I might be in the market for a versatile spinning rod and the Megabass Ronin has intrigued me. The power (Medium-Light) and rating (1/4 - 3/4) are an interesting combination and I'd love to hear from anyone who has this rod regarding the different techniques they use w/ it. I know it's supposed to be an awesome spinning rod for jerkbaits, but is it able to handle several different techniques? If so, which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

I’ve never used the rod, but based on the rating I think it could do well with tubes and swimbaits. The dark sleeper comes to mind, considering that they’re both made by Megabass

@Buzzbaiter - Well, I hope you’re right. Those are two of the techniques I would be throwing the most.

I have fished both the series one and two of the ronin. I know it well and its not a tube rod. Its marketed for jerkbaits and such but will not handle baits over 1/2 oz. very well. I found it great for small cranks (1/4 oz.) and medium to small jerkbaits. Also a good skipping rod for docks (I don't do this but have heard this). The rating to me is off at up to 3/4 oz. The best rod for the techniques you are looking to fish is the Megabass Valkyrie 6'11 M spinner. Its not a cheap stick but its one of the most unique rods I have ever fished. 

Thanks, @thunderblack. I appreciate that insight. I plan on throwing a lot of paddle tail swimbaits next year for smallmouth bass, specifically the Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.3” w/ 1/8 heads. In addition to these, I’ll be throwing the Megabass 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., the smaller sizes of the Dark Sleeper, 4”/5” Senkos, and a couple of other things, including smaller tubes. How do you think it would perform for these techniques, specifically the swimbaits?

You might be able to get away with small swimbaits on the newer version. The ronin is tough to explain. It fishes like a ML/M F rod and doesn't feel like a rod I would want to fish single hook baits on but I think it would handle small grubs and paddle tails in the 3/8 oz. range. I would be looking at the shakeyhead model if I was going after an orochi XX. The ronin will fish the vision jr. very nicely. At 6'-8" it won't bomb them like the shakeyhead will. I found the casting distance on the rod not my favorite either but the ronin is a cool rod its just limited. I really prefer the 6'-10"-7'-1" lengths for jerkbaits. 

The series 2 (newest model) is more powerful than the previous FYI. I keep thinking about the first series.

Yeah, I'd be going w/ the Orochi XX Ronin so that's good to hear. I'm thinking I would be throwing total weights around 3/8 and rarely going over that. I actually really like that it's 6'8 and that adds to the appeal for me. I appreciate all of your insight, @thunderblack.

You bet man. Enjoy it! Its a fun rod for fighting fish too. Goes deep into the blank when you get a nice 3-4 lber.

Hey, @thunderblack - I know you mentioned the Orochi XX Shakyhead and now I'm curious what techniques you think that rod would be good for and if it would work for the things I plan on doing?

AB, I have not personally fished this one but I know it fits more in the 7' M/ML category. I have fished the addermine which couldn't be too far off and was probably a bit more sensitive. It is geared more toward finesse and smaller plastics with a single hook. I thought it would work well for smaller jerkbaits too from what I have read and seen in specs. Maybe someone else can chime in who has fished this one.