After @ least ten years of faithfull service, the Berkley IM6 baitcaster is to be retired.
I would appreciate some suggestions on a replacement, keeping in mind:

1. I don't want anything longer than 6'.

2. The trusty ABU1500c will be used, unless I can be convinced otherwise.

3. Cork grips.

4. Casting 1/4 - 1/2 oz lures, *****alls, spinner baits, plastics etc., etc., 6 - 8lb braid.

5. Light - arthiritic wrists @ fingers are starting to make their prescence felt.

I will appreciate all sensible replies, as I'm planning on purchasing this within the next 48 hours.

Non sensible replies (i.e. smart arse replies) will not only be appreciated but expected. I'd probabvly be disappointed if none were forthcoming.

The bottom line is - how much do you wanna spend? You could start with a loomis and work your way back.

Like Roy said ! but if like me you tend to break rods and a little rough with gear (canoe stepping on rods dropping hatch lids on rods wrapping the tip section over branches while attempting to cast to barra tiger country you know you have no chance of landing a fish from )I now tend to stay in the sub $150 range and the gear available is supprisingly good my current quiver holds a number of Pfluger Hm 45 series .made in some rat infested slave labour camp I know and the top runner selection has baffled me but they serve the purpose .Light cheap and effective lure tossing tool ,oh and a slower taper than a lot of the gear you find easy to load on light tackle and plenty uf pull power in the butt section .
currently have:
PTSP AB 4770 2lft 7' soft plastic stick light acction fast tapper.
PTCA 4768 1MXFT 6'8 bait cast 3/16 - 5/8 4-7kg use for spinner baits and chucking Jackall's into the next post code.
PTCA 4760 1MH 6' great barra rod can cast with it all day 5-10 kg
an old favorite G Loomis GL2 C 641-B Bait cast Light Lures use with ct50 calcutta.
Daiwia Procyon PC561 ULRS 1/32 - 1/8 spin canoe favorite has plenty of low end balls caught a few high forty Bass and snapper up to 2.5 kg .
Strudwick old SPS model 1-3 kg and 2-4 kg ok rod but not available any more.
and I have a couple of PENN Pin Point 5'6 8kg and a 10kg Barra sticks again prefer the 8kg rod easy to use and light but I prefer the lite casting tip in the Pflueger (no effort needed to cast accurately)
And currently TT is in love with Millers Rack Raider rods has heaps of them a good tool as well and cheap.Berkel also still has a resonable range of cheap rods still ,Alan just go down to a BCF and fondle all the rods till you find some thing that gives you wood, and you will know you have made the correct choice .DO NOT go to any reputable Tackle store and do this as you will spend upwards of $400 and then be afraid to use it ( bin there and broken that).
Oh as for your Question I would not hesitate in buying another Gl2 C641 always gives me wood and Both of my 500mm Bass caught on it too.
Shawn.

If you insist on posting replies that contain the style of content that your replies do, then I must warn you that you risk expulsion from this forum .

It was found that your post contained the following...

1) Helpfull advice
2) A definate lack of banter towards another forum member (particularly TT)

and worst of all

3) No smartass reply, of which Alan was expecting (and willing to appreciate).

I hope that in future posts you pick up your act, as this sort of intolerance to ABA way of life will not be smiled upon.

Alan,
if your fingers are arthritic from too much rod use,
whats the point of getting a new one, it'll only sit there unused.


Daiwa rods are quite nice and usually good value with decent runners, Raiders are good too,
Samurai 12 is a good short blank for bass. Even those really cheap Shimanos that BCF have ($50)
dont feel too bad, the difference is mostly in the fittings.


PS
Ive never got a wood from a rod yet - is that some new sort of material? not that there's anything wrong with that

Rob
You Philistine! Obviously the wood Shawn is referring to are some of the antique handcrafted fishing poles that were popular in Al's heyday, they were made of hickory, greenheart and then later of cane and bamboo (although the bamboo models were not as much works of art as cheap and nasty).

I just knew I wouldn't be disappointed!!!! Keep up the good work

In Tasmania an angler may use "bush poles" (a stick with line tied to it) to catch bait, think of the money you will save!

how about this


http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=3224

Al,

i can not match any of these wierdo's come backs but i would agree with Rob i have had a couple of the Diawais and they served me well. but it will depend on how much you want to spend in the end. I love Loomis now

Ow Spanked by Admin now harder ,Harder ! ,now softer, Harder.

I promisse do deal out miss information, just need to email K 07 for tips.

Fondled any thing yet Groover.

Oh a fondling I have been, a fondling I have been.

Thanks to all for the input, I took it all on board & then read & read mags', catalogues etc. Finally & totally confused I went fondling.

Result: Strudwick Slicstik Pro, 5' 10'', cork grips, Fuji components etc.

Now about a new baitcaster????

Bait catser,

Chronach 50 Mg or find a old Curado 100 reel for sale which they have not used. They are the ducks nuts i reckon, but i am not a Diawa fan of there baitcasters.

Does the significant other know anything about this.............. and if not how much you goneing to pay me

I promise I will not tell. .

I like 50mg's to Alan nudge, nudge.

How about a Team Diawa V 103HI (special pensioner price)
TT