I've got a Thunderbird on the way. It's rated at 1/4 - 3/4oz with a slower action so it should be good for moving baits. I have a Dobyns Sierra 683c that I like a lot and I "needed" a travel rod and wanted to try out Megabass. I'm going to put a 6.x:1 reel on it and use it for lighter moving baits. Maybe some lightweight Texas rigs or finesse jigs - we'll see. Any other Triza owners have thoughts on the lineup?

 

The Thunderbird's power/action didn't suit me, so I decided to try the Grils. First impressions are much better, but I have yet to so much as tie on a rubber casting plug. I did attach a reel, though, and it suffered from the same thing as the Thunderbird: there's a significant gap once you screw the reel seat nut down. I've tried a SLX, Metanium, Aldebaran, and Zillion. Is this just how some reel seats are? I could see how, depending on your grip, you wouldn't even notice.

 

 

How are you liking the Grils rod? Also, what in particular about the thunderbird didn't do it for you? I'm making the same decision now and would appreciate any feedback/thoughts you can share. 

3 hours ago, Atriot said:

How are you liking the Grils rod? Also, what in particular about the thunderbird didn't do it for you? I'm making the same decision now and would appreciate any feedback/thoughts you can share. 

 

Still loving the Grils. It's one of my favorites even if you take away its ability to travel. I went fishing for half an hour yesterday and it's the only rod I took, because it's fun to fish with.

 

Love it for stuff like: smaller paddletails (2.5" - 3.5") on a ball jig head or underspin (1/8oz is the sweet spot), wacky rig, 3/8 oz jerkbaits, the new Mini Max chatterbait (1/4 and 3/8 oz), the tiny whopper plopper (65?) and ned heads. I don't fish a lot of crankbaits but the Grils would certainly be nice with a smaller squarebill.

 

I don't love it for coming through cover or having to set a hook on something weedless. I'll throw a weightless t-rigged plastic on it, though.

 

On the Thunderbird, something about the power and action just didn't mesh for me. I'd like to check out the Stym Palides (sp?) as maybe something of a worm/jig rod.

On 12/7/2021 at 6:10 PM, jimanchower said:

The Thunderbird's power/action didn't suit me, so I decided to try the Grils. First impressions are much better, but I have yet to so much as tie on a rubber casting plug. I did attach a reel, though, and it suffered from the same thing as the Thunderbird: there's a significant gap once you screw the reel seat nut down. I've tried a SLX, Metanium, Aldebaran, and Zillion. Is this just how some reel seats are? I could see how, depending on your grip, you wouldn't even notice.

 

 

Maybe that seat is made for round reels with the the thin steel reel foot?  That trigger and seat looks like the kind you would find on stream trout casting rods.  Would explain why a fat aluminum or plastic reel foot wouldn't fit all the way.  

On 12/7/2021 at 6:10 PM, jimanchower said:

...

I can see why you wouldn't like the exposed threads on that reel seat for palming - the threads are on your fingertips where you want to feel the rod, or at least something smooth. 

My Valleyhill Raison has the reel seat that impressed me most on a bass rod - Fuji TCS

 

 

They call it a "pipe" reel seat - the threads are moved far forward, and you tighten it with an EVA fore grip, which Valleyhill dressed up nicely with a grip ring for tightening. 

 

On 6/21/2022 at 3:23 PM, jimanchower said:

On the Thunderbird, something about the power and action just didn't mesh for me. I'd like to check out the Stym Palides (sp?) as maybe something of a worm/jig rod.

 

Interesting, I'm going to give it a chance and see how it suits me.