FishTank

I would like to know what you think of this rod. I've tried one briefly that a guy had in our tournament group and it wasn't what I thought it would be. I have almost pulled the trigger on it a few times. I'm a big fan of the P5 rods. It would be good to hear another opinion from someone that is new to it.

I like it. It makes the same load noise on a cast that most Tatulas make but it's not bad. It took me a few to warm up to it. I had to take it apart and lube the whole thing but after that it was better. I also like it on the 843C NRX+. I had it on a Dobyn's Champion XP 7' Med Fast but it never felt quite right. I will probably end up selling the Dobyn's. It's Ok but I have other rods that feel better in that Med Fast rod range.

Calcutta Conquest BFS gets my vote for the Pop X. I have two of them on P5 Kasumi Six Elevens. For the Steez AGS Utility Player maybe a JDM Metanium 100 or the new Antares.

OSP Dolive Beaver - 4in Gorisimo Black and Dark Cinnamon Blue Pepper 6th Sense Congo Craw - Green Pumpkin Pro, Darkwater Bug, Magic Craw, and Wild Lava Craw Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver - Hematoma and Green Pumpkin

You use both, catch your PB and which ever one you catch your big fish on is the one you retire and put on display. Happy hunting.

If you get emails from Kittery Trading Post....I can't say exactly what their coupon does but if you use it on certain things, you'll see what I'm talking about. 😉

I have the MG-Ti Elite and so far so good. I have used it for lures down to 1/8oz up to 1/2oz with 8lb FC. It does a pretty good job of being a do all reel. Is it better than a BFS reel at casting light lures? No, but it's not too shabby at it. For the 1/2oz jerkbait I tried, it can sling it a long way. Is it better than a JDM Metanium? Not really but it's not too far off. It blows away any of the other Kastking reels I have tried. I would say the drag clicker sounds cheep and the drag is nothing special. It does take a little getting use to fishing it though. It is super light and really smooth. It doesn't feel like a Kastking reel. Overall I like it, but will this line of reels get rid of the Tatula? My experience with the Tatula is mixed. Some have been great and others not so much. I think it will definitely make a dent in Tatula sales but nothing significant. It will appeal to those that have had a bad experience of some kind and want to try something different. Parts, service, and warranty also play a part and I don't know personally if Kastking is there yet.

Since it is so well liked, I have restrained from saying anything negative about the 843C NRX+ but it is my least favorite of the NRX rods I have. The balance seems off, the handle seems too long and it doesn't load well when casting. It is definitely sensitive and brings in the fish but it has never just wowed me like the other NRX+ rods.

The North Wall looks awesome. I've been tempted but the US price is pretty steep and ordering JDM is questionable. The P5 Kasumi Six Eleven has been my work horse BFS rod. I purchased mine from the Hook Up Tackle when they had gift cards 20% off. One thing I've noticed, at least for me, when it comes to BFS rods, price and quality are one thing but the action I like may not equate to a high end rod, like the Dobyns Sierra Ultra-Finesse for instance.

Two others to check out.. Dobyns Sierra Ultra-Finesse 701C. I have the 700C. It has a very fast tip but a soft middle. Sensitivity is not that great though. Jackall Revoltage II 6'9 Light. This is a slightly stiffer rod but has a sensitive tip. Its great for BFS softplastic and jigs. I have tried hard baits on it and it works but not as well as other rods. Bonus rod.... Megabass P5 Kasumi Six Eleven. I have two. Best hard bait rod for BFS I have used yet. Great sensitivity but it has a more moderate taper. Works for the Karashi but not the best distance with this rod. It brings in the fish. Caught these two Saturday. Around 4lb Largemouth and 10lb+ Catfish on 6lb Sunline Invisible. The catfish's stomach was the size of a two softball.

I have the NRX+ 873C, 853C and the 894C. To me, the 873C excels at Texas Rigged soft plastic and the free rig and is just an all around great rod. The 894C is my favorite jig rod. The 853C is the go between but has slightly less power than the 873C. I like it for 3/8oz jigs, 1/8oz Texas Rigged Senkos and for 1/2oz Dark Sleepers. If I was only going to have one, it would be the 873C. Also, the tip on this rod is slightly softer than other jig and worm rods.

I learned the hard way for the most part to just leave the shields alone on spool bearings. I still have some without them but the few I took off, I did so with the idea that it would increase performance and it pretty much did nothing. I recall dunking one of those reels in some muddy water and casting that reel was problematic until I was able to clean it again. On the other hand, I have purchased spool bearings that came without the shields and they have been great so far but a marginal upgrade from the original on some reels.

Those were the guidelines I was given to me from Daiwa when I called about parts/warranty and I think The Hook Up Tackle did a video on all of the Steez models with the same suggestions. I looked but couldn't find it. Also, they're just guidelines and nothing absolute. I have thrown all kinds of lures outside those guidelines, like 3/8oz crankbaits on the Steez AII. I have tried some 1/4oz stuff with my other Steez AII and it didn't fare well (no distance and some backlashing). I was using it on a Loomis NRX+ 843C MBR. I switched it to a Daiwa Costal 80 and that reel threw the same 1/4oz without any issues, both have the 14lb FC on them. I then put the leftover Steez on my new P5 Mark56. So far it casts big baits really well but I have yet to catch anything on this new rod.

I will sell something every once in a while but over the years I have sold several. Sometimes it depends on the what I use it for and if it actually worked out the way wanted it to. Then sometimes the bait monkey calls and says what are willing to sacrifice to get that new rod or reel you want. I will also evaluate my set ups every year to see what needs to be improved upon or eliminated due to lack of use. There are some reels and rods I regret selling, like my Shimano Calais 101A and my first St. Croix Avid. It was a heavy set up but the smoothest reel around and an all around great rod. I was offered more than what I paid for it. Then there are reels like the Quantum Smoke, nice reel but just didn't fit my style of fishing. In rods, the St. Croix Premier Split Grip MH Fast from BPS comes to mind. This thing was a pool cue and a mistake to buy. Another was the G. Loomis GLX crankbait rod. It so sensitive in terms of vibration that it was hard to fish a deep diving bait on it. It would make my hands hurt. In the end, it's a chess match between what the gear is worth and if it really increases my fishing fun.

I know it says moderate fast but I think its more of fast to moderate action. Meaning it has a fast tip but a moderate middle. Oddly I tried a 7' Light Cashion BFS rod and thought it was too stiff to cast hard BFS baits. The Hunt I have is the exact opposite of that rod in terms of action. I throw this guy on it 90% of the time on it. I even caught my personal best smallmouth with it, around 6lbs. Bassday Mononofu 50s. When it comes to the Karashi, I think I get the best distance on spinning gear (P5 Whippet) and it works the bait better but I catch more fish on BFS. I still have yet to figure this one out.

Check out the Kistler Hunt Series.

When you say casting performance, do mean distance or issues with backlashes? Also, what line are you using? With Daiwa reels I have owned with the SV spools, I have found anything above 12lb (approximately) can shorten casting distance more so than a regular spool. I find 10lb gets the best distance. On my previous gen Steez SV TW I changed out the bearings for ABEC 7 ceramics and thing casts like dream, a little more distance but it casts effortlessly.

I have the Steez CT, Steez AII, both the new and old Steez SV TW (and the Shallow Spool Edition), and the Zillion. As far as what weight to throw on each one. I got the following from Daiwa and the Hook Up Tackle when I asked about this. CT - lighter lures, not quite BFS. It can handle some heavier lures but for me it tops out at 1/2oz. Daiwa suggested a 1/4oz. SV TW - Most of your average lures 3/8 to 1/2oz but it can handle a little more in my opinion. Meant for more "accurate casting". AII - 1/2oz and up. I have thrown 3oz glides on it. Zillion - kind of an all around reel. I have used up to 1oz on it. This is my own observation. I didn't ask Daiwa or the Hook Up Tackle on this one.

It's kind of a tie between the Bill Lewis ATV 2.5 in Ghost Minnow or the Deps Evoke 2.0 in Black Back Shad. For the money, the ATV is best bang for the buck but for total number of fish, the Evoke wins.

Depending on the plastic, I like the Loomis 803C JWR GLX. I recently broke an older one and received the newest version through the warranty service. So far I really like it. Its lighter and the tip is a little softer. It also feels well balanced. The odd thing it sort of has a JDM feel to the blank. Great rod and nice improvement over the old one.

Spinnerbaits. Still throw them but fish just aren't interested.

I am the same on most all Daiwa reels. I am constantly adjusting them. I would say they need the most/more adjusting and monitoring through out the day than any other group of reels I own. I'm use to it so this is more of an observation than a complaint.

The best.... Well it's crazy expensive but I have not found it's equal. Is it worth the price? No way but it's always sold out. I found it a year or so ago for a decent price on Amazon, plus I had a gift card. https://japantackle.com/ygk-shinijx9.html Below is the line I would recommend. I have it on a few reels in #1.2. It holds up pretty well, cast like a dream, and is the best I have found yet when it comes to holding a leader knot. https://japanlureshop.com/varivas-avani-chivas-max-power-pe-x9.html

I like it. I haven't tried this one yet. Looks like it would be a good one. Thanks for pointing it out.