TNBankFishing

They were built for versatility. I have the 7’1 mhxf xtreme, and 3 others in the elite/x lines. My 7’4 heavy is my favorite swim jig, 6 inch single hook swimbait, and heavy reaction rod. I’ve thrown A-rigs on it, and even used it to punch. The bottom end is kinda a lie, it’s really a half oz and above stick.

A longer medium light will give you a slight advantage. More often than not when presenting light lures your range gets cut. Are you bank fishing? If so limited range is the name of the game. I’d lean into presentations which you can use on your current setups and avoid buying gear to chase 5’ more casting distance.

I’d not get the 852s as it’s really a bottom contact only rod. Think shakyheads and finesse jigs. Good weightless senko rod. I own the 852 and have used the 872. 872 is more versatile. In that price range I’d look strongly at a P5 or Steez.

If it ran the elite or x blank I’d be in. But a LTB with a new look? No bite from me.

Yeah I don’t get the hate. Just because it has a monocoque handle doesn’t mean it’s an expride. There are numerous JDM brands that use them and Jackal (or Shimano/jackal) werent the first. It’s cheaper than cork and makes the rod look modern. Also from what I’m seeing the blank is the same as the Steez, just without AGS guides. If that’s the case I’m buying at minimum the power pitch, the frog rod, and the punching stick. I own 3 Steez rods but for the same blanks and action I’m grabbing more.

Anyone got a list of retailers with some still in stock?

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=free+rig+on+spinning+gear

In my opinion $300 is the weirdest point for a dedicated jig rod. The offerings at $500 dwarf those at $300. On the other spectrum I feel like an ALX or Tatula Elite (non-AGS) just offer so much better value sub $200. I also fish out of a kayak so I understand the limitations. I fish the TN river system on lakes such as Watts Bar and Chickamauga. Personally, in order of price I’d pick up these rods. I’m only going to offer advice on sticks I’ve owned or still own. 1. NRX+ 873CRR - the best 3/8th to 1/2 oz jig rod I’ve owned. Soft enough tip to allow solid roll casts sitting down. Plenty of backbone. Fishes cover well, and if you tie on a finess football it’s in heaven. I use deps 14g headlocks and crush fish here in Tennessee. 2. Steez BC2 - it’s longer but the sensitivity is as good or better than my NRXs. Fantastic deep water ledge rod, great for pitching into moderate cover. 3. Legend Xtreme 7’1 MHXF - you can pick these up used for 375-400 and they are absolutely worth the price. This is my 1/4 to 3/8 finesse jig/swim jig/spinnerbait rod. Outstanding sensitivity and balance. 4. MB Braillist - First higher end jig rod I bought about 3-4 years ago. Sensitive, powerful, beautiful. On the heavier side but come on an ounce doesn’t make a huge enough difference to me. Now I’m my mind this is the cut off. Under the $300 for a new Braillist I switch to used gear because I’ve sold every Expride I’ve owned, 3 in total. They never lived up to the hype and fishing from a kayak lacked the tip I want and need to cast effectively. I stand about %20 of the time on a good day, even in a Titan 12. The Exprides and the NRX 893/894 I had suffered the same fate because they aren’t effective roll casting or sidearm pitching sticks. Used: St Croix Elite/X 7’MH, 7’1MHXF, 7’4H. I own the X in 7MH, elite in 7’4 and they fish fantastic. Light, powerful and have that tip I need. You can find these sub $300 used often and they transfer the warranty. Below that $300 point personally I’d sample the offerings from ALX or drop down to a Levante Braillist. Nothing else at that price speaks to me.

I had a similar experience with MB when I shut the tip of my perfect pitch in the hatch of my car. Told them straight up I did it to myself and the replacement was on its way 3 days later. I prefer their type of warranty compared to the tiered system a lot of companies use. I still think the upgrade replacements from Croix are also fantastic.

I’d look into a dedicated punching rod for those weights and serious slop if the expride doesn’t have the needed grunt. When I think of heavy cover I rarely use a rod under 7’4 just for leverage. I’m also in in the moderate fast camp. Ish Flippin stick, Tatula Elite AGS Flip’n model in the new LTB by St Croix 7’6 XH Expride I use a Legend Elite 7’4 heavy for weights above 5/8th in cover, but when the serious punching starts I pick up my Steez AGS 7’4XH.

NRX+ 873 followed by Steez BC2. Own both and haven’t fished the new FMJ. The 873 is also a decent Carolina rig rod.

I suggest calling shops and asking for a discount directly. This is how I’ve received NRX+, Steez, and MB discounts in the past.

People are always creatures of habit and tend to distrust change even if it ends up benefiting them long term. I’m all for anything which makes my hobby more enjoyable or less taxing on my body. I’m going to at least try one of these for a season.

I’ve fished tournaments for the last three years out of a yak all across the southeast. I can transport my yak anywhere for cheap and store it easily at a camp site, rental, or friends place. I started with a pedal drive and some affordable gear. Graph and net picked up from Walmart. Not having a boat payment, and not dealing with engine maintenance have been the keys for freedom and enjoyment for me.

Which weights and types of cover are you fishing? I sold my BC2 after picking up an 873. I throw 3/8 and 1/2oz jigs on it.

I highly suggest it. There is a flea market on this site and many more out there. I turned and burned about 12 rods last season hunting for my kayak tournament setup. Just be aware most manufacturers won’t cover damage if you buy it second hand. There is no paralysis if you keep in mind whatever you pick up in the $200+ price range will be great. Very few manufacturers build $200 dollar rods that are trash. Choose what looks nice and is the right length and taper for what you want.

At those weights I prefer a rod with a decent reserve of power. A St. Croix MHXF would have the tip to pitch and backbone to crack them. The reason I omitted the line of rods is just buy a used one. You can pick up an elite or x for less than $300 and they still have 12 years of warranty left. If you must buy new, at that price I’d choose a Levante EMTF if you can handle the length. An Expride isn’t a bad choice anywhere in their line either. I have no experience with ALX or Dobyns.

I’m a lefty, so this matters for what I recommend. Abu makes the only low profile deep crank reel and I love it. The 5 speed Revo X is a tank and has been pulling deep 25ft divers and bigger swimbaits/A-rigs for me the last two years. Otherwise the Lews hypermag has been a great reel. Two plus seasons and I still swear by it. I don’t frog with it as it’s aluminum gears but for most other techniques it’s great.

At $650 dollars I’d buy two Zillions and call it. I own the Met and think it’s nice, but prefer the solid feel of the Bantam 18 or new, and the Zillion. The Steez isn’t worth the money and with mag seal buying JDM means you have to ship it back to get service.

Not with an oz but a 6lb fish.

My wallet. It hurts.

It was designed as a pitching rod but is very versatile. Sensitivity is good enough you won’t miss fish. I second the Brailist it was my first dedicated jig rod and it also did well.

6’10 to 7’ medium 7’2 to 7’4 heavy 7’ medium spinning Those three in addition to your MH will cover 90% of techniques. Where are you fishing from? What part of the country? if you’re on the bank cranks and treble hook baits in general are not a wise choice depending on cover. You can’t always wade out to grab a squarebill if you’re hung up.

Japan Lure Shop has the new MB sleeper craws. Selling out fast.

The frame is exactly the same as the 18 from what I can tell. I have both an 18 and 23 and they feel identical.