I'm adding a casting rod to my arsenal to replace a cranking rod that's too action specific and I could put that reel to good use. I recently was gifted a 7' MHF Zodias spinning rod pairing it with a fuego lt. From what I've read online, it would be my most sensitive rod but better suited for reaction baits. So I'm thinking I could get away with mid shallow cranks, squarebills, jerkbaits and popmax/walk-the-dog baits. I've also got a Dobyns Fury 703sf which I've been using for ned rigs and more finesse applications, shakeyhead, dropshot, small swimbaits. Thinking I can double duty both applications.

 

I've narrowed my search based on finding the above mentioned rods and the Abu Villain 2.0 7'3" MHF in the $150-$200. Although the Abu will be way more sensitive, I think the action and length are too close to my Dobyns Fury 735c. I'll be using it for 4" paddletail swimbaits, swimjigs, chatterbait, dragging football jigs and biffle heads typically in the 3/8-1/2oz range, maybe as low as 5/16oz because grabbed some santone texas finesse jig on BF.

 

Help me decide: the skipping jig has piqued my interest because of the length and I fish from a kayak alot. 7'3" is really the front runner based on price and versatility and the Abu really intrigues me because of the TT review and I've read plenty of threads on how its an underrated rod. I could also save a bundle and go with it a Fury 734c, but I'm looking to upgrade on the sensitivity, weight and versatility. I can't locate a 734c Sierra, I have found the 663c and 664c in that range but I'm concerned about the rod length and castability.

 

2 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

peaked

   Everyone does this. It's "piqued".  And the possessive of "it" is "its", as in "a reel and its gears". "It's" is a contraction for "it is". 

   Sorry. Ancient English teacher resurfacing after decades.   ?    jj

2 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Everyone does this. It's "piqued".  And the possessive of "it" is "its", as in "a reel and its gears". "It's" is a contraction for "it is". 

   Sorry. Ancient English teacher resurfacing after decades.   ?    jj

TIL, thank you.. Any input on my rod dilemma?

Just now, Dangerfield said:

TIL, thank you.. Any input on my rod dilemma?

   Nope. I don't give any advice on things I know nothing about, and I don't fish the way you're describing. You get a free pass from me. There are other people on this site, though, who can (and probably will) give you loads of good advice. Give'm a little while ......                      jj

On 12/29/2019 at 5:36 PM, Dangerfield said:

I can't locate a 734c Sierra,

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/dobyns-sierra-casting-rods.html

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Sierra_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-SSCC.html

 

ALF has the 734c. As does TW

 

If you want versatility then I would suggest getting the Sierra 734c(more reaction style baits) or the Tatula elite 7'3" MH(more bottom contact baits). Both rods have good enough sensitivity for bottom contact and are responsive but the tatula elite feels a little more sensitive and responsive to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 hours ago, Dangerfield said:

I've narrowed my search based on finding the above mentioned rods and the Abu Villain 2.0 7'3" MHF in the $150-$200. Although the Abu will be way more sensitive, I think the action and length are too close to my Dobyns Fury 735c. I'll be using it for 4" paddletail swimbaits, swimjigs, chatterbait, dragging football jigs and biffle heads typically in the 3/8-1/2oz range, maybe as low as 5/16oz because grabbed some santone texas finesse jig on BF.

The Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 is a great rod, but discontinued.   Are you sure you can find one?   This would be my choice if you can find it. 

8 hours ago, matbellon3 said:

ALF has the 734c. As does TW

 

If you want versatility then I would suggest getting the Sierra 734c(more reaction style baits) or the Tatula elite 7'3" MH(more bottom contact baits). Both rods have good enough sensitivity for bottom contact and are responsive but the tatula elite feels a little more sensitive and responsive to me.

I live in Canada and purchasing from the US has it disadvantages with customs, shipping/brokering plus the weak loonie. I just need to be savvy with my money and what's available in Canada.

 

I really appreciate your feedback on the Tatula Elite, the Fury is sensitive just not incredibly sensitive. I can find a 664c but not a 734c in my price range.

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

The Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 is a great rod, but discontinued.   Are you sure you can find one?   This would be my choice if you can find it. 

Yeah, I located 2 online from a Canadian retailer. TT reviewed, claimed it was plenty sensitive, iirc higher than their benchmark. So l, another check mark to bottom contact, but I'm concerned it will be a polecue. I would have been more confident with a medium fast.

7 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

I live in Canada and purchasing from the US has it disadvantages with customs, shipping/brokering plus the weak loonie. 

Sorry I didn't realize that. If you can find the Tatula elite 7'3" MH that would be my suggestion then.

54 minutes ago, matbellon3 said:

Sorry I didn't realize that. If you can find the Tatula elite 7'3" MH that would be my suggestion then.

It's all good, I have used ALF for reels before over ebay and purchased baits from tw but they're more the exception.

 

Have you handled the skipping rods in the Tatula Elite series?

12 minutes ago, Dangerfield said:

Have you handled the skipping rods in the Tatula Elite series?

I have not. I've only used the 7'3"MH

Thanks @matbellon3

 

I'm pulling the trigger this week, hoping to get a bit more feedback or votes. Thanks again BR.

I don't have many Abu rods, but they all seem to fish a bit heavy.  I have the 7' MHF Villain 2.0 that I picked up last winter, but due to work, weather and health I haven't had a reel on it yet.  Using the tip on floor test I'm guessing this rod is not the exception to the rule.  I wouldn't call it a broomstick, tho.  The Villain 2.0 is a nice looking rod, and I like what TT has to say about their sensitivity....which is why I have two of them.

 

Fellow Canadian and kayaker here. I found shorter rods a bit more manageable from a kayak personally. As for the rods I have a hard time buying a rod without feeling it in person and unfortunately many of the rods mentioned are hard to find in retail stores. 

 

I do know that Abu does fish heavier than listed. I would think your fury 735 would work well for what you need though. I am sure you know this already but braid helps a lot with sensitivity. 

2 minutes ago, LCG said:

I do know that Abu does fish heavier than listed.

Every Abu rod I've ever picked up feels heavier than listed. I have a 7' MH/F spinning rod that fishes more like a heavy. Big, fat blank on that thing.

 

But it was cheap, so it's not fair to judge the whole line on that experience.

 

@Dangerfield, for the presentations you'd be doing with this rig, I think you can never go wrong with a Tatula Elite or a Fury.

 

I'dlike to throw another option in, a Lew's TP1 Black. I have the 7'2" MH/F that I use for jigs and weighted plastics, and I'm absolutely in love with it. Scored it during the TW Black Friday sale.

 

I can't speak to how the length would work for yak fishing, so I'm staying out of that.

4 hours ago, galyonj said:

I'dlike to throw another option in, a Lew's TP1 Black. I have the 7'2" MH/F that I use for jigs and weighted plastics, and I'm absolutely in love with it. Scored it during the TW Black Friday sale.

I've read good things about this rod.  Looked at the white at DSG, but don't like white rods.  There are a few Lew's rods I wouldn't mind trying that should do well for what the OP is asking.  And are in his price range.

 

7'3.5" MHF Custom Plus Super Grip, 7' MHF Pro LFS-X5 and 7' MH Magnum Lite HM85.  A Custom Pro 7'6" Ledge/Crankbait is the only Lew's rod I have.  It is another rod I picked up last winter that hasn't been used yet although I did put an older gold colored Carbonlite on it because I know I can cast 3/16 oz. with it and the ratio should be good for crankbaits.

Like I said, I love mine. Heard about it from a local dude that pretty much used all Lew's stuff.

 

That said, at the $100-$150 USD price point, there are a lot of good options.

Appreciate the input! The feedback on the Villain is concerning as I don't need another Heavy powered rod, and I would get it if I could track down a Medium rod. Considering it's discontinued, I don't have much hope of it coming back into stock.

 

Looks like I'm pulling the trigger on the Daiwa Elite MHF, still monitoring the skipping rod because I kayak a lot. The Lew's TP1 Black is intriguing but I've read the guides are questionable(ceramic falling out, tips breaking). The only kicker is that it comes in $100CAD less than the Daiwa. There's a Daiwa repair center relatively close by, which is comforting if anything goes sideways and I need a warranty claim done. I'll post pics in the Bait Monkey thread when it arrives.

On 1/5/2020 at 2:42 PM, new2BC4bass said:

I've read good things about this rod.  Looked at the white at DSG, but don't like white rods.  There are a few Lew's rods I wouldn't mind trying that should do well for what the OP is asking.  And are in his price range.

 

7'3.5" MHF Custom Plus Super Grip, 7' MHF Pro LFS-X5 and 7' MH Magnum Lite HM85.  A Custom Pro 7'6" Ledge/Crankbait is the only Lew's rod I have.  It is another rod I picked up last winter that hasn't been used yet although I did put an older gold colored Carbonlite on it because I know I can cast 3/16 oz. with it and the ratio should be good for crankbaits.

I ended up picking up a lew's custom speed stick lite 7'3" MHMF mag jig rod, should arrive next week. I found it $30 cheaper than the TP-1 Black W/J and $25 cheaper than the Fury 734c.

 

d**n that name is a mouthful.

  Sounds like a very good deal.  Let us know what you think of the rod after fishing it.  You don't see many reviews of Lew's rods.  At least I don't.