Jeff H

hey fish fighting illini, If the Cumara is out of your price range, have a look at the Crucial models. This is the most under-rated rod I know of right now. They are extremely light,very sensitive,sharp looking sticks. They have a good selection of builds to choose from in this model. They run from $119 to $139 depending on the length you choose. I think anything 7' and over is $139. I have a few of these rods and am totally impressed with them. Especially for the price. I have a GL3 Loomis which cost a lot more than my Crucial and the Crucial is just plain better. The GL3 is fairly light, but the sensitivity doesn't come close to the Crucial in my opinion.

I've looked at them, almost bought the CUCX68MH. They are really nice rods.

Good for you for being open minded enough to try something new.

It's a very cool experience for sure. You will enjoy the whole process and correspondence with Dave.

Maybe send a email to Reel Mech?? Revo's are great reels. Big performance in a tidy,compact package!

I wanted a new pitchin stick but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted on any of the local racks. I looked for a long time but nothing was quite right. In the mean time I sent off a box of reels to ReelMech for service. Since I couldn't find in a rod what I wanted, I started talking to him about it. That proved to be EXACTLY the answer to my problem. What I wanted was a 6'6" heavy power/fast action in a really light build. Yet, since it was going to be subjected to the rigors of close quarter jungle combat it had to be quite durable too. He suggested a St Croix SC266HF blank and I agreed, but in the end I changed my mind and went SC3 because it was 1/2 oz lighter. I figured the new Avid blank would be durable enough, and I think he agreed considering it would be spiral wrapped. He didn't disagree anyway, so the rod was built on the new 08 model Avid blank and fitted with ECS seat, Alconite guides, his incredible burnt burl split grip/no foregrip. In the end, I got a fantabulous rod. It is EXACTLY what I wanted and was balanced out with the reel to be used on it (Shimano Castaic) without adding any additional weight. Perfection achieved....and then some. It is ultra straight and super light feeling. A crisp feeling, snappy tip action with plenty of beef for hauling pigs out of their wallow. Gentlemen...this is the ONLY way to go! You get what you want and it fits like a glove. Dealing with David Green is a cinch, he is a master in his craft with MANY years of credible experience backing every word and every action in the process. Very likely I may never buy another "factory built" rod again. As far as I know, St. Croix did not offer this blank in a factory build last year. I never found one in any store or on their website listings either. They DID offer it in a Premier blank and I already have one BUT, the balance is horrible and takes an ugly toll on my wrist over the course of a day on a strong pitching pattern. (I have arthritis in my wrists and hands). To have a lightweight rod balanced to your reel to just the right feel makes a HUGE difference. It will be awhile before I can fish this rod, but I KNOW it is going to change things for me and I'll be more effective with it. I really don't know if you can put a price on that???(but he did anyway) But, in that respect his price was more then reasonable as far as I'm concerned, in fact I was a little surprised that I could get a custom built rod that cost me not much more then the same rod built by the factory. There is no comparison when you consider what he puts into it. So, even though I have no pictures to share with you....yet, I am completely stoked with this rod. Many firsts here for me. First custom, first split grip, first spiral wrapped. Looking forward to stinging a new PB on this thing and would like to say a BIG thank you to David for his creative abilities. I am putting in request for my next DG Rod Works custom built stick already.

I found a spool of 14lb XT that was in my garage for 10 years. The climate here swings to extremes on both ends. That line has endured 100+ deg days and -30 deg days over the years. I used it and never had a problem with it this last summer. I've never had all these problems with mono some people claim to have. I don't care how old it is, I'll use it as long as it's XT and hasn't been sitting in direct sunlight.

That is reason enough to buy one right there. I just pulled the spool and left side cover off my HST153 Supertuned and transplanted it into the Prodigy. There are very few differences in these reels on the outside. My Supertuned has a different crank, but the handle pads are the exact same thing as the Prodigy. Prodigy is a gunmetal color and has some porting on the upper crossbar that my Supertuned does not have. Other than the fact the Supertuned has more bearings you would not be able to find any difference just looking at these 2 reels. The Prodigy is a TD-A150H with one extra bearing, period. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewcabelas2007reelpreview.html

BTW....the search feature hasn't worked for about a week now.

Great reel for $65!! just bought one for a christmas gift for a buddy this week. Checked it out and lubed it up. I think it's a helluva deal at $65. It is made by Daiwa and appears to be a house-branded TD-A 150H which is a respectable reel in it's own right. I'm going to go buy me a couple more, can't find a better reel then this for $65. It's smooth. Get you one!

No problems for me with Trilene XT. Never, not a one. No matter how hot it has gotten, I've never had problems with mono. it IS a good question. I'd like to know too. Just because I've been fortunate to have no problems with my line doesn't mean there may not be any out there. I typically don't get much for temps over 90 deg where I fish, but on rare occasion might see 100. I don't recall ever being on the water when it has been 100 deg.

St Croix makes their 5'10" Legend Tournament M/XF spinning rod for skipping that might be nice, but I use my 5'6" M Premier or 6' MH Shimano Crucial when I want to skip. I've done it with baitcast but the odds are always stacked against you it seems. With spinning it's a breeze every time. You need a faster thumb then we all have if you nail a dock post using casting gear.

hmmmm...$200 to blow? Shimano Crucial CRC66MHF for $130 and a Cabela's Prodigy (looks like a housebranded TD-A 150H to me) reel on closeout for $65. I just bought a Prodigy for a buddy for his Christmas gift. Had to open it up, check it out and lube it for him. I am impressed. Normal retail was $100, at $65 this reel this a top level bargain. I compared it directly to my sons Citica 200D, which IS a fine reel but this Prodigy is just as smooth AND it's lighter PLUS cheaper. Daiwa quality at $65?? Pretty good deal. Worth looking at, at the very least.

Is it actually bent or installed off center? The first guide on my Premier (above the reel) is installed just slightly off center. I was going to take it back but it just really doesn't bother me, so the heck with it. You have to really look close to catch it, which I obviously didn't when I bought it.

Nice reel! Revo's are good stuff! But... it sounds like your wife is the best catch you've ever made. I couldn't get my wife to buy me anything fishing related even if I invested in 1000 roses and begged. Lucky guy you are!

I don't own either of these rods in question, but I have checked them out. The XF is nothing compared to a "flippin' stick". I think it's a bit soft for a XF action and would not buy this rod to fish jigs with. No way. It's got the power, but I don't like the tip action....too soft for me and jigs, might be ok with worms though. However, I tend to like a stiffer tip then most guys so you may like it. Compre rods, in general, tend to have softer tips then the Crucials do. I much prefer the Crucial line of rods within the Shimano brand.

I think the new TD-A HSTA is the best value going in baitcasters right now. This is a lot of reel for $159!! It's a good thing Shimano dropped that rebate bomb, because paying $200 for a Curado when you can get this TD-A for $159 just ain't reel smart

TD-A is made in Thailand. So, you guys in the know...just what does the Zillion have that makes it worth $100 more than the new TD-A hsta super-tuned?

Same thing according to "them" . I know how that goes..... :

haha...You tell'em Catt!! I do own brass bullets, and I do like them, but I'll use lead as long as my local laws allow me to do so. I can feel rock and wood a tiny bit better with brass but I can't feel fish any better with them. Thats BS in my opinion. :

BUT....it sounds like this is a "priceless" situation. I'd do it!! hell....this isn't any rod for just anyone, right? Send it to DavidG, he will see to it!

Look at a Shimano Convergence. You'll have money left in your pocket and I think they are really decent rods for the price.

How cool! I thought I was the ONLY one on this board who likes XT. XT lives up to it's name and then some. Great line!!

Now this was genuinely funny. ;D I can just imagine how many guys jaws broke when they hit the floor after reading that. Oh man....good one RR! 8-)

GMAN's Poison Tails are the frickin' bomb!