33 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

How do you all feel about the x bites for a weightless senko/fluke/other plastics rod? Too heavy? 

 

Right in its wheelhouse.

 

 

Quinggustic, I have to disagree with some if the previous posters. I own a Windbuster and the 110 Stick and the Winbuster far outcasts the 110 Stick, at least for 110 Jrs. For that reason, my 110 Stick pretty much sat unused for a year. This spring I was determined to get some use out of it and took it out on the water with a full size 110 tied on and distance is ok. Reel waa a Curado 70, I've also tried a Daiwa 80. But when I'm fishing bank, and distance is premium, I rarely bother with a casting rod anymore, the Windbuster with a good spinning real (ballistic or vanford for example) just tops them all. Also be aware, the fight on the 110 Stick is a totally different experience from the Windbuster and a spinning rod in general. To each their own but I much prefer the controlled play on spinning than just winching them in. 

 

BTW I've been out 4 times this year, 95% fishing a jerkbait, almost 100 smallies in the bag mostly in the 2-4 lb range, fishing those two rods side by side. I wish I could like the 110 Stick more, it's absolutely a premium jerkbait rod but again, if you're used to spinning it's very different. Here's another option: I bought a MB Cookai Gulf 7'2 spinning rod over the winter for a friend who was looking for his first high end rod and needed a 2 piece, I saw a deal used and grabbed it, now I'm keeping it. It's the same 5 D tech as the P5s but geared towards saltwater. I fished it my last two trips trying it out with a 110 tied on. It's a little faster, not quite as parabolic as the Windbuster, but handled every fish fine and the distance I got on this rod was unbelievable. I also threw a Nishine MD 3/4 ounce and it handled it great. It's hard to find info on these rods so I'm thinking of doing a review on it here. Also considering picking up the 7'7 which has a regular bend more like the Windbuster. PM me if you want more info.

 

Steve

I don't think you can really compare a casting and spinning rod.    I mean you can take any 7" M Fast spinning rod and outcast a 110 stick.    It has more to do with the differences b/t spinning and casting reel than anything else in my book.   

Yes I agree with that. Spinning outcasts casting. But given the specific question about casting distance and that the poster was trying to compare those exact two rods, I wanted to share my experience. Honestly wish I had heard similar feedback before buying half my gear. 

Love my Daemos, love my OneTen Special, love my FMJ…

 

Probably fish the Daemos the most, the FMJ is newer so not much experience with it other than it feels good in hand and was sensitive as anything I have ever used, still getting to know it. 

 

I love to throw spinnerbaits, Keitech's, larger deep diver jerkbaits like KVD Elite 300 type stuff and larger topwaters with the Daemos. 

 

Everyone should own a Daemos taper. 

 

I used to own a Windbuster but sold it, the grip just didn't feel great to me, was a nice taper though. 

 

 

I have a Z Crank Elseil that I bought for another purpose, ended up tying on a walking bait and safe to say it's my lifetime topwater rod now. I remember one of the TB guys saying how much he likes his for topwater and I have to agree. It's the only category of rod where I've flat out stopped looking for anything else because I feel like I've just got the best.

I just bought the windbuster after a lot of contemplation. Glad I did. It’s a unique rod for sure. Not your typical 7’2 M spinning rod. Bought it mainly for free rigging and bottom contact but excited to throw some hardbaits on it. Would love to throw topwater on it but using braid to fc leader wont be ideal and that’s what living on the reel.

 

I did notice that you don’t want to pair it with a super light reel. Makes the rod feel tip-heavy. To balance it out better I paired it with a 3000 sized Twin Power FE and it’s perfectly balanced right where you lay your index finger ok the blank.

 

I did take it out for the first time and tossed a free rig around. 1/4 oz weight with a 4” dolive beaver. Casting with it felt a little awkward to me. I’ve gotten used to casting with my P5 Addermine so I’m okay with the shorter butt section (that’s my only negative about the P5s). When I was casting the windbuster I kept the shorter butt section into account but man that 1/4oz weight with a 4” do live beaver felt super heavy. Not sure if this is just a normal feeling that’s new for me and I gotta get used to. I know people even throw 3/8oz sinkers on it but I cant imagine how much bulkier that would feel casting. I think I also need to step down my leader lb test. Was running it on 15lb braid to 14lb fc sniper (only leader line I had on me at the time). I think stepping down to 10 or 12 lb fc sniper could help. Castinf didnt feel smooth at all and I was surprised how difficult it was to get decent distance with such a heavy feeing rig at the end. Any tips?

 

I’m still happy that I picked up the Windbuster. I think it’s a rod that I need to learn and Im actually excited about that

hard to pick a favorite.  honestly, it is about the technique primarily.  say, your favorite thing in the word is to throw a jerkbait.  your fav P5 should follow suit.

it would be odd if you love the Anaconda the most if that is the case.

 

the rod follows the technique for me. 

On 4/20/2025 at 2:36 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I don't think you can really compare a casting and spinning rod.    I mean you can take any 7" M Fast spinning rod and outcast a 110 stick.    It has more to do with the differences b/t spinning and casting reel than anything else in my book.   

I wonder with a Tatula Elite baitcasting reel  - the Oneten Stick might outcast or at least be similar to any spinning rod. I use that reel on my current jerkbait set up and it launches farther than any reel I've ever used (baitcasting or spinning). 

 

Another question for you - I know the Oneten Stick is awesome with jerk baits - but do you use it much for topwater?  Ideally, I'd like to have something double duty, especially a rod at that price point. Topwaters I throw are usually 1/2 ounce Giant Dog-X, Shower Blows 105, etc. 

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I wonder with a Tatula Elite baitcasting reel  - the Oneten Stick might outcast or at least be similar to any spinning rod. I use that reel on my current jerkbait set up and it launches farther than any reel I've ever used (baitcasting or spinning). 

 

Another question for you - I know the Oneten Stick is awesome with jerk baits - but do you use it much for topwater?  Ideally, I'd like to have something double duty, especially a rod at that price point. Topwaters I throw are usually 1/2 ounce Giant Dog-X, Shower Blows 105, etc. 

 

I've been using the Z-Crank Elseil for some topwater. It states that it will go up to 3/4oz but 1/2oz to me is the limit. Its just a fuzz lighter than the OneTen Stick.

 

Great rod though.  I really like it for the 110jr and 3/8oz crankbaits but it does great with the Pop-x and Showerblows. I haven't tried it with the Pop Max yet. 

4 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I wonder with a Tatula Elite baitcasting reel  - the Oneten Stick might outcast or at least be similar to any spinning rod. I use that reel on my current jerkbait set up and it launches farther than any reel I've ever used (baitcasting or spinning). 

 

Another question for you - I know the Oneten Stick is awesome with jerk baits - but do you use it much for topwater?  Ideally, I'd like to have something double duty, especially a rod at that price point. Topwaters I throw are usually 1/2 ounce Giant Dog-X, Shower Blows 105, etc. 

I’m going to use it as my popx rod. I throw showerblows 105s and popmaxs a lot as well. Hoping they arent out of the weight range for the 110 stick. Used to throw that on a 6’10 M Expride B comfortably but I know the 110 stick is slightly more parabolic through the midsection than the Expride. Casting distance also is a little more limited due to the length.

1 hour ago, UmairF said:

I’m going to use it as my popx rod. I throw showerblows 105s and popmaxs a lot as well. Hoping they arent out of the weight range for the 110 stick. Used to throw that on a 6’10 M Expride B comfortably but I know the 110 stick is slightly more parabolic through the midsection than the Expride. Casting distance also is a little more limited due to the length.

I found this on another site:

 

”It's a great target casting top water treble bait rod in particular. Everything from a Pop X to a Pop Max (1/4 to 1/2 oz) it can present nicely. It is a blast to use with the Giant Dog X at 1/2 oz, a Sammy 85, and a bunch of prop baits in the same weight range.”

On 9/30/2023 at 12:39 PM, Drew03cmc said:

For some reason, I think they might be on the take from Shimano, but with regards to Megabass jerkbait rods, I have the Orochi XX Jerkbait Special and it's nice on bigger baits, but also makes a great fluke rod. I also have an Orochi X4 Rattle Viper Technical Game and it's a spectacular jerkbait rod up to a 110. I also use the RVTG for weightless soft baits, topwaters, etc. It's currently running 10lb P-Line CX on it. 

TB gets a share of every TW bait you buy using their links. I don’t think they get $$ directly from Shimano, Matt Allen has just always been a Shimano fanboy. But he also gives Megabass rods regular shout-outs. 

On 4/20/2025 at 1:02 PM, Swest18x said:

Quinggustic, I have to disagree with some if the previous posters. I own a Windbuster and the 110 Stick and the Winbuster far outcasts the 110 Stick, at least for 110 Jrs. For that reason, my 110 Stick pretty much sat unused for a year. This spring I was determined to get some use out of it and took it out on the water with a full size 110 tied on and distance is ok. Reel waa a Curado 70, I've also tried a Daiwa 80. But when I'm fishing bank, and distance is premium, I rarely bother with a casting rod anymore, the Windbuster with a good spinning real (ballistic or vanford for example) just tops them all. Also be aware, the fight on the 110 Stick is a totally different experience from the Windbuster and a spinning rod in general. To each their own but I much prefer the controlled play on spinning than just winching them in. 

 

BTW I've been out 4 times this year, 95% fishing a jerkbait, almost 100 smallies in the bag mostly in the 2-4 lb range, fishing those two rods side by side. I wish I could like the 110 Stick more, it's absolutely a premium jerkbait rod but again, if you're used to spinning it's very different. Here's another option: I bought a MB Cookai Gulf 7'2 spinning rod over the winter for a friend who was looking for his first high end rod and needed a 2 piece, I saw a deal used and grabbed it, now I'm keeping it. It's the same 5 D tech as the P5s but geared towards saltwater. I fished it my last two trips trying it out with a 110 tied on. It's a little faster, not quite as parabolic as the Windbuster, but handled every fish fine and the distance I got on this rod was unbelievable. I also threw a Nishine MD 3/4 ounce and it handled it great. It's hard to find info on these rods so I'm thinking of doing a review on it here. Also considering picking up the 7'7 which has a regular bend more like the Windbuster. PM me if you want more info.

 

Steve

Thanks for the information. Do you have the Megabass P5 oneten special? 

On 4/20/2025 at 7:17 PM, Goby said:

Love my Daemos, love my OneTen Special, love my FMJ…

 

Probably fish the Daemos the most, the FMJ is newer so not much experience with it other than it feels good in hand and was sensitive as anything I have ever used, still getting to know it. 

 

I love to throw spinnerbaits, Keitech's, larger deep diver jerkbaits like KVD Elite 300 type stuff and larger topwaters with the Daemos. 

 

Everyone should own a Daemos taper. 

 

I used to own a Windbuster but sold it, the grip just didn't feel great to me, was a nice taper though. 

 

 

How about the oneten special? Except for the Jerkbait, can you use it for other hard baits ? Thanks

On 4/23/2025 at 9:35 PM, Swest18x said:

I have a Z Crank Elseil that I bought for another purpose, ended up tying on a walking bait and safe to say it's my lifetime topwater rod now. I remember one of the TB guys saying how much he likes his for topwater and I have to agree. It's the only category of rod where I've flat out stopped looking for anything else because I feel like I've just got the best.

Except for top water? Is it good for other lures, say chartterbaits, spinning baits, jigs, and soft plastics? Considering buying a versatile bait casting rod. Thanks

Are there any p5 rods that would compare power/action wise to a Dobyn’s champion extreme 745? 

I don't have the Oneten  Special. I do have the P5 Madbull. That's a nice rod for medium to medium large treble baits (rates up to 1 ounce), some would say it overpowers a Vision 110 but in a pinch I think it would work. I've thrown a 110 Max LBO on it and it's a perfect rod for that, this spring I used it for a Duo Realis 120SP (5/8 jerkbait) , and I plan on using it for some 5 inch Magdrafts. Before I bought my ZCrank Elseil the Madbull was my walking bait rod and it was very good for that (think Showerblows 105). There's a good review on YouTube for the Madbull if you PM me I can point you right to it.

 

I did not like the ZCrank Elseil for jerkbaits at all. It's too soft in the tip section, at least for me. I like a crisp tip for jerkbaits and you end up having to move the bait with your whole forearm on that rod. It was designed for Megabass crankbaits so it's probably great for that but I don't crank much. 

 

I will say this. My first rod was a $60 Okuma. My second rod was a $50 Berkely. My third rod was a $500 Windbuster. I bought the Windbuster to be an all purpose rod, then got into bait casters because of all the choices in rods. I have probably dropped 4k in rods since then. Apart from the ZCrank (topwater is one technique I would always prefer a baitcaster) and maybe one of my lipless rods, I could have saved all that money. The Windbuster is still my best "if you could only have one" rod. And oh yeah, did I mention it's incredibly sensitive for finesse techniques? my Steez MML AGS spinning rod is a close second, if that gives you some idea. 

 

 

From what I remember reading the 110 Special is a bit stiffer than the 110 Stick but usually any good jerkbait rod will work for top water, and if it's sensitive light plastics and jigs I'd think.

5 hours ago, Swest18x said:

I don't have the Oneten  Special. I do have the P5 Madbull. That's a nice rod for medium to medium large treble baits (rates up to 1 ounce), some would say it overpowers a Vision 110 but in a pinch I think it would work. I've thrown a 110 Max LBO on it and it's a perfect rod for that, this spring I used it for a Duo Realis 120SP (5/8 jerkbait) , and I plan on using it for some 5 inch Magdrafts. Before I bought my ZCrank Elseil the Madbull was my walking bait rod and it was very good for that (think Showerblows 105). There's a good review on YouTube for the Madbull if you PM me I can point you right to it.

 

I did not like the ZCrank Elseil for jerkbaits at all. It's too soft in the tip section, at least for me. I like a crisp tip for jerkbaits and you end up having to move the bait with your whole forearm on that rod. It was designed for Megabass crankbaits so it's probably great for that but I don't crank much. 

 

I will say this. My first rod was a $60 Okuma. My second rod was a $50 Berkely. My third rod was a $500 Windbuster. I bought the Windbuster to be an all purpose rod, then got into bait casters because of all the choices in rods. I have probably dropped 4k in rods since then. Apart from the ZCrank (topwater is one technique I would always prefer a baitcaster) and maybe one of my lipless rods, I could have saved all that money. The Windbuster is still my best "if you could only have one" rod. And oh yeah, did I mention it's incredibly sensitive for finesse techniques? my Steez MML AGS spinning rod is a close second, if that gives you some idea. 

 

 

From what I remember reading the 110 Special is a bit stiffer than the 110 Stick but usually any good jerkbait rod will work for top water, and if it's sensitive light plastics and jigs I'd think.

Thank you very much, Sir. You are so nice to type so many words to explain this to me. Have a great weekend!

16 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Are there any p5 rods that would compare power/action wise to a Dobyn’s champion extreme 745? 

 

Probably want to seek out reviews of the FMJ and BMG if length is a major requirement.

 

scott

On 6/6/2025 at 5:13 PM, Swest18x said:

 

 

I will say this. My first rod was a $60 Okuma. My second rod was a $50 Berkely. My third rod was a $500 Windbuster.

Whoa.  this is quite the trajectory!!!  mine was much less of a steep curve.  i worked about 5 Dobyns Fury rods into my curve

Do you Megabass rod owners consider P5's durable? I'm intrigued by the Windbuster and found a used one thats close to my budget. I'm worried about not having a warranty to fall back on should an accident happen. I not rough with my gear, but you never know.

I have the 110 Special.

 

Love it.

 

The butt grip is small but I guess you just get used to it. Someone with big hands might hate it.

 

The P5's are drop dead gorgeous.

15 hours ago, badfish79 said:

Do you Megabass rod owners consider P5's durable? I'm intrigued by the Windbuster and found a used one thats close to my budget. I'm worried about not having a warranty to fall back on should an accident happen. I not rough with my gear, but you never know.

i havent owned mine too long,about a year. so far no issues. im fairly careful with my stuff but clumsy.lol. i have 3 p5s and all have been fine so far.

18 hours ago, badfish79 said:

Do you Megabass rod owners consider P5's durable? I'm intrigued by the Windbuster and found a used one thats close to my budget. I'm worried about not having a warranty to fall back on should an accident happen. I not rough with my gear, but you never know.

I don't particularly baby mine.  I just teat them normally. No problems. I have broken 2, both in accidents that were my own fault or the dawned universes fault. I was happy to have the warrant and personally would rather pay for it.

The P5’s are gorgeous but I’ve been slowly shifting away from them. Just broke an Addermine which I absolutely loved. As I was retying an FG knot I put slight pressure on the line to keep it tight and the rod snapped near the tip. Couldn’t explain how that even happened since I baby all my rods and have had fish pull a LOT harder on the rod. I’ve heard numerous stories of people having other P5s blow up on them or snap over nothing as well.

 

Thankfully it’s covered in the Megabass warranty but I’d be out almost $500 if it happened any later. Not saying that every P5 blank is eventually going to break this way but I wish Megabass had a better warranty. There’s a reason you pay more for NRX+. The warranty is worth every penny. Plus, the NRX+ rods are built like tanks. Put my 852 through the trenches and it still looks brand new. Just have to clean/seal the cork every offseason or so just as I do with all my other rods.

I love me some more P5.  but like mentioned above, I dilute them with Dobyns Furies in my line up.

 

the FMJ was hard to warm up to.  it feels clumsy to me sometimes.  its because it is physically heavier to me.  I have a Bantam on it.   but I kept plugging away with it.   perfect mid sized DEPPS Coverscat rod.  perfect.   it throws 1/2-3/4 jigs awesome, which isn't ideal since I tend to like finesse jigs way more.   I am definitely warming to it.  why?  I am skipping baits!  easy skipping baits like gill profiles, and the scat.  but skipping accurately is fun.. the tip is pretty ideal for me. 

 

Saturday I hooked a 17lb catfish.    I first thought it was a Giant bass, but nope.  the FMJ was fun.  glad it was NOT my whimsical X-bites that hooked the cat. hahah..  

 

what bottom contact P5 is smack dab in the middle between the X-bites and FMJ?