LAO162

I have a Browing Midas 6'6" MF spinning rod. Although it is plenty strong, the tip of the MF spinning rod may be a bit soft for jigs. It is extremely sensitive, very light and has great casting distance. You can feel the blades turning on a spinnerbait and every wobble of a wide body crankbait. It compares more closely to a Crucial than a Compre, but doesn't have the warranty.

Congrats on the new reel. Just a tip (IMHO)... Keep your casting expectations low for your first couple outings. Also, you might want to practice from shore or in a field. It's much easier to untangle a backlash if you have room to backup as you let line out. I can still cast a bit further with my spinning rod, but I'm getting to be more accurate at distance casting with my BC. Pitching is a whole different story though...

Thank you for the great review

Very helpful. All of the reviews on the Carrot Stix rave about its lightness. However, the feedback on their sensitivity has been mixed. Your feed back helps provide better perspective. It was especially helpful in that you specified where the sensitivity differed from the GLX. Thanks! Leon

X4 :)

Timing is terrible... If my budget wasn't just depleted, it would suit me perfectly. Someone is going to get a great deal.

I like mine. Its casting and line management is on par with my Stradic FH. However, once in a while the bail trips on the cast. I think you'll enjoy it.

It's true, quality does not come cheap - it's just economics. However, if you can't afford the best, the challenge is to find the best that you can afford To keep perspective, I usually consider the different between my Browning Midas and an IMX to be about 3 months of gymnastics for my daughter. Back before the family, I probably would have considered the IMX to be at the lower end of my spectrum. It's interesting to see how priorities and needs change over time and for different situations.

Von that's my goal

Try the optical center at Costco. The one near me gives good advice. They can make up a pair for you or refer you to one of their off-the-rack deals. I might have it wrong, but I think they suggested gray for clears skies and brown for overcast.

Fishing with cheap gear is better than not fishing at all That said, this year I haven't touched the inexpensive starter gear that I purchased last spring. Fishing with cheap gear did, however, help me to determine my needs so that as I buy more expensive gear I am getting outfits that suit my preferences.

If your budget is $100 and you need a rod for fishing today, it seems as though the JM might be a reasonable. Saving for an IMX would certainly give a rod with which you will be satisfied. On the other hand, if you have to miss a couple months of fishing while you save up, that is quite an opportunity cost. While I can't attest to their durability (yet), you might also want to handle a Browning Midas while they are on sale for $100. Very light and sensitive. It might compare well to the JM and the more expensive recommendations. Cheers!

Another good idea Bankbeater. Thanks

Thanks Ronnie, I was thinking they'd be great in my 3700. I was in Michaels twice this weekend. It never occurred to me to look for the baggies there. Thanks!

Do you ever use little baggies for organizing hooks, sinkers, snaps, etc.? If so what type do you use, and where do you get them? Thanks, Leon

Great analysis, Ghost. You provided very useful information. I'm an analyst by trade and appreciate your work here. I'd been thinking about a Cumera. I might have to think more seriously about the Carrot Stix. Thanks. Leon

You are very fortunate

Last year I got an old green curado 200B as my introduction into baitcasting. I did ok with it, but was always distracted by shifting hands and reeling with my right hand. I was all set to go back to purely spinning outfits. Well, I tried baitcasting once more this season, but with a LH Revo S. Now, I just concentrate on my technique (or lack thereof ), and I'm not distracted by holding the rod in the wrong hand. Congratulations on the new reel. I think you'll enjoy it. Cheers!

Where does the IMX fall relative to the Cumara & Carrot ? Thanks

Great Story

I was a little disappointed in my Techna AV 7' MF casting rod - I hoped for a bit more. Not necessarily a fair comparison, but when I switch back to my Browning Midas 6'6" MF spinning rod I am very impressed by its light weight at fantastic sensitivity. That said, the Techna AV has a lot more backbone and is loaded with 12# mono vs. 6# copoly for the Midas. I still like the Techna, but I feel the Midas was a better value (for me) JMHO Leon

Amazon usually has great prices on Fenwick HMX, HMG & Techna AV. On clearance @ BPS, the Browning Midas is a sweet deal.

Looks like we covered the entire value spectrum of rods. If I had the green light I'd be considering (so far) these 6' spinning rods: Daiwa Light & Tough 6'0" MH (1/8 - 1 oz) Cabela's XMLTi S60VJ (1/8 - 5/8 oz) Powell 604MHEF (1/4 - 3/4 oz) G Loomis IMX 723 (3/16 - 5/8 oz) For now, I'm still using a 6'6" Browning Midas MF (1/8 - 1/2 oz).

Coming from New England, I grew up with spinning outfits. I thought baitcasters were the odd type of reel Until I got a baitcaster last year, I never used any line over 8#. I think you'll find that spinning outfits work best in finesse situations (lighter baits) where stealth is required. You might find line management better if you use a mono or copoly in the 8# or lower range. I like 6#, but then again a 3 pounder is enormous in my neck of the woods. If you provide some more details about your outfit the experts on BR may be able to give you more specific uses for your setup. Cheers!

Thanks everyone. RoLo, the L&T is one of the other rods that looks to have great features. For one rod, it does seem to have a lot of latitude which would be great when traveling light. Great point about the advantage of a longer rod from shore. Cheers Leon