Shimano Crucial rods

keithdog · 01-25-10, 07:45 PM

I'm considering buying a Shimano Crucial rod. The model CHC-X70H 7ft heavy power XH action casting rod to be exact. The trouble is, I've been to our local BPS, Cabelas, and Gander Mountain as well as Dicks, and I cannot find any Crucial rods anywhere right now. I really hate to buy a rod I have not been able to check out. So I got to thinking, I bet some of you fellas in here have either used or checked out the Shimano Crucial rods. If you have, would you please give me some feed back as to what your opinion of the Crucial rods is. I have one of the cheeper Shimano Convergence rods that I use for small cranksbaits and really like that one.

Tavery5 · 01-25-10, 08:51 PM

Check out your local Gander Mountain, I was able to recently pick up a couple of Shimano Crucial Rods for 75 ea. They were the CRC-C66M Crankbait rods Med action. They are very light and are IM9 / TC4 blanks and Fuji new concept Alconite guides, seem to be a fine rod to me, matched it up with a Revo SX, a little faster than I like for crankbaits ,but I will make it work.

Sorry didnt see you had already checked with you local Gander Mountain.

BassMoJo · 01-25-10, 09:02 PM

Keith, go crazy man I bought one last year the 6'9 DS model and I love it ! Its only for the ds to light really to do anything else but after using it for a year I love it.

BigBassin144 · 01-25-10, 09:21 PM

Like BassMojo, I own one of the DS rod (7'2" M) and love it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of the series after using this rod. I think it's one of the best rods in it's price range.

I've also held half a dozen Crucials at the local BPS and while the trigger rods a bit more tip heavy than the DS spinning rods, they are still VERY nice rods.

BB

cassidyta · 01-26-10, 10:52 AM

I broke and needed to replace my D/S crucial. This is what I found out.

Everyone is out of the Crucial's right now. Shimano went through a lay off and is playing catch up on their supply/vs demand right now.
The Crucial spinning rods should be arriving on 4 Feb with the trigger rods arriving a couple of days after that.

islandbass · 01-26-10, 04:01 PM

I have the 6'10" MHXF casting rod. If you need an idea of how sensitive this rod is, picture this:

A crisp, 18 degree winter day, beyond numb, frozen hands, even with mitts and a pair of gloves (My buddy was blazing down the lake at about 50 mph... yup, I was practically a popsicle.)

My hands were so cold and numb that I couldn't bend my fingers to turn the handle of the crank and hold the rod with the other set (of fingers).

We were fishing pretty deep, about 55' down. Despite my frozen hands, I felt the take of a smallie and got excited through mitts and gloves. Now that's sensitivity for you.

I didn't land it, unfortunately. It is hard to set the hook when you keep the butt end of the rod near your armpit and the blank on top of your forearm because your right hand can't close to grip the rod, and to compound the situation, to try to retrieve line with the palm of your left hand because you can't even grip the crank's handle.

It makes me wonder if the crucial is this sensitive, how much more sensitive the cumaras and cumulous rods are.

MallenManson · 01-26-10, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandbass

I have the 6'10" MHXF casting rod. If you need an idea of how sensitive this rod is, picture this:

A crisp, 18 degree winter day, beyond numb, frozen hands, even with mitts and a pair of gloves (My buddy was blazing down the lake at about 50 mph... yup, I was practically a popsicle.)

My hands were so cold and numb that I couldn't bend my fingers to turn the handle of the crank and hold the rod with the other set (of fingers).

We were fishing pretty deep, about 55' down. Despite my frozen hands, I felt the take of a smallie and got excited through mitts and gloves. Now that's sensitivity for you.

I didn't land it, unfortunately. It is hard to set the hook when you keep the butt end of the rod near your armpit and the blank on top of your forearm because your right hand can't close to grip the rod, and to compound the situation, to try to retrieve line with the palm of your left hand because you can't even grip the crank's handle.

It makes me wonder if the crucial is this sensitive, how much more sensitive the cumaras and cumulous rods are.

I'd say that qualifies as a dam good recommendation right there!

keithdog · 01-26-10, 07:05 PM

Ok guys, ya have me sold. Now maybe I can find it on sale between now and ice out!!! Thanks for the feedback.

islandbass · 01-26-10, 08:22 PM

Right on! Come on in and join Club Crucial! The water's fine.

Bob Smith · 01-26-10, 08:48 PM

I'm another Crucial fan, I have two of the 7' 2" DS rods, I also have a Dobyns Champion Extreme 7' 4" DS rod, I pick up the Crucials as often as the Dobyns and like them just as much. They have an excellent warranty. Lifetime, no questions asked, no co-payment. Find a reputable dealer and let them send the blank back, in a couple of weeks you get a new rod! simple as that!

MN Bass Man · 02-05-10, 03:36 AM

I've seen them on sale at the Gander Mountain here as well, they have a few 6'6" or 7' MHF. I'd like to try one, But I've already got a Falcon Cara with the same specs that I dearly love, and I'm trying to expand my technique specific selection rather than doubling up right now.

They also have the same Cara for the same price, which is a steal I think. With the 25% off the marked price they're all about $75.

01-25-10, 07:45 PM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Shimano Crucial rods I'm considering buying a Shimano Crucial rod. The model CHC-X70H 7ft heavy power XH action casting rod to be exact. The trouble is, I've been to our local BPS, Cabelas, and Gander Mountain as well as Dicks, and I cannot find any Crucial rods anywhere right now. I really hate to buy a rod I have not been able to check out. So I got to thinking, I bet some of you fellas in here have either used or checked out the Shimano Crucial rods. If you have, would you please give me some feed back as to what your opinion of the Crucial rods is. I have one of the cheeper Shimano Convergence rods that I use for small cranksbaits and really like that one.

01-25-10, 09:02 PM	#3
BassMoJo BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hampstead, MD Posts: 801	Keith, go crazy man I bought one last year the 6'9 DS model and I love it ! Its only for the ds to light really to do anything else but after using it for a year I love it. __________________ This is my Signature there are many like it, but this one is mine.

01-25-10, 09:21 PM	#4
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Like BassMojo, I own one of the DS rod (7'2" M) and love it. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of the series after using this rod. I think it's one of the best rods in it's price range. I've also held half a dozen Crucials at the local BPS and while the trigger rods a bit more tip heavy than the DS spinning rods, they are still VERY nice rods. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

01-26-10, 10:52 AM	#5
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	I broke and needed to replace my D/S crucial. This is what I found out. Everyone is out of the Crucial's right now. Shimano went through a lay off and is playing catch up on their supply/vs demand right now. The Crucial spinning rods should be arriving on 4 Feb with the trigger rods arriving a couple of days after that. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

01-26-10, 04:01 PM	#6
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	I have the 6'10" MHXF casting rod. If you need an idea of how sensitive this rod is, picture this: A crisp, 18 degree winter day, beyond numb, frozen hands, even with mitts and a pair of gloves (My buddy was blazing down the lake at about 50 mph... yup, I was practically a popsicle.) My hands were so cold and numb that I couldn't bend my fingers to turn the handle of the crank and hold the rod with the other set (of fingers). We were fishing pretty deep, about 55' down. Despite my frozen hands, I felt the take of a smallie and got excited through mitts and gloves. Now that's sensitivity for you. I didn't land it, unfortunately. It is hard to set the hook when you keep the butt end of the rod near your armpit and the blank on top of your forearm because your right hand can't close to grip the rod, and to compound the situation, to try to retrieve line with the palm of your left hand because you can't even grip the crank's handle. It makes me wonder if the crucial is this sensitive, how much more sensitive the cumaras and cumulous rods are. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

01-25-10, 08:51 PM	#2
Tavery5 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,427	Check out your local Gander Mountain, I was able to recently pick up a couple of Shimano Crucial Rods for 75 ea. They were the CRC-C66M Crankbait rods Med action. They are very light and are IM9 / TC4 blanks and Fuji new concept Alconite guides, seem to be a fine rod to me, matched it up with a Revo SX, a little faster than I like for crankbaits ,but I will make it work. Sorry didnt see you had already checked with you local Gander Mountain.

01-26-10, 07:05 PM	#8
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Ok guys, ya have me sold. Now maybe I can find it on sale between now and ice out!!! Thanks for the feedback.

01-26-10, 08:22 PM	#9
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	Right on! Come on in and join Club Crucial! The water's fine. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

01-26-10, 08:48 PM	#10
Bob Smith BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 1,472	I'm another Crucial fan, I have two of the 7' 2" DS rods, I also have a Dobyns Champion Extreme 7' 4" DS rod, I pick up the Crucials as often as the Dobyns and like them just as much. They have an excellent warranty. Lifetime, no questions asked, no co-payment. Find a reputable dealer and let them send the blank back, in a couple of weeks you get a new rod! simple as that! __________________ Bob Smith a.k.a. "Porko" (vintage Strike King variety!)

02-05-10, 03:36 AM	#11
MN Bass Man BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 34	I've seen them on sale at the Gander Mountain here as well, they have a few 6'6" or 7' MHF. I'd like to try one, But I've already got a Falcon Cara with the same specs that I dearly love, and I'm trying to expand my technique specific selection rather than doubling up right now. They also have the same Cara for the same price, which is a steal I think. With the 25% off the marked price they're all about $75.

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