ccr425

Just changed from the 683ml blank to the 684mh blank. I fish around vegetation pretty much wherever I fish, so I went with a little more backbone versus the 683ml. It should suit me well!

Still getting ideas. Will be cork for sure. Probably just a a mixture of light and dark rings.

For sure!

The K2 blank I chose is a 6'8" 3 power medium/fast. It'll cast a 3/16oz lure nicely. Going with Fuji Titanium/Torzite semi micro guides and an Alps MVT reel seat. Gonna keep the rest of the build basic, so no extra weight. I want the blank to keep the raw look which should look great with the reel that will call it home. I'll update as soon as I get some pics. Should have it in about 3 weeks.

Finally made a decision on the rod. Just ordered a custom 6'8" Phenix K2. I'm really excited!

Had a chance to mount the Aldebaron on a 803c NRX rod today and thought it felt pretty good. The shop offered me a good deal on the rod, but I held off for now. Talking with a rod builder about a K2 build. It's gonna cost me.........

Thank y'all for all of the info and suggestions. I'm picking the reel up tomorrow morning and I found a rod that I haven't used in a while to try it out on. It's a Shimano Crucial 7'2" mh/ef 1/4-1/2oz. It weighs about 4 1/4oz. Should give me a baseline. Keep the suggestions rolling in!!

I'm really starting to lean towards the Kistler Z Bone 7'0" mh/fast. Weighs 3.6oz and is rated for 1/8-3/4oz. Seems look a really good bottom contact/jack of all trades rod. What do y'all think? Should I go with a medium? My brain is hurting......

This, 100%

It works great! But I use it for 5-6" Senkos and medium sized t rigs in mostly open water. It's 7'5", so it's not exactly ideal for throwing sidearm under branches, etc....

I'm not super picky about balance. I just know my 3 favorite rigs feel so much better than a friends. I can tell the most difference between our frog setups. I use a Perfect Pitch/Curado I and he uses a Skeet Reese 7'6" flipping stick/Curado G. That rod weighs a ton and takes so much effort to cast and work. I was looking at the Kistler Z Bones and saw the 6'9" 3 power mh/f listed at 3.5 oz and is rated for 1/8 oz-3/4 oz. Unfortunately it's out of stock.

I agree with you on the weight topic. I've been having wrist issues lately and wanted to try the lightest reel I could find. I'm loving my Metaniums, but wanted to go even lighter. I was having lots of trouble with choosing the best rod for my situation and was hoping someone could get me into a production rod with this thread.

I'd like to be able to throw 1/4 oz baits, period. I'm not dead set on a medium heavy rod, I just know eventually a medium rod will be overpowered by the type of cover in my area. The Orochi XX rods I have are the Extreme Mission Type F, Tour Versatile, and the Perfect Pitch. I will soon own the Diablo Type R as well. I really enjoy the Orochi XX line of rods.

I was thinking 6'6"-7'0". Custom would be more of a last resort for me because of the usual wait. I really want this combo ready to fish in a week or two.

Ordered a 2015 Aldebaron to throw lighter t rigs, jigs, and weightless plastics. I'll probably never go under 1/4oz. I'm usually fishing around lilly pads or dollar bonnets and hydrilla. I already own a few of the MB xx rods and would like to keep this rod in the same series, but don't think its possible. I've been looking at the Kistler Helium 3 and Z Bone(medium/fast) rods as well as Loomis, St. Croix, and others. Need it to be sensitive and must balance with the Aldebaron. Was also thinking of having a custom rod built. Decisions.......

Mine all work great. Love the SVS Infinity brakes and being able to adjust them without opening the side plate. Best reel in its price range, IMHO.

Nice choice on the Metaniums. I love mine!

Just ordered an HG. Was curious as to which baits and rod(s) you'll be using this reel with.

Sounds like what I'm looking for. Was hoping the wraps would be green and match the rest of my rods.

I will probably grab a Spec R soon. I'm extremely pleased with all of my XX rods, so the Spec R shouldn't disappoint. From the pictures I've seen it looks to have purple guide wraps. Can anyone confirm this?

I've really enjoyed fishing with my EMTF, but have been finding myself wishing that it were shorter. Love slinging jigs with the Tour Versatile because of the accuracy I can achieve due to the 7'0" length. I'm hoping that the Spec R is just a shorter EMTF. That would be a near perfect rod for most of my fishing needs.

2013 Metanium XG (2) 2015 Aldebaron (2)

Either would work. My go to setup has a 7'2" mh/ef rod. Just got a Perfect Pitch and love it for frogs/toads in heavy cover.

I really enjoy both of mine. They feel great in the hand and are so smooth casting and retrieving. I'm still using a Curado I for frogs because I'm scared to really punish either of the Metanium 13s.

Gamakatsu and Owner.