Hartwood71

Thanks Norcal. I’m definitely splitting hairs at this point. After all the thinking, I went with the Destroyer Mark 48. If nothing else, it looks pretty. ?

I’m choosing between an IMX-Pro 966 or Megabass Leviathan for swimbaiting 2-8oz. I can get either for the same price (which means a small discount on the IMX). Does anyone have a stronger preference?

Similar to other comments, ford/chevy, coke/pepsi, i'll add Canon/Nikon. I have been a Shimano person and not been let down. The most important thing you can do is choose the proper specification for the style of fishing you're going to do. Making those decisions properly, canon the door to many other brands beyond Diawa and Shimano. Equally important, is making the right decisions with the line and tackle you use for the style of fishing: ie- mono for flex on top water if rod is stiff, flouro for slow deepwater, etc. Have fun with both companies and make good decisions around how you use them.

Great thread. I love nice equipment, but success definitely comes from the wizard, not the wand. Locating, repetition and executing are the keys.

That’s the sense I’m getting from reading. I’m wondering how the javelin would do for cranking.

Any change to your experience with the Javelin?

Does anyone have a strong opinion (or experience with) the Megabass Destroyer Otomat serving as a cranking rod?

Yes. I absolutely do use light casting set-up for small jigs - in Northeast 2-15’ depths. Growing up, i was always spinning, but now casting is my preference for bass. Just feels fun. If youve been living a “loomis-life“ and you’re happy, keep going. I appreciate the help.

Thanks y’all! Both would be great (and solve me a lot of over-thinking, but isn’t the thinking about this stuff the fun part?). Since I already have 7’11” heavy for bigger swim baiting and punching, I’m sniffing the Daemos as the right call this puzzle. I appreciate your weighing in. Fwiw, I just joined bassresource today, and I love this feedback. I don’t have enough people in my life to “dork-out” with on this stuff.

I’m torn between buying the Daemos or the FMJ. I will be paring it’s with Metanium DC (30 lb braid to flouro). I view this is the next rig up from my finesse rig (Aldebaran on NRX 852c JWR). I see myself doing a lot of jigging with 1/8-1/2 oz heads with additional trailer weight (so call it total 3/16-3/4 oz total). Not going to be for punching pads or wrestling with heavy structure, but subsurface grass will be in play. Megabass describes the Daemos as “Medium” - but is it really more “Medium Heavy”?