What do you guys think about the new and also redesigned shimano rods I'm kinda liking the looks of exage but I really want to get a crucial spinning rod but of course that's like finding Jimmy. Hoffa was wondering what everyone thinks. About the new rods

Don't know squiddly as far as fishing one, but they are some

nice looking rods. I haven't bought Shimano rods since they

dropped the lifetime warranty...but moreso, the rods I like

were no longer offered in lengths like 5'9", 6'3", etc.

 

Now the Crucial spinning rods (older cork) I've handled them,

the drop shot models, specifically, and they are sweet.

I think it is too early to say.  I haven't liked the Crucial since the cork version like Darren.  If I were you I'd get a Zodias, big difference in my opinion and I wouldn't go lower than Crucial after owning rods at the lower end of Shimano.  (Compre and Convergence). It seems that is where Exage is going to be.  Who knows though maybe I'm just spoiled now. ?

I used to be a shimano rod fan, but they've really dropped the ball in the rod department in the past 3 or so years. 

See I feel the same way their rods have just haven't been up to par and I don't know if that's because them owning g loomis or what but I sure do love they reels I guess back to the idea board in a rod I've heard mixed feelings about the zodias they look really nice thoufg 

I'm on the opposite end and totally disagree. I actually like Shimano rods. As far as crucials, my favorite were the Eva handle models before the current series. Something about them I just loved. Setting the hook was absolute, reminds me of Powell max and endurance rods. I love the cumaras. I also love the zodias and expride rods. For comparison sake, I own many loomis nrx/glx/imx rods, a few steez and a bunch of zillion rods and st croix legend extreme. Shimano rods get plenty of work on my boat.