PBBrandon

I’m all over the place ? Casting Daiwa Rebellion 7’3” HF/Curado K 7.4 Abu Veracity 7’0” HF/Curado K 8.5 Champion XP 734c/Zillion SV 6.3 Expride B 7’2” MHF/Chronarch MGL 7.1 BPS Patriot 7’0” MHF/Custom SLP 7.5 Zodias 6’10” MHF/Tournament Pro LFS 6.8 Fury 705cb/Curado MGL 6.2 Psycho Stick 7’2” MF/Chronarch MGL 7.1 BPS Platinum 7’1” MF/Tatula SV 7.3 Spinning Kaden 712s/Tatula LT 2500 Premier 6’6” LF/Fuego LT 2500 Premier 6’0” ULF/Nasci 1000

+1 Zillion for ~$220 and it’s not even close. Tatula SV and Curado MGL are both fine reels as well

Got a chance to hold some of the casting Poison Adrena rods at Scheels yesterday and fell in love with them. I’ve been doing my research on different rods for Black Friday. Wanting to get an all round spinning rod to compliment my 712s Kaden. So far my top options are the St. Croix LTB 7’1” medium, the 7ft medium Expride, and the 7ft medium Poison Adrena. However, the 2 reviews I saw on TW said that the 7ft medium PA is tip heavy and not as good as the other models. Anyone have experience with the 7ft medium PA?

I’ve been really looking for an Expride spinning rod lately and have been hearing most people say that the B’s run heavier than their rating suggests. I have a 7’2” MHF Expride B casting rod and don’t really notice it as much stouter than my other medium heavy rods (Zodias, Champ 734, etc). I’ve had my eyes on the 7’ M and the 7’2” ML and want to know what the more versatile rod is for a do it all spinning rod. And in general what are your thoughts on the stiffness of the A rods vs the B rods?

The Daiwa Tatula is a great rod for $150. Haven’t used their spinning rods but I’ve used their casting rods in both the regular and elite series and they definitely feel like they could be 200 bucks. I currently use a Dobyns Kaden 712s and it is very versatile. Don’t let the medium light rating fool you though, it’s a medium with a lot of backbone and a nice tip. Usually they are 180 but tackle warehouse has them for 159 right now. I’ve seen them come down to 120 during sales like Black Friday and such (how I got mine). Helluva rod. Lots of good choices in the 100-150 range so take a shot and you’ll probably end up with a good stick

Thanks everyone, I’ll try throwing topwaters with it first and experiment with other things ?

I’ve never had the Tat 80 but I have a Tat CT SV and used to have a regular Tat CT. The SV spool does make a big difference. You basically end up sacrificing casting distance for control and light lure casting ability. For heavier lures it’s not needed and the Tat 80 would probably be a better choice, but if you plan on regularly throwing around 1/4oz then I’d take the SV all day

I’ve had a 7’0” MHF Johnny Morris Patriot for a while and still haven’t figured out what is best to throw on it. Have had it paired with a Curado MGL 6.2:1 for lipless cranks and squarebills but I still haven’t caught a fish on it yet. It barely gets used because I don’t know what to throw with it really. It has a really soft tip that gets into a nice backbone about 1/3 the way down. I’d call it a fast action but a pretty whippy fast. I’d also say it leans more medium than medium heavy. What lures would work well with a rod like this? It’s crazy light and feels really comfortable in hand. I’m sure I’d love it if I knew what to use with it.

I personally use a 7’2” and a 6’10” for jigging depending on how many tree limbs I have to fight around me on the bank. I’d recommend going for the 7’3” as an all around jig rod. Especially from the bank, you are gonna appreciate that extra few feet of casting distance you will get. There’s been a handful of times where when using the 6’10”, there is a dock that’s juuust out of reach. That longer Tatula would make a great jiggin stick and you won’t be disappointed.

Zillion, Bantam, Metanium, etc. just about everything is insane. Can get the best of the best reels for 200-250

Daiwa Tatula 2500. I’ve used this and the Vanford, and I prefer the Tatula. Both are fantastic reels that leave nothing to be desired and it really comes down to if you want the extra water protection on the vanford

Dobyns Champion XP 734c with a JDM Zillion SV 6.3:1. Been my primary fish catching machine for the past couple months

Doesn’t matter what I throw at first, after 30 minutes a Texas rigged senko is gonna magically appear on the end of my line. jokes aside I love Whopper ploppers and squarebills this time of year

I saw the Okuma Psycho stick rods on sale at TW for $150 and had to get one. Got the 7’2” MF casting for finesse jigs and t-rigs. My friend got the 7’5” MHF for football jigs. What are y’all’s thoughts on these rods?

With Black Friday coming up in 2 months, it’s about time to start saving up for the sales. Im planning on getting a new spinning rod since the Tatula Elite I ordered a couple months ago came in snapped in half (got my money back at least). I’m debating between getting a Champion Extreme (703 or 743) or an Xtasy 723. I currently have a Kaden 712 for all round spinning and it is a fantastic rod. I’m just looking for top of the line sensitivity for finesse plastics and want to make my Kaden a full time rooster tail, Ned rod. Is the Xtasy worth the extra 200 bucks or should I just get a Champ Extreme? Also I’m kind of set on getting a Dobyns because of their warranty. I want to know I can get a replacement for 80 or 125 bucks if something happens (depending on model) instead of being out 350-550 bucks. Thanks for y’all’s help ?

Really the only thing I’m worried about on the Tatula and Zodias is they only have sub 7 foot rods at bass pro in these 2. Not sure how much that would affect how they fish compared to 7+ footers. For the Victory I was worried about the balance, but after handling one at Scheels today, it actually feels pretty good. A bit unbalanced but it’s so light at 3.5oz that I don’t really even notice. Coupled with the 6.2oz Tatula LT and I’m looking at a super light spinning setup (9.7oz).

Got a 50 dollar bass pro gift card and I’m looking to get an all purpose spinning rod to go with my 2500 size Tatula LT. Currently I have it on a Dobyns Kaden 712. I am wanting to put my 3000 Exceler LT on the Kaden for neds, rooster tails and lighter stuff, and the Tatula on whichever general purpose spinning rod I get. Mainly gonna be weightless t-rigs, shakeyheads, dropshots and wacky rigs. Looking online I have narrowed it down to these 3 rods. 6’9” MF Shimano Zodias 6’10” MXF Daiwa Tatula AGS 7’3” MXF St. Croix Victory Those are the only rods they have that I am interested in that are in my budget. Which of these 3 would fit the “general purpose spinning rod” bill the best? Thank you

After going back and forth I settled on a Tatula. The Stradic was just a tad bit heavy, and while I like the Vanford, the Tatula just felt better overall. They weigh the same and both have low startup inertia, Tatula just feels a tad smoother and for 50 bucks less all I’m really losing out on is the X-protect and the long stroke spool. Other than that they felt really similar and I’m happy with the Tatula

Thanks everyone for your answers, I think I am leaning Vanford right now with Tatula and Stradic as backup plans if bass pro doesn’t have them. let me know how it fishes, that is one sweet looking reel wow

For my birthday my girlfriend surprised me by saying she will give me 125 bucks to spend at bass pro lol. Looking to upgrade the reel on my spinning setup. I currently run a 2500 Fuego LT on a Kaden 712s for ned rigs, shakeyheads, rooster tails, and the occasional dropshot Currently my top options are the Tatula LT, Vanford, Sustain and the Stradic FL. However, I could get a Procyon AL LT for 120 at tackle warehouse right now and get something else at bass pro. If anyone has opinions on the Procyon I’d love to hear them. thanks everyone for your help

Yeah the Chronarch MGL is a long reel. Still nice in the hand though. Never had a Curado MGL but Chronarchs are BUTTER if the reel length doesn’t bother you

Like Fishtank said, the Zillion is flawless. I can’t find a single thing I don’t like about it. They really made sure that you won’t accidentally change the brake setting it seems. It’s a little harder to turn than typical Daiwa dials and it’s kind of tucked into the bottom of the plate. One gripe I have with my older model Tatula SV is the brake dial being so easily changed on accident. Not an issue at all with the Zillion. As far as the aluminum gears are concerned, they shouldn’t be an issue. Shimanos are notorious for getting geary with aluminum gears but I haven’t heard anyone complain about their JDM Zillions. The Digigear teeth I’m sure improve the durability and the .5oz weight cut is nice. If the aluminum gears go out it wouldn’t be hard to put a brass set in it and it’d still probably be cheaper than getting the US version. The Zillion is a small reel. Definitely smaller than the Curado 200k. Closer in size to an SLX I’d guess but I don’t have them with me currently to compare. The zillion doesn’t skip as well as the Tatula SV. Tatula SV is hands down the best skipping reel I’ve ever used. The SV boost is not as aggressively braked as the standard SV. I haven’t tried skipping much with the Zillion but I have noticed on regular casting it requires a little more thumb attention than the Tatula SV. The upside is that it does cast a bit further. And unfortunately yes…the paint does scratch, and when it does, you will notice. I like shiny things and I love shiny reels. But my zillion and Chronarchs always get dinged up. it bothers me to look at the scratches at first but then you get used to them and enjoy the reel for what it’s meant to do. Be butter smooth and catch big fish hope this helped and good luck with your decision. Both are fine reels

Thanks y’all ? I suppose the fact that despite the thickness it is still really light, means there are no downsides to it being this way. If anything it helps with giving it a strong backbone and equal if not slightly better sensitivity than if it were thinner. Perfect for jigging in some cover like I plan on doing with it. Thanks guys I appreciate the help

My 7’3” HF Daiwa Rebellion came in and the first thing I noticed is how thick the blank is. Thicker than any of my other rods. Does this affect anything? It still feels nice in my hand and is light but does that make it any less sensitive? I plan on using the rod for jigs and sensitivity is important lol

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