So I’ve done some digging on here and I believe at least 1 or 2 members have some experience with the Defy Black crankbait rods. I was going to revive an older thread but decided to start a new one with the above mentioned Oath rods included. So full disclosure I purchased a Defy Black that is on back order and in all fairness haven’t handled one for a few years now especially since being bought by Rapala and curious if they made many if any changes. I did stop into a Dicks sporting goods and they had 1 each of the Oath casting and spinning rods, my personal feeling is they weren’t horrible but I would definitely hold off on the $99.00 price point until I caught a decent sale which the Defy Black currently is. I understand the Defy series is a lower end line but from my memory it felt better than its price point similar to my Fate Black spinning rod so again I’m hoping for some input if anyone can share any. I apologize for the long winded post but again I’m hopeful for some information.

Edited April 30, 20251 yr by Eric 26
Context

I have an Oath med-fast which I use for weightless flukes. Bought it last year on sale and have used it a lot. Good rod, light and sensitive. Hope this helps.

DSG had a 7'3 MH Oath and it felt pretty d**n good to me for 100$,> or = Tatula XT IMO, but that was the only model they had.  For another 20$ you get a much nicer blank, handle and improved guides, especially if you plan to use braid.  Defy Black has been out for a long time; they will be replaced soon and likely go on clearance.  

First off thank you both @little giant & @GetFishorDieTryin for your input and after thinking it through a bit more I went ahead and canceled the Defy Black rod which was on back order anyway and me realizing I’m in no hurry. You both made a valid point about the upgrades for a minor price increase along with me thinking the blank reminded me of my Fate Black. I think I’ll stop at my favorite independent tackle shop and see if he’s got any in stock where I don’t mind paying full price. 

Stopped at DSG after a dr appt.  They didnt have the 7'3 Oath Crankbait, but they had the 7' Crankbait.  The Oath feels like it should cost 2x what the defy does.  If they ever do get a 7'3 I might buy one to use for chatterbaits. 

None of the above. Falcon rods; either the Bucoo or the Lowrider for your price range. I used to own a lot of 13 Fishing products and will never buy anymore, ESPECIALLY with the Rapala buyout. Their customer service is a joke 

 

Get you a Falcon. Better quality rod, and their customer service is the best there is in the rod market. The Lowrider All Around and Cranker II are great cranking rods. My dedicated square bill rod is the Bucoo 7' M/M. Caught my PB 10.5 on that rod. 

 

 

18 minutes ago, dk2429 said:

None of the above. Falcon rods; either the Bucoo or the Lowrider for your price range. I used to own a lot of 13 Fishing products and will never buy anymore, ESPECIALLY with the Rapala buyout. Their customer service is a joke 

 

Get you a Falcon. Better quality rod, and their customer service is the best there is in the rod market. The Lowrider All Around and Cranker II are great cranking rods. My dedicated square bill rod is the Bucoo 7' M/M. Caught my PB 10.5 on that rod. 

 

 

Falcon just inst big around here.  TD had some of the cheaper models and they were pretty meh IMO.  I did get to handle one that felt decent, but it was like 220$ with typical fuji handle and fazlite guides. 

For me 13 is hit or miss, some of the rods I really like, while others are just ok.  I bought a Muse Black years ago on a whim and was shocked at how much I liked it.  I actually got better service with 13 than ANY other rod company.  I had a rash on one of my OB3s, they sent me a brand new 1 and i got to keep the old one.  I'm sure that's changed since Rapala became majority owner.  They stopped making the 7'5 MagM blank which is awesome inshore blank.  Im sure the CS isn't what it once was after the buyout.  Im not even sure how they made a profit with that kind of model.

SC used to be arguably the best with CS and they have fallen far in just a few years.  They had at least a 50% increase in failure rate on 1 particular line and refused to give free replacements for what was a clear defect.    

I've only had one need for 13Fishing customer support, and it was superlative.  

A redfish followed my lure out of the water and ate at my knee, I over-reacted and high-stick-set at the same instant the redfish exploded.  My rod broke 1/3 down from the tip, and I landed the fish.  

I called them about their discount replacement program, they told me fishing break was warranty, and sent me a new rod.  When my Omen Green was closing out, I bought a back-up for half-price.  I have one other 13Fishing rod, and like them all - taper, light in hand - the mid-grades I bought use Alps guides, and the cheapest rods I fish, but I don't fish them because of the price.  

My only experience with 13 fishing is an Omen gold rod, absolutely fantastic rod.

Very well built, sensitive and one of my personal favorites.

Oh have a reel also that I really like " ascent comp ".

I bought and still own 10 Omen Black 2s between '17-'18. Never had to use the warranty, and the majority of the fish I've caught have been dragged through very choked out water. My only regret is not scooping up a few more of the 7'3" MHF. A gazillion casts and plenty of fish on the two I have. That model was made for me. Also have 2 Defy Black crankbait rods. I don't often get out to water where I can crank, so these were fine for that that purpose. Added an Omen Green and a Muse Black in the past few years. I doubt I'll have an issue with either.

 

Anyway, I don't know what it takes to break these things. I was sure it would've happened more than a few times, but it just hasn't.

 

If you like the feel of either, just go for it. 

I have two Defy Black Cranking Rods. They're ok for the price but their biggest shortcoming is sensitivity. I switched my squarebill rod to a Carbonlite 2.0 a month ago and the difference is incredible. I can finally feel my line interacting with cover before the bait gets there and it also seems to cast much further. I still use one of the Defy Blacks for my spook rod, but the other has been relegated to backup duties. 

I’m really enjoying everybody’s response to this thread and especially those with experience of the 13 fishing rods in particular. I will say I’m glad I canceled the order for the defy black but haven’t a chance to seek out the Oath crankbait rods. @JHoss I’m not sure if you’re referring to the new Carbonlite 2.0 technique specific rods or not but would like to know, @PhishLI thanks for chiming in and I’m glad to read your 13 fishing rods held up so well and I’m of the mindset that as long as it doesn’t break within the first season through no fault of my own at $99.00 I’m okay with replacing it with or without a warranty. I hope I didn’t just jinx myself as I’m all over the place with my rod brands and have only used a warranty claim once from St Croix due to my own stupidity and their generosity even knowing it was my fault such as @bulldog1935 was saying about his 13 fishing experience. Speaking of bulldog I’ve shared with him my liking of the only 13 fishing rod I currently own which is a Fate Black spinning rod that I can’t fault in any way. I also can’t fault the only 13 fishing reel I own which is a Creed spinning reel that I bought on clearance a few years ago. I’m definitely going to grab one of the Oath crankbait rods I’m  just not sure when. 

On 5/6/2025 at 12:14 PM, Eric 26 said:

@JHoss I’m not sure if you’re referring to the new Carbonlite 2.0 technique specific rods or not but would like to know,

Yes, it is one of the Carbonlite 2.0 Technique Specific rods. The Shallow Crank model specifically. I was worried the MH would struggle with lighter sqaurebills, but that hasn't been the case. I paired it with one of their Carbonlite 2.0 reels.

 

Before, I was throwing a Tatula with the Defy Black. Durability has been great with the Defy. 

 

The only Fate I've owned was a 7'11 MH flipping stick. It seemed like a step up from the Defy Black until it broke. But you can't really compare the sensitivity of a flipping stick to a cranking rod. It broke fighting a fish in super close quarters in a blow down- I personally think many other rods would not have broken in that same scenario, but can't be sure.