SNK

Thanks for the responses guys. I did drop a line to Gary and am waiting on a response. If anyone still has some insight on this rod, or have experienced what others have said, please continue to let me know your thoughts.

Pondering this rod for 3/8 oz jigs + trailer (5/8 oz total weight). I want to try out a megabass rod and am looking for advice from any who have had any experience with the Diblo spec r. What type of tip would you describe it as having? Hows the sensitivity and backbone of the rod? (Currently fish 13envy black rods for my bottom contact baits, and I like rods in the 7 to 7-3 length. Moderate cover at best.)

I research everything and look for reviews by those experienced with the product, whether it be rod, reel, line, or lure. Not to say I have not made an impulse buy from time to time...no account bait monkey. I for one try to match my gear as far as looks are concerned, but does not always happen, performance outweighs looks most of the time.

Braid - any of my bottom contact baits, with or without a mono or fluoro leader Mono - Most of my moving baits, such as spinner baits, crankbaits, and paddletail swimbaits. Also backing for the braid.

Probably a dumb question, but would there be any sensitivity issues if I went with a mono line (thinking McCoy Mean Green) for leader material connected to braid? I am guessing as long as I have a semi-tight or tight line, I should not see a difference as compared to straight braid? I am planning on trying HI-vis braid (yellow) this upcoming season and want to use a leader. Would prefer using mono and not fluoro because of cost and especially if there would be no adverse affects to sensitivity.

About what I figured about the sales, thanks for the response. 5.8 seems a bit heavy, but it is a 7'5" rod.

Question #1 - Does anyone know what weight of the Orachi XX Extreme Mission Type F (EMTF) rod is? Question #2 - Does Megabass rods ever go on sale anywhere? (My guess is that it does not, or rarely. Just trying to find if I can get the bait monkey off my back right away, or be patient and wait. I plan on buying the rod regardless, I hear so many good things about ti I thought I would give it a try.

Will be getting an Orachi XX EMTF and an *** Black medium casting rod.

It felt dead and sightly heavy to me. It's likely a very good rod, but just handling it didn't do it for me.

Yep, your now following the same path I did. I did not know it then, but as soon as I found these forums, my destiny for higher end gear became pre-ordained.

Much appreciated Tywithay, it was what I was looking for.

Mike2841 - that is the same feeling I get based on a few comments I found online. Kickerfish1 - I believe you are correct that he has used them, and I think he also has had experience with the ***, so hopefully he will give us his thoughts. Oh, and thanks to the both of you and the others for posting.

A little more information. I currently have 13 ***, Dobyns Champion, and Loomis IMX rods. Trying to see where an ALX Zolo series would fit in as far as my original post is concerned.

Can anyone speak to these rods, primarily the Zolo series, in regards to performance, sensitivity, and quality of build. Thanks SNK

From my experience, Fenwick HMG or *** Black.

No reason not to give mono or a co-poly a try. There was a time that all there was was mono, people still caught fish. Here's another suggestion, why not go braid and use that invisx as leader material?

This too may have been mentioned already but a brand to consider along with the many others, would be Fenwick, they have several series of rods in the price range you are looking for: HMX, HMG, and Elite Tech Bass rods.

President gets my vote.

Want to get into fishing Hollow Bodied Swimbaits and was curious to know what rods those of you who fish these types of baits use? Brand, power and action? Can spend up to 300.00 on a new rod. Thanks SNK

Not a fan of XF on casting rods, something just didn't feel right to me when casting them. Just an observation, but it seems more and more rods (at least the brands that I am interested in), are going XF, especially if they are touted as rods for bottom contact type of baits. Now for spinning rods, I like XF just as much as F, depending on what type of fishing I am doing.

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated!

Forgot to mention that I am looking at the champion rods in these models.

Can't decide between the two, so looking for some help. Primarily will be a weightless 5" senko rod, but will also need to do some 3/8 + trailer (rage craws & bug) t-rigs and smaller from time to time. Maybe do some backup spinnerbaits also, but nothing over 3/8 oz.

What siebert jig would you recommend for fishing in and around weeds?

Most of mine are in the 6:4 range (25-27 ipt) because I find it hard to reel slower. I have one in the 7:1 for Jigs (30 ipt). I really don't fish deeper than 10-12 ft with crankbaits, and the 6:4 work well enough for that.