kschultz76

Depends on your intended lures types and weights, type/how heavy cover, and budget. Given they are feel techniques where sensitivity counts buy the best you can afford, but truly what you can afford. You can be successful with something modest compared to what the hardcore enthusiast crowd may buy. If you give us some more details we can provide more specific advice.

Look at the Megabass Orochi XX Tour Versatile... I think it's worth a look for your. I find it to be a comfortable versatile heavy powered rod and have used it for many techniques you have listed. I haven't used it to its full potential yet, but it also is supposed to handle big spinnerbaits, big cranks as well. I also fish a lot of St Croix and love them, but find I like the heavier powered Orochi XX rods more then heavy powered St Croix's.

Thanks for the feedback, that tells me I'm looking in the right place. Sounds like the 873 might be the ticket, especially need to get an NRX that has a wide range of abilities for bottom contact because I may only afford to ever get one. How do you feel about comfort of the grip/reel seat? Loos a lot like the previous Shimano Crucials and current Compres but with cork.

That's why I got the Spec R for 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 jigs plus trailers, similar trigs, and chatterbaits, swim jigs, rage toads... I felt like the TV was just a little too heavy to be comfortable under that 3/8 threshold.

I'm choosing between the 853, 854, and 873 to be a dedicated bottom contact rod. Def gonna go blue, I actually the look of them and the raw blank. I keep flipping between going NRX or some other ultra high end factory rod and a custom. Just afraid I really don't know enough about what I truly like or need in a jig rod to go custom yet.

Congrats I'm getting ready to pick out and get my first NRX I think.

I have the DSR and JS, they are great choices. The JS is a LOT of fun for jerkbaits, top water, and small 1/4 and 3/8 cranks. DSR is also a joy to fish with. The Perfect Pitch is next on my list to purchase.

The XX rods are flat out awesome and compare very well sensitivity wise to my St Croix Legend Xtreme rods. X2 on what Kickerfish1 said about contacting Gary at the Tackle Trap for help, he will absolutely steer you in the correct direction. That said here's my two cents, for the weight jigs you primarily throw, and especially if you throw them into any cover they will recommend the Perfect Pitch. I've not handled it but talked to Gary about it quite a bit. I e been told it is very well balanced and has the most traditionally fast taper of any of the XX lineup and is the best dedicated jig rod in the lineup. I've read and heard that the EMTF isn't ideally suited for fishing jigs over 1/2 oz but Kickerfish has experience with that rod and has weighed in so I'd consider his feedback. The Xheavy Jig and Work also seems to meet your specs, but I've been told the Perfect Pitch does all the same things, some better, and is more balanced. I have the Diablo and so far love it. I think it is and will be one of my favorite rods. I got to be more of a dedicated jig and worm rod for lighter jigs/trigs in moderate cover. Gary helped me confirm it would work well for my needs and it's still versatile enough to do all the things Kickerfish listed for the EMTF and even throw lipless and squarebills in a pinch. Unfortunately I haven't had a ton of on water time with because my we just had a baby and I'm not fishing much. Some have said its just a touch not moderate then the EMTF. Some have said its taper is more like the Spinnerbait Special but having both I totally disagree, the SS is def in more moderate, has a softer tip and a bit less power in my hands. I'm not sure if the Diablo would handle the 3/4 oz jigs too well, for that weight I'd definitely pick up my Tour Versatile. The TV is another 7' rod you may want to consider that has the power to meet your needs. I use it for Carolina rigs, frogs, heavier trigs/jigs, and heavier cover fishing with success. I love my XX rods and I'm sure one of them will suit your needs if you want to try them. The build quality and finish are too notch and as good as they come. You may want to ask Gary about and look into the Jackson Rods Super Trickster series, The Tackle Trap is the first US distributor if these JDM rods and. I've read some great things about them. I believe they have a couple 7' or 6'10" rods that may suit your needs. Good luck and let us know what you end up with and how you like it. Oh and fair warning...you can't own just 1 Megabass rod.

I think the Bait Monkey smells blood in the water, look out... Warning once you buy one Megabass...you'll want to own them all.

You will have no problems setting the hook on those baits with the EMTF or the Diablo Spec R, both have plenty of power. And since you like an action on the slower side of fast they will suit you will. I'd think the Perfect Pitch would be too powerful and too fast for you based on what I know of it. I set the hook on a 4/0 VMC heavy EWG rigged with a KVD rodent and 3/8 tungsten no problem with Spinnerbait Special and it is more moderate and just a bit less power then the Diablo or EMTF. I personally don't worry about the warranty. 3 years is plenty of time for manufacturer issues to show up and be resolved, and I've heard good things about their service. I also buy all my MB rods from The Tackle Trap who offer outstanding support and are willing to help you get service from the manufacturers they deal with. Other longer warranties beyond that are awesome but they're really service plans to cover your own mishaps and you generally pay to use them. X3 on contacting Gary at The Tackle Trap for input and to purchase. Gary has a lot of on water time with the Orochi and knows the high end rod business. He will help you dial in your selection on the EMTF or Diablo or any other rod. Update us on how it goes!

My only experience with Loomis rods is using my fathers older GLX and GL3 rods which were all bought before the redesign, some of them back in 1996. They are all great rods and have served him well. I've read similar reviews and consensus seems to be that for the money the new IMX don't live up to their previous reputation and don't compete well with other rods in the price range. That's again all here say that I've read. What you do get with Loomis is a made in USA quality product with outstanding support/warranty options. I'm not as big a Dobyns fan as many others, but have limited experience with them. The only one I still have is a Champ 703c and it balances great and is plenty sensitive. Between Dobyns and Loomis though I think I'd take a shot at a Loomis, look for a rep sample GLX. For my money in your price range I'd be getting a St Croix or Megabass. You stated you don't like truly fast or ex fast actions, great thing about Megabass Orochi XX rods is they aren't as fast as some other domestic rods which makes them more versatile.

Ton of great options in your price range...St Croix Avid and LTB, Dobyns, Loomis, Shimano. I love my St Croixs and think they'd serve you well. But another great option at the top of your price range is the Megabass Orochi XX rods...for your application the Extreme Mission Type F or Diablo Spec R would be good options as long as your hook + plastic is getting you at or over 3/8 total weight.

Perfect that is exactly what I was trying to find out. Sounds like if the Avid doesn't work out for some reason the GL2 785 will perform well. The 1.5s are 3/8 oz so if you're tossing fat free shad and 3/8 lipless it should do well with 1.5s. Thanks very much for helping me out.

Any input on how it handles lighter lures like KVD 1.5 squarebills, mid sized squarebills and mid depth divers? Not being familiar with the GL2s and Loomis powers I was afraid it would be too much rod for an all purpose cranking rod. Appreciate any feedback you can share. Thanks

Thanks to all who responded. I took the chance and pulled the trigger on the Avid available on eBay, hopefully it arrives brand new as advertised. After spending 40 minutes casting all kinds of cranks with Legend Xtreme MHM today I decided it was the best bet counting my experience. I think I may have to take a chance and check out a KLX for myself sometime soon though.

I tried ordering from them. They don't have it in stock and when the contacted St Croix to get it they have discontinued the 66 models and are out of stock as well. Tried 3 different retailers who still list it online but same story.

Thanks I will go check out, but always leery of using eBay to get something as a gift. That Avid was the first choice bc I have the 7'2" Legend Xtreme MHM with recoils and love it. I've been really hesitant to pull the trigger on the GL2 knowing in most respects the Avid is a much better rod.

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Unfortunately anything longer then about 6'8" is out, the person this is for just isn't comfortable with longer rods and no point in getting something they won't enjoy.

Searched around a good bit on the internet and had a hard time finding any reviews or feedback on this so hoping someone here can chime in. As a gift for someone I'm looking to get a good quality crankbait rod that is under 7' in length. The person it is for just is completely uncomfortable with rods over about 6'8". I know that reduces the pool of options available. I'm looking for good general purpose crankbait rod that will handle squarebills, lipless, and up to middepth cranks (~12 ft). If it can handle other duties like some larger topwater or deeper cranks that's great too. I expect mostly he will use it for baits over 3/8 oz like KVD 2.5s, XCS 100s, Arashi's, Redeye shads, etc maybe 1.5's if it can toss them. I know there will be compromises, but this person has no rods that are really appropriate for cranks today. Initially I wanted to get the Avid AVC66MHM but St Croix has discontinued and no one seems to have one on a shelf anywhere I can find. So I've found a few candidates so far, and based on what I've read I'm leaning towards a Loomis GL2 785C. Here's the options I've put together: GL2 784C rated 3/8-3/4oz 10-20 lb GL2 785C rated 3/8-1oz 10-20 lb Dobyns Champ 684cb graphite rated 1/4-3/4 oz 8-17 lb Dobyns Champ 685cb graphite rated 1/4-1 oz 8-17 lb (TW lists as 1/4- 1 1/4oz) Kistler KLX Crank,Rip, Twitch 6'9" MH MF 1/4-1oz 10-17lb (concerned about all the customer service issues I've heard of) Would appreciate any feedback folks can provide on how these rods handle, and if any one of them would be best suited to being an all purpose crankbait rod under 7'. Thanks!

Based on my experience with I would say the Spinnerbait Special. I love it for squarebills, lipless, and spinnerbaits. Another option would be the Diablo, but it feels a bit faster and a bit more powerful then the Spinnerbait in my hands. I also have the TV and the the Jerkbait Special. I'm really enjoying the Jerkbait Special for jerkbaits, top water, lighter smaller cranks, it's just a lot of fun to fish and it or the Spinnerbait special will even handle smaller finesse jigs and light weight trigs. The regular taper on the JS is definitely more parabolic, the Spinnerbait is still on the fast side of moderate making it really versatile. I've successfully used the Spinnerbait special with jigs and 3/8 trig creatures in cover and landed fish, but also landed 4 and 5 lb fish on squarebills no problem. If you look at my old posts I think I posted some pics comparing the action of the Spinnerbait and Diablo. And as always Gary at The Tackle Trap can help you out too. Let us know what u decide and how you like it once you get it.

Might get some better responses if you fill us in on what lure weights and techniques you plan on using with the rod. I have a St Croix LTB 6'6" ML/F, and as others have said it fishes about a 1/2 power heavier then other manufacturers ML ratings. Those ratings vary widely, with no set standard, and are very subjective. I find looking at lure weight and line ratings a better way to compare rods and find what fits my needs. I like the rod a lot, it has a soft light action to cast lightweight lures and have a lot of feel, but still a great backbone for a lighter rod. Like Cgrinder I have a Triumph in the rack as well and for the price range think its a good rod.

I have both the 1001xt and CI4+. I have a lot more time on the water with the CI4+. For most any general purpose use I'd to for the CI4+. I find it more refined, smoother, better feeling of power, and tighter tolerances. I've had my CI4+ reels cleaned/tuned by DVT and now they are killer. I also find them super comfortable. So far I do enjoy the 1001xt and love the small profile, and likely don't have enough experience with it yet. But I don't feel it has any advantages over the CI4+ at this point other then size and price.

Look at the Cabelas Advanced Angler bags. I have the magnum and just got the super magnum so I could expand my tackle capacity. Great bags, lots of organization possibilities, extremely durable. I can't comment on the Browning bag but the Cabelas are another great option.

Try contacting Gary at The Tackle Trap, no one or shop out there better to do business with.

Lighter squarebills like the kid 1.5s get thrown on my Orochi XX Jerkbait Special with a Chronarch CI4+ spooled with pline floroclear 12lb. Larger squarebills like the 2.5s, Arashi 3 or 5, etc I love tossing with my Orochi XX Spinnerbait Special also with a Chronarch CI4+, usually Sniper 14 lb these days. If the Spinnerbait Special is pulling other duty I will also throw them on my St Croix Legend Xtreme 7'2" MHM paired with Curado I. All reels are 6.x:1 ratio. I just love how that Spinnerbait Special handles and casts, it's a dream. Landed a close to 5lb smallish on that rod with n Arashi 3 with no problem keeping him pinned, the rod just absorbed the endless surges and runs along with the drag on the Chronarch.