r83srock

This for me too.

I’ve never paid for a super expensive reel, I’ve had almost every generation of Curado though, with the K being my favorite and so far I like this mgl slx as much as any Curado I’ve had. I use mine for 1/8-1/4 finesse jigs and it performs really well.

I have 40lb pp on mine, but I think 30 would be good too. Love to try maxquatro. No issue though with 40.

Prayers to you. Stay safe!

Welcome! I can’t offer much help but I was always curious how fishing would be off of navy pier, if it’s even allowed. I could just imagine the looks you would get on the blue line train headed downtown with a fishin rod. ? I’d drag a senko or fluke around, weedless with built in action. The fluke mimics dying baitfish which is what you want this time of year. Texas rig it weightless so you can swap from senko to fluke without retying. The senko just throw out and let sit, leave for 15 seconds and reel in. the fluke you can do the same but implement small twitches of the rod tip when the bait falls. Space your twitches out and experiment with cadence and speed. Twitch, pause for 5-10 seconds, twitch, repeat.

They are well made. Crisp actions and more powerful than a comparable mojo series. The finish and look is awesome. I have only ever used/owned the casting models. I like the rods but they are not my favorite. The last two versions I do not like the reel seat that much. Wish they would just stick to Fuji ecs. The rods I had/have are a bit more tip heavy. I can feel everything I need to with these rods, but I also can with bass x/mojo. I suggest handling one with a reel on it before making a purchase. I actually like the feel of bass x/mojo/premier/avid better.

The 285 is an 18’ boat and a 150 will perform well on it. I’d be curious if the Yamaha is carbed or efi, I think 09 or 10 the carb 2 stroke was still available. Good engine either way and having it check out good by a reputable mechanic would be the deciding factor. The stratos and triton will have a similar sporty feel, you kind of sit in them. A ranger will feel like a dock on the water, heavy but very stable. I agree with taking it for a spin.

Better return on reels, but I’d rather have a nice rod. Also agree on line as important as the rod.

Those are the old power grip handles? I cut my teeth on those. I’d keep a few around for bank beating and techniques you don’t need ultimate feedback. The St. Croix premier is an excellent rod, it was my first “nice” rod. When I stepped up from BPS extremes of that era to premiers and acids, the deference to me was big, I never looked back especially for worm and jig fishing. If you prefer more traditional tapers, actions, lengths and handles it’s a good choice. Consider the Avid for a bit more coin for increased feel and crispy actions.

Do you attend the weigh inn? Have you ever fished it? That’s a huge payout for a “non professional” event!

I agree. Have him try a few to make sure they are comfortable to him.

Cool topic, I enjoy the stories. My first was a hand me down 6’ pistol grip lightning rod dad gave me. I’m going to guess it to be a late 80s model. A 90s cherrywood was next in spinning. Fished those two setups a long time! First really nice graphite was St. Croix Premier when they changed logos from block lettering to the oval lettering they use now. I believe it’s when they started using SC2 as the graphite type for that series, I’d say around year 2000 or so.

I hear ya. I had the same rod at one point too and sold it. Love the power, great for jigs, just tip heavy. I tried a slx mgl on my 6’8” mh LTB today and it seems to fish better, not sure what gives but the reel seems to make a difference. I always had a senko on mine but I think it’s best for jigs.

Those were good rods weren’t they? I have a friend of my dads that’s swears by the old All Stars. I wish we had Academy up here. ? I agree the smaller/lighter reels are best, my favorites are the Curado 100b, but I’m really liking my new SLX 70mgl ?!! I pretty much use the same rod for worms and jigs in the 1/8oz(not total weight) to 1/2oz range. I have a 6’8” MH legend tournament that I want to love, but even I have to admit I’m dropping fish on the hook set with it, I believe because of tip heavy. I have a new 6’8” mh Mojo that has a slightly softer tip and is very well balanced (to me). So far that has been my favorite worm and jig rod.

I started on BPS Extreme combos. The reels at the time were close cousins to th pfluger trion baitcasting reel and the rods were heavy but pretty well made at the time. The Rick clunn rods and reels were a good value also.I agree that the quality on some of their products had slipped some. The carbonlites feel pretty nice in the store, but the reel seat seems suspect to me. Still I’ve thought about trying one. The patriot rods feel very nice! Refreshing to see a USA made rod at $200. Like others have said, the market is and has been flooded with great options.

I was just thinking about this. I had random break offs with 30lb power pro for years. Mostly dig in and a hard cast. I switched to 40lb and I don’t get near the dig ins or breaks, and it’s not much thicker. Have you considered a spinning reel with light braid?

Ok cool, thanks. Welcome btw!

That’s interesting. Just my opinion, I think St. Croix has way too many rod models and similar price points. Years ago they had 3, good, better, best. Kinda how Kistler and Alx does it. Like bass x and mojo and even premier. Just have one line, and offer split grip or full grip depending on model. Do you know when these new rods are to be released?

I have quite a few Mojos, 1st and 2nd gen and they are really good durable rods. I use them for all techniques and they perform as expected. The 2nd gen was a good improvement over the first gen. I don’t own avid x but I have fished with several and I do own older full grip avids and a new legend tournament. I like all my st. croixs, the legend is a beautiful rod, but it’s pretty overrated for what it costs, I would never pay retail for it. To me the Avid and Avid X are where St. Croix shines especially if you want a USA stamp on it. The balance on the regular Avid is the best in the Croix pinup imo. Avid X fishes very nice as well, a little better balance that comparable mojo models, but I think that’s about the biggest difference. I think you are mostly paying for the USA stamp, which I’d be ok with. Some say the guides are bad on the avid x, I don’t know, never had issues with guides on any rod I can remember owning in recent years.

Get bit baits!

Was at Wal Mart the other day and I ended up picking up some spools of big game mono and noticed next to the mono was Big Game braid. 330yd spool for $12. Seems like a standard 4 strand braid. Has anyone fished this line or know anything about it?

I would check your knot off the water as well. This is one reason I’m getting away from leader knots. Either using straight braid, mono, or flouro depending on the situation. Years ago when power pro became popular, there was counterfeit line being sold, and it was tough to distinguish the difference. I’m sure i purchased some as I had break off issues. I haven’t had a problem with power pro in over 10 years now. I think there is a reason power pro changes their packaging periodically, aside from marketing.

Oh gosh! I hope that’s not some similar way fair deal... wtheck!?!

I’m really liking the freedom buzz bait, you can put your own hook on it. I put an EWG hook on and Texas rig a toad on the back. I don’t throw tubes much but the ones I do I get from Get Bit Baits locally. They are popular on Green Bay/sturgeon bay.

I second this. Just got a 4.52 smallie last night in our river, on a pop-r. 63 degree water. It’s just starting to get good! There are river systems around here where the best bite of the fall happens when the water drops below 50.