i need a spinning rod for fishing shakey heads, senkos and other light plastics. i have been using a baitcaster for these but after seeing my dad get a 15" smallie on a light spinning rod, i think i want a ML spinning rod because it looks more fun and it would probably be easier. i want to spend about $200 on the rod and reel, which i can get a Shimano Saraha for $30, so i have $170 for a rod. i want it to be very sensative and light. i am looking at the St. Croix Avid AS66MLF, Falcon Lowrider or a loomis GL2. just wondering what would be the best bang for the buck. thanks

aaron

I own the Avid AS66MLF. It is a fine rod for certain applications, but fishing soft plastics is NOT one of them.

Whatever brand you buy, look for a FIRM tip. I consider this feature MANDATORY for soft plastics.

Hook-sets need to be "quick" in order to penetrate the fish's mouth.

The G.Loomis GL3 SJR783S ($185) is what I would consider the best rod around your pricing point for this particular application. Personally, I would choose the SJR843S (7') and wait until I saved a little more money for the IMX series ($235). This is one technique (fishing soft plastics) where rod sensitivity really comes into play. This is a rod you will NEVER grow out of.

well we're going to BPS tomarrow. im going to look at a few rods and see what i think. we are also going to check out the Lowrance LMS-520c to replace the one we have now. hopefully i like one of the rods. maybe next year ill be able to upgrade to and IMX, but for now its a little to much without a job.

aaron

Check out the Crucial dropshot rods.

I own the Avid AS66MLF. It is a fine rod for certain applications, but fishing soft plastics is NOT one of them.

Whatever brand you buy, look for a FIRM tip. I consider this feature MANDATORY for soft plastics.

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I agree 100%.

If you like the Avid series, take a look at the AS69MLXF.  It's got more backbone than the AS66MLF.

I have a SJR843S in IMX for this application and absolutely love it. Like RW said, you will never grow out of this rod.  

check out the link below.  My fishing partner just picked up this rod and absolutely loves it.  This is a great deal from Reed's as well.  No shipping and once you add it to your cart, you get 10% off so the total price of this rod is $198.  That is a great rod for right at 200 bucks....

http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=7187

Fishing Doug, are the rods on Reedssports new? If so ill just have to check out the rods today and find one i like and get it off there for about $20 less. Thanks for the site.

aaron

Yes, they are new. I have been very pleased with the company. In store discount and no sales tax, but most importantly NO SHIPPING CHARGES!

If you like the Avid series, take a look at the AS69MLXF.  It's got more backbone than the AS66MLF.

I concur.  I have this rod and use it for drop shot, shaky head, tubes and grubs mostly, but I have used it for Senkos and T-rigs and it's great for that too.

Fishing Doug, are the rods on Reedssports new? If so ill just have to check out the rods today and find one i like and get it off there for about $20 less. Thanks for the site.

aaron

Yep, as RW stated, they are new rods.  I have ordered twice from Reeds and great service both times.

Went to BPS last night and checked out a few rods: the St. Croix Legend Tournament TBS68MXF, St. Croix Avid AS68MXF and the Gloomis SJR783S IMX. They all felt like great rods, but the Legend and Gloomis felt a little nicer then the Avid. So at a $15 difference, would it be worth it to spend it on the Gloomis? Has anyone tried both and did one seem better to you? Thanks

aaron

Yes.  8-)

I have two Avids, a Legend Elite and two G.Loomis.

My preference is G.Loomis.

well, i just ordered the Gloomis SJR782S IMX. i got the 782 instead of the 783 because i use 1/8oz. shakeyheads and it would be a little better fight i think, and the bass dont get huge up here. hopefully ill get it soon and get a chance to try it out.

aaron

just wondering how long it takes for shipping from reeds sports...i ordered it 2 Thursdays ago and no rod? maybe their was a problem, im going give em' a call or email to see whats up..

aaron

well, im never going to order anything from reeds sports again. i ordered it August 2. called them a week ago and they said it was being shipped out that day. well, no rod yet so called back again today and they said it was ready to be shipped out today? they said they didnt know why someone told me it would be shipped out that day, but i ended up cancelling the orded because of the terrible service i got.

aaron

Boy, I am surprised at the service you got at Reeds.  I've ordered 5 rods from them.  One was damaged in shipment and one was shipped to the wrong address.  But Reeds took care of the problem.  I'm sorry you had your problems with them.

well, while i was at football today my mom called em and re-ordered it. they said it will be here by Friday, if not im not sure what ill do >. we'll see what happens...

aaron

I've spent thousands at Reed's. They know me by name. Their service is not the best, but it's pretty good most of the time, and their prices are hard to beat. Most of the time, the Loomis rods are drop shipped factory direct, this is why it can be hard for them to pinpoint an exact time of delivery. And also why they can sell them cheaper, they don't have inventory sitting around.  Ordered 3 rods from them and Loomis was out of stock on one and had to make it. It took a couple weeks to get the rods, but it was worth it to me. You should be able to call and ask about the status of your order. Either they will know, or they can find out and call you back or call them back later.