Im new to this site and was wanting some help on my next purchase. I plan on buying both a abu garcia STX (6.4:1 ratio) and a shimano curado 200DHSV (7.0:1 ratio) for the coming fishing year. I also need to buy 2 all around good rods. I was looking at the Falcon Cara ($129), Kistler graphite ($129) & Shimano Crucial ($129). Do yall have a preference between these? or maybe another choice? I also looked at the Kistler Helium LTA ($229), but i don't know if i can justify spending the extra $100 for it. I've also heard good things about Castaway and St Croix.

Any input on either the rod or reel choice will be GREATLY appreciated.

thanks

well american rodsmith makes a awesome h3 titanium rod for $199 with intergrated titanium fibers. you can find that at

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=76888&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

or if you want something cheaper you can get the American Rodsmiths® David Fritts H3 Titanium Trigger Rods for $149 which is pretty much the same but it has some fiberglass at

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=93396&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

In terms of the rods, I would tell you to go with Kistler. I have a couple of their Graphite Plus composite crankbait rods and I really like them for the price. I also have some of their new Magnesium rods, and one of their LTA's. If I had to pick any of those three I would go with the Magnesium's, which are a middle of the road between the Graphite and LTA series.

As far as the reels go... I have one of each and even though I've been a Shimano guy for quite some time, I really like the Revo for flippin' & pitchin'. I would say you can't go wrong with either, but the Revo with the 6.4:1 ratio would probably be a better all-around reel.

thanks for the replies. i'm gonna haveta check out those american rodsmith rods. I really haven't heard much about them. I've heard that kistlers are the best rods, so i'm thinking about going with one of them. Just trying to weigh all my options out.

What a great dilema to have! Only because I have a crucial I would have to say get the Crucial,   but perhaps you can compare the components of those rods in addition to actually holding the rods in your hand to see how each one feels.  I know the crucial sports Fuji Alconite Guides, but I am not sure of the other two and that could be your starting point. Good luck!

For an "all-around" rod I suggest taking a look at the St. Croix Avid, AC66MF or AC70MF. St. Croix has a reputation for quality equipment and both of these rods will match up nicely with your Shimano Curado. nicely. If you would like to be a little more technique specific, the second rod should have a firm tip to fish jigs and soft plastics. The Avid AC70HF might be the ticket at this pricing point or you might just wait, save a little money and buy a G.Loomis IMX MBR844C. The Loomis rods pop up in our Flea Market occasionally. If you are patient you can probably pick one up for under $200.

well i went to bass pro today and asked the guy in there about the rods. and he also recommended the st croix avid series. It felt like a very good rod. I liked the look of the falcon cara series, but not many people on here have mentioned them. They had a very similar feel to the crucials.

I'm definately planning on getting one of the rods to fish mainly soft plastics, and the other rod to be an "all-around" rod.

again, thanks for your help. I will be making my decision by the end of the week.