sierra11b

$400. They did not. I ate it and won't be doing that again in the foreseeable future.

I just bought a reel from them and DHL sent me a bill for $150 for tariff. 🥲 First time in dozens of purchases from them, backlash, asian portal.

When I saw this niche rod it immediately intrigued me and knew I wanted to try... primarily because I love to stroll - from boat or bank - and have something like 5 suitable JDM rods from super light hover strolling to medium-heavy mid. Japanese stores either don't have this rod or bound by tariff, now, so I bought from Hook Up during their 20% off labor day sale for $399 shipped. As a matter of fact, in late July on family vacation in San Diego, I ordered one from a popular Japanese shop and they canceled my order because of tariffs. It's a 7' Heavy Action with stinger tip. It's rated to 1/2oz but you could can away with more. Raid incorporates their stingers longer than most manufacturers as it's about 20" long. On this rod the stinger is rather robust compared to the dainty stingers you're used to, but it still works the same way with the larger baits. To give an idea to the P5 guys, it's like a tip you'd expect on an 2.5 action rod. Has a fast medium heavy action until the bottom 24" section, where it loads and is heavy. It's definitely forward heavy with an unladen balance point about 5" forward the handle. I put on a 3000 Stella which helped (needs a 3000 or greater), but still tend to pinch grip where the EVA foam meets the rod. It's not the most comfortable rod I own given this, but had no issues fishing or hook-setting. This rod is exactly what you'd assume given the stinger. Worked great for the large strolling 6" baits with 3/0 heads, that cumbersome salt 6" wacky senko, neko, big texas long worm with or without a bit of weight. You could dead stick a large plastic and see the nibble with the stinger even. You can essentially upsize any finesse presentation wish. Is it worth $399 on sale? As someone who owns a lot of boujee JDM gear I would say yes if you're into this genre of "heavy/power finesse." $499? Maybe - but you're getting into territory where a niche rod may not be the best option. The build quality is great, the eva foam (while not a particular fan) is the highest sense quality, the balance of the rod has a light lacquer coat until the stinger (think in between NRX and Conquest), adding robustness and possibly that front heavy characteristic. The accoutrements are good and the appearance and wrap is great with the black and gold... It has your typical fuji style seat and securing lug. Overall happy with the purchase and did catch a couple strolling those larger raid super rollers from the bank and boat. Cheers!

Blood knot for me as I can see the opposing ends and know it's tied properly. For big swimbaits it's San Diego Jam and mostly palomar directly to the bait. For BFS, I tend to get redundant on rigs as it's hard for me to tie leaders with small line when fishing due to poor eyesight. So i'll tie all my leaders before a fishing trip in the driveway in sunlight. If there's a failure (break, backlash, etc) with one bfs, i'll retire it and have two backups ready which can typically handle whatever presentation i was using with the now-failed outfit.

I have the '24 6'10ML and 6'10M for this purpose. They're both fantastic. For the ML a smaller range roller 1/32 to 1/16 with 3.5-4.5" bait typically lives on it... 2500 exist 15braid to 8# leader. For the M it can handle a 3/32 or 1/8 (2/0 or 3/0) and a 5" Raid super fish roller or 6" sakamata shad perfect. With 15 braid to 8# flouro leader it'll spool a 2500 reel on a bomb cast with these, so I put on a 3000. Hope that helps. I also have a deps L 6'5" sidewinder for small hover strolling 2.5-3" with tiny pencil weights (1/96 to 1/32) and ryugi hover shot hooks and a drop of super glue. MSRP on the sidewinder was crazy, and I think there's better alternatives in the raid anti/gladiator lines, and megabass evoluzion. I got it in trade for about a $250 trade deal. I have the new '25 evoluzion hedgehog syringe but hasn't fished it yet. This rod feels like an absolute trip and I don't know what to make of it yet other than I know it'll be fantastic! Best way to describe it is a smaller windbuster with a stinger. I've been on a roll... I have the Raid Anti power nose (Heavy spinning with stinger) in the mail. I plan to try the bigger strolling heads with 6"+ baits.

Hey I love my Windbuster. It may actually be more versatile than the 872S, but if the windbuster is a 8.5/10 on sensitivity, the 872S is a 10. It's just the ultimate senko rod IMHO. I find myself using the Windbuster more often than the 872S because my son's commandeered the NRX+, but I'm cool with that.

872S Arguably the best and most sensitive bottom contact rod ever made. Senkos in all their rigs live on this set-up. Noticeably more sensitive than even the P5 Windbuster.

Same. back when you got the back-up carbon spool.

Probably a long shot... For those wondering, it's a 7' heavy spinning with stinger tip. I tried ordering one from backlash last week ($270?) but they canceled my order due to tariffs. I'd have to go HookUp having bought a hefty gift card during their 20% off promo, but $499 for a rod I just want to try is a tough pill to swallow. Thinking 6" super roller stroll would obviously be great on the rod - and what it was designed for - but wondering if it's a one trick pony? Might be good for all "finesse" applications pumped-up to "non finesse" sizes. Like a heavier drop shot, a fatty senko neko, etc. I have Windbuster, NRX+872S and Conquest 842S which covers a lot of the various worm applications, so might be redundant. Ben @ hookup has briefly mentioned the rod and even promoted it once as being "unique" on social media. I tried contacting him but he's obviously a very busy guy. Let me know your thoughts?

you don't need a good travel rod? Daiwa just released some nice ones. what if you go on a trip and realize you're close to a pond?

I have the '24 7'4" heavy and love it! So light and responsive. Use it for small swimbaits but it'll work for all sorts of other applications

11 bang bang, airborne type, 1ea. 4yrs in the eighty-deuce circa '99-'03

It's a known typo from MB

Love BFS as well. My two rigs are P5 Katsumi 611 with Aldebaran BFS, and P5 PopX with Gekkabijin AIR; both with straight 5 or 6lb flouro.

Would have to be the Exist although not sure which gearing... I'd be happy with any of them.