Thanks to a lot of reading/research and the help of many on these forums, I've placed my order for my new Loomis BCR853GLX worm rod. A few weeks ago I picked up a BSR852GLX for the lighter weight plastics. I feel like I've pretty dramatically improved my soft plastics arsenal in a matter of a couple weeks

I'm now looking for another technique specific rod to add to them. The thing is, I'm not exactly sure which direction to go next. I fish soft plastics probably 60-70% of the time with spinnerbaits a distant second. Honestly, so much of my time has been spent with these few techniques that I'd kind of like to break out of my "rut" and try something new.

So what would you guys recommend I look for next? Get a good spinnerbait rod since I already fish them quite a bit? Pick up a crankbait/jerkbait rod and learn to love the cranks? Flipping/pitching rod?

A "crankbait" rod can be used for all treble hooks:

topwater, jerkbaits and swimbaits. For medium weight

lures, the majority of most people's tackle, Medium

Power and Moderate Action is what I would suggest.

These are mine:

Avid AVC66MF for jerkbaits and topwater. The rod is

rated Fast Action, but the tip is soft. That combination

makes working these lures easy and fun.

Avid AVC70MM for nearly everything else.

Lamiglas SR705R for bigger baits and deep divers.

8-)

although not technique specific, the mbr783 would add a shorter rod to your quiver that i love to throw spinnerbaits with. its great for plastics and jigs too. not so great for bigger crankbaits but works temporarily

if you like throwing spinnerbaits on a moderate action get a decent crankbait rod. i spend more on my bottom bait rods...

if you go neither crankbait rod or fast action mbr, maybe finesse spinning? looks like you need something for baits weighing less than 1/4oz?

@roadwarrior,

I'll take a look at that Avid, thanks for the recommendation!!

@bigfruits,

Somthing like a MBR783 would be right up my alley in terms of a spinnnerbait rod, I'll take a look.  I'm a little confused by your last comment though.  I just picked up a BSR852 to use as a "finesse" rod.  Loomis rates that rod down to 1/8 oz. lures, but I haven't had a chance to fish it yet.  Are the Loomis ratings a little off?  If I need to make an exchange, I'd like to do it while I can still send it back.  What's your thoughts on this?

There are lots of good options for you, but congrats on a couple of stellar selections so far!  Your BSR 852 GLX will cover you for most of your finesse tactics without any trouble.  It's an amazing 1/4 oz jig rod and is sweet with senkos and other finesse plastics as well.

The MBR 842 GLX is one of those very special rods in the Loomis lineup.  I use mine for everything from crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwaters, smaller spinnerbaits, smaller jigs and worms, etc...  I don't toss anything much larger than say a bandit 200 sized bait, RC 1.5's, or cranks of that sort, but it handles these duties very well.

Somthing like a MBR783 would be right up my alley in terms of a spinnnerbait rod, I'll take a look. I'm a little confused by your last comment though. I just picked up a BSR852 to use as a "finesse" rod. Loomis rates that rod down to 1/8 oz. lures, but I haven't had a chance to fish it yet. Are the Loomis ratings a little off? If I need to make an exchange, I'd like to do it while I can still send it back. What's your thoughts on this?

disregard! keep it! i misread and for some reason was thinking of a different rod, a heavy baitcaster. i actually own the bsr852 and if i only had one spinning rod, id keep this one. your finesse fishing is covered very well! I agree with Bronzefly's post above 100%

i use my bsr852 for light jig/t-rig and heavier weightless plastics (senko, ika etc)

mbr844 is another good one to look at (in the near future) for heavier jigs/t-rig, small swimbaits, light frogging.

i started upgrading my baitcasters a little over a year ago and have these now:

bcr803

mbr783

mbr844

next one will be the mbr782 or 842 mainly for small moving baits: crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits.

check your PM for decent Loomis discount to make up for my mistake

Somthing like a MBR783 would be right up my alley in terms of a spinnnerbait rod, I'll take a look. I'm a little confused by your last comment though. I just picked up a BSR852 to use as a "finesse" rod. Loomis rates that rod down to 1/8 oz. lures, but I haven't had a chance to fish it yet. Are the Loomis ratings a little off? If I need to make an exchange, I'd like to do it while I can still send it back. What's your thoughts on this?

disregard! keep it! i misread and for some reason was thinking of a different rod, a heavy baitcaster. i actually own the bsr852 and if i only had one spinning rod, id keep this one. your finesse fishing is covered very well! I agree with Bronzefly's post above 100%

i use my bsr852 for light jig/t-rig and heavier weightless plastics (senko, ika etc)

mbr844 is another good one to look at (in the near future) for heavier jigs/t-rig, small swimbaits, light frogging.

i started upgrading my baitcasters a little over a year ago and have these now:

bcr803

mbr783

mbr844

next one will be the mbr782 or 842 mainly for small moving baits: crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits.

check your PM for decent Loomis discount to make up for my mistake

No problem, you did have me worried there for a second though!! Glad to hear I didn't make a mistake on the BSR852, and thanks a bunch for the PM. I'll definitely put that to good use!!

ETA: Also, how does that MBR844 compare to the BCR854 or BCR855?  On paper they look really close...

I think the BCR854 and MBR844C are very comparable. I'm not

really sure which I like better! On another note, the MBR842C

may be my favorite rod. Mine is matched up with a Core 50MG7.

This rig is simply a pleasure to fish. As Bronzefly said, this rod

covers a lot of ground.

8-)

Well, thanks again guys!! I elected to pick up a MBR844C to add a heavier power rod to my quiver. I needed something for heavier jigs, carolina rigging, etc. and that stick seemed to fit the bill. Realize of course, I'll still be looking for a cranking stick or spinnerbait rod in the next few months!!