Suggestions on a jig rod and reel

[trolling monster]

Hi guys and gals, its that time of year to think about purchasing new equipment, and I want to upgrade my current jigging rod. I generally purchase St. Croix and Shimano exclusively, but I am open to new ideas. I want to spend between $150 to $175 on this rig. I have been looking at a St. Croix Premier 6ft medium action with a Shimano Sahara 2000 reel. What are your thoughts on this setup?

I would like to mention that this website is EXCELLENT, and I appreciate all the information that has been provided. Thanks

[Hoss]

I would suggest the Avid series of St. Croix. Compare the Premier to others and for the cost you could do substatially better. I think,however, the St. Croix Avid is in a class by itself (excluding Gloomis) - 6 med. $140 at BPS. Throw on a Abu Center drag reel and your still in your price range - dont forget the fireline. Don't claim to be expert but I too am thinking of a new jig stick and have been browsing. So I too would be open to suggestions.

Hoss

[BigPointer53]

Cabelas Tackle Shop 2001 catalog has a heckuva deal on page27. Shimano Symetre reel and cabelas XML rod combo for 134.98.The rod is their best one and alone sells for 139.99, so in a sense you are getting the reel for free. Also on page 29 they have the same deal but a stradic reel for 179.98 cents . Saves you another 80 dollars. Suppose to be nice rods too. If you live near a cabelas drive over and check them out, you can buy the combos there too.Good Luck

[EricCO]

I have a cabelas xml casting rod I use for bouncers. I can testify that they are darn good rods. Worth the money.

[Melonbob(ON)]

Bought myself a Loomis GL3 last year and all I can say is it unlike anything I've ever fished with, casts a 1/16 like nothing I've used. I can only wonder what the IMX and GLX are like. Not sure if it's in your budget though. For some reason, and I don't think I've ever seen this before, we get Loomis' cheaper up here in Canada than you do in the U.S. I picked up my GL3 for 138 Canadian (100 USD). In Cabela's it's around 150 USD. If you can swing it, give it a try, I don't know of anyone who's been disappointed.
On the other hand, my fiancee has a St. Croix preimer, and it's also a pretty sweet rod...

[River_eye]

That would be a really nice setup. I currently use a 6'3" avid with a shimano symetre 2000, and it's absolutley awesome.

River eye

[Ron]

Which model # on the Abu? Thanks.

[JRS]

Another option for a XML combo is to go with the Cabelas Platinum ZX reel. This is an awesome reel. It is very similar to the Penn Prion but has some upgrades (more bearings and better handle). The ZX is even a slight upgrade over a Stradic.

[Montana]

I just bought one of the stradic/cabelas XML combos the rod feels realy good light and sensitive,and the reel-what can I say I own five of them never have had A problem with any of them at all,best reel I ever been around.For $180.00 thats not to bad A setup plus you get to pick the rod you want! Just my opinion