Hulkster

ah so they are already on sale.

the symetre is being discontinued. I asked on the shimano support forum over on tackletour. I was told the nasci is taking its place. so if you really love the symmetre, grab them now cause eventually they will be dropped. not sure when though.

the ones St. Croix makes are bullet proof, hard PVC with padded zippered endcaps. http://stcroixrods.com/uploads/icons/STC-Rod-Builder-Rod-Cases-2016.pdf looks like the RC39 is what you are after. I used to have one of these for a 6'6 one piece rod and it was great being almost indestructible though, they are heavy. but your rod will be undamaged.

usually with shimanos the 3000 reel is the same spool as the 2500 only with a narrower spool arbor - deeper spool to hold a little more line. I love the T shaped knob over the single paddle style one so you might like it. its more to grip and still feels comfortable. I would also go 3000 over 2500 for this reason. I am surprised the gear ratios are different, all other lines have the 3000 and 2500 as literally the same reel other than the handle knob and deeper spool. could the numbers be an error on their website? its notorious for errors.

i'll put in another vote for the Loomis E6X. I have one (baitcast version) but I think it is amazing for the money. light well balanced and sensitive.

I have a Curado 200i PG and love it. its amazing. but it was $240 Canadian. that's how much they go for up here with our crappy dollar and all..

Done

I only have one E6X, the Mag Bass MBR843c baitcaster. I really like it so far.. its a great rod. see what others who have actually fished with both will say, as I have never fished a GL2, I just know that since the E6Xs hit the market I think people have stopped buying the bass GL2s as they got quickly eliminated from the website.

if the replacement is an E6X rod you will be way better off anyways. they are much better. The GL2s are no longer even on Loomis's website so you may not be able to get the same replacement if you did want it. I would imagine they will offer an E6X equivalent which you will probably really like.it

my latest baitcasting combo is a shimano curado 200i with a G. Loomis E6X MBR843c. should be within your budget. just an idea there are a million great combos out there you could get and love them all. others will have other suggestions on combos they love.

I handled the new shimano symetre replacement the other day. its called the Nasci. it was amazing for the money. I guess the symetre line will be discontinued and replaced with this reel.

I just ran into a similar problem with my curado 200i. it turns out I didn't have the spring seated properly. check to see that its in right and that you can tighten the cap all the way down. when my spring wasn't in right I had no tension control at all. once I fixed it, it was normal again.

the IMX will be the better rod for all techniques, but they are considerably more expensive. here in Canada E6Xs go for 240 Canadian and the IMX's are over $400. That said, I have the MBR843 classic mag bass E6X rod and I really like it. its a win win with either of these series, but one is much lighter on the pocketbook but you will get better sensitivity etc. with the more expensive IMX

hmm. the E6X are assembled in the USA. at least mine says Washington on it. if I recall. weird.

one thing that drew me to the E6X (and would to the avid rods too) is that they are full cork handles. no EVA foam. some like it, some hate it. but it is getting harder and harder to find full cork traditional handles out there. I hate the feel of eva and much prefer cork.

I have a whole bunch of Loomis rods (SJR843, 843, 700 all in GL3, TSR ultralight rod, 3 piece Escape Travel and my newest the E6X MBR843 baitcaster) I love the E6X it feels the same as my GL3 rods and it was cheaper (although much newer) technology. in my hands, the GL3s and the St. Croix Avid that I own feel almost the same, and the E6X feels the same as both of those. I think you will love the E6X. just because it is cheaper than their other offerings doesn't mean it sucks. there is a reason the GL2s aren't even on the loomis website anymore for bass. The E6X are selling so well I gather they eliminated them all together.

one thing that I find helps is to fully wait until the rod is loaded on your backcast before swinging forward, much like casting a fly rod. that way you have the full transfer of power from the rod to the lure and it allows the lure to move fast without going too fast. remember that backlashes occur because the spool is revolving forward faster than the line is coming off of it. so you want to have a smooth fluid motion with the rods full power behind it. with "lob" casts it can be easier to backlash because initially the lure is moving fast but it looses speed if it starts to go straight up - but the spool is still spinning just as fast, which can result in a backlash. another thing I did while learning is to remove the hooks on a rattle trap type bait and practice casting in your backyard or a park etc. practice practice practice and you will be casting like Roland Martin in no time.

awesome I am sure you will love the rod

ok, how do you like the handle on the st Croix? its a weird composite handle. no cork at all. at least they used to be. I didn't care for it in store, never fished with one though. I have only fished with a legend elite. not the extreme.

perhaps the new G. Loomis GLX's?

I have the E6X MBR843c (paired with a curado 200i PG) and really like the rod. its a great taper. I have not fished with a Dobyns though.

although I have not fished with one, Loomis has a whole lineup of E6X Jig and Worm casting rods that are full cork handles although they are split grip I believe.. I have fished with the MBR843c E6X and love it. just another option as I know its getting hard to find full cork out there. I am like yourself I hate EVA grips.