TimTheGearNerd

Recently, I got into throwing 6 in swimbaits and a-rig on a 7ft XXH rod. I’ve been preferring 20# copoly or Flouro over 30# braid with leader. I know the braid cast further and I have less risk of line breaking from bird nest but for me, braid will bird nest once and become a nightmare. The line starts to dig into itself and I get a ton of break off on cast from Braid getting stuck. I think I spool the braid correctly. I put a ton of tension on the braid when spooling up. For my heavy casting lures I’m choosing not to use braid. I feel better about casting a copoly line harder too since I won’t have this braid line getting stuck in spool problem. Anyone else run into this situation?

This topic is still relevant! Zillion is still great value but if we’re talking about JDM, I can’t see how the Zillion beats out the Bantam or the scorpion DC. Both shimanos are cheaper on Digitaka.

I don’t own one but I’ve always wanted to try it out. I would totally be down to own one! Couple things happen over past few years which led to my never buying one. Some time around when the new reel came out I had a job that had policy which paid for a steez A. This was basically a more expensive made in Japan version of the zillion reel. I also ended up getting spinning reels and a Conquest BFS from Japan. I already have a solid line up. Between the Curado K, Bantam, Met MGL, and OG tatula and OG zillion, T3 SV. I never found a place for the new zillion. Based on the steez A and my T3 SV, I think the zillion would be good for moving baits and the mag breaks would be great for changing out lures often and SV spools super easy to use especially if it’s windy. For heavy stuff and frogging I like the core solid design on Shimano. I also find, I cast farther with Shimano stuff. I hope you get one and Share your thoughts.

I had the stradic ci4+ then it was sacrificed it to the lake gods. Both old Vanford and the new Vanford was discounted so I got both. I can’t say what the differences were from the old ci4+. It was a great reel. Between the two Vanford, both 2500, I don’t think anyone will notice the difference unless it’s side by side. The new Vanford was a bit quieter and to my eyes the level wind was a bit slower so the line layer a bit better. there was also lower inertia so starting and stopping required less effort but again. I don’t think it’s noticeable especially when I’m just drop shotting or doing finesse presentation. I kept the new because it was the latest and greatest and I got a discount. Otherwise, functionally , you’d get a great reel in the old Vanford and save 100 bucks with the old model.

I found my people here. I have to confess the bait monkey has been running wild this year. just to name a few and the deal that made the Bait Monkey perk up. Calcutta conquest BFS - from digitaka when yen was low savings $200 Dobyn’s Sierra BFS -trade in deal at Dobyn’s. Savings $100 p5 tequila baccarac -ship from Japan savings $ 150 Kistler chromium -got that sale savings $200 expride 7’3 XH -Alf crazy pricing savings $100 expride 7’2 ML -bait monkey said, replace the rod that was sacrificed to the lake gods. No savings. Vanford FA -found a price match. Saved $50 bucks. orochi XX jerkbait special. -got that recent deal savings $100 Just thinking about these combos made me smirk. Nothing to see here I guess. Just a guy with more combos than space. Carry on.

I don’t do tournaments. Collecting gear is fun and I like to try out the products out there. I lose count but I think I have at least 15 combos. The high end stuff in the $300-500 range keeps their value better if you get it used. ?

I’m surprised no one has used both rods and added some insight. I’ve been contemplating the same purchase. I’m leaning towards expride B due to weight and rumored sensitivity. I have other dobyns and I like them overall. With sales coming up for dobyns. Those two rods are basically the same price. maybe the dobyns FB group has opinions on this.

I have the 50e. I still love that reel. Its good looking cast great and palms great. I’m always looking to pick up another or a core 50

I need some ideas I recently broke a cranking stick and now I have to rethink how to set up my combos to not replace the rod. How would you mix and match these rod and reels? Reels Daiwa T3 6:1 10# Flouro Daiwa T3 7:1 20# Flouro Daiwa TDZ Zillion 7:1 15# Big game Mono Shimano Chronarch MGL 7:1 20# FLouro Daiwa Tatula 6:1 30# braid Shimano Bantam mgl 8:1 50# Braid Shimano Metanium 6:1 14# fc sniper Daiwa Steez a 6:1 14# fc sniper Rods Megabass Daemos 7’3 mh modfast Dobyns champ 7’3 735 cb glass Falcon bucoo 7’ medium (I have two of these) fast action Pfluger 6’6 medium fast Falcon lowrider 6’10 mh fast Abu vendetta 6’6 medium fast Dobyns Champ 7’3 736c heavy fast Techniques 1/4 oz chatterbait 1/4 oz spinner bait squarebill 1.5 3.5 in paddle tail like the reaction innovation Little Dipper with a light jig head Weightless texas rig plastic Top water like popper and whopper plopped 1/4 oz rattle trap 5xd 10-15 ft cranks. Any ideas are welcomed. I’m on a yak fishing heavy vegetation so I bump up one reel speed usually and go a little heavier to break through grass.

Metanium because of preference. reel is a little more fussy but casts further, I prefer the shape in hand. Steez A 2 is nice and drama free but just missing that fun factor for me. I like reels. This might be better for salt though.

I have been using both rods for a few months now. I basically keep a chatterbait on my glass rod and the Daemos has a swim bait tied on which it’s great for. I don’t really feel like Megabass has a great warranty so I’m more careful with my MB rods. I rather get a bunch of dobyns but I do think the Daemos is a very enjoyable toy.

I really liked the violent shaking. When the shaking stops I pop the lure which is either a bass or triggers the bass. I didn’t realize this is a feature of glass rods but I’m a fan.

If you can find a used made in USA 7’ medium falcon bucoo those are excellent for megabass vision 110 bait.

Congrats man good things came your way for sure !

OP, I am in your camp that that the single best/ most expensive rod one owns makes much more sense if it’s the one you use the most. If I’m going to spend the most money on a single set up, logic tells me I should get the most enjoyment out of it, after all, fishing is a hobby for me. This logic should apply to any hobby, not limited to fishing. If I try to consider the other perspective however, I can see the reasoning as, your favorite gear and technique doesn’t necessarily need to cost the most. Considering which rods are the most sensitive for bottom contact, those are generally the most expensive. I think it’s generally assumed that increasing cost equal increasing sensitivity, most relevant for bottom contact. The group likely believes any rod less expensive compared to a steez or an NRX cannot achieve the same or greater level of sensitivity. I mean, I wouldn’t get too worked up either way just like I wouldn’t fully trust a fish tail. My favorite set up is not the best or most expensive. Just a KLX with a T3 SV, a reel that everyone seems to hate. My most used is a spinning set up because drop shot always catches fish in a pinch ?

For OP, I do frog first then punch second. I use dobyns champ XP 736 with 2022 shimano bantam 8:1 speed if you’re on a boat, step up to a 7’6 for punching big thick stuff. I also own the Dobyns Extreme HP 745 I like it for under 1 oz. If you’re throwing 3/4+ oz weight most of the time, I’d say Step up to 746.

Clutter is the biggest problem for me when trying to enjoy fishing. I’ve enjoyed fun fishing so much more when its me, a rod and a pack of senkos. I started this hobby/addition 10+ years ago. Some years I get a bunch of gear through a work stipend for hobbies. When I can’t be out fishing, obsessing about the gear is another hobby in itself. After a while, the stuff just accumulates.

On the yak I typically bring 5 rods for a half day trip. It’s generally all the techniques I’d get to. A spinning for finesse and drop shot. a cranking/chatter set up a bottom contact jig combo a senko set up and maybe something for top water or punching depending on the trip. Lately I’ve looked at my collection and find that I have over a dozen combos for different techniques but always want more. I just want to try more brands and variations. There are so many rods and reels to try. Not sure how you folks with 30+ set ups actually make it through them all but I fear I may join this club soon enough. ? case and point, I’ve been hearing how great the NRX 873 is. I wonder how much more balanced is it vs my 894. I wonder if p5 Destroyer rods are really better than Exprides.

Hey man, hang in there. Things are going to get better. The fishing gods are going to give you a state record. Looks like you already have a few good PB with the 5, 8, and 10. That’s got to be like at least a 100# bag. Maybe good things are coming your way.

This thread has me interested in getting one. I was eyeing the 7’2 MH as well, seems like a great deal. Maybe one of you guys will buy it, hate it, and dump it on the flea market for me ? for a steal! The only thing that stopped me was hearing that the new Expride B are slightly more sensitive. If I didn’t already have double of all the MH rods, I would have snapped this up just to see what all the expride love was about. Doesn’t seems like there is any better 200 dollar medium heavy rod out there now. I really like watching the Punchfishing videos but one warning for the yak fisherman. Since I fish from a yak and have purchased several rods that Punch recommends I think I have to adjust all his recommendation and get one power higher. If he says the Daemos and the expride are similar, then I think the expride can barely do Texas rig and bottom contact. The Daemos cannot do bottom contact for me at all, doesn’t have enough power to set the hook through plastics.

Man I love those old Daiwa reels. Those heavy metal parts translates to a nice analogue feel. My old Daiwa reels are still some off my favorite. Those huge heavy main gears have great momentum, almost feels like the handles turn themselves. Great finds .

I’m having the same problem. It’s still relatively spreadable and dries clear. If you have good results. Please report back.

Just got back throwing some bottom contact presentations on both rods. It definitely doesn’t make sense to have a Texas rig on the glass rod, the Daemos is slightly more sensitive but nothing impressive.

@softwateronly, I’m on same page as you. I have a few Dobyns Champs (734c, 736c) and a champ extreme 745 for dragging. Dobyns rods always have great balance but it’s not even close when it comes to sensitivity. My NRX and my old Kistler KLX is way better. I was just confused by what I discovered about the Daemos. I’m curious whether a bottom contact presentations might flip the script on the two rods. I’ll tie on a tungsten t-rig and see what happens later today. The glass rod should feel like a limp noodle ? but I’ll let you know.

I can’t believe the Dobyns Champion dc735cb glass was so much better than the Daemos for chatterbait. Both had 3/8 oz chatter with Yamamoto zako tied on. I think total weight is about .75oz Rod: Dobyns Dc735cb glass 7’3” Reel: Daiwa Steez A 6:1 Line: 14# fc sniper flouro Rod: Megabass Destroyer Daemos 7’2” Reel: 2020 Shimano Metanium 6:1 Line: 12# invisix flouro The dobyns felt heftier with the glass and the bulkier steez A but for some reason, I felt the chatterbait blade much more on this set up. The Daemos on the other hand felt weightless in hand which was awesome but for some reason, despite being a fully graphite blank, I hardly felt the blade at all. Isn’t graphite expected to be more sensitive ? Not sure what’s the cause for the difference in feel but there is a huge price difference between the rods so I would have expected more out of the Megabass at almost twice the retail price. I was mainly out playing around with my new Steez A and for fun tired on different colored chatterbaits to see if the bass had a preference. I just felt very little from the Daemos on retrieve but the Dobyns was vibrating like crazy using the same exact zman Chatterbait. I typically use the Daemos on swim bait, dark sleeper, swim jigs but I’m a bit surprised at the finding. Anyone else have experience with Megabass rods? Are Megabass destroyers over hyped or are Dobyns champions just punching above its weight class?