What do you guys think of this rod? Is there a specific model you'd use for crankbaits? I'm still looking for a crankbait rod, and I keep going back to the Cabelas Tournament ZX; but I haven't made a decision yet. Still lots of time to decide as I'm waiting for the next big sale.

Shimano SLX, *** Chrome & Black, and Daiwa Tatula XT are among my favorite rods around your price range. I wouldn't buy anything Cabelas brand personally. 

Being so new to the market I doubt lots of people have used it yet, especially the rod.

 

I'm getting an SLX reel to try as soon as the LH retrieves are released.

2 minutes ago, TBAG said:

Being so new to the market I doubt lots of people have used it yet, especially the rod.

 

I'm getting an SLX reel to try as soon as the LH retrieves are released.

I've used the SLX rod and reel on multiple occasions. Had it for a couple weeks. The SLX reel is a great reel! I have also been impressed with the rod thusfar.

2 minutes ago, TBAG said:

Being so new to the market I doubt lots of people have used it yet, especially the rod.

 

I'm getting an SLX reel to try as soon as the LH retrieves are released.

Heard the reel was pretty good, but I was a big fan of the casitas not sure how similar they are.

2 minutes ago, JoshFromBolo said:

Heard the reel was pretty good, but I was a big fan of the casitas not sure how similar they are.

SLX is a much better reel IMO

Just now, Stephen B said:

SLX is a much better reel IMO

Been using my casitas for about a year now and its one of my favorites. I'm sure down the road I'll pick up a SLX though

1 hour ago, Stephen B said:

Shimano SLX, *** Chrome & Black, and Daiwa Tatula XT are among my favorite rods around your price range. I wouldn't buy anything Cabelas brand personally. 

Why not anything Cabelas brand? Personally I've had 4 cabelas rods and they've all impressed me. I have a 13 year old Xml that's held up great.

Just my personal opinion. I won't buy anything Academy, Bass Pro/Cableas brands as they just source a manufacturer and slap there labels on it. I would rather spend my hard earned money with a company I know that makes a quality rod. Do what works for you though, I'm not saying my opinion is right. Buy the best you can afford and just enjoy it! Goodluck fishing. 

33 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

The SLX is supposedly the smoothest most refined feeling $100 reel out there.  If you're a fan of the old set and forget VBS centrifugal brakes then this would be great.  It would be a good reel to have a number of them on the casting deck set for each bait type.  

Ugh, the wait is killing me. Sometimes I hate the fact that I prefer a LH retrieve BC reel.

Is this reel similar to the E series in terms of gears and simplicity?

17 hours ago, TBAG said:

Ugh, the wait is killing me. Sometimes I hate the fact that I prefer a LH retrieve BC reel.

The struggle is real 

35 minutes ago, five-bites said:

The struggle is real 

"The struggle is reel"?

On 10/11/2018 at 2:07 PM, Stephen B said:

Just my personal opinion. I won't buy anything Academy, Bass Pro/Cableas brands as they just source a manufacturer and slap there labels on it. I would rather spend my hard earned money with a company I know that makes a quality rod. Do what works for you though, I'm not saying my opinion is right. Buy the best you can afford and just enjoy it! Goodluck fishing. 

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but many if not the majority of rod and reel companies do just that. 

9 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but many if not the majority of rod and reel companies do just that. 

You are exactly right. That's why I said in my prior post "I would rather spend my hard earned money with a company I know that makes a quality rod". Makes being the key word not sources from another company. 

It wold be interesting to know how many of them are made in China and shipped over here...big names and all...

 

good fishing...

On 10/11/2018 at 8:21 AM, Joshua van Wyk said:

What do you guys think of this rod? Is there a specific model you'd use for crankbaits? I'm still looking for a crankbait rod, and I keep going back to the Cabelas Tournament ZX; but I haven't made a decision yet. Still lots of time to decide as I'm waiting for the next big sale.

I have heard nothing but good things about the cabelas tournament rods.

23 minutes ago, Burrows said:

I have heard nothing but good things about the cabelas tournament rods.

I use my dad's old Xml rod from 13-15 years ago daily and it still works fine! My hope is that the tournament zx is the same. But because of you, I'm seriously looking at those Powell Endurances!

For a 100ish bucks the Uribe Riverside is super impressive.  I've owned a lot of rods from different makers, the Riverside is the best 100 dollar rod I've used.  The spiral wrap is cool (I've built spiral rods and dig them) but the blank's action and sensitivity were way more high end than I expected.  For sure Shimano makes good stuff, but the Riverside is pretty sweet so far.

I can only get the 7'2 MH SLX in an Xtra Fast action,not the fast action.

Anyone cast both or have any idea about their actions?

Personally I feel the Bass Pro Carbonlite 2.0 rods are top notch for someone just "slapping a label" on them. YMMV

Who here thinks the extra 30 for the SLX 150 XT is worth it over the older braking system? Decided I should look into a new rod/reel and this paired with a 7ish/MHF is probably going to get the nod...just curious about others experiences and opinions

To answer the OP's question.  I have two SLX setups that I bought.  I bought the 7'MH with the SLX XT reel.  I also just bought the 7'2" heavy with the basic SLX for punching/frogging. Paying $130/$140 for the combo makes this an easy bang-for-the buck recommendation. I like the SLX road weight/balance/looks/sensitivity vs my previous veritas, vendetta, and speed stick.  I liked the feel of it better than the furry in the store but who knows once your on the water.  Is it a high end killer-nope.  It's not even close to my custom inshore rod and stradic ci4+ (10.8 oz. spooled).  But I don't think anything is that much better at $100.  Jump up to $160 for a sierra or a Laguna liquid and you can notice a difference depending on technique.  I hope this helps.

I played with an SLX at academy and thought it felt bad for $100.  The bps carbonlite and academy ethos both felt much better for $100.  I'd take a $40 daiwa Aird X over the SLX rods as well.