Lanier Buzz

I went yesterday and I had a pretty good time. I ended up buying a GLoomis Shaky Head rod for about $40 under the retail price. I bought Spot Remover Jigs (pro model) for 3 packs for $10. Found Yum Dingers at 3 packs for $4.50. I also got several other things for about 30% to 40% cheaper than they would have normally been at places like Bass Pro. There were deals there but some of them didn't just pop out when flying though. Did it justify the drive there? Well, of course not but that's not why I wanted to go anyway. Certainly a plus for me was that I wanted a new Shaky Head rod and I was able to check out all the models. Pretty much anything I even had a though of considering such as the St Croix Avid, Shimano Crucial, Dobyns, Powell, Kistler, Carrot Stick, American Rodsmiths, G-Loomis, Fenwick, etc. were all there. All in all it was a fun day.

What is the big difference between the 2008 Avid compared to the earlier models?

I use a 6'6" ML Shimano Crucial with a Daiwa Tierra 2000.

I took the plunge and bought an STX. It should be here in a few days. I didn't know about the SC model from Cabelas. At $80 when it was on sale that was a raging bargain. I'll order two of them when they go on sale again!

I was peering though BPS' web site and landed on the Extreme page looking for something "cheap" that will work for me as a frog rod. At this point, I don't fish them very often and with that in mind, I just don't want to pay $200+ for some of the popular sticks. I do have several G-Loomis rods and other fairly pricey rigs, but those are my Shakey Head, Dropshot, and Jig & Pig rigs which get used every week. It seems that Bass Pro has upped the modulus rating on the Extreme to 60m and they could be starting to offer a rod for frogs and another for swimbaits. The Extreme XTR72XHT it's listed as 7'2" XH action with an X-Fast tip (have to see X-Fast on the combo rods for the XPS). It's rated for 15-30# line and 1/2 to 1 1/2 lures. This is the same length \ ratings as the Johnny Morris Signature Series ''Big Bass'' Grass/Frog Special Trigger Rod they just came out with. They also have another one that caught my eye - the XTR710HT which is a 7'10" Extra Fast 15-30# and 1/2 - 3oz lure weight rod. My guess is that it might be intended for Swimbaits??? Just figured it might be worth checking out and a good bargain when they put them on sale during the fishing madness or whatever it's called.

I am sorry if this has been posted before. I am new to the forum and the search function isn't returning any matches for me. What I am interested in is how many folks own all three of these or two of the three and to give your impressions of how they stack up on the water. I currently own one Revo S and I really like the reel more than most of my other baitcasters. I am wanting to pick up another Revo, mostly for Frog fishing and buzzbait fishing. I am debating which model to pick up, mostly curious if the STX is worth the near $100 premium over the S. Thanks!

The guy reporting this at TackleTour is a Shimano employee. He said you need to purchase at MSRP. I have been following that thread. Now there are folks saying they have contacted Shimano and Shimano said it's ok if it's on sale. I wish I knew what would happen before I plucked down my money.

I went through a similar dilemma and ended up with the BCR803. I've been very pleased with my selection thus far.

Since most of my Senko fishing involves skipping them under boat docks and skipping them under trees that overhang the water, I prefer a spinning rig.

I've not owned the President, but I certainly have to agree with you on the Exceler. It's a very good reel for the money. I started out with one of them early this year and now I have four of them.

I bought a new Curado a while back and I've used it on 7-8 trips. I know everyone here says it's a better reel than the previous model, but I think I LIKE the previous model better. Especially the SF models. Don't get me wrong, it's a very well made reel but the 200 model is a heavy sucker and certainly larger than the previous model.

Can somebody answer this for me? I can't say for sure about the red, but the green Power Pro line is very visible underwater even with the 20lb line. That being said I use a lot of the 20 lb braid on my spinning rigs backed up with a leader of anywhere from 8# to 14# florocarbon. My numbers of strikes sure do seem to go up when using a floro leader, so I am sold. I have been using 20lb and 30 lb Power Pro with my Daiwa Exceler reels and had great luck. Nary a line twist this year with some pretty heavy fishing.

Most of the lakes I fish tend to be deeper and clear but here lately I've been fishing some places where a decent Flippin rod would be a nice addition to my rod locker. I realize there are many options out there and the prices are all over the map. I would be willing to spend around $150 give or take $10 or so. Right now I am eyeballing the Shimano Crucial Flipping Cast Rod 7'11" Heavy (CRC-X711H) and the Falcon Cara Flipping Rod 7'6" H (CC-6-276TH). I like the idea of a little more length on the Crucial but I have only used lighter weight Crucial rods designed for finesse fishing so I am in uncharted water using a Crucial that is a lot stouter. I've owned quite a few Falcon rods in the past and they have served me very well. Has anyone been able to compare both of these rods on the lake and can give me some recommendations?

+1 on the Exceler. I've only had mine for a short time but each time I use it I like it more and more. THe only big difference I can tell between the Tierra and the Exceler is a waterproof drag on the Tierra. I'll take two Excelers for the price of one Tierra if that is the only difference.

Of the ones listed, I would go with the Falcon Lowrider. I've fished with them since 1998 and had great luck with them. I did break my 6'6" MH worm rod, but they replaced it and it's replacement has been doing fine since 2001. At one time I was a big fan of BPS rods, but lately it seems to me the quality isn't what it once was. My buds and I have broken more than a few of them and many of them just seem sloppy. When the Extreme is on sale for $59, they aren't a bad buy but IMO I don't think they are worth anywhere near their $99 retail.

I use spinning tackle for most of my lighter and finesse presentations. Shaky Heads, Drop shot, flukes, trick worms, etc. Pulling large spinnerbaits and large crankbaits - the power of a baitcaster is a big advantage. One more advantage is that the baitcaster usually gives you the advantage of being able to cast larger line easier if you need it.

At the local BPS in Lawrenceville, GA they would not allow the discount to be used for a Shimano reel. Bummer.