Looking to assemble a single new rod, reel, line setup for three of my favorite lure presentations -- Lipless Crankbait, Swim Jig & Paddletail Swimbait.

 

Thinking about a 7' 4" Medium-Heavy, Fast action St Croix Avid-X rod pared with a Quantum Tour S3 6.1:1 spooled with Seaguar Abrazx 12# or 15# fluorocarbon.  Grass and vegetation are not a prime concern, so no need for braid. I'm 6'3" and will be fishing from a boat, so prefer a longer rod to gain casting distance over casting accuracy.

 

Any concerns, hints, modifications, or other recommendations would be appreciated before I pull the trigger on this setup when it is scheduled to be back in inventory for purchase around mid-June, 2020.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

JM

 

 

Can’t offer opinion on the quantum,  but the avid-x is an exceptional rod for the price. 

I haven't used that rod, so I have no opinion. I have a Tour S3 7.3 mounted on a 13 Omen Black II 7'3" MHF with 15 lb Big Game. This reel mounted on this rod allows me to chuck lures extreme distances, so I think you're covered there. Oil isn't included with the reel, but you should oil and then wipe clean the brake ring on the side plate. I use either Shimano Bantam Oil or the Daiwa Reel Oiler. A flush and oiling of the spool bearings, if you have a spool pin remover, wouldn't hurt but isn't absolutely necessary. Oiling between the O.D. of the inner race and the shield will break down the grease after several applications. The bearing cages might be plastic, so avoid acetone if they are, and if you decide to degrease them.  Paslode Cleaner Degreaser is safe. The shields are held in with circlips.

You can use a general use bass rod, most of use that fished before 90's did.

Tom

I personally prefer a softer rod for traps...but it's definitely a nice setup and will work.

As for the quantum they don't get as much love as several other brands in fact they get a lot of flak sometimes. For baitcasters I use lews, Abu Garcia and even a few kastking. I have one old quantum smoke and like it as well or even better than most of my reels. It's been a workhorse.

On ‎5‎/‎23‎/‎2020 at 10:06 PM, Nelson Delaney said:

… but the avid-x is an exceptional rod for the price.

I'm getting the same feedback from other sources, too. I will try to post a review after a few months use from a rookie angler's perspective.

 

On ‎5‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 12:10 AM, PhishLI said:

… but you should oil and then wipe clean the brake ring on the side plate.

Is this recommended before first use of the reel, or as normal semi-annual cleanup and maintenance? I'm leaning toward the 7:1 over the 6:1 for this setup too.

 

On ‎5‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 12:45 AM, WRB said:

You can use a general use bass rod ...

I'm a 2 setup fisherman now -- one casting and one spinning. I'm trying to branch out and purchase a few new setups I can use with lures and presentations I tend to use often. I can't afford a specific setup for every presentation, but I would like to maybe get a little more dialed in with a few setups.

 

On ‎5‎/‎24‎/‎2020 at 11:00 AM, DitchPanda said:

I have one old quantum smoke and like it as well or even better than most of my reels. It's been a workhorse.

Good to hear as that is what I am looking for in a new reel.

 

Thanks to all who replied.

8 hours ago, Jammer said:

Is this recommended before first use of the reel, or as normal semi-annual cleanup and maintenance? I'm leaning toward the 7:1 over the 6:1 for this setup too.

Any reel of any brand I have with centrifugal brakes gets it's friction surface wiped with a q-tip then oiled every third outing. Oil it before your first outing. It takes very little oil and about 30 seconds per reel. Make sure you use the clean side of a q-tip to distribute the oil evenly around the ring then remove any excess. On the Tour make sure you rotate the brake dial to "Free" before opening the latch and before swinging the sidecover open. In this position the brake ring won't clash with the reel's frame when you swing it out to access the ring. This operation can be completed easily while the reel is mounted on the rod, even while you're at the side of the lake. No biggie. Small potatoes.