TNBankFishing

Perfect pitch. I have a Brailist and PP in the Orochi line and the PP is much stouter. If you were a 3/8ths to 3/4 I would say Brailist. The Tour Is also a solid choice but it isn’t as special to me.

What size weights will you be throwing and what type of cover?

I’ve always found it odd some websites can’t be named specifically. Maybe over time they can if they become sponsors.

What are the criticisms? I’ve not shopped for jacket and bibs before.

I’m sure it’s not intended as a jab. We all spend what we feel comfortable spending, and never feel shame in it. Everyone’s budget is different.

Are these quality? I fish from a kayak and have been looking for bibs to keep dry in the colder months.

TW will give you the discount on the charge to your card but will NOT show it in the cart or sub totals.

The Rebellion is a serious value proposition. The balance and weight are both excellent for the price and they punch above their weight in sensitivity. I’ve fished the 7’3 MH but moved on from it. It wasn’t a bad stick, I just constantly shuffle the MH do it all spot in my lineup. The 7’4 heavy glass though is the real deal. I’ve recently upgraded my DD and chatter stick to a BLX but I can’t bring myself to sell the Rebellion. It fishes like a $300+ rod. Aesthetically the Rebellion looks and feels premium. it’s not flashy but gives off a very subtle JDM vibe. It’s much more like my Megabass sticks than I expected in that regard. Comparing it to the 2020 Zodias the Rebellion wins. Shimano not upgrading the blank or guides on the Zodias was a sloppy move. The handle is neat, but not a game changer. I sold the one I had and just keep using my 2015 for bank duty. The Victory comparison is a bit harder. I honestly really love all of my St. Croixs, and their customer service is top notch. Action, weight and power on the victory are great at less than $250.

I’ve been tempted to try midrange gear from some of the smaller companies. I own a Zodias, Victory, and Rebellion so I feel like I can judge midrange gear to a certain degree. Maybe with the holiday sales I can try 6th Sense, Witch Doctor, and Legit Design.

I've heard almost nothing about these sticks. While I trust 6th Sense on baits, it's a different animal to make rods. I suggest buying one and letting us all know how it works!

If you can find one used, a Megabass Carbon Head Destroyer 'Wild Bunch' would fit your needs. Its got a soft tip, and then loads into a solid backbone. It's also light and can handle anything from 3/8th to 2oz weights. Its sweet spot is right around 5/8 or 3/4.

I agree. To me the first year is the test. If I snap a rod being an idiot and you still stand behind your product no questions asked I’m sold. After a year… I mean most folks shouldn’t expect more than a 50% discount.

The SLX MGL will be a good all around reel. Brass gears and MGL spool are a fantastic combination. I own a Lews Hypermag and it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s feather light and has great ergonomics. They are on sale for ~230 on sportsman’s outfitters if you’re interested. If you’re interested in other reels in that shape I would recommend them. Just make sure to stick to aluminum frame, as composites have a tendency to warp from jig and frog fishing.

Knock on wood! One thing I forgot to mention is the Brailist does well with football jigs as well. The length lets you still set the hook hard on deeper rock points. Really the Brailist is an amazing MH stick with great sensitivity and a decently fast tip.

Put them up in the flea market. You’ll get some extra cash for the holidays. I understand you’re feelings. I’ve collected so many plastics now I’ve sworn buying anything until it’s all gone. Might take another year.

Rods will break. We’re talking about carbon sticks with a massive amount of abuse layered on them. It’s not just casting, catching, and boat flipping. It’s rapid weather changes, being stored in rod lockers, and getting smacked around inside trucks. I feel like I’ve heard the same types of horror stories on Dobyns, Loomis (except NRX), and St. Croix. In the end if the company will take care of you for an entire calendar year no questions asked I’m on board. Comparing MB to others I’m happy to not pay fees in the first year. If a rod snaps 2 years into ownership it’s impossible to say what the cause is. I’ve snapped an Expride and Shimano gave me the run around. I’ve broken a Lews cheapie and they were awesome. I fish from a kayak and I fish tournaments 2+ times a month from April through October. I’m my mind my gear will break at some point, and I’m ok with it. Means I get to buy more Some folks really think a stick with metal guides should handle all kinds of abuse for a decade. My advice for those folks is never spend more than your comfortable losing.

The three jig rods are the Brailist, Tour Versatile, and Perfect Pitch. At a half oz I’d lean towards the Brailist. It excels at 3/8 and 1/2, and is a fantastic swim jig rod. It also does well in half oz and lower t-rigs. The only negative is it isn’t the lightest, being 7’5. The perfect pitch is also very good, and anything heavier cover or 5/8ths and above I’d favor it. Be aware the PP is NOT a punching rod. Neither of the sticks should be used with an oz tungsten and full size punch bait. The EMTF is a moving bait rod and lacks the sensitivity and power of the others. I own both the Brailist and PP in the Orochi line, and the EMTFs cousin the Javelin in the 17 Destroyer.

I would not. The models which had issues were the Destroyer Warhammer and the old model Levantes. And even then you’re hearing a vocal minority. I own at least 7 models across US and JDM lines and have broken one stick using a pro style hook set on a log. In the Orochi line there are three rods you can use for jigs, but they are all a little different in applications. What types of jigs and what cover do you fish?

I’m surprised that happened. I’ve never had a bad reaction from them, although I went through Megabass USA and not a local shop. While I believe whole heartedly the NRX is a fantastic rod, I don’t think Loomis competes at a lower price point. That’s what their Shimano line is for.

Megabass far and away. Dollar for dollar they are nicer and more refined. A warranty for Megabass when bought new is 3 years, and the one rod I’ve broken was replaced after zero questions. No expiditor fee, just a new stick. I own a Brailist and for you’re techniques it would work perfectly. It balances well on any sub 7 oz reel and has surprising strength for a MH. I use it for swim jigs, football and close quarter pitching. Comparing the GCX to the Orochi isn’t even close. A more accurate comparison is the IMX line, but from guides to fit and finish the Orochi is superior. Feel free to ask me anything about these sticks.

I own 3 different Mets in three retrieves bought from two different sources and have not had this issue. Return them ASAP.

From fishing and researching these rods myself I’ve found a few things to pass on. The Super Destroyer isn’t the power jig rod in the lineup. The Tachyon is. The SD is much slower and more of an all around medium-heavy+ rod. The Dark Sleeper is a quality moving bait rod for anything around 3/8ths. Chatters, spinners, swim jigs. The X-Bites is a high quality slack line feel jig rod. It doesn’t have the guts to pitch into cover but deep or shallow rock piles or just bouncing a trig it excels. Ive only fished these rods less than a year, and they aren’t owned by me. My impressions are from taking them out a few trips and just getting a feel for them.

Of the two which do you think handles DS and Neds better? I’d think the 7’1 but I could be wrong. I’ve not fished either of them. The one positive with the 7’6 is I can throw small swim baits on it and free up my medium bait caster for more topwater and reaction baits.

Does the DSR handle ned rigs as well? I was under the impression it was strictly a one technique rod.

You’d go with the 7’1 over the 7’6? Any reason why? I only ever run 1 spinning rod, so I’m not sure if the 7’6 is more versatile.