The Shimano Crucial Story

[Mojo]

Who has owned a fishing rod so purpose spec built that you don't care about anything else except must have another one ? This is how I feel with the Shimano Crucial Rod. I'm endeared to it because the line / hook combo with my Stradic lets me fish with unconscious confidence  8 years now, with this as my go to favorite technique for Bass. However there is one problem folks. It breaks.  A lot. I mean ......... A lot.

I first was turned on to the med 6'8" back in 2007 by Yukon Brohon Jack. Everything was going fine until it snapped in 2012. Using the 'over the counter BPS warranty' I got another one. Within 3 months though, it snapped. I soon noticed after 2 years that these things were twigs !!!! 6 returns !!!! After some digging I learned in 2011 they switched blanks. Thank God for the over the counter rod replacement.

Well- while waiting for the replacements,  I needed a back up.  I tried a 7'2" Crucial, didn't love it. Tried a St. Croix Avid, seemed to have tube fish unbutton using the same line, reel, hook, but when I switched back to the crucial, no more fish lost. Had a custom rod built, all of these designed to be my 'back up rod' when the Crucial would snap. Nothing was as effective, Last year, Shimano changed their Lifetime warranty to a 1 year warranty. SO if you have a rod built before June 2014, you can get it replaced. If it is after that you have 1 year.

With all that said, here is my story of a GREAT SERVICE from Shimano. In my first BFL this year, while snapping a tube out of weeds, guess what else went snap. Yup, I goofed around and finally sent it in the mail with their downloaded form, NO MONEY REQUIRED, and a note explaining that I needed it back by June 28th for our next TX. Like I said, I waited before I shipped it out (keep your tubes below 60 inches to pay just $9 postage), it arrived to Shimano June 26th. .............. Guess what arrived June 28th ? yup ! My brand new rod !! So hats off to Shimano. They still have good support !

Epilogue: Someday, this rod will break. I found a super back up that I've been using. Of all things, its the spinning Razr Rod 7'0" C15 Spybait. This is performing lights out now on both techniques - C15 blank. Because I have this blank in a bait caster, this guy has found something pretty slick on spybaits so I think I am set when I finally run out of warranty !! I was, IMHO, a great run.

[Waterfoul]

I like my Crucials too (I have 6 or 8 of them).  Have broken a few over the years too.  I absolutely LOVE my Cumara's though.  Don't seem any more durable though as I've broken a few of them over the years as well.  I love my DS Cumara so much that I actually keep a spare in the basement.  Haven't had to use it in over 2 years now... so no more warranty.

[Mojo]

I like my Crucials too (I have 6 or 8 of them).  Have broken a few over the years too.  I absolutely LOVE my Cumara's though.  Don't seem any more durable though as I've broken a few of them over the years as well.  I love my DS Cumara so much that I actually keep a spare in the basement.  Haven't had to use it in over 2 years now... so no more warranty.

depends. The ones built before june 2014 can be returned. check your broken ones numbers versus the warranty on their website. you'll get returns.

[Waterfoul]

I'm actually a Shimano dealer... so trust me I push the warranty out right to the extreme limit!!   

[Mojo]

Well, pass this story along and up the chain. Let em know I really appreciated this. (Even if they aren't my sponsor lol )