FishTank

Colts all the way. Why? One word>Grossman. One dimension against the Colts is not enough.

You're going to love that rod but their is only one problem with it. Once you fish a G. Loomis IMX or GLX, it is hard to fish with anything else. Bring on the baitmonkey. ;D ;D ;D

I purchased a SMR753S-SP Bronzeback early last year and so far it has been a very good rod. It has one of the best reel seats of any rod I have ever used, it is very sensitive and yes, the tip is soft. After fishing this rod all last year, I found that it excells with mid to deep water crank baits and heavier plastic such as Ika's and weighted Senko like baits but it is not the rod for top water, finesse, or shallow cranks. It has a very powerful backbone for deepwater hooksets. I have pulled small 1-2lb bass totally apart when setting the hook in shallow water. Make no mistake, this is a technique specific rod. But once you figure out that it is different and how best to fish it, it is a very powerful, fun rod. I would highly recommend it. But as far as the rest of the line of Bronzebacks, I was not impressed with the casting rods. I think the GLX and the IMX casting rods are the way to go. If I had to choose another rod in the line, I like the SMR822S-SP-GLX or the SMR811S-SP (I have used this rod and it is great for lizards, small beavers and creature baits). One more thing about my rod, I thought at first I would not like the length (just a little bit short) but after catching several fish, it doesn't seem to be a big deal.

IMHO, the Loomis rods seem lighter than their rating (this is depending on which model your looking at). I'd go with RW's idea and take the reel to the store and a get the idea of how the whole set up feels. My personal preference, between Loomis and St.Croix ,would have to be the G. Loomis GLX MBR843C or the BCR853 (just a little more sensitive than the MBR843C). But overall, both rod companies make excellent rods and you really can't go wrong with either one.

Power Pro and P-Line Floroclear

1. Green Pumpkin black flake 2. Black blue flake 3. junebug In that order

Rod: G.Loomis MBR 783 Reel: Shimano Calais 201A Lure: Lucky Craft Flat CB MR Chartreuse Shad Line: P-Line Floroclear 12lb

My favorite for 5''Senkos is a G Loomis BCR803 and a Shimano Calcutta 251 for a baticaster setup. For a spinning reel I use a Quantum Energy Pti 20 and a M St. Croix 6'6''Avid or a ML 6' Avid.

I tried red hooks and they just did not work out as well as a regular hook. IMHO, they are more hype than anything else (like a lot of other fishing tackle). I guess it comes down to what you are most confident with.

Here is a link to a general description for the G. Loomis Jig and Worm series from Tackle Tour. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewgloomis2005wormandjigrods.html And here is a review of the BCR803 http://www.tackletour.com/reviewgloomisjwbcr803.html I own this rod and love it so far. In the review, they did not like using braid with it. I have liked using P-Line Floroclear 15lb but I am going to test others including braid to see if anything else works well. If the Recoil Guides bother you, the MBR843 would be a fine choice.

Booyah has to be my favorite.

I still consider myself new at this forum but since I have joined I have found a wealth of knowledge on this site. I find myself often going back to the Senko topic on the front page of the Tackle forum section. I thought it might be a good a idea to have spot at the top for the Ika since it is brought up so often. Again this just a suggestion. What do you guys think?

Oh, I almost forgot>>>>>> Dan, Thanks for the photos. I checked out your gallery, great pictures. Keep catchin and shootin. FishTank

Thanks for all the info guys. I went back to Gander Mountain and purchased a couple of bags in the 4.20 size in the Penetration and Spring Break color. They had almost cleared a whole endcap of these baits. The sales guy said that this was their second shipment since Jan. 1. They can't keep them in stock. I can't wait to try them out. I have used the Gambler Ugly Otter a couple of times and have done OK so I hope it produces as well or even better.

I tried the 6in forked Dinger in the Mardigra color and have done well with them. One thing I did notice is that many of this fish hit the forked part of the bait first and I would miss on the hook set. Once I figured out the difference between a nip and a bite, it was much easier to set the hook. I still like Senkos and the regular Dinger better.

P-Line Floroclear 15 lb and 10 lb 50 lb Power Pro and 20 lb Sufix

I recently sold a couple 201 BSF Curados on EBay. I had originally bought 5 of them which was a couple too many. I got $130-$140 for each new in the box.

I have a G. Loomis BCR803 and have not notice any grooving on the guides yet. I will keep my eyes on them. Thanks for the great info. Just in case, the only line I have used on this rod is P-Line Floroclear. I don't know if the line has made a difference but one thing is for sure this is the most sensitive rod I have ever used.

I have not had a chance to try these yet but I just saw them for the first time at Gander Mountain. The sales guy said they can't keep them in stock. I was thinking of buying a couple bags and wanted to know if these things are as good as the sales guy hyped them and what are the best colors.

If you like the Curado, just get another. For a spinning reel, if you want to try something different, you might look at a Quantum Energy PTi.

Based on a couple of past experiences, Pfluegers are not my reels of choice. But WOW , this one might change my mind. It definately deserves a strong look.

Of the braid I have used (Sufix and PowerPro), once you get it wet, it seems to be good to go.

I know you said you wanted just power and action answers but take a look at the G. Loomis Bronzeback line. I bought one over the summer and for deep cranks and deeper plastic it's awesome but for shallow cranks and topwater, it is to easy to pull hard and miss a hook set. Good luck on you search.

P-Line Floroclear 12lb.

5in Senkos, Zoom Lizards and maybe Yum dingers Any dark color.