G-Loomis so what?

I thought this thread was really helpful and enjoyed all the great input.  In the end, and from my past experience (short but helpful), I decided to buy a bait caster rod and reel, I just love the whole feel and play.  I wasn't sure whether to post again here, as I got a lot of fairly passionate responses.  I do like to share though, and when I join a community I like to contribute my ideas, and share what's going on with my fishing.  I also, generally in life, buy for the long term or resale value. 

After trying many rod/reel combos in the store, I settled on the ST CROIX LEGEND XTREME CASTING ROD "XC70MF" and the DAIWA STEEZ CASTING REEL (sorry for caps, just copy and paste from order form).  I really didn't like the feel or the G-Loomis trout series or NRX as much as the St. Croix, I also factored in the warranty and expected customer service. 

I'm incredibly excited to get it out on the water, and am sure it will find a home in my growing fishing arsenal.  Next time I may buy an ultra light outfit just for trout and small game, but right now, this feels right.

Thanks again all.     

Wow quite a change you taking up Bass Fishing

Wow quite a change you taking up Bass Fishing

No change at all actually, not sure why you would imply that.  I love fishing for trout, and when that ends I like to fish for bass.  I have fished for bass before and enjoyed it, which was what originally led me to bait casters.  I didn't realize I had to restrict myself to a particular kind of game fish for a given time?  I believe this kind of rod will serve me well for fresh water, which, as I have stated all along, is my primary focus. 

I'm not knocking the choice it's a sweet set up but it is quite a change to go from spinning to casting and UL to 10-17lb test.

I'm not knocking the choice it's a sweet set up but it is quite a change to go from spinning to casting and UL to 10-17lb test.

In my current setup I have some less expensive rods, one is UL and one is bait caster that I used in the past for bass.  I like FW fishing most, for now, and as such I have 2 primary targets - trout and bass, in NorCal lakes.  I thought the Ul setup would be great for trout and maybe a few other smaller species, but after talking to others with more experience, and in thinking about my own plans for fishing, I realized trout is only a small part of my FW plans.  Having a great casting setup seemed to be a better fit.  In the fall I intend to buy a similar UL setup.  Between now and then I plan to buy a few less costly rods to practice other types of FW applications.  I think the above rod/reel setup will serve me well for a variety of FW bass trips, and maybe a few others things, we will see, and certainly will find a place in my tackle long term.  In the end, realizing I should not buy all the gear I want now, I picked what I thought would serve me best year round, and I will specialize from there.  I also figured, even if I need other gear, this is a quality buy that will serve me well in FW fishing going forward.  I am happy with it, and I will catch with it, and enjoy using it, and it will last with good care.  I see it as an investment.

To your point, it is not "quite a change," but rather an additional setup to accommodate a wider variety of FW options, I think we both know UL setups won't cover all common FW species year round.

At any rate, I am excited to fish it, and I look forward to learning with it, growing into it, and catching on it form my kayak.     

Sweet set-up PWE. You'll be able to fish it numerous ways and target many species with that combo.

There will be an opportunity to use your new set-up this weekend at Clear Lake.  It will be a great opportunity to meet some awesome people and catch some nice bass.

I say go for it bro. It is obvious that you have the money. This way you don't end
up like me having over 70 rods and reels from upgrading all the time. Also buying
two of everything does not help. I hear you about golf. A very expensive
hobby. When I got hooked into the game, I kept buying high end equipments like
Titleist, Callaway, Taylor Made, and Mizuno. A driver alone cost over $400 dollars
and a putter over $250. What about the rest of the sets? I guess when
it comes to a hobby, you can't really put any price into it.

Jedmo

Jed since you have so many clubs and sets of club lying around, can I have a couple to sell on ebay so I can get a hobie?  Or do you have a couple of Hobies lying around too, if so can I have one?

When I used to shore plug/cast for stripers and salmon I needed to buy what I could afford which was a lamiglass and a calcutta.  Easier on the hand and shoulders when casting for hours.  But now that I have the kayak and can park on top of the fish, don't see the need for the outrageously pocket busting gears.  But then again I just got an offer from my friend for his calcutta 250 for $40 bucks, picking it up tomorrow.
Sometimes it's not even what you need it's what give you the satisfaction.  Brown rice can fill you up, but white rice will satisfy..
Go ahead get the good stuff

Thanks guys, I appreciate the positive vibe.  I guess in the end, I'm pretty stocked about my new toy.  I tend to buy once, buy quality, when at all possible, and while I make a few mistakes once in a while, good quality always finds a good use.  I think having the right tools brings a real satisfaction, really enhancing the sport, or anything else. 

I think, in the end, I have answered the "so what" of my original post title - and next week will be the test run to prove what I think to be true to myself further.  It may or may not put fish in my yak, but I am pretty confident it will feel great either way. 

Thanks for all the posts, positive and otherwise, I like to have my thoughts and decisions challenged, helps to solidify my position. 

Fish on. 

I just got an offer from my friend for his calcutta 250 for $40 bucks

Sweet one of the best reels ever made very durable

When I used to shore plug/cast for stripers and salmon I needed to buy what I could afford which was a lamiglass and a calcutta.  Easier on the hand and shoulders when casting for hours.  But now that I have the kayak and can park on top of the fish, don't see the need for the outrageously pocket busting gears.  But then again I just got an offer from my friend for his calcutta 250 for $40 bucks, picking it up tomorrow.
Sometimes it's not even what you need it's what give you the satisfaction.  Brown rice can fill you up, but white rice will satisfy..
Go ahead get the good stuff

As MicFish said, indeed, gratz on the nice hookup there.

I learned to fly fish on an orvis rod and reel, the action and sensativity were fantastic.  but when it came time to buy my own it was hard for me to justify the expense.  Walk in to the California fly shop and you could drop a grand on a rod reel combo to use on fishing for trout less than a foot long.  In my simple mind that is over kill.

I have a $300.00 pool cue and a $1000.00 pool cue--  I shoot the same with both, but when a real pool shooter picks up my Predator he can show me why it costs 1K.  I probably will never get the benefit of the cue, but I keep hoping----I guess it is the same for fishing rods.-----Jeff