TNBankFishing

If you throw smaller 3/8th chatterbaits you can also get away with throwing them on a MH glass rod. Its what a lot of people prefer. I agree with Bluebasser, cranking sticks are very rarely good at much else. Sometimes you can get a solid graphite rod which is moderate enough to throw shallow cranks and pull topwater duty.

Do you feel like the semi micro guides cause any issues with connection nots? If you had to pick between the three, what would you choose to cover both techniques?

Very interesting…

How high end is high end? You listed under $300 reels with $400+ rods. If you want a hyper sensitive well balanced combo there are a couple sticks I can recommend. Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper - Fantastic sensitivity coupled with a great looks and other worldly fit and finish. Does what you want in a fantastic package. It is geared just slightly more towards moving applications. If you prefer the Trig rod of the group it’s the X-Bites. I owned a DS, but have only fished an X-Bites for half a day. I own 2 legend x casters. A 7’ MF and MHF. I adore these rods, and their sensitivity is up there with the higher end Megabass rods I own. I can compare them in hand to a FMJ and Brailist and the X comes out on top. The only knock is the semi micro guides. Unless your connection knot game is on point you might run into issues. Exprides are great, but in that price range I’d step up to the Poison Adrena. I’ve never owned one and can’t give you any feedback. I own a 7’ M spinning Expride and it’s an amazing senko rod and does well with lighter jerkbaits. I would skip the Chronarch and get a 21 Zillion, or step way up into a Metanium. If you want a sleeper SUPER light reel grab a lews hypermag. I have one on my frog rod and it’s the only non Shimano reel I’ve kept.

Reels up on an auction site for 75, that lure rating is before my time. I don’t understand why it doesn’t say 2 and 3/4 oz but 11/4 it is. Has the reel been serviced this year? Any way to get a look at the inners just to make sure it’s not completely bust? if you need a 5’5” extra heavy frog/punch rod it seems neat. Beyond the novelty I’d avoid it.

I’ll give them a call Tuesday and see what my options are. I’d prefer torzite for guides but I’m not up on all the blanks. Ive been worried about dipping my toes into the custom pool. If Alex does back his work and offers a discount when I break the rod I might be tempted. For me personally jigs and bottom contact take the highest level of refinement. The issue is I’ve moved my senko rod to my medium legend x and my spinning setup would be better served with a true finesse option.

The Conquests don’t have recoils, but at almost $700 are they that much better than a Steez or Legend Elite? They might be. Maybe someone can chime in if they have both to compare.

I’ve thought of this but the custom route doesn’t take into account replacements. Most companies have a program on high end equipment which allows a no questions replacement for a fee. Fishing from a kayak means I will break things, it’s a matter of time.

While it might be slightly over budget I feel like a Dobyns Fury would really set you up nicely. They are on sale all over for the holiday. If not I 100% agree with FishTank, the SLX combo would last you for years to come. The prize in the combo is the reel, and the SLX is a fantastic platform. The aluminum frame makes it a workhorse. I pounded the bank for a couple years before I got into a kayak, and I understand how tough it can be to only be able to carry a few things. Personally I think a light spinning, medium casting, and MH casting will be all you ever need. You can also swap the MH for a H if you live where your local waters have a ton of vegetation and structure.

Good afternoon BR crew, I’m looking to outfit myself with a drop shot and ned rig rod and I have a dilemma. What is the right stick for me and my bodies of water? I trust everyone here has a varied set of experience with multiple brands and can help me branch out from my comfort zone on this purchase. Before listing the rods I’m eyeing, I will admit a single rod isn’t best for these two techniques, and I also know you do not need to spend a lot to get a quality product. I also fish exclusively from a kayak and every rod I take needs to be able to handle multiple duties. I live in east Tennessee so I fish deep reservoirs, moving water, and shallow lakes. I have a 7’ M Expride but it isn’t what I need for the tasks at hand. I’m most interested in the rods below, but if you have advice in the same league please feel free to speak up. 2021 Daiwa Steez 7’1” ML - The 7’6” might be too long to net fish safely, the longest rod on my boat currently is a Megabass Javelin. Dobyns Xtasy 1 power - I just don’t hear much about the high end Dobyns, good or bad. Everyone who owns the champs or HPs love them though. Legend Elite 7’ML - I have two legend x casters and they are fantastic. The elite let’s my weekend warrior level of connection knots through the guides more easily. These are possibles - Conquest - I don’t like recoils, and don’t really want an NRX because of them. GLX is a possibility, but I’ve honestly never really bought into anything other than the MBRs from Loomis. Megabass XX Shakeyhead - Can’t find a Windbuster to save my life. Addermine is discontinued. Shakeyhead might not be in the same class as the other options. What do ya’ll think?

I’ve purchased 2 Mets, a couple Scorpions, and a Bantam from them. They have always come quickly and in perfect shape. They just sent a 3% discount code to me in the last day. Sign up for emails and buy with confidence.

I truly don't understand the logic behind this series. You have two of the best values in fishing in the Zodias and Expride, but you can't create a decent $250 Loomis rod? I understand the idea of scraping the Shimano parts bin to make the NRX better, but why not do the same with the GCX? Add a monocoque handle, or stainless SIC, or get a new blank with the Shimano wrap. At this point I think I'd rather have them just kill the line off and only support the IMX and above. This feels like a cash grab to pull in people who see the new NRX and think some of the tech in the upper line has trickled down. Clearly it hasn't. St. Croix attacked the Zodias line with the Victory which is good for us as consumers. Daiwa came out with the very solid Rebellion series giving a JDM feeling rod at a reasonable price. Megabass Levante has made some splashes with the range of the series and styling. I don't think I'd jump at the chance to buy a GCX over any of those three, and they aren't even direct competitors. Dobyn's Champs, Exprides, St. Croix Tournament, and the multitude of smaller companies like ALX craft a superior offering at the same price point.

Megabass Carbon Head Destroyer "Wild Bunch". 7'2" MH/H rated 3/8 to 2oz. I use this for 1/2 oz jigs, punching, frogging, 3/8 T-rigs, spinner baits, and frogs. It does it all well and has fantastic styling. It comes in a little shorter than most heavy rods, but is perfect for bank/kayak junk fishing. If you're unable to source the rod I'd look at the Destruction model in the XXX Orochi line.

Beyond going to all sub 6 foot rods some part of them will be sticking out of the yak. I use 4 omega yak attack holders mounted directly behind my seat on each side. I keep the longer rods closest to the seat and angle them so the tips don’t extend past the end of my yak. While the stick up further than I’m tall I know the back of my yak will hit something before they do. It works for me, but ymmv.

Punch fishing has a early YouTube review of the differences he can feel. No one right now has more than a week or two on the water with them. Personally I think if you’re pounding the bank a 843 MBR or 873c will give you the most bang for your buck. To be fair when we’re talking $600+ rods you really should fish one. I’ve fished with a few and while they are fantastic I’ve always leaned towards JDM rods at the enthusiast level.

Big Ridge state park has a no motor area which is large enough to fish for most of the day. I've been in a couple times and grabbed a few good ones.

Only the 7’4” glass. But it is amazing for the price. Very responsive and light for a glass rod. If I had to pick three rods... Megabass Levante Diablo Spec R EMTF Perfect Pitch

I certainly feel they are different applications. I throw a chatterbait into grass in anticipation of ripping it through. The glass or blended rod allow me to rip a bait with enough power, but not with so much speed the bass can't grab it. I throw spinnerbaits into wood often, a type of cover I avoid at all costs with a bladed jig. I use a graphite stick for these applications as I want to set the hook hard and turn the bass away from the cover. I also use my glass rod to throw med/deep divers. I fish from a kayak and every rod I bring needs to pull double or triple duty.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and actually recommend a entirely different rod from the ones you are interested in. On The Tackle Trap there is a rod in the Megabass JDM Orochi line called the X7 Destruction. I own the Carbon Head version which is called the Wild Bunch and that rod has serious “it” factor. Frogs in heavy slop? Done. 1/2oz chatterbaits with a cowboy trailer? Easy. 6 inch Megabass Freestyle? Yup. If you’re willing to spend a little more those two rods will do everything on the half ounce to two and a quarter range and do it very well. There are also a couple codes floating around to get 10% off. I had a hard time justifying spending big bucks on what will essentially be a frog rod, but on reading up on the wild bunch and x7 I found something which could cover so many bases. As a fair warning it does say up to 2oz but dont try to punch with it. I did last summer and while it handles a 1.25oz weight it does NOT have the leverage to pull a hog outa the salad.

What is your budget? $100 - Fury $200 - 6’10 Medium Zodias Enthusiast - Megabass Otomat

It’s totally expected. The US Destroyer line was discontinued this fall, I would be surprised if there were any in stock. The Javelin is most similar to the Brailist and EMTF in the XX line. It’s a 7’5” medium heavy. The Destroyer line has a single model while the XX and Levante have two, one for moving baits and one for vertical line applications. I firmly believe the DSR will treat you right, and help you land a ton of fish. If you really enjoy the line there are JDM models you can get with the standard MB warranty. My Wild Bunch is an example.

I own a few of the destroyers and from my experience the medium fast tapers will do you better for those applications. While I can happily use my FMJ for a swim jig, the Jav or even Wild Bunch just perform better. I like a rod which can apply enough force to get a solid hookset but not one that loses control after. If you plan to use a full size 1/2oz jackhammer with a trailer, you will stress the DSR out. I use a Javelin for that size lure and it’s still pushing it. What size are the Jackhammers you received? What type of trailer will you use? The DSR in the XX line is great at everything single hook. It’s a bit too fast for trebles and a touch too stout for top waters. But it can fill those roles in a pinch if you’re looking to take a single rod out. I had a XX DSR over the summer and I used it for those situations often, until I snagged my Wild Bunch. If you wanted just one rod to start your Megabass journey I’d go DSR in the Levante line. Don’t blame any of us though if you end up buying more

I did receive the rod and have had a single day on the water with it. I don’t know if it’s enough to really judge performance as the bite was tough. I can comment that the handle length is perfect for the kayak. My current favorite handle on a casting rod is my Wild Bunch as the diameter is slightly more narrow than my Otomat or FMJ. If you like the US destroyer ergonomics you’ll be right at home. Comparing the Javelin to a FMJ isn’t really apples to apples, but I believe with the way it handled it will do very well in the 3/8ths oz plus trailer range for jigs. It transmitted composition readily and felt great moving into and out of cover. The length helped pull jigs up and through without snags when I was pitching. For reaction baits it’s a dream. I think it can handle the half ounce baits, but adding big trailers stress it. I would say a stealth blade and Zako is totally fine. When I tied on a full size half oz jack hammer with a zako it stressed it a bit. For that size I turn to the wild bunch. I used a Curado MGL with 15 lb flouro as the reel/line setup. Balance was good and it didn’t feel tip heavy. Not perfect, but a 7 or 8 out of 10. It is a 7’5” rod so balance is tough. After I hit the water a few more times and actually catch more than a couple dinks I’ll update this again.

Thank you for the review from a Yak perspective. I have avoided the Daemos because I felt like it wasn’t the right blend for what I needed. I will say when you go extra fast on the taper MB rods can deliver on the kayak. My FMJ hits hard enough with an a one arm pop on the rod to set the hook well in most situations. I ordered a Javalin during the close out sales this weekend and got a good deal. Once I spend some time on the water with it I’ll check this thread and leave some impressions.