r83srock

I set the cast control knob to reduce the side to side play of the spool. The old school way I was taught was to adjust the cast control so when you release the bail, with the rod pointed parallel to the ground and lure/line attached, the lure falls to the ground and the spool doesn’t overrun. I find that method a bit tight, so I use the side to side play method and leave it once set, save for a small tweak a cast or two in. I set the internal brakes with two ON, opposite of each other, and the rest off. The manual will show this also. It is now ready to go, the rest is in the thumb.

I got to try out a St. Croix victory 7’4” heavy fast for awhile, one my buddy owns. The rod really impresses me, has that wow factor imo. I was surprised how versatile it was. I own the same rod in bass x and mojo, and while I feel the victory is just as powerful, it is more capable in the lower weights by a bit. I used a beaver bait Texas rigged with a 3/16oz weight up to 1 ounce, biggest I have. Great frog rod as well.

Good advice. Ive heard mentioned on here if you don’t like how it feels in your hand comfortwise, you will probably never like it. I don’t base my opinion of a rod until I have mounted MY reel to it, I always bring a reel into a store to try. Ive owned rods that were highly out of balance, and uncomfortable to me. Ive owned rods that were slightly tip heavy, but not uncomfortable, and rods that balance right at the reel seat. Oddly enough, it seems I cast more accurately with a rod that is slightly tip heavy, and once a lure is attached I don’t notice tip heaviness. I’m sure it’s my mechanics/muscle memory/what I’m accustomed to.

I have no experience with Powell rods outside of the one I mentioned. He won it a few years ago in a tournament. I have been testing out my friends new St. Croix Victory 7’4” heavy (awesome rod btw) and it weighs 4.2oz, and balanced (to me). A stout frog rod at 3.7 oz is amazing.

My dad has a Powell Inferno 7’3” heavy fast that is really light. Makes a nice frog rod. $110.

I purchased a base SLX xg when it first came available, within 2 months my ani reverse failed. First Shimano in 20 years that I had a problem with. That said, I also purchased an SLX mgl and have not had any issues.

The X5 braid is generally considered a good line by many I know who have used it. I use power pro a lot, in 30-50 lb and have had the same issue as you if I try to “whip” cast really hard. The line would dig in a bit in the spool and with no stretch in the braid, the line would snap during the cast. I found a slower, less aggressive cast works better for me.

Im in this camp. I am an Industrial Mechanic, and have more money in tools than I care to admit. $45 for a par of Klein crimpers, or $60 for Channellock 480 pliers, or $105 for a snap on ratchet (that I would think twice about doing again). It seems nuts to those that aren’t in the trade, but I use my tools to make a living, I do wipe them down and care for them, but they get used plenty! Fishing equipment doesn’t pay my bills, but it’s aids heavily in my weekend sanity. I use my stuff, but I don’t intentionally beat on my gear either. The crud gets wiped off occasionally, and rod socks go on when transporting . Scratches and battle scars are earned in time, but it’s not something I go out of my way to do. Kinda like that guy in the shop that wipes grease on his pants to “look” busy.

My buddy Doug is in it. We fished a team trail together 4 years ago. Last year he was very consistent locally, won a few times also! He’s a marine vet also. Wish him the best!

“Downloading music” and ripping cds was the big thing, until your family computer gets a virus and the blue screen of death. Threw a lot of computers away in the early 2000s. 2GB was huge, and my sister and I would have that “fast” computer coming to a crawl pretty quick. My first baitcaster was an 80s Shimano 10xg my dad gave me to learn on. It’s was pretty worn out, but I learned, the hard way. When I got addicted to fishing , dad got me two BPS Extreme combos. I was on top of the world. When I turned 14 I had saved up enough money bailing hay to buy a Curado 200B, one of many. Still have all of them as well as the 10xg.

The date is June 6, of 2006, that’s right six, six, 6. The day of our high school graduation. My friend and I decided to hit the lake before walking the stage later that afternoon, so away we go. It’s a bright sunny afternoon, 80 plus degrees, beautiful day. Well wouldn’t you know it, a storm comes out of nowhere. The wind is picking up and it’s getting dark fast. As we are making our last casts, both of our fishing lines start moving upward, and are vibrating and making noise! We drop our poles on the deck and crawl under the consoles, not a second later, CRACK!!! ?⚡️??. Lightning like I had never heard or seen. The hair on my arms was standing out straight!! I strapped the rods down with about 20 feet of line out yet and we took off! And then the rains came like no other, and the wind!! ??⛈ We booked it back to shore, and like a switch, and as fast as the storm started, ?⛅️?☀️, poof gone! We didn’t dare go back out that day, we were done. I don’t think either of us were so scared in our lives. It felt like straight up evil coming for us, or the wrath of God himself. Not sure which but I’ll never forget it.

I can bet the armature has crud between the fields. I can also suspect that the motor may have gotten hot, melting or warping the plastic brush housing, causing the brushes to stick or hang up. The brushes could be worn also. Water entering the motor is often the root to all of these possible problems. I would open it up, but first, do you have good 24 volt power?

This is why companies are coming up with replacement plans aside from warranties. Most warranties cover defects due to manufacturing. A replacement plan usually involves you paying a sum of money towards an accident to get a repair or replacement. It’s a bummer no matter how or why. But like stated above, be honest about it, St. Croix is often more than generous in my experience.

I know many won’t agree but I also think height plays into this. I use rods from 6’-7’4”. Some lengths just have the right action and power do I compromise. I prefer 7’ for most things, + or - 2 inches.

I second this motion. Also dynamite swim jig rod.

Over the years I’ve had love/not so love relationships with this series. The current series is better in my hands than the previous, IMO. I was considering branching into other brands (I’m a big st. Croix user). I’ve decided not. I too am looking for a rod requirement like yours. I have used the latest version of the legend elite 7’1” mhxf, yup xf. It’s a soooft tip that plays well with small bottom contact lures. I’m sure the legend tournament is similar. I also believe that a 7’ medium fast in St. Croix can handle that lure range very well. If you want a mod-fast, you choices are medium heavy for power, and a minimum lure weight of 3/8oz. Shouldn’t be an issue, I have casted 1/8oz jigs on my 7’1” mh fast bass x, and mojo, and legend tournament 3rd gen, and the results are the same, it works with a bit of a lob. A 1/4-3/8 jig is absolutely no issue for a 7’ mh fast croix. 40 yard accurate casts are possible with that setup and a 1/4 jig. When you get below the 1/4 mark, things change, and the mh fast Croix just doesn’t deliver well. A medium fast Croix has more power than you think, and is super versatile also. Go pick up some rods, with your favorite reel. If you can’t, go medium fast, don’t think you will be disappointed.

Well I purchased the Sedona from Tackle Warehouse last winter, so I find it unlikely, but maybe!

I’m really liking mine a lot! Like you said got weightless plastics it’s great. I use mine for 1/4oz jigs/swim jigs and it’s more than great for that. Skipping just takes time. Have you tried turning up the SVS infinity to say 5 or 6?

Rusty, Thanks for the recommendations, I will check the daiwas out sometime. The rod I’m using is a 6’8” medium xf st. croix mojo bass. I think the handle is pretty standard. I have tried gripping one two and three fingers ahead of the stem, and I prefer 2. The pfluger hasn’t given me issues. I have a trion 25 that worked well but I gave that to my wife. 35 is a bit heavy on that rod. I’d consider a 30 size pfluger also. I’ll look around.

The mgl definitely does a better job handling lighter lures with its lighter shallower spool, I think SVS infinity breaking helps too. Plus, a 1/16oz Ned probably weights between 1/4-3/8 of an ounce all totaled up. Light, but not crazy light.

WI Spring Jig senko spinnerbait trap Lizard Summer t-rig (worm, pit boss, creature) jig frog soft swim bait senko fall jig trap buzzbait pop-r frog

Yeah if you are truly casting that light of a lure, that makes sense. I’d probably opt for a spinning rod at that point.

I don’t have the standard slx anymore, I changed to the SLX mgl. I know I used 2 brakes on though and I threw mostly 1/4-3/8oz swim jigs, 40lb power pro on a st. Croix bass x 7’1” MH fast. I never felt I had an issue casting.

Just curious how many brakes do you have out? I do best with two on, and the cast control set to remove side/side play in spool, and adjust cast control knob after a cast or two if needed.

I am so out of touch with spinning gear, it’s just not my deal. But, I’ve recognized it’s something I need to do the past few years, and some of the light line techniques have paid off at times. I’ve got some gear now, and I did have a shimano sedona 2500 for a while, smooth little reel, but the stem was too short! I went to a o op pfluger summit 35 and it’s a bit big. Thinking of trying a 3000 shimano. Haven’t had a chance to get over to cabelas to try out some reels, so I’m wondering, does shimano make reels that have a longer stem/frame? My issues is my knuckle hits the line guide when holding the rod and reeling.