FishTank

I have tried both, and like both but I like regular Defier the best. Armilo is a little stiffer but casts well. I have been using it for swimbaits and regular Defier for cranks.

I have one that is a JDM color of a Lucky Craft LV500 that is albino with pink (milk white with pink eyes). This weird bait would catch fish in stained water like crazy. I think I bought it on Ebay 10+ years ago.

I have caught a lot of bass from 5-7lbs and only one over 10. After years of fishing, learning, spending and waiting, there is only one thing you need to catch a big bass > Luck.

I almost picked that same rod up but went with the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer instead (see above). Its a nice rod but this was the one that had me on the fence. You will have to let us know how it performs on water.

I set myself up for this one but probably the last big one for awhile (if the monkey doesn't get me for another rod before the years over). The LC Fat CBBDS2 baits are getting tougher to find but great baits. The prices are getting out of control but I got lucky on ebay with them. I also posted photos on the new setup on another thread but I had to put it all together here.

If it falls in line with it's other 3/8 -1.25oz rods, a 1/2oz-3/4oz jig with trailer is it's sweet spot. I think if you stay around 1/2oz you'd be good to go for chatterbaits not sure how this rod would be for spinnerbaits though. I tend to like a fast or x-fast for that technique.

Just curious..... Which St. Croix rod is it exactly? Most of their MH Mod Fast rods are designed to for flippin and are more stoat than your average MH rod.

Well they are now home. And when the guy I bought this from said it was new in the box, he wasn't joking. A 17 year old reel, mint in the box that I had always dreamed of owning.... Super happy about this one.

I have one of the cranking rods and it's not bad but not great. It's no where near the rod the LT is that you have. I would say, in the St. Croix line up, that it's between the Bass X and the Mojo. I do like how it loads and it has a nice quality feel to it. Overall it's not very sensitive but just sensitive enough to do the job for a crankbait rod so for me it's a keeper. If it was me choosing, I would save up a couple more bucks and get a St. Croix Avid.

Personally for the baits you mentioned, I like a 6.x:1 or slower reel. I have the 6.2:1 Curado DC and have been using it for cranks. It has been pretty much flawless.

Just noticed on St. Croix's website that most of the Avid series rods say sold out and the image of the rod on their site is a different color than the ones I have. So are we going to see a new Avid rod or something different? Even the label looks different. Did they update this and I missed it? https://stcroixrods.com/collections/freshwater/products/avid-series-casting

I use a M Fast spinning rod for most of my spinnerbaits up to 1/2oz with not issues

1/4oz weight and a worm of any kind will cast fine on a MH rod. It may not be the rods sweet spot for max casting distance but a fuzz (1/16 - 1/8 oz) over or under is ok on most rods.

Picking up the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer tomorrow. I like the feel of it and the shorter length for working paddle tail baits. It looks like a great general purpose rod which is what I probably need. I also ordered some 6'' Magdrafts to go with it. I may still get the Conquest 844C. I have the 844C IMX and GLX which also added to my decision. With having those two I might as well get the Conquest to finish it out. We will see how the rest of the year goes. I might upgrade my kayak instead > Sounds crazy when I think about it.

I looked at one of Steez SVF AGS rods and I liked the way it felt in hand but wasn't sure how I would feel in the long run about the slick handle and the foam grips. I kind of like cork but it's not a deal breaker. The model I was interested in was the 7'2'' MH Regular Action but it was out. I also thought that the weight of a round reel would make these rods butt heavy but I didn't get that far. Like you though, I thought the Steez SV I have would pair great with it but I have already matched it with a St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' Med Fast and it's one of my favorite combos.

I like a 5.x:1 for deep cranks. I use a Shimano Antares 12 and an Abu Garcia Winch. For shallow cranks I use 6.x:1 reels > a Shimano Curado K and sometimes a Quantum Smoke.

Well I solved the reel... I found what looks to be a new in the box, but used, Shimano Calcutta TE 101GT (so pretty much the Conquest). It bought it for $150. I couldn't pass it up. I will post some pics on Monday. I would like to get the Conquest 844C but at full price, $700, it's a stretch. I should I have bit the bullet last year when we had the Boat, Sport and Travel Show and I found it for around $500. It wasn't a demo or used, just a show price. Still thinking on the rod but I am open to other suggestions......

I think they are one of those fishing things that comes out, it causes some buzz, it's found to be not all that it's hyped to be, and eventually the fishing world moves on.

I have seen some weird stuff when I have had spools done at stores. It really depends on getting someone that knows what they are doing. Just some examples of what I have experienced... They could spool it backwards, turn the spool over and spool it from the bottom, turn the spool sideways or stop and start the spool as it goes on. As far as what you are experiencing I am not sure that it's the spooling or the line but how you are closing the the reel. Most reels, especially big reels with full line, will make a loop as your lure enters the water. Just pull the line tight and close the spool by hand before you start reeling in. For a line spooler.... I use this one. I have had it about 15 years.

Just one. It was stepped on. It was an easy fix but I was not in a good mood when it happened and it just made a rough day on the water tougher. A good lesson for both of us though. A cool head and a clear mind make for better fishing.

I have ordered from them 3 times with no issues and it takes a week or two to get stuff. If memory serves me right, they are not near a major international shipping depot for US shipments. They travel to the shipping location they use and only go once or twice a week. Once it's processed, it takes a about 4-6 business days from Japan.

So I am looking for a heavy jig rod that I can also use for paddle tail swimbaits (ie,Keitechs with a jig head) and I am trying to decide between the following rods.... G. Loomis NRX 854 St. Croix Legend Elite 7'4'' Heavy Fast Megabass Destroyer P5 Super Destroyer G. Loomis NRX 873C Carolina Rig > Read this is a good rod for bigger jigs I was able to find these sort of local and have also found an OK deal on each. I just need help figuring out which one. I also considered the Conquest 844C and the Steez AGS Heavy but both are backordered and the deal I have is for in stock only rods. I also not sure which reel but that's for a different time > probably a round reel though....

Depending on the lure and the rod manufacture a MH would work. My personal preference is a G. Loomis 844C IMX. This rod is labeled as Heavy but it can handle just about anything. Granted it's not going to handle a small 1/4oz popper bait but that 3/8 - 1/2 oz zone is great and I have fished up to a 1oz Whopper Plopper with no issues.

I would think you would want 1 reel and many rods..... Just my thoughts.

I haven't even heard of this bait. I have seen several like it but it's new to me.