Best bait caster
 

Ok guys, I honestly don't need another rod or reel..I'm very content and happy..However, my birthday is Sat. And Matt insist that I go to Bass Pro and get any rod I want including the near 400.00 GLoomis....

We went 2 Sats ago when I returned my fiberglass mount..I liked the feel of 2 different rods..the ST.Croix 180.00 model and the GLoomis..379.00 model.


I wished he wouldn't..I'm partial to the 7 foot MH Fenwicks which to my knowledge can be only found on eBay..they have one for 89.00 with free shipping..

summary..apart from price would you urather have a ST Croix or GLoomis? If money was no issue..
And why?
Thanks c7

Personally I think the Croix looks nicer..

I can't say from personal experience, due to the fact that I have never owned a GLoomis of Loomis Series rod. I have sold several and fished a few of my friends and they are very light rods. The quality is there in both rods, and I would imagine both have exceptional warranties.

I can personally say I have owned and fished a number of St. Croix rods and think they have good sensitivitiy and are mostly light-weight rods. Depending on the model, it should have the lightness and backbone you would be looking for at a somewhat reasonable price. St. Croix customer service has treated me well in the past so that is another bonus from my standpoint.

All in all, if price is no issue, I would choose Loomis because of the name, lightness of rod, and simply because I do not own any.

Thanks Buck...I 'm pretty sold out on the St Croix..the Avid series..I like light and back bone...

The Fenwick on eBay is nice..but to be totally honest..the cork butt needs to be sanded down for my hand..is too fat and uncomfortable...

Gloomis...I hate doing that to my son or anybody else..that is a huge chunk of change..like you I have handled one and they are very nice..but the Advid sounds nice to me well..I hope I got your Smally pounds correct...very nice greenbacks..

I took my son's girlfriend out bass fishing ..bad moon..this weekend will be good..took me about 2 hours to teach her how to pitch..I was giving her the front of the boat...I lost a 3 and boated a 3...she never got a hit..Monday I plan to pitch and let her drift a live shiner..(-: should be fun...been very hot here..I'm still getting fish pitching if I can find structure in 2feet or better on the shoreline...mostly fixing up the house but trying to get on the water at least once a week.
Tight lines,
c7

If money was no object, the G. Loomis. Money is always an object to me though, even when considering a 75c pack of gum over a 50c pack of gum. Is the G. Loomis a top notch rod? DEFINITELY!!! But make sure the rod you are getting is one that you would actually use, and use A LOT. If I was going to spend 400 on a rod, it would be my bread and butter rod, the one I used the most year round. Basically, I wouldnt spend 400 on a G. Loomis cranking rod if 75 percent of my fishing was flipping and pitching. Good luck finding the rod of your choice, its always nice going to purchase something knowing that there is little you can't afford to look at :)

I want to know more about the warranty..like can I Take it back to Bass Pro? ....like you said,,it would be me my full time flipping and pitching rod...but the warranty better be good..

G.Loomis Rods: covered by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials

• All rods are subject to a $20 processing fee. Please include a check, money order or credit card information. Rod warranty will not be processed until payment is received.

• For Damage determined to have occurred due to defect, GLoomis will, at the company's discretion, either repair or replace the product at no charge

• Damages occurring due to neglect, accident or normal wear and tear will, at the company's discretion, be repaired or replaced for a specific fee.

• A full estimate will be provided for your approval before any fees are levied.

For warranty claims:

• Ship the damaged rod in a disposable container, prepaid and insured, along with a completed copy of our Web Warranty Return Form.

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________________


St. Croix Avid Series Warranty and Service Information:

We will promptly repair or replace (at our option) your rod, reel or rod blank free of charge if it becomes damaged due to defective materials or workmanship for the life of the rod/reel/blank. This Service Policy applies to the original owner only and may not be transferred to another person.
We reserve the right to replace a discontinued model with a current model of our choosing. We rely on the information that you provide us on our Warranty Registration form to substantiate that you are the original owner of this rod. A registration form is attached to each new rod, or you may complete your registration on our website.
Rods/reels/blanks that have become damaged due to normal wear, accident, misuse or neglect may be repaired or replaced for a reasonable charge. If this cost exceeds 20.00, then St. Croix will advise you of this cost and await your approval prior to proceeding.
Damaged rods/reels/blanks should be returned directly to the St. Croix Service Center. St. Croix dealers are not authorized to perform service work on behalf of St. Croix. You must return the entire product, including broken parts, freight prepaid and insured, to the address below. Please include a note explaining the problem, along with 20.00 for return shipping and handling within the USA and Canada. International customers are responsible for the actual return shipping and insurance charges.

Thanks Buck...

I checked out the Fenwicks hmx and hmg...reviews said the hmgs are just as good as the Advids's.so I found one and bought one 5 minutes ago...89.00 7 foot Triggerstick MH...still going to Bass Pro sat..this was my youngest boys gift...New in the box
HMGs are stiffer

Thank God for kids (-:

I own several St. Croix rods, fly rods and spinning rods, and I have been very happy with them. A lot of times with the higher priced rods, they price them 2 or 3X the price of the rod to be able to afford the warranty. I know that's the case with some of the fly rods (Sage, etc.). You get what you pay for, but past a certain point, you are paying for a name and that's it.

Personally, I would go with the St. Croix. It will do anything the Loomis will, and at half the price. The warranties seem to be similar if that's a deciding factor.

Regardless of the choice, a day with your son picking out the rod and using a rod that he bought you will be satisfaction enough no matter what.

Amen sir...
Appreciate all the thoughtful replies..
Can't wait till next year's spawn..lol

Aaron, have you been using your depth finder yet?

Well....Matt insist that I drive to Bass Pro today and pick up the .......GLoomis worm/jig rod..this way Sat. On my birthday we can fish...you all know how big he is ..so I will do as I'm told.(-: ...plan to pick up the rod today at 9:00
Getting the 7 foot MH model..as Aaron has said, my primary style is pitching and flipping so this rod will be used a lot.

The Paradox...just when I 've been preaching that I don't have any wants and being content is where it's at..then the Lord does something like this..lol ..it's flat out amazing...it really is...for I believe that all good things come from the Lord...as well as SOME tough things..this year my faith has been sorely tried but I'm a better man having gone through it...I've learned to trust no one but the Lord..And my wife..man is shaky..So thanking God for the good and the days of discipline as well..3 times this year my job was on the line...over stupid stuff..I've learned to keep my mouth shut unless it is job related..big lesson. ..

Let's go fishin (-:

You mean that they make a good baitcaster? Just joking with yah Chuck.. Now myself I think I would of went with the St. Croix as well. But, seeing how your son wants to buy it for you then what the heck.. The problem I would have is that I would be treating it to special and wouldn't want nothing to happen to it. No scratches, dings, or anything at all. Then I would end up asking myself why do I have it? But a gift is a gift so why not? Anyways good luck and have a great day with your son..

Also I wish you a Happy Birthday in advance!! So Happy Birthday to yah!!
:party::birthday::party::birthday::party:

I am heading over town to the boat landing shortly so as I can replace the last 4 rollers on my old trailer. I will have to post a pic of it when I have all the repairs made to it.. Basically it is just repair and replacement. It will be nice to load unload when I am done with it. After that I will be needing to paint it up sometime..

Also Chuck if you get a chance check out the photo forums of my pics from my Canon post..

wow Phil..I didn't,t even know we had a photo forum..I will check it out.

Yeah Chuck, at least that is what I call it.. The Video & Photgraphy forum.. I know you like birds Chuck, do you know what this medium size bird is??

Wow...I could easily find out but off the top of my head ...no sir..it appears to be some sort of grouse...nice picture...never saw one before..it appears to be a Ruffled Grouse..I've got one mounted..I've eaten some before...and had one THUNDER over my head once in the PA mountains..totally freaked me out.

Well ,Matt will be happy..I got the cheaper model Gloomis...After the long drive I made up my mind to get a 6 1/2 footer MH..good thing too..they had no 7 footers and only one 61/2 footers..MH ..it was there lower end Gloomis so it only cost 215.00....one of their Greenback models..the man was trying to tell me it was the same blank as the St Croix .Advid..super wrong ..I held both in my hand at the same time..the St Croix is twice the weight..my Gloomis feels like your holding air..I'm actually concerned about it hauling Big Berthas out of the jungle..it will primarily be my jig rod..

Reason being..on a jig it's tap and SET...that fast..the extra sensitivity would make this my go to jig rod..

On a worm I like to feel..wait a second ..and good pull set..my Fenwick will be my go to rod for that..I've got one coming in the mail..

While at the Bass Pro I also picked up some goodies..

6 Bill Normans...3 Chrome, 1Sexy Shad,1Tenn.Ghost and one pearl
2 1/4 ounce Panther Martin Fly Spinners
1 Primos Cuttin Striker..lost mine in the swamp ..awesome striker..
And plan to order 3 100 grain Steelforce Broadheads...

Great birthday,

It is a Canadian Spruce Partridge actually. We are in some of thier southern most range here. They are a pretty stupid bird for as far as grouse and the like goes. You can walk almost right up beside them and there is not a lot of them here either. They are illegal to shoot due to thier numbers being so low.

I am glad you have your new fishing pole and now you can show us some more largemouths.. LOL Good Luck on your fishing trip..

I've gotten to play around with it some and found some nice brushpiles with it. However, the Navionics card I put in it is really what has helped out the most. It has 1' elevation contours of the entire lake and has allowed me to find MANY good points and open water humps. Though I've played with it a little, I havent had any time to really fish with it yet, but hopefully I will get a chance this weekend maybe.

I took the boat out last weekend with the wife and kids to let them tube a little bit and was able to find a sunken paddle wheel boat which was a really neat find. The unit has screen capture capability but I havent been able to figure it out yet. Once I do, I'll post a few pictures of the brush piles and the sunken paddle wheel boat.

Good deal Aaron..my depth finder found alot of fish today..BUT...uh...hum...they were not cooperating very good..LOL

That happens, lol. If I could catch a tenth of the fish I believe I see, I would be telling Van Dam how to fish :)

When ya coming down again Aaron?

I went out today as well and not much cooperating here either.. The wind came up and only added to it.. I did catch quite a few chain pickeral however. One of them I should of kept as it was the biggest one I can recall catching and could of very well got me a patch in " The One That Didn't Get Away Club ". I know where it is hiding though so maybe after I look up the wieght qualifacations for it I might go try it again before the summer is over with.

I did mark a lot of fish down deep which I think were mostly White Perch though. There was some hugh fish showing up down there as well. Those most likely were bass, either larghemouths or hugh smallmouths.. I will be giving them a try again sometime when the wind is not blowing. I am determined to find out what they are..

Also I was able to cast my baitcaster today! Yahoooee! The only problem was I could only cast it with alot of wieght on it.. Every time I just tried a rubber worm I had issues. At least I was casting it today and will keep working at it..

Good deal on the baitcaster...Wind? I love wind..when it blows I drift two rods over and over through promising hot spots...

Remember wind from the west is best
Wind from the east is least

I was hoping for wind today..when it came up I hooked into Big Bertha..Our wind was from the east today..so not that good..when it's blowing from the west ..expect..to catch a mess

It was blowing straight out of the north once it kicked in. It was almost calm as I headed out but that changed rappidly.

Might not be able to make it until next year sometime. Our training isn't in Florida this year so unless I get a good case down there or something then the odds are that it won't be any time soon unfortunately. If it changes though, I'll be sure to give you a holler, I had a great time last time.

I did too..we need a whole day or weekend during the spawn..i could hep to put your family up..we could have separate boats ..which is a must for flipping ...I could video tape all of your hawgs...let me know when..I have tons of days I can take off.

Aaron is this depth finder in your dash?

Is it something I could put on my boat?

How does your finder show fish?