more, I'd swing for that if I could. it is much lighter in the tip

Yes! I own 4 of them and I've done nothing but upgrade bearings and drags. I find it cool that I spent 120 on them 15 years ago and could probably get at least 60 for them now. I wish I could find reels built like that in today's market.

I'm assuming you are talking about the old b series? They are solid reels. Built like tanks. Simple, durable, bulky, no frills. These reels were once the benchmark for durability. Not pretty or super comfortable, but just did what it was supposed to do reliably. I personally favor the super free model over the others. keep in mid that shimano does not support these reels with parts anymore

They are both great! I own curados from almost every generation and I like the I series design the best overall. The 200 for heavier/higher resistance lures and light saltwater, and the 70 series for just about everything else. The e series chronarchs and curados were great reels but if I had to choose, I'd move forward with the I series every time.

One of them. I've tried to part with mine many times and can never bring myself to do it. I think they were some of the most durable reels produced. I have never needed a parts replacement after 15 years of using mine, and some of mine have seen a lot of use. I still employ one on a flipping rod and there is no other reel I feel more apt to the job. So to the op... Many people will pay different amounts for this reel. The upside is that they are durable. The downside is that they are bulky by today's standards and they've been discontinued for along time, so parts are harder to find. I'd personally never part with mine unless absolutely necessary, but I wouldn't pay an arm and a leg either.

Every Abu Garcia rod that I own fishes heavier than its weight rating compared to other rod makers. This to me isn't such a bad thing if you plan on using strictly for jigs and other bottom contact baits. I think the particular rod you are referring to will excel at fishing jigs and worms. As far as the st Croix mojo bass goes, the newer series has a softer tip than my avids. They are both on the heavy powered side of the spectrum

I own eight. Worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, senkos, Ikas, smaller frogs, flukes, Carolina rigs, small swimbaits ( big EZ), and buzz toads in modest cover. My 843 I'll use for lipless cranks and top water sometimes. All of my nicest rods are 7 to 76 medium heavy/fast because it is my favorite and to me they are the most versatile. The bread and butter so to speak.