I need to pick up two more rods to finish out my Arsenal for the year.  I have a Calcutta 201b that I will be using primarily for Crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  I am thinking I would like to put it on a St. Croix Avid6'6" Med-Heavy Fast (AVC66MHF).  The other rod I was thinking about is a G Loomis IMX.  The second rod I am looking for is something ~5'6" Light or Ultra-Light that I will be pairing with a Pflueger Supreme XT size 25 reel (SUPXTSP25X).  This setup will be used primarily for weightless plastics and some very light cranks or single blade spinners.  I have been looking at a St. Croix Premier 5'6" Light Fast (PS56LF).

I am very open to other suggestions.  I have always enjoyed St. Croix rods but have not owned many other "high-end" brands.  I recently bought a G Loomis E6X 6'6" Med-Heavy Fast Mag Bass that will have a Curado 201i on it, but I have not played with it yet.  I would kind of like to try another brand for the Light Spinning.  I am bias toward cork grips.

The calcutta will make a fine crankbait/spinnerbait reel but I think your rod selection leaves room for improvement.

The Avid is a nice rod but the one you picked is more of a jig/plastics rod.  For cranks or any bait with trebles, you may want to consider a rod with a more moderate action (IE Medium Heavy/Moderate Fast).  Have a look at a medium heavy with a moderate action. I'll also recommend a longer rod, 7' or greater as it really helps improve casting distance and manageability of bigger fish.  St Croix make a 7' MH/Moderate Avid and Avid X.

For your spinning setup Med Light is the way to go (no one really uses UL tackle)and again, longer is better. Especially when you want to sling out unweighted plastics.  I use a 7'6" Fenwick Aetos ML/XF for unweghted plastics, drop shotting, split shotting, and small jigs.  Therefore, my recommendation would be Aetos, a St.Croix Avid X 7' ML/Fast or a Dobyns 7' ML/Fast in either a Saavy or a Champion.

Good luck and let us know!

Thanks.  I actually went with a G Loomis GLX crankbait rod.  I have other spinning setups (Sustain w/ GLX MH/F) and enjoy fishing light/ultralight on occasion.

5 hours ago, EllisJuan said:

Thanks.  I actually went with a G Loomis GLX crankbait rod.  I have other spinning setups (Sustain w/ GLX MH/F) and enjoy fishing light/ultralight on occasion.

GLX crankbait rod and a 201D?  Sweeet!

1 minute ago, Puggz said:

GLX crankbait rod and a 201D?  Sweeet!

It's a 201B...I am pretty sure that is what is going on there.  That or a Metanium that should be here Tuesday.

1 minute ago, EllisJuan said:

It's a 201B...I am pretty sure that is what is going on there.  That or a Metanium that should be here Tuesday.

Those are 2 very different reels.  The Calcutta is more of a beast, excellent for hauling fish out of deep cover and/or dragging big spinner-baits/deep crankbaits.  What gear ratio is the Metanium? If its the 7.4 or higher you'll probably prefer the Calcutta on that rod.  Mid you, the Calcutta will hold up to a Hvy/XHvy application if you plan on going in that direction.

Its all fantastic equipment as I'm sure you know.  It would be a great learning experience playing with the different configurations.

Cheers!

Just now, Puggz said:

Those are 2 very different reels.  The Calcutta is more of a beast, excellent for hauling fish out of deep cover and/or dragging big spinner-baits/deep crankbaits.  What gear ratio is the Metanium? If its the 7.4 or higher you'll probably prefer the Calcutta on that rod.  Mid you, the Calcutta will hold up to a Hvy/XHvy application if you plan on going in that direction.

Its all fantastic equipment as I'm sure you know.  It would be a great learning experience playing with the different configurations.

Cheers!

The Metanium is the standard ratio.  I also have a Chronarch ci4+ coming that I think is going on the IMX Spinnerbait rod.  I love the look of the Calcutta, but it just does not feel right to me...it is actually listed for sale.

Sounds like you bought one of everything Shimano makes??

JK,  Best of luck!

2 minutes ago, Puggz said:

Sounds like you bought one of everything Shimano makes??

JK,  Best of luck!

Haha...the bait monkey has really gotten hold of me lately.  Thanks.

This might help: