LAO162

Shimano makes any awesome rod, but my 2 Techna AV's were more sensitive than my Crucial. Techna AV's are a fantastic value at current closeout prices. Leon

I have only used Argons & LTX's. I believe the Argon has blank construction that is similar to the LTA and LTX. I believe the Magnesium has different blank construction. Also, the Argon has Alconite guides, whereas the Magnesium uses Hardloy. The Argon rods are probably a better deal now, but may not have future "trade/resale" value because they were distributed for only one year. Give Kistler a call to see which best suits your needs. If you are looking for a very specific technique, the Magnesium line will have more options.

I've got a Titanium 2-Piece 6'6" ML spinning rod. I think it was on par with the Platinum series. It is super sensitive and a joy to use.

they also make Gander Mtn. baitcasters too But who's making the Pflueger reels and running the factory? ;) Regardless, so far I like my Browning reels

A well designed 2-Piece will outperform a poorly engineered 1-Piece... However, convenience has its costs

Fishing from the banks, I like(ed) #10 Gamma on 2500 size Daiwa reels. I find it very manageable, but #6 is even easier to use. Just as novice baitcasters need to educate their thumbs and pick up good habits, so do users of spinning gear. Besides applying the tips from Steezy, long-time users of spinning gear develop an awareness of the condition of their line. Whether it's watching line on a retrieve, listening for knots passing through the guides, or periodically checking to checking to see how the line is spooling, these habits become second nature to those of us who grew up with spinning gear.

Do a search on RH/LH retrieve. There's a discussion just about every week. If you've been using spinning gear for a couple decades, you may find the traditional RH retrieve to be distracting. If you are uncomfortable with the rod in your left hand, then you may not enjoy baitcasting gear. Cheers!

Funny, I generally use spinning gear when I need reliable line management. Maybe you should try a Daiwa spinning reel ;D ;D I guess that's why I'm also shifting to casting reels with "training wheels" ;D ;D

I have the Argon AFCB69C if that is the one you are considering. It is a graphite crankbait rod. Although it has a fairly moderate action, it is actually quite stiff - meaning there is enough there to set the hook on a Senko. It will chuck a 1/4 oz. crankbait or a Senko very easily. It feels very light in the hand, especially when matched with a Chronarch MG51. However, I've been using it with a Revo sized reel the last couple weeks. I am really surprised at how sensitive it is. It is a really fun rod, and currently my favorite to use. If you see & hold the AFCB69C, you would questions the rating up to 3/4 oz. Although it may load properly with a heavier bait, you'll notice that the line rating is fairly low. The heaviest bait I've thrown is 3/8 oz. and it performed very well. Given the closeouts, you don't need to pay more than $120 shipped, and you might be able to do even better. Leon

Sweet Rod, I have the 6'9" MH LTX and very impressed with it. Good deal! I liked mine so much I bought a spinning LTX

Analyst by trade, I understand the need for information, facts and methodology. However, learning to feel for sensitivity is something that is learned through experience. You can read about techniques for pitching, but that doesn't mean you'll throw 95 mph strikes I still do the very crude tap test, usually with two rods held similarly. Tap on a soft (rug) surface, then a hard surface. Drag on a rougher surface (rug) then a smoother surface. Concentrate on the amplitude of the vibrations, the sharpness and the duration. My more sensitive rods have sort of a "sharper" and longer vibration. I usually do not feel the "sharpness" and longer vibrations in entry/value level rods. For instance, my Techna AV's felt subtle taps that I would not have felt on my <$100 rods. However, moving up, my IMX & Helium II have this more intense vibration. It is easier for me to feel this other quality when giving slightly harder, but very quick taps. A better test is attach line & identical weights to 2 rods and see how they feel when subtly and abruptly lifting the weight of the floor. After all that, the only reliable test for me has been to see if I feel the fish hit my Fat Ika before I see the line move ;D If you will be collecting rods over time, get the best "classic" rod that you can afford and use it as a benchmark for comparing others. An Avid or Techna AV may not be glamorous, but they are proven and frequently used for comparison to other rods. Leon

I use them mostly in floating worm situations, but would use them for just about anything. Leon

I'm usually limited to 2-3 hrs every Saturday morning. Once it's later in the season, I usually start with a topwater & move to cranks for a little while. However, Fat Ikas and Senkos are my confidence baits any time of the year. Unless there are no fish or they are suffering total lockjaw, they provide a few bites over a 2 hour period. Leon

It is my favorite line

Unless you WANT to change to RH retrieve, stick with LH retrieve. I grew up with spinning gear. THe first time I tried BC I was always so distracted by my discomfort that I didn't concentrate on casting technique or fishing. I sold the RH reel. The next year I tried LH, and now I enjoy baitcasting gear. The only disadvantage I have is that there is still a smaller selection of reels with LH retrieve. Leon

I also think it is interesting and has potential. In the case of tying on 10 to 12 ft of mono for treble hook situations, will there be enough additional line stretch versus a shorter leader, or just using all mono? I've been toying with the idea of using the 40lb PowerPro I have on the shelf, but I frequently fish from the bank of a rocky quarry with lots of brush on the sides. I suspect that even with a 10 foot leader of Gamma/Yo-Zori Copoly, the braid will get pretty beat up since I'm constantly reeling line over rocks and through brush. However, the FLS may give me a reason to break open the PowerPro

Sweet! I'd love to hear more about it

DISCLOSURE: I have not fished the Powell CB rods, but I do fish mostly small & shallow crankbaits. My only concern about the 704 would be that it may not load well if you throw primarily light baits. If you are not going to throw any over 1/2 oz, you might want to consider 703/702 unless you fish heavy cover or rip lipless crankbaits through grass. If you don't get a lot of responses here, give Powell a call. They are great in answering product questions. When I considered a Powell Max last year, they convinced me that a 3 power was more suitable for my needs than a 4 power. (I was considering the discontinued 6'0 model, but by the time I had the funds, I could not find it )

I bought a casting 2009 6'9" MH LTX with recoil guides a couple weeks ago. Just got 7'0' MH LTX spinning rod with SIC guides and used it this morning. Going from Fenwick Techna AV's and a Crucial, these rods seem super sensitive and light. I also got a spinning IMX a few weeks ago. This morning I only used my 2 Argons & 2 LTX's. I didn't have any desire to play with the IMX. I don't have enough experience with either the Kistlers or IMX to claim that the LTX has better sensitivity, but assuming you like the features & design, they are a lot of fun to use. The Fuji ACS grip fits my hand perfectly, and today I really appreciated the open hookhanger. Leon

If the Alabama guy is Simmons Sporting Goods, then he is legit (in my experience). So far, I've bought 4 rods from him this year. Not a lot of communication other than shipping notice and a rod on your doorsteps in a few days. Make sure you keep the PayPal receipt. From AL to MA, it's been 3 days on average. Regarding the Premier, for less than $200 it will most likely it will be the 2009 model without dual brakes. I've also seen the Skeet Reese models for less than $200 if you want centrifugal brakes. If its a top seller on ebay with 99.6% or better feedback, I've been very fortunate in my experiences.

The bail occassionally trips prematurely on my white Stradic, but not as often as my less expensive Daiwa Exceler. I tend to "snap" cast pretty hard when I'm trying to get extra distance. The white Stradic has been very reliable for me.

X2 Awesome Explanation!

Why not fish with the Pro Qualifier for a while and see how you like it. As an occassional angler, I really like the DBS system after my brief exposure. I find it is more forgiving than even my Chronarch MG51. In terms of casting, the MG51 would probably have better casting performance in the hands of an expert, but in my hands my Browning Midas generated almost the same performance with fewer overruns. If you like the DBS, you might look at the Patriarch or STX rather than a Curado. Naturally, I'd take another MG51 over another Midas (if I could afford it). On the other hand, when I pack for vacation this year and want confidence in my casting ability (fewer overruns) the Midas will be in my suitcase. Flip flopping... I'd still like to get a Curado E7 I guess my point is see how you like the PQ, and then see how well it does or doesn't suit your needs

Thanks Tennwalkinghorse. Like you I also value Roadwarrior's opinion. But I don't always listen If I did, maybe I could measure my personal best in pounds instead of grams LOL ;D I'd like to try a Shimano again, but its good to hear that I'm not alone in appreciating the Tierra. It might just depend which one is on sale when I have $$ in my pocket. The big plus for the Stradic FI is that it would look great with a Helium II. Tierra blue, not so much

There was a review on the drop shot model over at Tackletour.com. I'm actually interested in the Heavier models