I'm looking to update my soft plastic rod this spring. I use a small shakey head or light t-rigs most of the time I am currently using a older compre its a good rod but I would like something better I am looking a new elite tech smallmouth or older cork crucial or possibly a last years st.croix ltb shakey head rod thats on sale now. Just wondering what you guys think. thanks

I haven't used a Compre, but I do have an Elite Tech smallmouth spinning rod in ML power. Real nice rod. I think it's pretty much on par with my more expensive St. Croix Avid, but the split grip takes a little getting used to, at least it did for me. They retail around $129 but can be found cheaper.

I have never used or owned a Compre, but isn't that the spinning rod that had kind of a "cut out" in the cork above the reel handle so you could put your index finger right on the blank? I thought that was pretty cool.

If you're simply trying to get a better feel for your bait and what it's doing on the bottom, switching to braid helps in my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree. There's plenty of threads on that issue lately.

If you are not in a hurry, keep an eye on our Flea Market. I would recommend an Avid AVC68MXF used for around $125.

Braid has a lot of drawbacks, but I use it on my jig rod and another for weighted soft plastics. The line has significantly

improved my jig fishing.