Hulkster

I have the E6X version of the same rod and its good for pretty much everything. very versatile rod.

I have handled it in my local tackle store and its a very light rod for such a powerful heavy blank

the newer shimanos, including the new saraha FI don't even have an anti-reverse on/off switch. backreeling is no longer an option on most shimano spinning reels.

I have the SJR842 in GL3 and it is an awesome all purpose rod for lures/tubes etc. up to 3/8 oz. The same rod is also offered in E6X and there is also a slightly heavier SJR843 in E6X for up to 5/8oz lures. both would be excellent all purpose spinning rods. Personally, I like to fish on the lighter end of things so I would get the SJR842 E6X. I have an E6X MBR baitcasting rod and really like it. The E6X rods are great blanks

I use a classic G. Loomis GL3 SJR842 spin jig rod for smallies. 7 foot, med power, fast action. landed my largest smallie ever on this rod:

I am curious about the direct drive handle. just because shimano's website doesn't list it doesn't mean it doesn't have it. the stradic FK doesn't list it either. and it has it.

All Loomis rods and St. Croix higher end stuff (avid and up) are still made in the USA. for reels, yes, not much made over here anymore.

not sure your budget, but based on your rod choice, I assume its decent. I have a Loomis E6X MBR843 that I have paired with a Curado 200i and I really like the combo. just an idea. There are better baitcasters than the curado I, but I don't think any are better for the money spent. its a great reel.

Although I have not fished with it yet, I really love the feel of the newer G. Loomis E6X 7'1 Med. Power Jig and Worm rod. it does have the extra fast taper though. The Loomis Classics were mentioned above, and for what its worth, I have the GL3 SJR842 (7 foot, med power, fast action) and it is great for tubes/grubs and just about anything. I use it as an 'all around' rod. sometimes the old standbys are still right up there with the new stuff. That being said, both the GL3 and the E6X I believe feel very similar to the Avid. So whether you go classic Loomis, E6X loomis or Avid its a win win win.

Nasci is latin for 'to be born'. in one of the youtube vids they mention this. I guess its because its the replacement for the symetre.

Sorry, when I posted that there was no budget listed. I just know its a great 'do it all' casting rod.

G. Loomis E6X MBR843

Up here in Canada we have a well known fisherman named Bob Izumi and he was with Shimano for 20 years before changing to Abu last year. Money Talks.

I use the Curado 200i PG which is 5.5:1 and its perfect. I think the inches per turn is 23.

I have owned the FE (late 90s gold and white), FG (2000 gold and white) FH (2004 gold and white, last one made in japan and last one to include a spare spool) and FJ (last white one offered) and the FJ is my favorite of them all. The direct drive handle is much more solid feeling than the older key style handle and the newer spool lip casts much better. It also has the maintenance port for adding oil which I liked. it did not come with a spare spool however.

couple of things: 1. I wonder if it has the direct drive train handle 2. its a shame that at this price point they did away with the tapered bail wire connection to the line roller. the older saros had that. but it does look awesome. i'll probably have to get one lol

IMO for balance with a 7 footer the 2500 size is better.

for what its worth, the ci4 chronarchs are on sale everywhere right now, as a new one is supposedly on the way. might be able to get a hell of a deal on one.

Long time XL user here who has recently started using Big Game, because i was getting lots of problems with XL not holding its strength well. I could break knots with my hands after a while. so I switched to Big Game (up here in Canada we can get Big game in 8 pound test and even 6 pound test though I do not know how old the spools of 6 pound test are that my shop has on the shelf - since it looks like this size is no longer offered). so far I really like it. 12 pound green on my baitcaster, and yes, i even use the 8 pound on spinning gear with no issues. it is noticeably stronger than XL and still seems to cast well. no problems with knot breakage anymore.

I have the curado 200i PG and think its amazing

^ I believe this problem has been fixed on all newer models. the problem was the friction rings on the older spinning reels would swell and cause the rotor to bind up (I believe that is what Bantam1 who works for shimano said over on TT).

yes and they finally switched the eva foam handle that a lot of people hated (and switched out) on the previous generation of Ci4s. which was a great move. the new Ci4s are amazing

I played with the new Shimano Nasci the other day. its one hell of a reel for the price point.

^ Ok then its settled

I have never fished with a mojo but I have an E6X MBR843 and love it. but for what its worth: the E6X line feels exactly the same to me as the Loomis GL3 line of graphite (I own a bunch of these too) and the GL3 feels the same as the SCIII line (avids). so with the upgraded Mojo blanks both are now great blanks (old mojos were SCII which isn't that great). I am partial to Loomis tapers over St. Croix myself. (I own a whole bunch of loomis rods but only two st Croix ones (avid and a premier travel rod).