kayaking_kev

For sure the SLX MGL 70, out of my Metanium MGL 150, SLX 150 & XT & DC, Tatula 100, Tatula SV TW103 which are are all pretty good also. The Lew's LFS platform reels like the Tournament MB are comfortable too, but not as good of quality.

They're legit. Took about 7-10 days. Everything was great quality.

It comes with a butt cap and trim for it. I just had to get two winding checks, one for bottom of rear grip and one for top of butt grip. The top of my rear grip slid under my real seat so that was covered. The sucky part about it is having to get the grips and put them into your desired position, then take measurements and then place another order and wait for it.

I have both and prefer the Tatula over the SLX DC due to the weight, but both are good. I personally feel like Shimano reels feel more refined and smoother than Daiwa and that's no different here, but 1.2 oz. is a big weight difference. The Tatula SV is my favorite Daiwa reel though.

No where on the rod or in the description did it say it was a Composite rod though. I have a Dobyns Glass 704cb and a Phenix X-10 which are also both Medium Power and are Composites. The Tatula is also a crankbait rod, but it has a lot less flex in the tip than the other two, and it's less parabolic. It doesn't seem to be Composite. The OG Tatula's were a lot lighter than the Fury's. My new version in the old Tatula's would weigh 3.9 oz. Also, the Dobyns Champion 704cb Glass weighs less than the Champion 704cb Graphite, but I know that isn't normally the case.

I caught my 1st Pike there 2 seasons ago, the only time I visited. I been wanting to go back, but you kind of have to go early in the season or that place turns into a underwater jungle.

I have the Rod Mule by Cal Coast, holds 10 rods, and has a arm sling for easy transport from truck to boat. Just use rod sleeves and reel covers. It takes up little space for holding 10 combos.

My Tatula has been replaced by a custom Phenix X-10 that I built and weighs 3.9 oz. The Fury has been replaced by a Conquest 843c which weighs 3.8 oz. I also have an Xtasy 723c which doesn't match the Conquest on the scales, but feels almost just as light in the hand. And, I just built 4 custom X-Rays. So, I'm a little spoiled myself.

Frog

Tatula Medium/Regular 7ft. Fury 703c Both weighed 4.5. I got the weights of 30 of my rods recorded and the they are always right on or a hair off of what others get when they weigh theirs. The Fury 663c & 702c both weighed 4.4.

Like @jimmyjoe said, a lot of rods advertised as glass rods are actually composite, like Dobyns for instance, the bottom 60% is graphite and the top 40% is glass and most of the composites I've had use that same formula. I believe it's NFC that has a Composite blank that actually blends the graphite and glass together throughout the whole rod though. Pure Glass rods are a lot heavier and lack sensitivity, that why it's easier to find composites anymore, even though they are labeled as glass. I prefer glass or composite for Smallmouth fishing in the rivers. I've had 3 Dobyns Glass and a few others, but I like my custom built Phenix X-10 the best, it weighs 3.9 oz.

That's where I got mine when they first came out in Japan, it was still $120. I buy and sell reels all the time, but that's one I'm keeping.

I only usually have problems when bank fishing and I only use max 12 lb. Mono or 30 lb. Braid. But, I've bent a few hooks with the braid.

I started out trying to pull the line with my hands, but of course you know how that went. And, then I did the holding of the spool with my thumb and just backing up. Then, I went to using a rock, but it would usually cut the line where I used the rock. So, now I use a stick, but I been wanting to starting carry a piece of a rod dowel with me. I bought a lure retriever last year, but I've never used it, maybe I should, lol.

Last season I was yanking on a stuck 1/2 oz. football jig that seemed pretty stuck, then all of a sudden it came flying back at my head and hit my GoPro 5 that was attached to the bill of my hat and knocked it to the bottom of the lake. It wasn't too funny at the time, but it's funny now and gave me an excuse to get a GoPro 8 and this time I got the Floaty for it. And, a few times last year I had a whopper plopper come flying back at me barely missing my head after a smallmouth jumped and threw it.

I did my last my last build using this method and it for sure keeps the line straighter, but besides that, I can't tell a difference between it compared to my simple spiral wraps for bass fishing. I don't think I need either for bass fishing, but it was fun to try, and I think it would be a legit method for big fish guys.

My choices! ?

Some that I haven't seen mentioned. Under $50 Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick Ugly Stik Gx2 Right about @ $150 Phenix Feather

It's hard to compare my Tatula, which is for Shallow Crankbaits & Topwaters with a Regular Action without fishing with some other models. I've fished with plenty of Sierra's & Fury's. I had really hoped to try an OG Tatula. I'm selling this one for $90 + shipping & fees. It's in excellent condition, I just sealed the cork again. I'm selling it because I built a custom Phenix X-10.

Yes, but it's subjective, there's not a night and day difference.

The Last 2 Years. SAVED $100 OR MORE G.Loomis Conquest 843c MH - ($405) $695 Daiwa Catalina LH - ($120) $350 NFC X-Ray MB-733 ML Blank - ($75) $250 NFC X-Ray MB-736 MH Blank - ($75) $250 NFC X-Ray SJ-736 H Blank - ($15 Shipping) $250 NFC X-Ray MB-7109 Mag-H Blank - ($75) $250 Dobyns Xtasy 723c MH - ($385) $550 Dobyns Xtasy 755c Mag-H - ($385) $550 13 Concept Z - ($70) $200 Dobyns Champion 634cb M - ($115) $230 Dobyns Champion 734c H - ($156) $260 Dobyns Extreme 702c ML - ($240) $340 Dobyns Champion 704sf MH - ($150) $250 SAVED $50 OR MORE Dobyns Champion 736cb H - ($145) $240 Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R #1- ($80) $160 Daiwa Tatula 100 LH #1 - ($80) $160 Dobyns Sierra 735c - ($108) $180 Daiwa Tatula CT Type-R #2 - ($100) $170 Daiwa Tatula 100 RH #2 - ($90) $160 Dobyns Champion 705cb MH - ($165) $230 Dobyns Champion 704cb M - ($165) $230 13 Fate Black #1 MH- ($40) $100 13 Fate Black #2 MH - ($40) $100 Dobyns Kaden 744c H - ($120) $180 Lews Tournament MB #1 - ($80) $140 Lews Tournament MB #2 - ($85) $140 Fenwick HMX 7'6c H - ($35) $ 90 Shimano Vanford - ($180) $230 13 Origin FB Reel - ($50) $100

I was pretty close.

This is what I do also, or I will put safety caps on all the trebles and let it hang down to the bottom of the rod sleeve and that holds it in place.

Those were my first two choices that I had to decide from also when I bought my first good rod. I chose the Dobyns, and then 13 other Dobyns followed. I never used a Bass X, but they seem pretty even quality wise. I just wonder if the action is different from the Dobyns. What color do you like best, Green or Blue?

FR 703c was my 1st Dobyns, it's very versatile. I liked it for jerkbaits so much that I bought the 663c. You'll enjoy the 703c, congrats!