kschultz76

If it is one of those deals where UPS or someone delivers it to the Post Office and the postal system then delivers it to you....good luck. In my experience tracking those deliveries is useless and frustrating. Twice the tracking had said an it's was delivered to be on Friday but it didn't show up till Monday. But congrats on the new stick! Hopefully your water is soft enough to test drive it soon.

Oh and JapanTackle is taking preorders for $335 right now on the Aldeberan.

Liking that a lot more. That spool doesn't look as shallow either. This is going to make some hard decisions for me. Then again maybe I will just get one of these and a Metanium?

You're right it's closer to the Chronarch/Core 50s then I stated. The 30 yd difference was a comparison to the Metanium.

That's what I thought, and the listed line capacity is about 30yd less then a Chronarch 50.

I'm in the market for another reel, looking for something that will pitch really well and was debating between another Chronarch CI4+, a Metanium, or a Core/Chronarch 50. Seeing the new Aldeberan and the disappearance of the Chronarchs/Cores from BPS site and catalog hoping there's some new options coming out at the classic. Would I be correct to assume the new Aldeberan is more finesse oriented then the Metanium?

Saw two new JDM Shimanos on Japan Tackle tonight listed as new 2015 reels. One is the Metanium DC, the other is an Aldeberan in a 50 frame. The Aldeberan looks like a cross between a smaller Curado I and the Chronarch CI4+. Might hopefully mean some new USDM Shimanos being released soon? http://www.japantackle.com/Shimano/shimano_casting.htm Edit: sorry i just read the 2015 reels post and seems this news maybe already well known.

Do you always photograph your bait? Just kidding of course... Couple of great catches there, I'd happily take a day 5-6 of those. Looks like a great way to break in an awesome new reel. Think I might need to take a day off to get out on the water now...

Don't want to stray too far away on the OP but I'd say my rods are more secure in my kayak then my bass boat. In my kayak all the rods but the one I'm using are secured under my deck rigging, they can't go anywhere. In my bass boat they are out laying on the open deck and unsecured, I don't have a rod locker. Also in my kayak I'm way closer to the water should something go overboard. I'm not too concerned about damaging the rods, I'm cautious about what I do, but all my rods are durable and can survive getting pushed into cover occasionally. Hell even if do an unplanned wet exit my rods are safer then me, bc again they are secured to the deck and my kayak won't sink even full of water. I don't blame anyone else for being nervous about it, I get it. But I view the risk differently.

To the OP after re reading your post if you look at the Orochi XXs and you're really fishing that kind of heavy cover you may well want to consider the Tour Versatile. Also give a call to The Tackle Trap or send them an email and talk to Gary. Gary is experienced and knowledgeable with all the MB rods, if you describe what you'll be doing in what conditions he will guide you on selection. Their customer service is top notch.

Cool. I responded with some ideas on your other thread that I think would be worth you considering.

For what you describe you want to use the rod for the two LTB versions you asked about wouldn't be my recommendation. I have the older 6'6" LTB MH/F rod, it is a stout powerful rod, great for many things but not something I'd want to throw cranks on. If you're looking to invest in one high quality rod that is versatile, and you're open to suggestions you should check out the Megabass Orochi XX Spinnerbait Special. It's a 6'10" MH stick with what MB calls a Med Fast taper. Power wise it's in the same class as the rods you're looking at, with the same lure ratings. However the taper is more forgiving for cranks and moving baits, but still sets up fast enough to set with single hooks. Depending your needs you could also check out the Tour Versatile or new Diablo Spec R. All of them are at the $300 price point. Fit, finish, and build quality on these rods is top notch, just as good as any of my St Croix sticks. In my hands they are as sensitive as I could ask for, but this is a very subjective thing. I personally love how my Spinnerbait Special casts and handles. My only gripe is the hook keepers, the design is a total fail. It bent up then pulled right out of the wraps on me one day. It didn't do any damage to the finish, threads, or epoxy bc of the design. I just put a Fuji e keeper on mine. Good luck!

Are you set on the LTB or open other suggestions?

Great fish, not many feelings better then landing that first fish with a new piece of equipment. And thanks, now I have to go add some Sweet Beavers to my TW order so I can compare them the Strike King Rodents I've been using.

You have to look very closely at the model name of the reel. BPS has in the past sold a combo during sale events that looked and sounded like the Pro Qualifier reel with a Carbonlight rod, for very low price. But the reel itself was slightly different then the Pro Qual with a slightly different name. I also believe another distinguished factor was the "imposter" reel was made in China and not Korea.

I haven't had any personal experience with them, but have read good reviews on the Daiwa Tatula rods. I think there was a write up on one of them on the TackleTour site. Also I see them on BPS's website so if you have one near by like you said you could hopefully check one out in person. Looks like there is a 7'1" and 6'10" that both would be good all purpose jig n worm rods. The St Croix Avids are another proven and popular choice in your price range, and available at BPS. Again if you search reviews there's lots of positive reviews as well as an older review on the TackleTour site, it was during their Creature Fever reviews. I enjoy all my Croix rods including my Avid. You've gotten some great input on other options as well. Good luck.

I will preface my response with the fact that I don't own and never have owned Denali rods. However I've tried them twice while out on a guided trip with a "pro" who is sponsored by them. After trying a few of their rods on his boat I left underwhelmed and unimpressed. There was just nothing there to attract me to ever consider purchasing one. They felt clunky and unnatural to me in hand, and lacked sensitivity. I was so happy that I had taken my own rods along as well. I have St Croix Avids, LTBs, and Extremes, a Dobyns Champ, and MB Orochi XXs. My Dad has St Croix Legend Elites, and old school Loomis GLXs. Those Denalis didn't stand up to any of them. Based on that I feel in the $150+ range there are much better choices out there. Of course that's only my opinion based on two brief experiences.

Thanks for the response. I'm jealous of your X4 and X7! I love my two XX rods, and am looking forward to getting a couple more. While the TV and SS are both rated Med Fast in my hands I feel the TV is closer to Fast and just a more powerful stick. I've been told that the tapers on the XX rods are all a bit faster then their other series bc they were targeting the US angler with them. But MB does say the TV can be used for big spinnerbaits and large crankbaits, so based on that and your input I will try throwing a few other baits on it and see how it performs.@op they are releasing a new rod in the XX series called the Diablo, will be an f5-72 Fast action, might also fit the bill as a great all purpose stick for you. It's likely to be my next purchase once it hits the market.

Have you fished the Tour Versatile? I have it as well as the Spinnerbait Special. For me it really fishes a lot heavier then the Spinnerbait Special, and sets up faster, despite being only one power difference. In my hands the Spinnerbait Special feels to be the more versatile and all purpose. Admittedly I have not tried throwing any treble hook baits on the TV, only jigs, trigs, crigs, and frogs.I'd be interested to hear if you've thrown moving baits on it, And what your experience with has been. Might make me try using it in some other ways

What's your budget? If you can swing $300 I'd recommend you look at a Megabass Orochi XX. Many of the rods in that series are quite versatile due to there unique tapers. Also the cosmetics and finish are top quality, and comparable to my St Croix Legend Xtremes. I'd specifically suggest the Spinnerbait Special as a single rod that can handle stationary hooks like trigged creature baits and jigs, as well as spinnerbaits, squarebills, and top waters. And the sensitivity factor is there, in my hands just as sensitive as my Croix's. May not be the first choice for a dedicated jig rod, but for a jack of all trades hard to beat. The action isn't as moderate as it may sound, plenty crisp/fast to get good hooksets. I've landed 3 lber a on creature baits and a 4lber on a squarebill. My only complaint is the hook keeper design, mine now has a Fuji ezkeeper on it now bc it didn't hold up.

I have both and like both, smoothness of retrieve and cast ability are pretty similar for both. I prefer the lighter weight of the CI4+ as long as it won't make for a tip heavy rod. So if you swing the CI4+ and it will feel balanced on your rod I say go for it.

If you are really going to use a lot of moving or reaction baits with either I'd stick to at least a good Fluorocarbon with some stretch to it over braid. Neither if these rods is a truly moderate taper a line that absorbs some shock will help. I've not thrown any moving baits on the TV, but I'm told it will handle them by Gary at the TTT. I'm sure it would handle big spinnerbaits, chatter baits, swim jigs, small swim baits, even frogs or big top water like spooks. My impression with no practical experience is that bigger cranks would be doable as long as they are heavy enough to cast effectively. It wouldn't be my first choice for smaller lighter cranks. In a pinch and occasionally the SS will def take weights over 1/2 oz, the rod will handle. I'm just saying if you fished those weights 75% of the time or more may not be your first choice. After rereading your OP my gut says the SS or EMTF is where you want to be with a slight nod to the SS for reaction baits. If you check out Tackle Tour's rod section they did a write up on the SS. Again before you pull the trigger I highly recommend you look up The Tackle Trap and talk to Gary. Super nice guy, no pressure, and he will help you pick out the MB that best suits your needs. Hope that helps and good luck.

Kickerfish has some good time with the EMTF so I'd value his input. I have the Spinnerbait Soecial and it is a unique rod that seems will be very versatile. I've had it since October so I've not fished it a ton, but have enjoyed it. I've so far tried it with jigs, trigs, weightless Senkos, couple squarebills, and a Spinnerbait. The blank seems forgiving enough to handle the fight with treble hooks, but braid might not be ideal for this. I also just got a Tour Versatile, just as beautiful and immaculate build as the Spinner Bait. It is without a doubt a more powerful rod that sets up faster and a stiffer backbone. They are both medium fast actions but they don't feel the same to me. Caveat is I've only been able to cast and pitch a jig a few times with it testing it. I did try a weightless Senko on it, and the SS handles that better. In my opinion as long as you aren't consistently fishing a total weight of 1/2 or heavier, and not in super thick heavy cover the SS will suit your needs better and be more forgiving over the TV. If you're really in the heavy cover often, or primarily looking to fish heavier then 1/2oz TW normally the heavier TV would be more appropriate. Also fwiw the SS is a lighter rod in the hand and balances perfectly with a CI4 Chronarch. It has that weightless sensation to it. The TV is heavier in hand, still balances well but just not as perfectly for me as the SS. I can't compare to any other MB rods as I only own these two. I've heard the SS and EMTF compared favorably especially in the versatility category. The length of the EMTF precluded me from going that route. I selected my MB rods with the help of Gary at The Tackle Trap, I highly recommend you call them up before making your purchase. Gary has a ton of time on the water with all the Orochi XX rods and can really help you dial in your selection. The service from TTT is top notch. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

I'm not always a Loomis fan but for the same money Id take the IMX over the Rage. As someone else said if the comparison was to an Avid it would be harder to decide, and if it was an LTB even harder. But that IMX was probably close to 2x the price of the Rage originally.

Sorry I'm in a different camp here. Maybe it's only a cosmetic issue, but it's a brand new rod and shouldn't have any flaws cosmetic or otherwise. I say exchange it for a rod that is perfect as it should be brand new. Settling for flawed brand new products only encourages manufacturers to produce less then perfect products. I recently went through this with another manufacturer with two different samples of the same rod from their top tier lineup. The shop I was dealing with was just as disappointed as me and agreed the issues on a brand new product weren't acceptable. They let me exchange for another rod from a different manufacturer, that rod was absolutely perfect and flawless and performs just as well. Regardless of price point you deserve a product that is flawless brand new, less expensive may mean its built with less expense components and matierals; it shouldn't mean its built with less quality and care.