The Great Blue Heron

Probably just needs cleaning. It may work itself out by using it a lot.

This is easy. Get a new Shimano Citica from fleabay and mount it on the Shakespeare Durango rod from Wally World! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Citica-200i-CI200i-Right-Handed-Reel-Extremely-Fast-Shipping-/201378383471?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee316466f http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespeare-Durango-5-Spinning-Rod/16794747 Yes, I know, it's not a spinning setup. So.

I like the color on the Bass One XT better than the maroon red metallic & silver on my Caenan.

ST Croix Avid, AVC70MHXF

Lew's Tournament Lite: http://www.lews.com/casting-tournamentlite.php Shimano Scorpion XT 1001: https://japanlureshop.com/shimano-scorpion-xt-1508.html

They just look cooler. The spinning reel is ok. But if you want to fish like a boss and take decent pics, your gonna need a baitcaster, end of story.

I ended up buying the Lew's Tournament Lite and it has been a joy to fish so far. But everyone that has a Team Lite says that it's their favorite reel! If I had it to do over, I'd grab the Team Lite. The new Chronarch seems nice too, but not better than my 50E. My Tournament Lite and her first bass:

I am a Duckett fan & I'd be happy to assist! *Buy a ST Croix Avid, AVC68MXF (Thank me later)

I can only imagine what sort of sweet rods and reels I could have for the price of a couple dirt bikes! We love what we love, or, as they say, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Me too! I only get to fish about once every other week. I'm doing my best to get my three year old to jump on the bandwagon. There was a time that I would go three times a week, sometimes more. But working 45-50 hours a week and my wife working a full time job and two young ones can cut into hobby time some. Oh well, I guess that makes the fish that I do catch all the more sweet! Have a good one.

I've had mine for a few years, so I have a little bit of a head start. I usually stop fishing in August to concentrate on getting ready for the upcoming deer season. You could use that time to catch up?

Another 5.5lb (or 6?) Largemouth on the junky Shimano Caenan:

What the? Why would he return the Caenan? Are you crazy?

Nope. I mean, it has plastic friggin gears man. It's eventually gonna pee its pants. But have I gotten my $90 out of it? Ab-so-freakin-lutely. When it fails, I will post a thread on its demise. But hell, that could be in five or ten years! It's not like it's my only reel!

The Caenan is pretty smooth after you break it in with about three or four full days on the water. I've caught some nice 6-7 lb bass on mine and it keeps chuggin along.

Avid 6'8" MXF and a Chronarch 50E with 12lb mono.

I like you G Loomis IMX plan the best.

If not your mainstay jig rod, it would be great for plastics in general. You do fish plastics, right? :-0

How much $ is it? This should an easy decision.

Buy the rod anyway and just find a use for it. Problem solved.

Once the Chronarch E is rubbed out of existence, then the Curado I can move into the $200 price point oh so smoothly. Then the price difference will make sense to some of you. Buy an E while you still can.

I fish 3/8oz spinnerbaits a lot. Any medium-fast, medium-extra fast, or MHF will do fine. If you are looking to cast distance, obviously a 7 ft rod would be better, and if you're throwing a heavier bait, the MH rod may handle better. I don't look for a soft tip or slower action on my spinnetbait rods, I like fast and stiff so I can feel more actual structure. I find that I get hung up less fishing around submerged wood that way. Some folks like a little give at the end for even more casting distance and to be able to feel the blades vibrating? I don't know. My ideal spinnetbait rod is Medium Extra Fast, probably around 6'6" and like I said before, 3/8 baits. Some of my best outings are with a 5'6" MF pistol grip All Star, throwing to docks at shorter range. And I just picked up a G Loomis SBR752C that looks 100% perfect for my style of spinnerbait fishing. It's medium extra fast, but they make a light extra fast if you want to toss 1/4 oz baits. You just need to experiment and see what setup works best for your style of fishing.

The $150 Scorpion XT1000 is just too good to pass up.

ST Croix Legend Extreme.

I've always liked a 5'6" medium fast casting rod in two piece configuration for a packable travel rod. http://t.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19487036 I have a Lew's Tournament Lite mounted on this rod that has done ok so far.