Could anyone provide me with any information on these rods? Been wondering what baits they're primarily designed for, and if they're M, MH, or H rods.

I have the 2017 version and absolutely love it for open cover bottom contact. It is extremely sensitive, I can feel hits on slack 14lb fluoro. I fish trigs, jigs, chatterbaits, anything just under 1.5oz total weight. I think the 2017 version is a “medium/fast” but the 2018 is slightly more moderate and rated MH/mod fast. If I had to do it all over again I’d opt for the MH/mod fast as I have found I like rods just  tad slower. So I can’t opine on the 2018 version but I think I would love it. Sorry for a rambling post but I’m at a wedding with open bar.

The new one is more in line with the Destroyer Javelin in terms of taper, power, and overall uses. I use my Javelin for lipless and medium diving cranks, and have used it for lighter jigs, which it handles just fine. I'd say the overall power of this rod is planted firmly between a traditional medium and traditional medium heavy. 

Just now, Junger said:

I have the 2017 version and absolutely love it for open cover bottom contact. It is extremely sensitive, I can feel hits on slack 14lb fluoro. I fish trigs, jigs, chatterbaits, anything just under 1.5oz total weight. I think the 2017 version is a “medium/fast” but the 2018 is slightly more moderate and rated MH/mod fast. If I had to do it all over again I’d opt for the MH/mod fast as I have found I like rods just  tad slower. So I can’t opine on the 2018 version but I think I would love it. Sorry for a rambling post but I’m at a wedding with open bar.

How well do they handle baits such as buzzbaits and poppers?

6 hours ago, Outdoors said:

How well do they handle baits such as buzzbaits and poppers?

I don't use it for those techniques at all. Handle is too long for a popper, for me and buzzbaits with a trailer would probably be pushing it's upper limit. But again I have the 2017 M/F version.

The EMTF is definitely a bottom contact bait rod. However, I'm going to have to disagree with Junger on the rod being able to handle baits up to 1.5oz. I don't use over 5/8-3/4oz in total weight on my EMTF. It's great for using 1/4-3/8oz jigs with a trailer on them, but I would certainly never even think about using something an ounce or more on this rod. 

Could any of you recommend a good topwater rod for under $300? Now that I know the Orochi isn't a topwater rod, haha.

2 hours ago, Outdoors said:

Could any of you recommend a good topwater rod for under $300? Now that I know the Orochi isn't a topwater rod, haha.

Topwater can mean a variety of things (whopper ploppers, poppers, pencil baits, horny toads), can you be more specific on the lures? Your best bet is to probably start a new thread with more specific lures in mind. To me, the topwater technique doesn't require sensitivity and the form factor is more important. I like shorter handles and a shorter rod for poppers or working a walking pencil bait. 

 

 

Just now, Junger said:

Topwater can mean a variety of things (whopper ploppers, poppers, pencil baits, horny toads), can you be more specific on the lures? Your best bet is to probably start a new thread with more specific lures in mind. To me, the topwater technique doesn't require sensitivity and the form factor is more important. I like shorter handles and a shorter rod for poppers or working a walking pencil bait. 

 

 

Just an overall one if possible. Mostly my topwater baits are poppers, and fast moving lures, such as buzzbaits.

For poppers and buzzbaits, I'd choose are 6'6" to 7' rod in a M or MH power, depending on the weight of the lures you throw and the cover you fish around. For baits like those, there's really no need to spend money on a top dollar rod because sensitivity isn't overly important. 

Buzzbaits and poppers are 2 different rods for me. I’m using the same rod I’d throw a spinnerbait,swimjig, or bladed jig on for buzzbaits. Something around 7’2 that’s mh/mod-f.  I’d also throw a plopper on it.  For poppers I want a shorter rod about 6’10 and my preference is a med/f.   

On 10/8/2018 at 8:20 AM, fishballer06 said:

The EMTF is definitely a bottom contact bait rod. However, I'm going to have to disagree with Junger on the rod being able to handle baits up to 1.5oz. I don't use over 5/8-3/4oz in total weight on my EMTF. It's great for using 1/4-3/8oz jigs with a trailer on them, but I would certainly never even think about using something an ounce or more on this rod. 

The new EMTF is supposed to have a different taper to it more geared towards treble hook baits. The new Daemos took over where the old EMTF left off for bottom contact.