Jeff H

You guys, please keep in mind I was only reviewing the 1 XML rod I have. I do not know how the balance is on the others and my comments shouldn't be taken as "general" regarding them all. Honestly, it is not that bad, but it could be better. Also, the weight may actually lend itself to durability which is a good thing. I am very impressed with the details of the build, whoever built this rod did a great job. My XML is the XCLS63PJ (6'3" spinning split grip) and I use it as my "heavy" finesse rod. I have a Cabela's Tourney ZX 2500 spooled with 8lb XT mounted on it. It does the job I ask of it VERY well and I am happy with it. I haven't caught anything over 3 1/2lbs on it yet but it has hauled good fish from under docks and out of rice patches. It is claimed as a Medium power rod but it has the beef of most MH powers.

I like the one I have. I have fished it and caught enough fish on it now that I think I can review it. likes: black with gold always looks good Alconite guides are what I like on my rods plenty sensitive good craftsmanship/build quality dislikes: slightly heavy balance could be better not a fan of add-a-weight balance systems I think mine is worth the $70 I paid for it. I would not pay the $140 retail price for this rod, not when I can get a Crucial for near the same price. The ultra cheap sale prices make it a real good buy though and the 25 yr warranty is nice!

hmmmm....I guess the biggest stink I prefer is Berkley XT. Call me whatever you want, but I'm never going to believe it's junk/crap,used by the maladroit,misadjusted or inept as some have suggested. I like it and I'll never quit using it. Everything I use/own "stinks". ;D Works for me though. The only wagon I've jumped on based on info from this site has been the Revo wagon. Micro was the influence (thank you) and the only reason I did it was because I wanted to try a different brand (other than my usual Shimano/Daiwa's). If I listen to anyone here, it's Micro, because he's detailed and seems to stick his unbiased thumb in every pie that comes around. That kind of info is just more meaningful than somebody lapping at the same pair of boots all the time. I wish I had the resources to be so adventurous as he.

I fished my SX and SC Revo's into a 25-30 mph wind all day last Saturday and only had one backlash that required more than a couple short strips. I think the Revo mag brakes work great. I don't have the S to compare to but I'd likely pass it by for another SX....I really like my SX!!

I see a good bit of "fugly" there too.

Even the tiny 3" version on a #2 EWG has it's place in my finesse bag!!

LOL....."Recession Rods", excellent ;D

I am thinking I will probably stick with the home lake on Sunday. I just spent 4 days there a couple weeks ago, so I need to fish somewhere else this Saturday. I don't know which it will be yet, but it will be #1 or #3. Maybe I'll fish them both??? :-/ I'm taking #4 off the list for this trip.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Showers or thunderstorms likely in the morning...Then a chance of showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 78 to 83. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent. Thursday Night...Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows 53 to 58. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Friday...Partly cloudy. Highs 78 to 83. Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 52 to 57. Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs 68 to 73. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows 48 to 53. Sunday...Mostly sunny. Highs 72 to 77. Lake choices: 1) 1000 acres north end hard bottom LOTS of reeds, south end soft bottom and lots of pads. Main lake has respectable amount of structure. Secchi disc 10 ft. 2) 640 acres lots of structure (points are short) and hard bottom, loaded with small humps surrounded by deep water (and one BIG one). Secchi disc 12.5 ft 3) 880 acres has EVERYTHING structure wise AND big smallies. Secchi disc 13.5 ft 4) 2050 acres couple good long points, lots of shallow cover (reeds,pads,wood) and the west side is a maze of structure that is tough to read with lots of tight corners. Secchi disc 10 ft In a nutshell all these lakes are structure fishermans dreams. Lush weed growth with mostly sand/gravel/rock bottoms. As you can see, I have a front rolling in to deal with, Sunday looking to be the toughest. I can be on any of these lakes within a 15 minute drive. #2 is my home lake. None are highly pressured, low pressure in fact. Where would you go? I realize lake info is not enough but I could write a book about each one, had to keep it short.

GMAN's Widegap w/Producto craw.

There was no boat involved, we were wading. I was wearing hip boots.

And.....a good pair of wading boots/shoes. I'd think they'd make mess out of bare feet!!

Zebra Mussells. First time I've ever seen them Holy Geez....what a mess. I was on a small river (Zumbro) in southern MN wade fishing for smallies and these things had every rock completely covered in this one outside bend we fished. I guess now I need to research and find out more about them. I'd heard/read of them of course, but never encountered them before today. Unreal!!

I like them. I only have 1, as I prefer the Crucials, but the Compre is a rod nobody should be ashamed to own. Very capable sticks.

That designation is meant to appeal as a walleye class rod. Rig (as in Lindy or spinner rigs) and Jig (lighter ball head jigs). It's probably a M/F rod right? Split grip?

I agree. This is a very good reel for the price. Can't go wrong with Daiwa quality for this price.

The next custom I have made is going to have a "fightin' pistol" grip. I bought a pistol grip rod from Reel Mech that he built on a St Croix SCIII 56MF blank with alconites that is beyond beautiful. They are the king of short distance accuracy.

If you are bending a standard wire Gamakatsu on a fish, there is something more wrong than just the hook. I have bent hooks and lost fish but they were lightwire Slider hooks. I have a hard time believing anyone is bending a Gamakatsu that bad, but I imagine it could happen. I've never liked Owner hooks, I prefer Gamakatsu, Mustad or VMC and just could not ever imagine bending a EWG Superline....even in slop on a big fish. I would have to be direct witness to that to beleive it.

Prodigy/XML combo is a good rig for what you'll pay for it right now. I don't have much time with my XML rod but so far I like it. The Prodigy baitcast reel is a steal at the sale price....great reel, like mine very much.

Look at some plastics from places like Lunker City, Producto etc. I can go to those 2 places (and other less popular plastics companies) and ALWAYS find stuff I need to stock up on....whether or not I really need it.

Tough choice really. Both are great performers (equals in my opinion), one is cheaper and one is made in USA. Pretty much just have to decide if the price difference is really a factor for you. Either way you can't make a bad choice between these 2.

LOL....and I just bought the 6'3" spinning rod not long ago for $70 and thought it was a decent deal. Now it's $30!! I'm going to stop in at the local Cabela's tomorrow after work and see what they have on hand. Thats a heckuva deal for that price!!

I pitched docks and cattails several hours straight today with my new one and I just can't get used to this new insta-gage lever setup. I might as well be using any other reel. I'll have to practice with it in the yard this week and focus on using that. My thumb just doesn't lay right to use one side or the other. I trip my old ones right about in the center and I've never had any problems with them at all. Yes. it sits a bit higher than other reels you are used to but it isn't as big as my Citica 200D (and weighs less). At this point, I'd not buy another one.

I have 3 of them. 2 older version with the full crossbar and one new one. I like the older ones WAY better. There might be better pitchin' reels out there but I have not looked because I REALLY like the Castaic. I have not gotten used to the new one yet and would gladly trade it for a old one in good shape. I bought my old ones in 94 or 95??? They are the most solid reels I've owned. I wish they had never changed the insta gage bar though.

The T-6 has a nice bulk to it. It is a great flippin' worm too and my absolute fave for fishing reeds (where ribbons can be a problem). Defintely a good choice for dark water!