Y'all are probably sick of this types of questions but I need help so I'm gonna ask anyways. 

 

This is my first "high" end rod and I put it in quotes because I know it's not really highend but for me it's probably not gonna get much better then these. 

 

Some background information, I have my frog rod, and two other MH rods I'm using for swim baits / jigs / t rigs. I also have two spinning rods for the finese side of things. 

 

This rod is primarily gonna be for my new chatterbait and swim jigs and then I guess some small swim baits. Last year I did very well using small swim baits and picked up some swim jigs towards the end of the season but I never really used them a ton, especially since some ******* Pike's stole a few of em. For Christmas I was gifted a couple jackhammers so I'm really excited to try my first bladed jig. 

 

So my local tackle shop is having a sale right now and I have 3 different rods on hold until today. I'm only buying one but these guys were nice enough to hold all three till I decided. So they are holding a 7'5 MH Zodias, a megabass Levante Diablo and a megabass Levante braillist. 

 

Now the megabass line is roughly $50 cheaper so I'm finding myself gravitating towards these rods. The description on the tackle shops website about the megabass line specifically for the Diablo says it excells for swim jigs, swim baits and bladed jigs which is almost exactly what I'm looking for. But it's only medium power with a fairly soft tip. My home lake is extremely weeded so I'm wondering if that's too soft? The braillist description says it's best for bottom contact and deep water which basically is the opposite of what I want but it's a MH power with a soft tip so I'm wondering if that might be a better choice to rip the chatterbait threw the weeds? But the zodias I'm not sure it is bait specific as there's no description for it. 

 

What do y'all reckon? I've never owned anything megabass, my frog rod is an intenza and I love it, my current swim bait combo is an SLX it's nice but not amazing. It doesn't cast super well. 

 

If I'm missing any information please let me know or if you have any suggestions I'm all ears. But I need to decide today so please help!! 

 

Thanks y'all!

Greg

I just got the new Levante Braillist a couple days ago.  It is my first Megabass rod.  It definitely has a softer tip than my Zodias' (which are medium heavy also).  I haven't used it yet but plan on tossing swim jigs and possibly some lighter jigs with it.  I fish bladed jigs on glass rods but the Braillist would work absolutely fine for them.  

The Levante rods pretty sweet rod. I've seen a lot of them come up for sale here in the gta, I've got 3 of the new zodias rods and love them so much. They are a really fun rod to use. I find myself picking up the zodias over the expride just because its a more enjoyable rod to use. They do run a little stiffer but I like that for throwing paddle tails and larger chatterbaits.

I have Orochi XX's in both Braillist and Diablo SpecR'.   I used to use a Braillist for bottom contact jigs as well as swim jigs and chatterbaits.   I now use a SpecR for the swim jigs and chatterbaits and prefer it.  It's got a little softer tip which I prefer for the moving baits yet it still has the backbone and action for those big single hook sets.

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 1/2 oz jackhammers, and I went with the Yamamoto 4" zako for the trailer. 

 

Unfortunately my local shop doesn't have any of the rods you've listed. They basically only have the ones I listed plus the perfect pitch rod. As most people know it's been tough to get inventory and they don't know when they will ever get more at this point.

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. 
 

 

 

My home lake is very very weedy, the DSR isn't too soft for that kinda work is it?

I primarily throw my swim jigs on an Orochi Diablo, and I love it. Nice backbone and the tip isn't TOO stiff. 

Thanks for all the help guys. And for all those who are offering advice on rods other then what I listed in my original post I appreciate it but again my local shop doesn't have any other options. Specifically in the MB line. So I'm sure there great and probably better then what I'm looking at but I simply can't get one. 

 

I decided on the DSR but the more videos I watch on YouTube about throwing a chatterbait in the summer in the weeds the more I notice guys use slightly beefier rods which is why I'm second guessing myself again. As I have said a few times my home lake is very weedy so although I know the DSR is the right one for chatterbaits in general I wonder if for my lake I need a bit stronger to get it threw everything. Which leads me to should I even bother using fluro? I'm now thinking straight braid like 20-30lb braid????

If you're fishing a lot of heavy grass, you'll want something a bit more stout to snap your bait out of it.  You could go the straight braid option to compensate, but I wouldn't go less than 40. The thinner the braid, the more likely it is to dig into itself on the spool.

26 minutes ago, RichF said:

If you're fishing a lot of heavy grass, you'll want something a bit more stout to snap your bait out of it.  You could go the straight braid option to compensate, but I wouldn't go less than 40. The thinner the braid, the more likely it is to dig into itself on the spool.

So what would you do? I haven't picked up the rod yet so I can still grab the braillist instead. Even with a more stout rod would you go fluro or braid? My heart wants to use fluro but I honestly feel like braid would be "safer". I wouldn't care so much if these chatterbaits weren't over $20 a pop

I throw chatterbaits on 40lb braid, but I am throwing them on a 7'2 MH Glass Expride.

1 hour ago, NorthernBangler said:

So what would you do? I haven't picked up the rod yet so I can still grab the braillist instead. Even with a more stout rod would you go fluro or braid? My heart wants to use fluro but I honestly feel like braid would be "safer". I wouldn't care so much if these chatterbaits weren't over $20 a pop

If I wanted a rod to run double duty for swim jigs and chatterbaits, I'd go with the braillist.  I can't say much for the DSR since I've never had it in hand, but I have full confidence in the braillist as a multipurpose rod that would throw both those baits well.  

 

As far as line; if you're going to be fishing around thick grass (and I assume we're talking milfoil since it looks like you're in Canada), I'd go with braid.  It just works better in that crap.  I'm from the Thousand Islands region of NY so I fish tons of clear water, choked with thick eurasian milfoil.  You can always tie a heavy fluoro leader if you're worried about pike stealing your jackhammers (I am too, which is why I haven't thrown one up there yet).

Well I had to decide and I went with the DSR, the others have all been sold. So let's see how she goes!

If you’re looking for a chatterbait rod that can handle milfoil I would step up to the Tour Versatile with its MH and you can run braid or braid to fouro leader. Honestly a perfect pitch or a destruction wouldn’t be bad choices depending on how heavy of grass you’re fishing. I’m in Minnesota and let me tell ya, there are times I don’t pick up a chatterbait cause of the grass, instead it’s a swimjig. But for your situation, consider these three: Tour Versatile, Destruction plenty of backbone, Perfect Pitch, and DSR. These rods can do plenty of other things as well. The Destrction is a jdm model which can be found at Tackle Trap. 

On 12/28/2020 at 2:23 PM, RichF said:

I just got the new Levante Braillist a couple days ago.  It is my first Megabass rod.  It definitely has a softer tip than my Zodias' (which are medium heavy also).  I haven't used it yet but plan on tossing swim jigs and possibly some lighter jigs with it.  I fish bladed jigs on glass rods but the Braillist would work absolutely fine for them.  

Which do you prefer now that you've had the chance to use them both? Thanks!

On 12/30/2020 at 4:32 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Well I had to decide and I went with the DSR, the others have all been sold. So let's see how she goes!

Since this thread has been resurrected, how did the Diablo Spec R work out for you?

On 1/23/2022 at 6:19 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Since this thread has been resurrected, how did the Diablo Spec R work out for you?

Love it actually. I basically own MH rods but this DSR is a nice change, especially for what I use it for. I've had no issues throwing a chatterbait, swimjig, boot tail swim baits. In the fall I was tossing a weightless fluke and boy that was fun! I was getting hammered on that. Loved learning how to use it, how to let the rod load and kinda sweep the hookset instead of my usual "rip this mother's head off" type of sets. I am just a weekend warrior so I'm sure I'm probably not using it proper or there are better options but I definitely do not regret buying it. 

If I had to mention one negative about the rod is this weird creeking sound it makes somewhere around the reel seat. As far as I can tell no damage is being done but it doesn't sound great when it happens but really that's just being picky. I love the way it looks aswell, paint is beautiful and all the little touchesake it far and away my nicest most expensive looking combo!

 

Im now dying to get my hands on a braillist! 

I got my megabass itch scratched this last month with the braillist AND the DSR in the orochi xx line. Man they're pretttttyyyyy. Both are on the heavier end for the price class but with a metanium b on the DSR and a curado DC on the braillist both rods balance RIGHT AT THE NUT. a properly balanced rod is very comfortable to fish with. ?

20 hours ago, SkinnyWaterBasser said:

I got my megabass itch scratched this last month with the braillist AND the DSR in the orochi xx line. Man they're pretttttyyyyy. Both are on the heavier end for the price class but with a metanium b on the DSR and a curado DC on the braillist both rods balance RIGHT AT THE NUT. a properly balanced rod is very comfortable to fish with. ?

I’ve got an xbites and tequila on the way to pair with a bottom contact 2 for this year. The itch has been scratched but the wallet is in pain. 

 

@OP

 

Ive used a Brailist for the last two years if you have any questions let me know. It’s still going to be kept as a backup stick in case the BC2 has an accident. 

On 3/28/2022 at 9:20 AM, TNBankFishing said:

I’ve got an xbites and tequila on the way to pair with a bottom contact 2 for this year. The itch has been scratched but the wallet is in pain. 

 

@OP

 

Ive used a Brailist for the last two years if you have any questions let me know. It’s still going to be kept as a backup stick in case the BC2 has an accident. 

Ooouuuuu that wallet is definitely hurting!!! How much lighter is the xbites? I'm looking hard into getting one of those too

Much lighter than an Orochi, but the jury is still out on sensitivity. I’ve only fished it one day and usually take a dozen or so trips to get a good feel for a rod.