Hard to bet the Shimano Crucial for about $160. If you can splurge and really go over that $200 to about $230 the Shimano Cumara is a SICK rod. It's the pitching and flipping rod I use. The new ones this year are even better!!!
Rich are they tecnique specific? And i trust your opinion you really think its worth the money? I have no prob paying a lil more my taxes should be in by this weds. Haha
The crucial is a GREAT rod at $160. What Shimano did 2 years go was take the Cumara blanks and drop them down into the Crucial series and then this year took the Cumulus blank and dropped it down into the Cumara series. The new Cumara also has a unique alconite guide system that uses BOTH micro guides and standard size guides. The rod is amazing.
I have 2 of the old generation Cumaras that I bought before they upgraded and LOVE them. If you buy a Crucial now, you will be getting the same blank
Yes they are technique specific AND they all come with a lifetime replacement warranty
You can either visit Shimano.com or go to tackle warehouse and look them over. I have the 7'2" medium heavy extra fast. They call it the Jig rod. Their "flip rod" is 7'11" and is heavy, fast rod. I prefer the shorter 7'2 medium heavy for pitching and skipping jigs and frogs to trees , docks,and bushes.
If you are looking to accomplish 2 things with this rod and be able to pitch, flip and punch I would go with the heavy fast although it is a compromise with both techniques
what's their warranty? any idea how they balance out with a 7 oz. reel? i was looking at a new cumara (not for pitching and flipping).
Sam Shimano has a 100% replacement warranty. if you buy it local the store takes it back and replaces it. If you buy it online, ship it back to where you got it and they replace it.
FWIW Ralph is a friend of mine and we bust balls all the time, but thanks for checking in
Tell the truth Rich, you pay me to allow you to claim we are friends.
Now that you mention it Ralph I haven't seen a "friendship dues" check from Rich in sometime, his contract clearly states we had a two year agreement, so clearly he is sending the money he owes me , to you...not cool Richard!
what's their warranty? any idea how they balance out with a 7 oz. reel? i was looking at a new cumara (not for pitching and flipping).
If I may chime in... That's my only issue with my crucial, I have one they no longer make its a 7ft 2 x heavy, I use it to pitch and punch, even with a heavier reel like a Generation 2 Revo I still needed to add a balance kit to the butt of the rod, you can find em at bass pro.
I use a balance kit on both of my flipping rods, its takes the weight off holding the tip up all day, positions the rod butt down and makes the the cantalever action much easier