Scud_Muffin

I think the power is pretty dang similar but the PP has a hair more tip.

Honestly it’s kind of tough to describe, it just feels perfect. It taps without bending a ton but then loads way deep to fight the fish. It slings baits further than its size would indicate. I use alphas sv tw on it with 8 lb test so I can even throw X-Nananahans on it, up to 110+1s. It’s not my fav for bigger style ones like the pointer 100 and above but it still manages that one fine. It’s just perfect for me but it’s also a bit polarizing since it’s short and slow action. Check out a certain Arizona shop’s videos on the tube for lots of breakdowns on the rod (the guys known for Megabass videos that for some silly reason I can’t say the name of on a fishing enthusiast forum)

They moved from China to Vietnam as I understand. The Oneten Stick is the last rod in the P5 lineup I would ever sell.

I haven’t owned this one but I’m somewhat familiar. It is very nicely capable of flinging light baits; it’s billed basically as the ultimate Shakyhead casting rod and it seems right on the money for that. As for power, I have trouble nailing down a number because a Windbuster is 3.5 and it doesn’t feel too far from that. Its definitely not as much power as my Mad Bull 5 power. So maybe 4-4.5, leaning 4. Again this is not a rod I have fished so keep your dump truck of salt on hand to take with the advice. This is just my impression based on handling and talking to someone who enjoyed theirs.

I’ve only handled them in a store but they both definitely hit the “great variety of uses” category. I wish I could offer you better info, but the target sniper in particular really spoke to me and is on the list of rods to get. My impression was that the super destroyer felt a little beefier, like a lighter mini tequila baccarac while the target sniper reminded me of a shorter version of the 73 MH Utility Player. Wish I could be of more help but without having fished them I’d take my impressions with a grain of salt.

For bottom contact P5s, I had the x-bites and it was good but I preferred the 7’3 Utility Player Steez as an ultra versatile MH for bottom contact but also single hook moving baits. i had the FMJ too and that one is stellar. But for what I wanted, the 72 H Steez Power Pitch had more tip on it and I feel is a more versatile stick. I prefer the FMJ to its NRX equivalents because in my hands the NRX rods are just too fast/stiff for my personal tastes. Those NRX have electric sensitivity but I prefer the fighting/casting/versatility of a fast rod that can bend deeper. The FMJ literally feels like a JDM version of the NRX 873 or 894 to me since it’s very fast and stout, yet has a deeper bend than those rods tend to when fighting a fish. But I’m on a kayak or walking so a softer tip helps with casting and versatility; for me the 72 H Steez PP is just a better fit. I really liked that FMJ and it was tough to decide to sell it for the PP. My needs are a bit different than everyone else’s though since I’m not on a bass boat and value the ability to bring less rods to do more stuff over most other factors. Hence why I like the P5/Steez so much as they are great for that.

If memory serves I believe mine had a Made in Vietnam sticker. I tend to mentally prefer Japanese made too, but honestly I just don’t care if it’s made in Vietnam to JDM standards because I think they are better made with better components than the other rods in my collection. It’s hard to see anything wrong in the construction, which I can’t say for the more expensive Loomis rods which sometimes come with misaligned guides/threading despite the higher price point. Wherever they are produced, they know what the heck they are doing. If I had to pay another $100 for Japanese made instead I’d save the money.

Favorite models: -Oneten Stick -Windbuster -Oneten Special In that order. Oneten Stick is incredible but as mentioned above it’s best for lighter up to about 110+1 and Berkeley Stunna, both of which I think it handles beautifully. Jackall Rerange, Pointer 100, and Ito Shiner are all doable but I prefer on the Special. But I can go all the way down to X-Nanahan on the right reel (something like the Alphas SV TW or similar). I also love love love it for very finesse crankbaits. Windbuster I throw a big mix of lures, especially soft plastic bottom contact baits but also some hardbaits, like finesse topwater. If I’m willing to throw jerkbaits or crankbaits on braid, it does great. It would do great with moving baits on straight fluoro too. Oneten Special is better with those larger jerkbaits all the way up to the 3/4 oz jerkbaits. But I actually prefer the lighter jerkbaits for the most part so this rod ends up with braid as my topwater, fluke, and believe it or not I kind of like it for some lighter bottom contact so long as I have braid on. It’s really great. With fluoro it doubles as my favorite squarebill rod. Honorable Mentions: -Madbull is super fun as an all purpose moving bait rod, can also do a bit of worming with braid -Tequila Baccarac for heavier jigs, smaller to mid sized swimbaits, dock fishing, etc. Super versatile but I rarely go that heavy unless it’s a shallow lake with tons of gnarly cover. -Valkyrie 71MH (not p5 but I super love this rod and had to include it) for all things moving bait, especially crankbaits but also chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits -whippet is my favorite trout spinning rod I’ve ever had, mostly ultralight up to Oneten JR. For dedicated bottom contact in baitcasters, I tend to prefer STEEZ over P5–though they are fairly similar. For P5, my favorite models are often ones that are great for both hard baits and soft plastics. The 110 stick is so ridiculously perfect that it’s my absolute favorite even though it’s 100% just a hard bait rod.

Still the consensus that the Levante is superior to the Orochi version?

Not gonna lie, that MH Valkyrie has me really wondering how that spinning rod is too. If I get lucky, I can find a spot nearby that actually has one in stock. Last I saw, Megabass rods were getting out a bit more often. Here's to hoping.

Believe it was 99%, let’s not underestimate such an important statistic! ?

Interesting, you said you moved away from MB, what are you using now for this stuff? Agree 100%, I think it was short enough to be awkward. But since I’ve seen too many Blaukat videos and think he makes a good argument, I’m dying to get into a spinning rod that fits what I’m looking for.

Thanks for your thoughts! I have the 71MH and love it completely. I was wanting a rod to handle small shad raps up to a jackal rerange on fluoro, with maybe a spare spool of braid to switch it up and try drop shot, neko, etc. But mainly I’ve been trying to decide between a casting and spinning in jerkbaits. I’ve tried the Oneten Stick and Special, and really really like them in casting. For spinning, the ronin never got my jive, and the Windbuster is just too dang long for my tastes to use a long time for jerkbaits. Basically just trying to see if the levante whipsnake (which I hear is a weird sleeper in the lineup that is better than the orochi version) or the Valkyrie would meet the needs better. Edge would go to the lighter or more versatile one.

How does it compare to the whipsnake variations? I imagine it has to be heavier, but can it also have adequate sensitivity for finesse worms? Do you run braid or straight fluoro? Sorry to dig it up but having trouble finding info on that particular model.

Second

I feel like the Steez AGS 72 Heavy Power Pitch is pretty dead nuts close to the 873 CRR, which tends to the heavy side. Don’t have experience with the BC2 unfortunately, but I LOVE my 72H PP and prefer it to the 873 CRR. I think those two are more of a direct comparison. Perfect for the weight range/baits you’re recommended, also handles 6” magdrafts, spinnerbaits, etc quite well.

I too prefer the 3000, I like lighter reels like the Tatula or Vanford when I use it for moving baits, especially ones that involve a jerking motion. I just find I get less fatigue when working a jerkbait all day. But the stradic is perfect if you’re doing all bottom contact or winding in single hook moving baits. Sign me up for the 3000, especially if doing bottom contact for that handle and the extra speed of that reel size over the 2500.

what’s your favorite copoly? I tried some 6 lb yozuri hybrid for finesse hard plastics and experienced more break offs than I did with sniper at 6, and that yozuri is equivalent to 10 lb sniper diameter. Not saying it’s all bad, just feel like I started off my experience on the wrong foot and would love your thoughts on what to try next.

You are most welcome. The steez rods feel shorter than they actually are, I think because of the lightness. I actually prefer the length. of course if memory serves the X-bites is only an inch shorter.

You are most welcome. The steez rods feel shorter than they actually are, I think because of the lightness. I actually prefer the length. of course if memory serves the X-bites is only an inch shorter.

Preferred the taper, felt snappier in my hands, I think it’s a bit more sensitive, and it’s just so ridiculously perfect for me. I personally like a very versatile rod, and this one seems to excel at a greater variety of techniques—especially moving baits. In my hands, the X-bites felt a touch mushier on a bigger variety of baits by comparison. It gets overloaded more easily. But also just the feel of bottom contact baits on the Steez series is nicer to me. I prefer both to NRX+ rods I’ve tried, so don’t get me wrong the X-Bites is great. I just found it likes its own lane a bit more and the Steez feels more at home with a greater range. For me, the X-bites was a great all around Senko rod and handled some lighter soft plastic work quite well along with 1/4-3/8 oz jigs. I like the Steez better at those same tasks and much better on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and keitech swim baits. But both are great, I’m splitting hairs here. The Steez is just my favorite “all purpose jig and worm medium heavy” rod of all time.

1/4 oz total weight? That’s more Steez Ags “The Sensor”. 1/4-3/8 oz bullet weight plus plastic or jigs in that weight range + plastic? Owned both, 100% prefer the Steez.

Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special or Flatside Special

Tatula SV is my preference over the Curado DC and it costs less.

What is that? I don’t know how that works but sure would like to.