I can buy the following rods, brand new, for the same price. Im not sure which one I should get and was hoping that some of you could provide some advice based on actually fishing these rods. I fish mostly the heavy baits, I already have a combo that works good for the smaller baits. Any insight would be great. Here are the 3 rods Im looking at:

G-Loomis GL3 965 8' Heavy rated for 2-8 oz baits

Shimano Crucial 7'11" Heavy rated for 5"-8" baits (dang, wish it was rated for ounces)

Shimano Crucial 7'11" Ex Heavy rated for 8"-16" baits

The GL3 is the way to go. I've had mine for about a year now and am very happy with it. It is great for the 12" slammers and the larger baits you will be throwing. I also think it is the perfect hud. rod. I have it paired with a calcutta 400b. This rod really kicks the fishs butt. It even handles larger stripers with no problem. Check out the Butch videos, that is the rod he is using.

Last I checked the GL3 BBR965 ($275) was almost double the Crucials($150, ex-hvy). So if you are paying the same price go with the GL3 BBR 965. The warranty is the same on all three, but G Loomis rates higher in the quality department. And it will be stout enough to handle the big baits.

"I don't keep what I catch. I just stick a barbed hook in its face, yank it gasping from the water, rip the hook out, & then throw it back in, leaving it to wonder what kind of god would allow such a thing."

Indeed, the GL3 is $275, but I can get it brand new half off. You dont always get what you pay for. Price alone does not indicate effectiveness.

i personally would get the crucial XH.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4539/sigcopy1sz.jpg

if you can get all for the same price i think it's a no brainer

Hook me up with that deal...I just broke my Okuma >8(

The Crucial H (8-16") is perfect for the smaller baits like the 3:16 Wake Jr. and 7" Osprey type baits or Hudds even. Nice casts by letting the rod do the work for you so less fatigue.

The XH is a great rod for the bigger baits like the 3:16 Wake Bait (almost 8 ounces) and I like it for the Hudds also depending on the ROF.

You can't go wrong with the Loomis either. I say buy both }(