Scrapiron

New to me, haven't put either on the water, yet. The Exsense replaces a Stradic Ci4+ FB (which holds it's own). G.Loomis NRX 852s and Shimano Exsense Ci4+ C3000HGM

I’ve shipped a few rods 3 day priority USPS this winter for about $15- cross country. I go online and create my label and I’m accurate with dimensions and weight. I have gone in last summer and was quoted like $90 and asked them for a cheaper price- and they found it at $30

Same here. Still working and toying with getting down to three freshwater setups and two inshore. As a kayaker, for me, more than 3 rods gets unmanageable as I'd rather just focus on fishing. Of course same goes with lures.

This will probably get moved to the Salt forum. Around the coast (inshore) of NC, Med Light Fast rods with a 2500 -3000 spinning reel with 10 -15# braid and a FC leader is the preferred setup. I went Med. A Shimano Nacsi and a Fenwick HMX puts you right at $200 (retail). That's a popular combo (6'9" to 7') and I've watched some large redfish get caught on that setup.

Hmmm... I'm setup pretty close to th365thli 7’0” Medium Heavy/Moderate casting for cranking 6.3:1 speed 7’0" Light Medium Heavy/Fast casting for spinner bait, shallow crank, light jigs, worms 6.3:1 speed 7’1” Medium Extra/Fast spinning for dropshot, ned rig, finesse 6.0:1 speed 7’3” Medium Heavy/Fast casting for carolina rigs, frogs, jigs 7.1:1 speed 7’0” Heavy/Fast casting for football jigs, worms, frogs, pitching/flipping 8.1:1 speed All casting setups are 30# braid with a leader (FC) and the spinning setup is 10# braid with FC leader

I went to using fast reels (8 speed) and realized I was fishing too fast. Surprise! LOL. It's easy to say just slow down, but for me, easier said than done. I've replaced most of the 8 speeds for 6:1/7:1 ratio reels. I've followed convention wisdom to use the "right" speed for the presentation I'm fishing.

Another vote for 10lb braid with leader.

I had an Expride (MH/F) and sold it; just didn't fish 'right' in my hands. Between my Helium3, LTB, and GLX MBR, the GLX is the one. All are very nice rods, but the Loomis just has the 'it' factor for me. If price is a factor, then the Kistler is the way to go- lots of bang for your buck.

I have a Magnesium 2 with the Winn grip and a Helium with cork. The Winn grip is fine, but I guess I'm a cork guy.

Thanks for sharing, that was helpful.

Another vote for the Loomis GLX MBR 844. I just added one to the inventory and wow. Just .5oz heavier than my Kistler HE3 (which I think is superb). But whew, what a rod that GLX 844 is. Don't miss my IMX 844 anymore.

I really really like my IMX rods... they just fish "right". However, I am appreciating what Kistler rods are bringing to the table- both the Magnesium and Helium series. I'd dare say there's more bang for the proverbial buck with them right now IMHO.

@FoulHooked- if you don't mind, PM me the place you got the Orra2 for that price. Thanks!

My father-in-law loves his Abu Orra2 (not Orra) reels for both inshore and fresh. I've been using Shimano Curado 200 hg and 70XG reels and they have been solid. He tried some Curados but went back to his Abu reels.This year I'm going to put a couple of Daiwas inot the rotation- SV103 and SV105. We haven had any issues with any reels as far as rust or maintenance. We do rinse and wipe down after every trip as well as a deeper cleaning/oil/etc. every month or so. I'd say he was 90% inshore and I'm 50% inshore.

Thanks!

@fishwizzard- if you get the chance, would like to see what you come up with. I'm reconfiguring mine and would like to see another example. thanks!

My favorite setup is a Loomis GLX 845 CBR. 7' med heavy moderate. Senstitive, light, powerful. I've used a Curado 200i and a Chronarch MGL with it; both were solid but yeah the MGL was better.

Another vote for Sufix 832- all I use as I find the price/performance ratio is excellent.

I use Excel to track equipment-when purchased, brand, type, specs, etc. Good suggestions in this thread- I need to add upgraded parts, what backing, when spooled, and more. Thanks!

I've done both, used backing, figure out how much, trimming, measuring, re measuring, re spooling, etc. and just spooled using all braid. I think doing the latter is easier (right?) and then spooling it onto another reel when it's time. So essentially I get two "spools" out of the braid.

^^ this! And not only is it a Gary Loomis designed blank, it's an actual North Fork built blank.

I had an Expride MH rod and it was a well made rod with quality components. Light, senstitive, felt good in my hands. But... it just didn't fish "right"- IMHO it felt souless. Hard to explain, but my IMX rods are an absolute pleasure to fish with; same with my Kistlers and Avid Xs. I felt the same way with a Jackall Poison Adrena- super light, exuded quality, but it was the last rod I'd bring on a trip.

I picked up a Helium3 LMH on the last promo, but haven't fished it yet. I've also got a Mag2 LMH which is pretty darn versatile and a pleasure to use. I expect the Helium to surpass the Mag2. Here's a review of the Helium3 rod: http://tackletour.com/reviewkistlerhelium3castrod.html I've spend the extra $ to get the Helium3, no question.

You should be fine. I have some E6X Inshore rods (spinning/casting) and IMHO they're very good. I've used them in freshwater and the fish don't care. You also got a solid deal... enjoy!

I do exactly as Islandbass does with his baitcasting reels. I just got back from 5 days of inshore fishing, and followed that procedure every evening (Curado 70) after fishing for speckled trout. A couple of ways to compensate for the reduced line: 1. Use longer leaders. 2. Use snaps. I use the paperclip kind. And yes, I know the long running debate about snaps vs. knots. As far as I can tell, the fish don't seem to care.