Well, I have been wanting an Avid series St. Croix for quite some time now, but now I'm also looking at the G.Loomis mag bass GL2 and the Shimano Crucials. What do y'all think?

My Crucial is amazing, and I would but another in a heart beat. Extremely sensitive and has a nice balance, just in front of the reel seat.

If you have any questions, just ask me, or if SoFla tunes in you can ask him.

Although, I would love to try an Avid.

I'd say stick with the Avid, I really like mine.  I wouldn't settle for a G-Loomis under the IMX, they just aren't impressive.  No experience with the Crucial.

I did a side by side test between a Crucial and an Avid. Fished all day with both. The Avid wins that battle, easily.

As far as the GL2 goes, they are one of the best $100 rods on the market.

As far as the GL2 goes, they are one of the best $100 rods on the market.

Good one  ;D

I have one Crucial, maybe I should say two Crucials, my first and last one.  It's heavy, very unbalanced and not all that sensitive...about the only thing positive I can say about it is that it has plenty of backbone.

This is a prime example of why there are so many different makes of rods on the market.  I've got several Crucials and love them.  I couldn't be happier.  I like them better than the Avids I've used.  It all comes down to personal preference.  Taking advice from people on the internet is all well and good, but you really need to go to a store that stocks the rods and play with them yourself.  Most places are more than happy to allow you to stick a reel on them to see how they feel.

Doc, what particular rod are you thinking about, length, power & action wise?

Avid

8-)

Doc, what particular rod are you thinking about, length, power & action wise?

6'6" to 7' MH Fast action, just a good all purpose setup.

As to what SoFla said, I have played with the Avid alot at bass pro, because that is the one I want, but the others seem to intrigue me too. It was funny, when I was looking at the Crucial, one of the Bass Pro employees tried to sell it to me by saying that, "because Shimano owns G.loomis, it was a G.Loomis blank", I tried to hold the laughter it was almost unbearable,  ;D

lol

Not all employees are created equal.  /facepalm

lol

Not all employees are created equal. /facepalm

indeed, "facepalm" lol ;D

Doc, what particular rod are you thinking about, length, power & action wise?

6'6" to 7' MH Fast action, just a good all purpose setup.

I have the Avid 7' MH/F and the Crucial 6'6" MH/F

The Avid has more backbone and power than the Crucial. If the Crucial were a St Croix rod, it would be considered more of a Medium power rod. Just something to keep in mind.

I use the Avid every time I fish. It is indeed very versatile. These rods are very similar in quality, with the edge going to St Croix because I prefer the grip, plus it's made in the USA   8-)

Doc, what particular rod are you thinking about, length, power & action wise?

6'6" to 7' MH Fast action, just a good all purpose setup.

I have the Avid 7' MH/F and the Crucial 6'6" MH/F

The Avid has more backbone and power than the Crucial. If the Crucial were a St Croix rod, it would be considered more of a Medium power rod. Just something to keep in mind.

I use the Avid every time I fish. It is indeed very versatile. These rods are very similar in quality, with the edge going to St Croix because I prefer the grip, plus it's made in the USA 8-)

Yeah, that was what I liked about the St. Croix was the lure range, the feel in my hand, and the "handcrafted in the USA" part, not to mention the sensitivity. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna stick with the Avid, just thought it would be nice to see what other anglers thought about the other rods I had in mind.

Avid

8-)

Suprise!

I think I'll add another Avid to the collection this weekend.  Nuff said?

How'd I know.

I've owned an avid and a gl2 at one time.  I have not used a crucial.  I thought the gl2 was more sensitive than the avid,  but the avid i owned was the older version.  I think the newer avids are different blanks than the earlier ones.  If I'm right, I'd be curious to find out if anyone has ever used one of the old ones and if the new ones are signifigantly better?

I have 8 Avids and 2 GL3's and a GL2. They all are very nice rods and I enjoy all of them. But with that being said, the Avid has more back bone. As far as sensitivity goes, IMHO, from the least sensitive to the most sensitive: GL2 > GL3> Avid. I cannot comment on the Shimano, never used one, so I do not know where it would fall in the sensitivity ranking.

I have 8 Avids and 2 GL3's and a GL2. They all are very nice rods and I enjoy all of them. But with that being said, the Avid has more back bone. As far as sensitivity goes, IMHO, from the least sensitive to the most sensitive: GL2 > GL3> Avid. I cannot comment on the Shimano, never used one, so I do not know where it would fall in the sensitivity ranking.

You may want to change those >'s to <'s

That's least to most, left to right.  The <><> are just used as arrows, not GT/LT.  :

That's least to most, left to right. The <><> are just used as arrows, not GT/LT. :

Clary... get back to class.

Don't waste your money on a Loomis below the IMX. My Crucial is a sweet rod but for another $20-30 I'd go with an Avid. That being said, you'll likely love either of them. If you can, go check them out side by side and see which one you like better. Good luck!

That's least to most, left to right. The <><> are just used as arrows, not GT/LT. :

Lol whoops! my mistake,

i've been spending to much time doing math  :

I'm one who has never used a Crucial, either. But I can speak to the GL2 and the Avid. To me, there is not much comparison. The Avid is a lot better rod. Much more sensitive. I like the Avid better than GL3, as well. Just remember, Avids M is like many other MH (except in their crankbait rods). The Avids are hard to beat, dollar for dollar, so to speak.