Bassin_Harrison

I will definitely, I’ve pretty much heard only good things about them. Some people say that their sensitivity isn’t the greatest, but I’m guessing they are using more expensive rods too and this will be my first rod over $200. I think the sensitivity will be just fine. Oh also I’m not ordering it for a couple weeks so I won’t have it very soon, when I get some good use out of it I will pm you.

Sort of at the time, but I could never decide until now Thank you guys for your opinions, but the customizable option of the ALX and the versatility of it has made me decide on it as I do a lot of pond hopping. I think I will give Kistler a shot next time around... cause we can never stop buying gear ? It's an addiction lol I swear Tight Lines guys ?

I would get a XX or an Expride, but they are more expensive than both of these rods. Yes I know the helium 3 is $300, but it's on sale right now for $221 and even after the sale ends I could still get a discount as I have talked to Trey at Kistler rods and he assured me of it. Thank you for your 2 cents though, appreciate it Thanks for your thoughts on the deputy... I do already have a 7'3" H Fast rod that I use for frogging, but I think it plenty sensitive and I could probably use that for my 1/2 oz jigs/swim jigs. Thanks again!

Looking at the 7’1 MH X-Fast Kistler Helium 3 and the ALX Zolo Deputy for Jigs and T-Rigs. Fishing open water and relatively light cover, 3/16 oz t-rigs and 3/8 oz and 1/2 jigs. I know people like a heavier rod for 1/2 jigs, but I’m looking to be able to throw 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz in the same rod. The He3 is on sale for $221 right now while I would probably get a custom Deputy (change colors and grips) for around 240-250.

Do you think if I want to throw as light as 1/8 oz t rigs I should go with the Tat SV?

You can't go wrong with the pro g, its a great reel. The new model with those new grips looks great, I'd prefer those grips over the older model but that's just me. You would be able to get the older model cheaper though obviously.

Hi! Good to know, I’m currently choosing between several rods and the Kage is on the list after reading your response. The others are the St. Croix Avid X, Tatula Elite, and ALX Zolo. Dobyns Champion was in there but it’s pricier than the others. Sorry I never got back to you, I didn’t get a notification of a reply on this post! Thanks for responding! Edit: another question actually, I don’t know if you’ve held the new Tatula Rods but the reel seat felt super cheap because of the plastic material it was made out of, it was very slippery as well. Does this seem like the same material on the Kage reel seat?

I haven't heard great things about it, and people say the difference between the Avid and Avid X is extremely noticeable. I have heard it is extremely unbalanced too. Plus I have held the Avid X and it feels... I don't know it just feels right. It was extremely comfortable and balanced.

Wow okay that's even heavier than I was planning on using. Hmmmm I think I'm going to just try it; if it works out, great. If it doesn't, I think I'll have enough rods to cover what it can't do. Thanks! To everyone else that has made responses in the past couple days, thanks! And sorry I didn't respond I was busy, you guys helped a lot though so thank you.

Okay thank you for the video I will check it out. I'm not very knowledgeable on guide sizes, but if I had to guess, I would think the ones on the Avid X rods won't be smaller than #4. Oh okay. Thanks for the response, they are out of my budget though.

I believe they have micro guides as well so the extra 60-70 bucks isn't worth it for me especially when I'm trying to stay as low as possible.

Yeah I was thinking the same, I was looking up some videos on the FG knot and other leader knots and the FG adds very little extra bulk to the line. I think with 40 maybe 30 lb braid and 12 0r 14 lb mono/fluoro I'll be okay. It does seems pretty difficult to tie though, gonna take a lot of patience for me to learn it lol

Yeah I love the way the rod feels, I'll think about it some more. Thanks for the response Okay thanks Yes I am thinking about that as well, I just love the Avid X feels. I'll probably end up with a Dobyns Champion or Tatula Elite. Maybe an ALX Zolo.

Yeah I figured based on the rod you said you had, thanks for the response.

What pound test were you using? I'll be using heavier line, 40 lb braid to 12-15 lb fluoro/mono.

I wish they made a split grip with standard sized or at least semi micro guides as well. Dobyns Champion was my other choice if the Avid didn't work out. I'll wait and see what more people say, but thanks for the response!

Hi, To anybody who has experience with the Avid X, will a braid to leader knot flow through well enough or will it get caught up a lot? I know they are micro guides, but some micro guides are big enough to allow leader knots through clean enough that it doesn't greatly impact casting distance. Thanks! Harrison

If only I could afford one lol... I know I have thrown a lot of specifications to get all in one rod and I 100% don't expect to get them all in 1 rod. That's why I have listed all these different rods that I've been looking at, just to give people some clue as to what rods I'm looking at. Anything with micro guides is pretty much out and that seems to take out a lot of rods.

I have heard great things about ALX, haven't heard they are the most sensitive sticks though. I know the opinion on a rods sensitivity varies greatly between each person, but I've seen many people say they aren't the most sensitive. As I'm looking for a jig and worm rod, I would prefer something with highly praised sensitivity. I appreciate you taking time to respond, Tom, as you seem to know a lot and always put good advice in the forums. Harrison Yeah they probably wouldn't work out for me then, it would 30 or 40 lb braid most likely and with a 12-15 lb mono/fluoro leader. I also have just realized that the Megabass Levante rods have been marked down to $159, that kinda seems like a steal to me. I have read great things about those rods, particularily the Diablo Spec-R and Extreme Mission Type-F models. Any input on this?

They are down the cape in South Yarmouth, place called Riverview Bait and tackle. Very nice store and has a lot of rods and reels that you can only usually find at a place like BPS and even some that BPS doesn't carry. They didn't have any sierra rods, but they had Fury's and Champion XP's. Good to know, I don't mind the clang unless it greatly effects casting distance. Do you think it does? Oh good to know thanks, I'll look around for one. I just prefer something with a bit more length and I already have a 7' MH/F but its not great quality. Trying to upgrade from that and I'd like to get a longer rod. Thanks for the info

I'm having an extremely hard time deciding what rod to get. I'm stuck on the Falcon Cara 7'2 MH/F, St Croix Avid X 7'4 MH/F, Dobyns Sierra 734, and Fenwick Aetos 7'5 MH/F. My only problem with the Falcon and St. Croix is micro guides and I'm not sure how well a braid to leader knot would go throw them, otherwise they seem to be some of the best rods at the price point. I would be ordering this on the black Friday sale from TW so the Cara would be about $208. My biggest problem is the only rods that I can go and hold locally in MA are the Dobyns and St. Croix.

Great to know, sounds extremely versatile and that's what I like. I would probably get the 7'5", I just prefer a longer rod; more feel imo. Thanks for the input

The Original Tat rods always get a lot of praise, never tried one myself. I'll definitely consider them, especially at that low price point. That's hard to pass up. The extra fast actions of those rods make them a tad less versatile imo and I just prefer a little bit slower tips any way.

I'm not a fan of the G. Loomis rods, but thanks for the input. The 7'5 heavy is definitely too heavy for what I'm looking for. I have heard great things about the Falcon Cara's. Don't know much about the Expert rods, but at their price point I was interested as soon as I saw them on TW a couple days ago. Thanks for the input I would definitely give that Helium a shot for that price if I were you, I have heard so many great things about them. What are your thoughts on the Fenwick Aetos rod?

nothing more than 1/2 jigs, usually 3/16 0z t rigs with worms ranging from senkos to 10 in worms. I mentioned versatile in the question because I will be throwing a wide variety of baits. I'm often throwing the worms and sometimes jigs around grass and pads. Thanks for the replies, the Avid definitely seems to be the favorite in this price range.