Does anyone in here have any experience with the Phenix Bass Recon Elite series of rods, specifically the PHX-C766H that is a 7'6" Heavy 12-35lb 3/8 - 2 1/2oz...? Does anyone know if it can handle baits close to 3oz...?

 

I am in need of a rod for topwaters, rats, wakebaits and swimbaits in the 1-3oz weight range and I am thinking about getting the PHX-C766H. I am planning to not go any higher than 3oz with this rod and I am hoping it can handle close to 3oz.

 

I have read that a lot of Phenix rods are a little softer and slower than rated. Is this true...? The rod is rated as a fast but if what people are saying is true, than I am hoping the rod is a little bit slower in action and fishes more like a med/mod fast since I will be fishing a lot of treble hook baits with braid to a leader therefore giving me some advantages/versatility. 

 

I can't comment on the Phenix, but recently I picked up an Irod Genesis III JR Swim 7'8" 1-4 oz. I have no problem slinging a WP75 at 5/8 oz with it, or baits up to 3 oz like glides, wakes, and wake cranks. It's light and has a normal length handle, not long like most swim bait rods. It's quite versatile. I'm really digging it. 

I'm also looking at the IROD Genesis III Jr Swim too but its a little too long for me at 7'8". I prefer shorter rods because I am a shorter guy (5'5") and also because its better for navigating around cover/trees/bushes since I fish from the bank most of the time. 

 

I prefer a longer length handle over a standard/normal one also because it balances the weight of the rod and reel a lot better and makes the rod tip not so heavy. I like some extra length for tucking the rod underneath my arm pit for fighting big fish also. 

 

If you don't mind taking a measurement for me, what length is the handle on the Jr Swim from the end of the butt to the front of the fore grip/back of reel seat, since your saying its a normal handle length?

 

Thanks for the suggestion and pics. 

Thanks for the pics and measurements. Appreciate it. 

On 4/4/2021 at 3:15 PM, PhishLI said:

I can't comment on the Phenix, but recently I picked up an Irod Genesis III JR Swim 7'8" 1-4 oz. I have no problem slinging a WP75 at 5/8 oz with it, or baits up to 3 oz like glides, wakes, and wake cranks. It's light and has a normal length handle, not long like most swim bait rods. It's quite versatile. I'm really digging it. 

I have the same rod.does great throwing a rigs s wavers etc but will also thro a 4.8 kietech on a 3/8 head. really good rod for the money.

On 4/4/2021 at 2:47 PM, PhishLI said:

Does the Catalina fish more like a 100 or a 150 sized reel from Daiwa? 

 

Its weird because the Catalina is labeled as a 100 sized reel but on TheTackleTrap.com website, the description states '...long casting reel with enough line capacity to launch those mega deep crank baits, umbrella rigs, swimbaits...'. Last time I checked, a 100 sized reel can only handle big baits/weights if it has a deep enough spool. I don't know if my eyes are deceiving me or what but from the images online, the Catalina looks to be sporting a pretty shallow spool similar to most 100 sized Daiwas. The Catalina does not really look like it can handle deep crank baits, umbrella rigs or swimbaits unless you use a pretty thin braid. 

 

I am debating between the Catalina or Tatula 150 to pair with the Phenix rod if I get it. The Catalina wins overall on paper and looks but the line capacity looks pretty low and is kind of disappointing and I think it wouldn't be able to handle the weights and baits I want to throw. On the other hand, I like the larger line capacity of the Tatula 150 more since I don't have to worry about spooling the reel on a bomber cast and having decreased inches per turn. 

 

What's your overall impression and/or experience of the Catalina like...? 

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, ITO_ZILLION said:

Its weird because the Catalina is labeled as a 100 sized reel

Its frame is similar in size to the 150 and 200, so no, it doesn't feel like I'm fishing with a Tatula CT 100. And don't pay much attention to line cap ratings. They're mostly quite a bit off, meaning less than advertised.

 

It holds 85 yards of .017 nylon. That's 255'. If you feel you're going to be consistently casting off that much line, or even close to that, use braid mainline instead and don't worry about it. I doubt that happens using a 7'8" rod anyway.. Step up to a 9 footer and it can be an issue. It holds enough line for my purposes and I do plenty of overhead bombing. The big Toxic Wade Frog is like casting a baked potato. I've come close to spooling it with that bait, and also with a 1 oz DS using the IROD 7'8", so I just back off a skosh on the oomph.

 

8 hours ago, ITO_ZILLION said:

What's your overall impression and/or experience of the Catalina like...? 

 

I understand that other people make this a point, but I'm truly unconcerned about IPT and a low spool. I'm not typically burning baits in or using a steady retrieve. I like to mix it up. Get fancy. I got the 7 spd, so.

 

It'll handle heavy baits without issue. It's essentially a Zillion HD. The gear train is robust as it has a true dual bearing supported pinion. I have both Tats and they're great for the asking price, but they don't have that important feature and they lack a full floating spool. The Catalina is a level above both in refinement and it's brake is tuned for slinging steel baits in saltwater bay fishing, AFAIK. The farthest I've thrown any bait with any reel/rod combo I've owned is with this reel in the equation.

 

That distance is what saved my outing last week because all 4 fish were out that far, and a Dark Sleeper is what they wanted. ATD is different than UTD though. It took a bit of getting used to in the beginning. The clicky drag is shweet.

 

My priorities may be different than yours though. I have a slew of  bait/weight range specific swim bait setups already. What I didn't have up until now was a super versatile one.  If I'm wading a flat with this setup I can tie on a belly weighted Berkley Champ Swimmer and sling it easily, then turn around and throw a 3 oz glide without walking back to swap rigs. The rod matters, naturally, but the reel needs to behave with somewhat lighter baits too, and the Catalina does due to it's spool size/weight. It's a big deal to me and this particular setup provides me with that wide range and convenience. Pretty fantastic actually.