kschultz76

I'm personally inclined to believe the MB rep that these are a scratch build for the USDM market just like the XX line up was. With MB being a global brand, and MB already distributing JDM products like the X4s in the US there's really no sense in rebadging the Hyuga and not just bringing it over as is.

Maybe not all Eva is created equal, but I've tried a couple Eva grips and just don't like how it feels in hand and have found them more slippery then cork. Especially a Shimano Comre I tried recently. After several outings with it I returned it.

Looks like they're going to be split grip with Eva, but a very comfy looking reel seat. Just saw some pics.

X2 that's just an awesome blank for weightless senkos.

I'm interested to see what MB does at this price point. If they want to compete they've got to be high performing quality builds with good components. This is a highly competitive price point. I'm hoping they'll be cork grips, but I'm also assuming at 199 they'll be Eva.

Plenty of competitive options in your price range. Trying using the search or browsing older threads, there have been a bunch of discussions on rods in this price range in the last few weeks. Also if you like St Croix and can deal with the handle/seat design they had their Rage rods on close out in their Bargain Room online for $99 each.

Two rods I suggest that with a sale or rebate come close to your budget: 1. St Croix Avid 7' MHM crank rod, a true mod taper if that's what you're looking for, will throw all cranks down a KVD 1.5 or 3/8 oz. 2. Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch 6'9" or 7' MH. I just got the 6'9" and am very impressed with the quality of the blank, overall build quality, balance, and action of the blank. It is a mod fast, and more on the fast side of that spectrum. Great taper for squarebills around cover. I've only had it a week though, but was highly recommended by others. Kistlers less expensive Magnesium TS and Carbon Steel lines have similar power actions I've heard good things about but haven't seen or used myself. Kistler is also running a 15% off over 99 and 25% off orders over 299 right now. And Gander Mtn had a $30 or $40 rebate off St Croix rods, not sure if they still do. The St Croix is also an awesome rod with a great warranty and customer service backing. I have the Legend Xtreme version with recoil guides and love it, and got my Dad the 6'6" Avid version which he also loves. You can't go wrong with the Avid.

I'm sure with the right spinning rods the OP could cover those techniques, but not sure 1 all purpose spinning rod will do it all well for them.

Welcome to the forum, hopefully you learn a lot and don't go broke. Sorry to say though that the techniques you've listed are 3 different rods for me, and the only technique there I throw on spinning gear is the Senko. For me a favorite all purpose spinning rod is my St Croix Avid 6'6" M/F though and could throw the Senkos, small little cranks, the really small pond spinnerbaits, and smaller top water poppers. My favorite spinning rod so far is my St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF but it's a bit more specialized in my view. If you're looking for a good deal St Croix has their Rage rods on sale for $99 each in their Bargain Room online which are built using the same graphite material as the Avid but made in Mexico and use a different handle design and guide train. It's a step above the Mojo in their product line if you can deal with the handle design. I throw squarebills, spinnerbaits, and frogs all on casting gear. I can and do use the same rod for squarebills and spinnerbaits. Frogging is done on a heavier rod though. Hope that helps!

Also look at. Shimano Scorpion 1000xt from Japan Lure Shop and slap a set of PGII knobs on it!

Between me and my father we have 5 Shimano spinning reels in service with no issues. 2 FJs, 1 CI4, 2 CI4+'s. I'd swap it for an exchange before giving up if you like the reel.

X2

I think a couple different Avid or Avid X models would work well - 6'8" m/XF, 7' M/F, 7'1" MH/XF. My primary rod for 5" senkos even in some brush and cover is my Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF spinning rod and love it. I've also got the LTB casting 6'8" m/XF and have also used it for senkos with success. For a cheap bargain you get a Rage or two from the bargain room online if you don't mind the handles, they're $99 right now. The M/F will be the most versatile. In Megabass if you want something different and JDM you could look at the Diablo Spec R or EMTF in the Orochi XX line. I recently got a Kistler KLX crank rod and am thus far very impressed. I've not used any of their jig/worm action rods, but would consider one based on the KLX I have and recommendations of others.

The President is a good reel to start with. If you're interested in a St Croix rod go visit their Bargain Room on their website and look at the Rage. Made with their SCIII graphite, same material as the Avid, that will give you better feel/sensitivity. And they're selling them for $99 so will cost you less then a retail Mojo for a better blank. If you're fishing all single hook baits like soft plastics that 6'8" M/XF is awesome, and the Rage series has that model. However the only treble hooks I'd personally throw with it are top water and Jerkbait and only with mono for some shock absorption. For a more versatile rod that will handle a lot stick to their 7'1' Rage M/F spinning model. I would also suggest that you look for a good deal on a clearance Stradic FJ 2500 as they're being replaced. At one point Cabelas had them for $125. But if you find a good deal on a Stradic and get the Rage you've got a heck of a combo in your budget. Other good reels in your budget are the Shimano Symetre and the Daiwa Lexa, I've not used them but read good feedback from other users.

On sorry I forgot a out the 6' length requirement. Good luck!

Thanks for the solidarity, glad I'm not the only fisherman on here who experiences calamity. When I did it I looked around to make sure no one was watching, could have been a bloopers episode on Bill Dance show.

Good call, Clarus has that vss reel seat. Also the Pinnacle Perfecta uses it as well. So does Powell Diesel, or a similar seat anyway. All the Dobyns rods. Falcon Cara T7 and Lowrider. So if you spend some time looking around plenty of options.

And you left out the most important part...did you catch anything?!?!

I think he wants a cork grip and a reel seat that has cork covering the graphite, that's what the Fenwick has. The St Croix like many rods just has exposed graphite. OP the other option I just stupidly realized is to look at rods with the VSS spinning reel seat, like the Avix X. Will still have the exposed graphite threads and hood but its got more cork to hold.

Sounds like operator error, for your own safety I'm going to have to insist you pack that rod and reel up and send it to me. In fact to be safe you'd better send all your fishing gear to me and take up chess instead. Something to keep an eye out for in the future, lest that bobber stop get hung up enough it causes that weight to come flying back at you and your rod. Thanks for sharing and reminding us we are all human and do silly things on the water sometimes! Last week I was bank fishing, testing out a new rod, on the backswing my trailing treble hook grabbed the leaf of a small bush and on the acceleration of my cast my spool exploded into what can only be described as a new world record in birds nests. To add insult to injury after cutting it out and getting the spool straightened out as I restrung my rod I forgot to run the line through the level wind guide on my reel. But I sure knew it after the first cast.

I don't think anyone else makes that type of grip, except maybe some of the older G Loomis series. There are some using a reel seat that has a rubberized bump on top for your hand, but not cork.

Sorry for the double post. Stupid iPhone.

I tried using some 4 and 6lb test for thought last year and hated, snapped off if I looked at it funny and twisted awful. This was the fluorocarbon coated stuff. Much prefered Invizix or trilene xl

I tried using some 4 and 6lb test for thought last year and hated, snapped off if I looked at it funny and twisted awful. This was the fluorocarbon coated stuff. Much prefered Invizix or trilene xl

Did you try backing off the spool tension and ensuring the spool is fully seated, then try again? I know it seems obvious and you probably did, but worth mentioning.