Stephen B

I had the same experience. I think they are just lacking the attention to detail as they are a small rod company that got a lot of business that they couldn't keep up with. How do you like the Avid Xs?

Spinning gear without a doubt will be better unless you are fishing cover. If you are dealing with moderate cover, then I would resort to casting gear. I think the Gloomis E6X 852C would be great for that weight and type of cover. But, if you are targeting bigger fish or in heavier cover I'd look to a 853C.

Double check to make sure they are cleaned. Also, how tight is your spool tension and do you have all the brakes engaged? That is likely the difference.

May just need a cleaning. If the cleaning doesn't fix it then look at upgrading your bearings to ZPI bearings or any other one.

My experience with the rods are: NRX, Megabass Destroyer USA, GLX, Zbone, St Croix Legend Elite, Orochii XX, Avid X. Note: I have not fished every rod in the lineups, so it will vary a bit. Also, I have heard wonderful things about the Abu Garcia Villian 2.0 for the money. Ultimately, it all depends on budget, preference (full handle versus split grip), and how much you value warranty.

I would have 100% agreed with you a few weeks ago, but the new Tatula LT is amazing. Definitely give it a look. They weigh less than the Stradic and have more line capacity.

Buy a NRX 822S SYR and run a quality 20-30 lb braid to a 8-10 flouro leader. Problem solved. The rod was specifically designed for throwing shakeyheads. The sensitivity is top notch. Look for a used NRX on ebay.

Shimano Sahara 3000 for finesse applications use 8-10 lb line Black Max for texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits use 12-20 lb line. The heavier the cover, the heavier the line.

I had a lot of trouble with flouro knots until I tried this knot. I think its the Double San Diego Jam, correct me if I am wrong.

Seaguar Flouro

According to the Megabass USA website: The Megabass Orochi XX F5-610XX Spinnerbait Special is a great choice for the angler who prefers a smaller, lighter rod, with the power and versatility to perform numerous tasks. The medium-fast taper is ideal for precision casting of ½ oz. and ¾ oz. spinnerbaits, but also finesse jigs, Texas rigs, crank baits, top waters and jerkbaits. The Megabass Orochi XX F5-610XX Spinnerbait Special offers the power to move stationary hooks like jigs, yet the bend and length to offer forgiveness for cranking and jerking. Ultimately, this comes down to how light of lures you are looking to throw as well as how heavy of jigs. If you want to throw 1/2-3/4 oz jigs in cover then yes you need the Perfect Pitch. If you want to throw more finesse jigs for under 3/8 oz in open water go with the SS.

Can you describe a little more in depth of what you are looking to do. Are you fishing open water or flipping docks? Do you think you will fish more finesse jigs with this rod since you already heave a EMTF? It all depends on these factors. Did you want to stay within the XX lineup or go with another brand?

We all have differing opinions. I think the Perfect Pitch will be too much rod unless he is fishing super heavy cover, which he never said he was. He said in cover and open water situations. He stated he wanted two rods to me and wanted them in the XX series. One for 3/8 and under and another for 1/2 and up. He clearly stated this in his opening post: 3/8 and under and maybe a 765 for my 1/2 oz and up. Thoughts? I suggested the SS as a choice as he said 3/8 and under. If he threw a finesse jig around 1/4 oz the others would be too much. I never recommended a SS for heavy cover just as a more finesse jig rod that can double as a moving bait rod. For bigger jigs i suggested the Jig N Worm or EMTF. Maybe the Heliums are different, but my 4 power Zbone isnt my first jig rod choice. My hookups significantly increased switching from a Zbone 4 power XF to a NRX 853C. I used the Zbone as a reference as I don't have experience with the Helium other than in store. Just my opinion. I have seen a few recommend the TV but it's a MedFast too.. I believe I never contradicted myself, but I may have explained poorly. Good luck on your selection. Rod choice is very tough as everyone has preferences regarding power, action, brand. Best of luck. Tight lines.

I absolutely agree with you. I have owned many KLX and Zbones and think they are great, but the experience I have had with the 3 and 4 power Zbones, I prefer them as moving bait rods. For bottom contact, I prefer the G Loomis XF taper and also the increased sensitivity of the NRX over the Zbone.

The Orochii XX lineup is being phased out. That's the reason everyone is discounting so heavily.

All the Kistlers I have used have a slower taper than the Megabass Orochii XX Spinnerbait Special. Do you even own the rod? The Spinnerbait Special taper although stated as a Med-Fast is much more like a Fast. He is looking for a rod for 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs thats why I recommended it to him since he was already set on the EMTF for 3/8 oz and up. He also wanted the Orochii XX. The EMTF will be too much rod for a 1/4 oz finesse jig. The only other rod in the lineup is the SS that is suited for this. It is a very versatile rod.

A NRX can easily be obtained new for $350-$375 depending on the model from reputable fishing companies. It scares me when people say they are good, but I saw a review saying that his ALX rod was so bad he wouldn't even bother sending it back. Which rod blank was your custom built on the ZOLO or ENOX? Maybe you can send me one of yours haha so I can try it, just kidding. I am just skeptical as I hear people compare rods to the NRX all the time and I have yet to see one come close other than some expensive Megabass rod such as the Destroyer.

For 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz get the Jig and Spinnerbaiting (Spinnerbait Special). For 1/2 oz to 3/4 get the Jig n Worm or EMTF. If you are mainly flipping and pitching into docks get the Jig n Worm since it shorter. The EMTF isn't as practical as it's longer, but if you are dragging Carolina rigs or a jig then the EMTF is the better choice.

How are the ALX rods? I have heard mixed reviews. I saw someone comparing a ALX Zolo to the Kistler KLX and most said that the ALX is not as crisp in terms of sensitivity. I also saw most of the reviews on TW of there rods are saying they are good, but then you see a couple say they suck. Do you have any experience with them?

The 853 would be great for jigs around 3/8. Then I would look into the 854 for 1/2 to 3/4 oz jigs. However, I wouldn't look into G Loomis unless you were going to be getting the GLX or NRX. There are too many other rods at the same price as the E6X, IMX, etc that I think are better. What I would do is look around for a used NRX since the Gloomis Conquest is being released next week. You could get it for a good deal. Trust me you will never look back. Once I bought my first NRX, I refuse to fish anything for bottom contact other than it. The NRX 853C is a great rod!

Not knowing the exact type of saltwater fishing you will be doing, we wouldn't know whether the reels would be fit. However, I am almost certain the Curado 70 would be a no go. The reel is designed for flipping and pitching. It doesn't have the spool capacity needed for saltwater. The spool capacity of the 70 is: 10/105, 12/85

Saltwater reels still corrode when in saltwater, just not as fast. However, nowadays most all freshwater reels are coming salt water ready with sealed components, larger spools. However, do not use magnesium reels in saltwater, as they will develop pitting. A lot of saltwater guys fish the Shimano Stradics FK and NASCI.

It's definitely a softer X Fast compared to the Gloomis lineup. If you want a dedicated Jig rod definitely go with St Croix or Gloomis. They both have faster tapers which are more suited for jigs. If you want versatility go with the Kistler 4 power as you will be able to throw swim jigs, spinnerbaits, and jigs.

The problem with Kistlers are although they say they have an extra fast taper it's more of a Medium-Fast (softer rod). My preference for bottom contact is a faster taper. I get much better a hookup percentage. I have the 3 and 4 power Zbone. I think the Kistlers make versatile rods but aren't my first choice for bottom contact.

Although you don't have to pay more. What sets Megabass, Spro, Jackall, and Lucky Craft from the others. Is the quality of the hooks, quality of the split rings, and the quality of craftsmanship. I have never once had to tune a Spro, Megabass, Jackall, or Lucky Craft. For example. Rapala DT series crankbaits are notorious for having fragile bills on the crankbaits and also need tuning occasionally out of the box. The Rapala lures use VMC hooks which are not the best of quality, whereas Spro is using Gamakatsu hooks. When you hook into a 6+ lber, I can almost guarantee those VMC hooks will bend/break. I recommend buying a lure retriever especially if you are fishing $10+ baits.