38 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

I don't have any experience with Dobyns rods.  To sum up the Heliums, they average 3 1/2 ounces, are very sensitive, and are true to their ratings.  Their fast tip has a really nice 'softness' to it, if that makes any sense.  My go to jig rods are a 7'3" MH and 7'3" Heavy-Medium-Heavy.

 

Drop Kistler an email.  Trey seems like a sharp guy and might be able to give you a comparison.

 

Kistler's are also made here in the US. 

 

 

I have spinning & casting LMH Heliums.  I think they make great Senko/Tube/3.8" Keitech rods.

I have two casting LMH, one 6' 10" H3 NFC,  and one newer 7' 3" (Toray?).  The NFC is by far my favorite rod.  I use it primarily for 1/8 and 3/16 Texas rigs.  The other is a good Keitech rod, but not nearly as sensitive; a bit noodle-y. 

This article lists the top rods in each price range: low, mid, and HIGH 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/rod-buyer-guide.html

 

On 2/17/2025 at 4:02 PM, PBBrandon said:

Dobyns DRX755, ultimate jig rod. Can pretty much do everything you need with a heavy. I think it really excels with dragging football jigs. Light, balanced, and top end sensitivity

 

Shimano Poison Adrena 7’3” MHRF, amazing moving bait rod. Used to have a DC734 as my “do it all” moving bait rod and the PA is on another level

Have you ever tried a daiwa steez ags? If so, how does it compare to the xtasy?

Adding the Tomahawk GT3 Shiryu "Purple Dragon" crankbait rods to the list.  I always wanted to try a Tomahawk for a moving bait rod and just discovered that these existed.  They meet my requirements of old Megabass and of Megabass rods with dragon artwork. I looked at later glass/graphite Tomahawks but these are earlier rods are more highly coveted. 

https://www.tackletour.com/reviewmbshiryu610.html

Oh God, it's spiral wrapped too.  I have to have it now.  I already own 3 MB spiral wrapped rods.  It ticks all my MB boxes.  Old legendary weird MB rod before they went mainstream with consoomerslop.  Glass (i'm on a glass rod bender since my 71MH Valkyrie and want another).  MB dragon detailing like on the X7s I'll never probably own.  Spiral wrapped guides.  It also strongly resembles my Super Destruction in design even though it is not a Destroyer.

On 3/4/2025 at 6:09 PM, woolleyfooley said:

Have you ever tried a daiwa steez ags? If so, how does it compare to the xtasy?

@PBBrandon

On 3/28/2025 at 5:51 PM, woolleyfooley said:

@PBBrandon

Never tried the Steez rods, was going back and forth at one point between the Bottom Contact 2 Steez and the DRX755. Went with the Dobyns and am happy with my decision 

19 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

Never tried the Steez rods, was going back and forth at one point between the Bottom Contact 2 Steez and the DRX755. Went with the Dobyns and am happy with my decision 

Thank you! 

My high end rods are NRX+ and Legend Elite's.

35 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

My high end rods are NRX+ and Legend Elite's.

That new Legend Elite is insane

On 2/17/2025 at 9:42 PM, king fisher said:

Dang skippy, the best ever. That one and Little Mermaid