LAO162

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Shimano Crucial yet.

There's also about 5 typos per page. I've spent some time as marketing consultant reviewing advertising. That catalogue is not acceptable. I can't believe that no one in the parent organization has seen this piece and highlighted the problem to senior management. Hopefully, the piece did not make it to print. I've been contemplating a Platinum, problems like this make me question their quality control.

I'd been wondering the same thing. Thanks for the tips

Pflueger's not getting my business now, but Abu Garcia, Shimano & Quantum have. Daiwas could get some of my $$ as well.

Using a sensitive rod brings me more enjoyment

I almost didn't get into Baitcasting because I couldn't stand cranking with my right hand. Fortunately there are enough good LH retrieve options available to meet my needs.

Cabela's has their XML pack rods on sale for $120. LL Bean also makes a travel spinning rod for about $90. I only played with it for about 30 seconds, but it felt ok.

I'm waiting to receive a Cabela's gift card, and the XML is very tempting. With my luck the sale will end the day before I get the card ... I've heard that the general purpose rods have a slower than fast tip. Are the MH general purpose rods fast enough for jigs, or would it be better to go with one of the technique specific rods. (I'm thinking the 2-Piece might eventually make it on a plane with me). Muddy, how you doing Leon

The Daiwa Exceler is not perfect, but I routinely choose it over my Stradic FH. Great casting & line management. It can be a little tough to trip the bail by cranking, but I flip by hand anyhow. Biggest drawback is that bail occasionally trips on a hard cast, but it has happened with my Stradic as well.

What is RM doing to your new MG? Something fun I hope

Not quite. Would I be getting 40% more of a rod to justify the $100 difference? If so, then yes, but I bet it's more along 10% better/lighter/sensitive, realistically. Like previosly mentioned, save the $100 for some LC lures. I bet a Crucial + LC = more fish than an IMX and no baits. ;D My comment was not based about the quality/value of the rod. It was based upon personality. In some areas I am a chronic upgrader. If OP tends to upgrade frequently, it is possible that he may have buyers remorse by going with the Crucial. Considering the losses associated with trading up, the Crucial then becomes an expense and not a value. Sometimes intangibles play an important part of the decision making process In my limited experience, my favorite value is a different brand, but it was not one of the options

If you get the Crucial will you still be wondering if you should have gotten the IMX??

Keith, congratulations on the new baby Thanks for the insight. I've assumed that Alconites were a good value with strong "performance" because they are used on so many repsected rods. However, I've been wondering how much of the perceived benefit was due to their design and how much was due to the Fuji name. It seems as though rod manufacturers that don't use Fuji components usually don't get as much respect. From the comments I've seen here and in prior threads, Alconites seem like a reasonable "benchmark," unless I'm looking jump up. Have a great weekend! Leon

Thanks Reel Mech, wish you were located in the Western MA area Unfortunately, I do not know of any reputable builders in my area. As such, I'm trying to gain enough knowledge so that I can conduct "due diligence" upon a builder when I find one. By being up-to-speed on a few aspects, I might be in a better position to evaluate what I'm being told. Even if I can't go custom, I'd like a better understanding of the benefits of Alconites because they are used in so many rods. Thanks Leon

While I won't be doing it myself, I'm debating having a rod built... From what I've found, Alconite guides appear to a great value in terms of weight, performance & durability. Are there similarly priced guides that should be considered? Thanks

2 of 6 on my Revo S-L and Chronarch 51MG. About 1/2 way on Tour Edition 1171 (with some tweaking) Maybe I should follow Catt's lead and go back to 3 brakes

If you have used spinning gear for any length of time, you may want to consider a reel with a left hand retrieve. I personally found cranking with my left hand was too distracting. You're in dangerous ground implying that Daiwa are the best reels. There's quite a large "Shimano Posse" here. ;D ;D ;D And a few Pflueger Mooks as well

While you are just beginning with a baitcaster, don't start with light weights. Practice with at least 3/8 to 1/2 oz weight. Look at the Baitcasting setup sticky at the top of this forum and use those tips as a starting point. At first, start conservatively and don't try to cast across the lake. Be please with a 20 to 30 ft cast. When you can do those 10 times in a row without backlash, then you can lighten the spool tension slightly or cast a bit hard. At that point be please with 35 ft casts, and so on... I've been there recently and still have a ways to go myself Leon

Wow, a Quantum was even included in the Group ;D ;D When it comes to quality equipment, I think Raul provides some sage advice. However, when it comes to budgets, he tries to entice others to the dark side. I've only used centrifugal braking systems, but have been intrigued by dual brakes. Pfluger annoys me for not offering the Patriarch in LH retrieve.

Dick's has been clearing the FW Energy at $99. About a month ago, it was even in a flyer for $20 off. You should be able to google a $10 of $50 coupon for Dick's to get the price down to $89.

I'd be pretty psyched if I sent in a Curado D and got a Curade E back ;D On the other hand, I'd be ticked if they replaced my "lucky" reel. > It does sound as though Abu Garcia is making a dedicated effort to maintain and build upon its reputation for strong service.

Supremes in LH are still around. How does the Supreme compare to the Patriarch, President & Summit? (hope I'm not hi-jacking a thread )

If you have a lot of experience with spinning gear and prefer cranking with your left hand, you may want to consider a Left Hand Retrieve model. (model # usually ends in 1) I found cranking with my right hand to be distracting and didn't like BC until I went with LH models. Cheers!

X2

Different people have different experiences... Although my Exceler does occasionally close on a cast, my Stradic FH also did the same thing, but to a lesser degree. However, the line management in my experience was far better with the Exceler. My Tierra is smoother than the Exceler and in its limited use has never closed on a cast. The Symetre would probably cost about the same as a Tierra if it included a spare spool I'm anxious for someone to try the Coastal