Have you noticed that a lot of people have said (paraphrased) "...conside another rod other than Kistler", but won't/can't exact say why? I wonder. Could it be something like: MADE IN CHINA!!!! Is that the deal? Rojo for some people, yes (unfortunately). There is a stigma associated with "cheap" la...

while on the subject of G. Loomis rods, I have a few rods that I love that might be worth looking into. The first is a true UL rod (IMX SR841-2). It is a 7 foot 2 peice spinning rod made in IMX graphite that is rated for 2-6 pound test and 1/32 to 3/16 oz. lures. It does not have the backbone of the...

another vote for the stradic. Very smooth, well made, and not super expensive.

I have a 2500 mounted on a Loomis IMX SJR782 (also 1/8-3/8 oz.) and I love it for tubes, 1/4oz jigs etc. The stradic 2500 size matches perfectly with 8 pound test line.

I would definately get a 7 foot rod if you will be casting from shore, this will increase the length of your casts. For the budget, might I suggest a St. Croix Premier Rod 7 foot Medium Light Power, fast action (model PS70MLF) or get the 2 piece version. For the reel, I would probably go with a Shim...

I would probably go with a shimano stradic 1000. That would be sweet.

you are right - people make assumptions that just because they paid more they got a better product, which isn't always true. sometimes you are paying for a "name" But on the other hand, people also assume that just because you paid a lot you got ripped off and that the rod was "overpriced". That is ...

but what if all you are concerned with is top of the line performance, not "dollar for value"?? All of the top of the line rods out there (Legend Elites, GLX's and Megabass etc) are all like that - these rods are not about giving you the most for your money. They are about giving you the BEST. And t...

This is because Loomisoids are so hot and bothered over them that people are trying to tell them "Hey. Their are better rods out there for less money". They just can't see past their own egos. But are there better rods for less money? If so, how much less? If you look at the Loomis IMX's and GLX's ...

Whoops. I'm an idiot. Okay, If I am not mistaken as far as overall sales go, I believe the Zebco 33 and the Mitchell 300 are the best selling reels of all time. The curado is Shimano's current best seller, and has been for several years. Given more time, we might see the curado eventually overcome t...

Give the curado another 40 years and it will probably be the top selling reel of all time (or at least it might have been had they not changed it)

Snidley's an Airrusamaniac... or is that Airrusho... ah..never mind

LOL LOL LOL

Hey Snidley, just curious if you were able to make it down to the Toronto Sportsman Show this year (it is right now)?

I can't make it this year, but I was wondering if you went- how was it??

-Hulkster

Crucials are awesome, but they are not built on Loomis blanks. G. loomis has indirectly helped Shimano sell many of their "own" brand rods, since practically every rod that Shimano has come out with since the buyout in 1997 has had rumors spread about it that it is "a loomis blank for 150 dollars ch...

The reason -- the only reason -- I will not buy a Kistler in the near future, or probably ever, is their misbegotten and totally annoying marketing campaign wherein they flooded EVERY fishing site with disciples who jumped on EVERY post with a testimonal. Am I the only one that that ticked off? Som...

Last year I caught a whole lot of different species on different sizes of rapala jointed shad raps (smallies, largemouth, brown trout and pike).

I too love Mepps black fury spinners, and little cleo spoons.

Rattle-traps are still my fav. vibration bait.

I really like Zoom soft plastics.

In my opinion the Stradic is a disappointment and I will not be purchasing another. slightly off topic: Ron, just curious as to why you don't like the stradic. I have two FH models and love them - very, very smooth, cast well and has a great drag. The 1000 size is super light too. Perhaps you have ...