poisonokie

After crawling across every forum on the subject I could find, I found a post by someone on tackletour who said that the knobs were bearingless as if it were a matter of fact. So I finally got a spare half hour to tear it apart and have a look and found bearings everywhere they should be. No bushings in sight. So, while I'm as baffled as anyone about why they wouldn't just install the bearings to begin with (in this case weight, maybe?), I'm thinking that one day in the Daiwa factory, someone at the parts counter mislabeled a case of alphas handles or something and sent it out to the assembly line. Maybe you and ghoti just lucked out. In any case, I'd kill to get my hands on one of those steez sv's and compare how they feel.

This is the balance point (or as close as I can get to it) with a 5.3 oz reel. It's so balanced, I don't think it matters what reel you use, it will balance.

b~a~s~t~a~r~d series...

you'll have to tell me how that works out, should you get it. Don't they have the wretched series? That's hilarious. I'd like one of those just for the branding.

domestic availability is a different story, though, depending on the model, but still better than JDM Daiwa rods.

Based on a 68L/mf bfs volkey and 65ml/mf ms-x, Major Craft would be very hard to beat in terms of quality and value alike.

Haven't yet, but I've got my eye on a 7' H ms-x for pitching jigs. The 65ml I got is just so awesome I must have another, lol. They have them for $215, but if I have to pay $60 s&h, I'll just have to hold off until I find another good deal.

Most of them are made in china for the JDM, just like most of ours are made there for the USDM. In my limited experience (2 rods from one maker) their concept for what a rod should be aligns more closely with my own compared to what is standard for the US.

Yeah, but once you go bfs, you'll chunk that spinning rod in the lake if you're like me. Or if you don't have a flair for the dramatic, leave it on your rod rack.

well, the handling was only ~$8. You just don't know until you confirm the purchase, and I'd rather not until I know what shipping will run.

Outstanding work! I'm sure Daiwa has an r&d position waiting for you. This is right up their alley. I couldn't even begin to tell you where to go regarding the next phase of your prototype. Good luck!

the other thing to consider is a finesse approach, especially in ponds and streams. I definitely get higher numbers with quality bass among them with my light rods, but you are more at the mercy of the fish that way, which is thrilling in it's own right.

This for sure. MH/MF graphite is definitely the best route, especially for bank fishing. You'll get longer casts, forgiveness for trebles, backbone for jigs, etc, and you be better able to play the fish and steer it around structure along the shore. Go with 6'6"-7' and use 40-50# braid and you'll be ready for anything. Tie on a mono/fluoro leader around rip rap as it will saw through your line like it's silly string.

What should I expect to pay in shipping fees for a 1 piece rod from plat?

that's what I use all the time

Major Craft MS-X 6'7" MH or 7' MH Ultra light cross wrapped (up to second guide) high modulus blank, nice Eva grips, small diameter (not micro) titanium k guides with sic inserts. Perfect balance. Very crisp response, excellent sensitivity, and regular fast action that's great with braid. No shortage of backbone, either. Looks slick as hell, too. Rated 1/4-1.

The handles aren't that short. They're 14" from fore nut to butt. Pictured are a volkey and ms-x along side tatula rods with 13 3/4", 14 1/2", and 16" handles.

Yeah, those are nice. They're hard to find, though.

They do look nice, I must say. Almost looks like an MS-X blank. Pretty much a Shimano Tatula, I imagine. Maybe with a little Zillion thrown in. I'd definitely take a Zodias over an E6X any ol' day of the week.

man, I wish I could spend a week's pay on a reel, followed by a week's pay on a rod...

Yeah, buddy, these rods are awesome! Landed this lunker with the 68L/bfs on a duo Realis crank 48sr. Handled it like a champ!

Daiwa or dai!

sure is! Mounted on a browning silaflex.

no problem. P just refers to power. It's for deep cranking and other high resistance baits. I had the 100pl and found it just painfully slow and ill suited for anything other than deep cranks.

That warranty is what you're paying for. They're just okay. The guides aren't anything special whatsoever. For that kind of cash one could do much better.