LAO162

They've been discountinued, but you might find a good deal on the Kistler Argon AFCB69C. It loads beautifully with 1/4 oz. baits. It's a graphite blank, so it is quite light and feels almost like a ML power. It is extremely sensitive. Although it doesn't have a fast action, its tip is just stiff enough for me to use it with weightless plastics and finesse situations. For me, it will be great for smaller, shallow cranks in light cover situations. Leon

I get it At 45 I'm looking to my 2-3 peaceful hours at the quarry every Saturday morning. I'm back to my family life by 9:15 am. Sometimes my Dad shows up at throws out a bobber. Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised when my "casting" time was interrupted by the fattest 14 incher I every saw. The rest of the time I just enjoyed using my new equipment Leon

I ended up finding a Kistler Argon 6'9" graphite crankbait rod on closeout. Although its rated up to 3/4 oz lures, it feels almost like ML power. I wasn't planning to mate it with my Chronarch 51Mg, but it was so light I had to give it a try. The combo feels so good, the 51Mg may have a new home. I was very impressed at how well this combo tossed a 1/4 oz shallow crankbait (especially considering my skill level with BC gear). I was also surprised at how sensitive this rod was. I was even feeling little Maple leaves that got hooked on the bait. I only had one strike, but the chubby 14 incher hooked itself with just a slight pull in terms of setting the hook. While I don't know how the Argon compares to other crankbait rods, I think my confidence will increase by having a dedicated crankbait rod.

For colors, I stay pretty simple for my first few of a new type of crankbait. - Clear water & sunny days - Silver with a dark back - Dirtier water & cloudy days - Gold My variations of these color sometimes depends upon which colors are on sale or clearance Once I have a couple each of gold & silver variations, I then experiment with other colors. Leon

Wish there were more places to get crawdads served in New England At least we can get fresh lobster I wonder how lobster would taste in cooked in a good Shrimp & Crab Boil? Leon

I voted No because I haven't yet. However, U-40 should be arriving at my doorstep in the next few days. I'm ready to give it a try

I like P-Line CX, but I consider #8 as an alternative to other #6 lines. However, Gamma #6 is by far my favorite light line. And, Gamma clear is almost as clear as CX Premium, not smokey like some other CoPoly's.

The Dual Brakes of the PQ might be less discouraging to a first time using of baitcasting gear. The Revo S is a great reel, but not as friendly to the BC novice.

Someone's got to go first It might be a while before there is feedback on it. I'm assuming it is made only for Dick's and based upon the Exceler (or I hope it is ).

Just to confirm, you're referring to the No-Vis in the blue box? I haven't tried mono yet, but at the No-Vis prices it might be worth trying.

Cabelas's has their Prodigy rods on sale for $49.98. 3 of the casting rods are 2 piece.

Gamma CoPoly (High Performance) 10lb Expensive and hard to find, but works great on spinning gear. Very few tangles and breaks about 17lb (if I remember correctly).

Cabela's XML travel rod when heavily discounted (of course). I haven't used my two yet, but I think they will do quite well.

Mine has just become a Kistler LTX 6'9" MH. Reel will be either a Chronarch 51Mg or Browning Midas.

At times Poppers and topwaters should also work

I took out the 2010 Browning Midas today. I was very pleased with its casting performance. Its dual brake system was very forgiving and my distance was consistent (3/8 casting plug) with what I would have expected from my Chronarch 51Mg or Tour Edition 1171. I cannot comment on the drag or duragbility yet, but it is plenty smooth. The external radial brake was pretty cool too. It feels like my Revo S, but performed much better for me. Subject to change over the summer

A compromise on length might be in order... When fishing around brush & tall grasses, I find that even a 6'6" rod can be clumsy. However, when fishing from a dock, beach or other open areas, a longer rod is great to get extra casting distance. Most of my rods are 6'6", but I'm learning to manage with longer rods. Leon

With casting rods it is awkward for me to put my finger on the blank ahead of the reel seat. However, with spinning gear I noticed that I was sticking my index on the foregrip anyhow. Having played with (not actually fished yet ) with a Kistler Argon spinning rod, I've decided that I would gradually like change my spinning rods to no foregrip designs. I'm not sure that it makes a meaningful difference, but I will have more confidence due to the "concepts" of direct contact, less weight and less dampening.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing their thoughts Raul, was it an all graphite blank or the glass/graphite composite?

Thanks Guys, so far that is what I expected. Moderate, to Moderate/Fast with the features I like (reel seat, guides, grips, warranty, etc...). After growing up with Fiberglass rods, I shifted to graphite a few years ago. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back

Is there a need to use "premium" crankbait rods, or are the <$100 offerings good enough (assuming they have appropriate power & actions)? I've never had a dedicated crankbait rod and I'm trying to understand why a G Loomis CBR is worth $100+ more than the approx $100 crankin' rods that are quite popular. Or, for that matter, should I just continue using my slightly underpowered MF spinning rod (its the slowest Med power rod that I have). I only use shallow cranks. Thanks

The trick, which can be harder for bank anglers, is to figure out the patterns For example, if they are relating to cover and shallow structure, along the banks will be more effective. However, if they are suspending or relating to deeper structure, you casting towards the deeper water would be more effect. Basically, you've got to put the crankbait where the fish are Personally, I still have a long way to go in figuring out when and where to find the bass. I should spend more time learning the habits of bass, rather than the nuances of lures and feeding the baitmonkey with expensive rods & reels One way to learn what is effective in given conditions is to fan cast, hitting both cover along the bank and deeper areas. If a crank with tight wobble doesn't work, try something with a wider wobble or that dives to a different depth. Combine this experience with everything you can read about putting patterns together. When cranks are working, you'll know ;D

The 2010 Browning feels just like a Revo S (in my hands). Maybe 0.1 or 0.2 oz heavier (per specs)

With the Micro guides, is the first guide closer to the blank that with typical guides? If that's the case, you might want a reel where the spool & line sits closer to the reel seat and the line comes of in smaller loops. ?? And not to forget, Sweet Rod!!

If you do some bargain hunting, you can find rods you might like better. Fenwick Techna AV's and All Star Platinum may not be produced any more, but you can find them in your price range.