TxBuddha

Budget figures in, to a point. I'm an admitted "gear head" so $ are a consideration but not the only or even main consideration. Flechero, if I'm hearing you right the IMX has the "it" factor for you. I can't argue with that, everyone has something that does "it" for them. I like my Crucial, I'm just wondering if the IMX's are worth $100 more per rod. I've put finger prints all over 'em in the store so far and they are definitely fine rods, that's what has gotten me thinking. I don't think I'm any rougher than average on my equipment, I don't baby it but I don't use rods for push poles either....so the Shimano warranty is a nice bonus but again not necessarily the main factor. RW, I almost knew where you'd be on this

The bait monkey is still alive and well! As I've stated before I'm buying a couple of new outfits in a couple of months. I've narrowed down my rod selection to the Loomis MBR843C & MBR 844C, both in IMX and the Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH or CRC-70MH. I'm currently fishing the CRC-70MH and like it but still wonder if I'm not missing something by not having a Loomis or two. I'm primarily a soft plastic fisherman, T-rig & C-Rig but I'm starting to fish jigs more. What I'm looking for is the ever elusive "all around" combo. I understand that like most things in life there's a compromise somewhere in this. I've got other rods to fish top water, spinner baits, and crank baits with so those don't figure into this equation. What I want to be able to do is have 3-4 rods, rigged and ready to go with a variety of baits. I like the Shimano "over the counter" warranty but the Loomis Expediter service has it's good points too. Tell me which one you prefer and why.

I'm jealous That exact rod is going to be my "Christmas Bonus" to me.......and i asked almost the same question awhile back and got the same answers! I'm fishing a Shimano Crucial at the moment that's got a comparable action and I use it for everything from T-rigs to crankbaits and it works well for most everything.

Good info guys, the 844 was my first choice but after handling one and talking to a couple of guys at Sportsmans Warehouse yesterday and then handling the 843 I wasn't sure which way to go. My current "go to" rod for this same application is Shimano Crucial 7', MH, F, that's rated 1/4-1 oz like the 844 and I don't have any gripes with it......darn bait monkey is making me consider a Loomis even though what I've already got ain't broke

In my bait monkey driven quest for more tackle I've come to the conclusion that life will not be complete without a Loomis rod (or two?!). So, my question(s) is: Between the MBR843C IMX and the MBR844C IMX which makes the most versatile soft plastic/jig rod? I like both but if you're only limited to one, which one would it be? I fish usual Texas lake cover which can be grass to wood and moderate to heavy. I'm mainly a plastic fisherman but want to learn to jig fish. How would you rate the MBR844C as a pitching / flipping rod? Not what it was designed for I'm sure but I think it has enough *ss to get the job done. What do ya'll think??

Speaking of the Cumara rods (and at the risk of hijacking this thread :) has anyone seen any for sale yet??

I've got....well let's say I've got several Citica's, all bought this year and all fished this year. No problems noted so far. There was an issue with the early releases involving the level wind that have since been resolved and to my knowledge any reels that had the issue were handled under warranty. I'd say go for it!

Thank goodness, I was about to have to enter a 12 step program....

Same here, $119.

My local BassPro has had them for a couple of weeks. I nearly bought one instead of another Citica! Looks and feels like a great reel.

They are supposed to be an "over the counter" warranty. BassPro replaced one of my Compre's with no problem.

Take a look at the Falcon Weightless Worm rod in either the Low Rider or Cara line. I've got two of the Low Riders with Citica 100's on 'em that I love to fish. They're light weight and sensitive with enough *ss to fish finesse jigs and T rigged finesse worms but still cast weightless flukes.

Well the bait monkey got fed today.....a new Shimano Crucial Drop Shot rod and Symetre 2500 followed me home I was telling my wife about this thread while explaining the new addition and you know what she said? She said I wasn't the bait monkey, I was the bait gorrilla! I'm not real sure what to make of that..... :-?

If there's not there should be.... "Hi, my name is Sally and I'm married to a bait monkey" ;D ;D

It's definitley an addiction. First it was fly fishing and now it's bass fishing for me. I'm a real gear head no matter what I'm into, my poor wife cringes whenever I start talking about something new I'm up to 12 rods and 10 reels at the moment and still thinking about what's next....

Who needs braid.....

Falcon LowRider Weightless Worm Rod Shimano Citica 100 12# Sufix Elite or P-Line CX Works for flukes just as well!

I've got enough Citica's that I'm ashamed to admit how many but let's say several. I'm with everyone else, show me a better reel at the price point and I'll buy it. I've looked at Team Diawas both SuperTuned and not and don't see that they offer anything that I don't already have. IMHO where you might start seeing an marked improvment is at about the $250 mark. I've got a serious jones for a Chronarch 50MG to go on my Senko / fluke rod but I don't see it replacing the Citica 100DSV that's already on it anytime soon.

OK guys, I'm a died in the wool bait caster but I'm finally coming to the realization that spinning gear might (notice I said might) be better for certain applications. Specifically, I'm thinking drop shot, finesse worms, flukes, and shakey head. Knowing that there are no absolutes when it comes to rods I want something that can be used across that spectrum. I've been looking at the Shimano Crucial drop shot rods but have heard that they (for lack of a better term) don't have much backbone. That concerns me only because I want to throw flukes and finesse worms T-rigged but weightless. With that in mind I'm wondering if the drop shot rods are really the action I'm looking for or if I need to go to a medium / medium heavy action Compre or Crucial rated for 3/16 - 5/8 oz? I may be way over-analyzing this but tell me what ya'll think.....

I think I'm falling into the trap of thinking I need a different rod for every application! Sounds like I've got several rods that will fill the bill.......gotta' try and keep that darn bait monkey in the cage

This may seem a bit elementary but what makes a good jig rod? I realize personal preference plays into this as much as anything but what's a good starting point?

I just bought one of the Falcon boxes mentioned and like it so far. You will have to take everything out of the bags but that isn't an issue for me at least with the sizes/weights molded into the box. The Falcon boxes are an odd size compared to the Plano's but that will eventually give me a reason to buy the Falcon bag too

Cabela's has the Daiwa Advantages for $69.95

There are several of our local guys that use the Falcon CC-17-7H for fishing DD22's and the like. It was originally designed as a Carolina and jig rod.

You can throw 'traps for what seems like a mile with the rod I mentioned. I've got a Citica 200DSV spooled with 15# PLine CPX on mine. I've got a couple of Crucials and I'm not sure at this point if I like 'em better than the Compre.