Good day everyone!!

looking for suggestions  for an UL or L casting rod. Hoping to cast evergreen gizmos, Megabass karashi’s and micro chatterbaits, micro jigs, ned rigs… blah blah blah… 

 

I have this daiwa PX-R sitting here not getting used and I have the PX68 finesse spool to use with it.   Thinking I’ll use 8lbs braid.    I like the reel but I have yet to find a rod to compliment it.  I’ve had a couple ML rods for it but I felt they were underwhelming and didn’t perform as I had hoped however they were lower range rods so I’m thinking I need to go somewhat higher end. But really I don’t know.
 

 With Black Friday sales going up, been thinking maybe I should take a peak what’s out there.   Open to any price range or difference suggestions in various price ranges.   Also would consider finding something on the Japanese auctions for a decent price…  

 

after all that… I look forward to all your suggestions.   Thanks!!

Take a look at BSF threads

L Majorcraft Benkei on the affordable end and a Shimano Expride or Posion Adrena on the higher end.  I wouldn't even look at non Japanese brands.

It's hard to give a specific recommendation, but @Bigbox99 pointed you in the exact direction.  

More progressive rod tapers will handle lighter weights and still have big-fish butt-power - this is where the Japanese usually go.  

More para tapers will cast intermediate weights to greater distance for rod length.  

The most amazing I own is discontinued Abu (JP) Kurodai Baitfinesse Prototype.  

I looked up Abu's current Kurodai line, which isn't quite the same rod, and begins at 1/8-oz low end.  

At the high-$ end ($400) is new release EverGreen Phase PCSC-66L+BF Fieldin' Star.  

 

Tariff situation is not too bad for rods.  I bought 2 since tariffs kicked in, and paid 20% duty.  

I have the Kestrel Finesse by Kastking they are reasonably priced. The Zephyr which is a little bit cheaper.

I am partial to KK but with the BF sales going on there is a brand of rod that will suit yours needs and budget.

You might look at the Kistler Hunt series.  I use mine for small BFS baits including the Karashi and small top water poppers.  Despite having a delicate tip, it can bring in the fish. It loads and casts little baits perfectly.  Its just a fun all around rod. 

 

Caught this monster smallmouth on it.

 

 

 

I fish a Phenix Feather FTX-C71-2 which is a two piece rod and have no issues throwing a gizmo, even farther than my UL Loomis spinning rod.
I fish a 9 gram, 3” jointed swimbait on this rod with a Shimano BFS SLX reel and 8lb PowerPro line and it cast forever!

Highly recommend for the price.

 

 

1 hour ago, Bigbox99 said:

L Majorcraft Benkei on the affordable end and a Shimano Expride or Posion Adrena on the higher end.  I wouldn't even look at non Japanese brands.

I’ve been looking at the Major Craft Benkei rods actually.  They’re worth it?  Found some decent priced ones on the auction.   Also had the poison adrena and expride on my radar.    As a step lower, how are the Zodias?

14 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

I fish a Phenix Feather FTX-C71-2 which is a two piece rod and have no issues throwing a gizmo, even farther than my UL Loomis spinning rod.
I fish a 9 gram, 3” jointed swimbait on this rod with a Shimano BFS SLX reel and 8lb PowerPro line and it cast forever!

Highly recommend for the price.

 

 

Amazing!   That’s what I like to hear.    I have never found a Phenix rod up here in Canada.   I’ll have to keep looking.   

Do you have a budget figure in mind?

 

I have been slinging the Karashi all summer. I have a Phenix Classic BFS and a couple Dobyns (SUF700C and SUF690C) rods. All three of those rods are similar in action and power, and have been great for the Karashi in terms of casting, retrieving action, and fish fighting ability. 

 

I also recently picked up an Old 18 Buoyancy (on sale) which is a little bit lighter in power, but have yet to be able to try it out yet.

 

My heaviest BFS combo weighs a little over 7.5 oz (7'4"), and the lightest combo weighs 7.15 oz (6'6")

 

As for JDM rods, I have yet to venture into that arena.

40 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

Do you have a budget figure in mind?

 

I have been slinging the Karashi all summer. I have a Phenix Classic BFS and a couple Dobyns (SUF700C and SUF690C) rods. All three of those rods are similar in action and power, and have been great for the Karashi in terms of casting, retrieving action, and fish fighting ability. 

 

I also recently picked up an Old 18 Buoyancy (on sale) which is a little bit lighter in power, but have yet to be able to try it out yet.

 

My heaviest BFS combo weighs a little over 7.5 oz (7'4"), and the lightest combo weighs 7.15 oz (6'6")

 

As for JDM rods, I have yet to venture into that arena.

No budget in mind.  I figure I’d have to spend a bit to have a good quality rod to sling lighter baits.  Problem is there are no Phenix sellers in Canada that I can find so they’re pretty hard to come across and shipping over the border is insane.    Also looked at the kistler hunt and same thing.   

1 hour ago, MiceNReets said:

I’ve been looking at the Major Craft Benkei rods actually.  They’re worth it?  Found some decent priced ones on the auction.   Also had the poison adrena and expride on my radar.    As a step lower, how are the Zodias?

Amazing!   That’s what I like to hear.    I have never found a Phenix rod up here in Canada.   I’ll have to keep looking.   

Yeah, Majorcraft rods are your typical JDM beauty and excellent build quality.  The Volkey, Corzza and Freestyle were popular rods to import when BFS 1st kicked off stateside.  You see them mentioned in the archive if you want to read about them.  I've owned two Volkey BFS rods and they were very nice rods that looked and fished way above their price point. 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?&q=Majorcraft&page=10&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

1 minute ago, MiceNReets said:

No budget in mind.  I figure I’d have to spend a bit to have a good quality rod to sling lighter baits.  Problem is there are no Phenix sellers in Canada that I can find so they’re pretty hard to come across and shipping over the border is insane.    Also looked at the kistler hunt and same thing.   

 

Dobyns? I picked an SUF690c for $97.70 last month on the jungle site. It, and the SUF700c (paid $169 for it) I have are pretty similar to the Phenix, with the biggest exception being that the grade of cork on the Phenix is a little higher quality.

if you plan to use 8 lb braid plus a leader make sure the guide train will accommodate the leader knot.

Tom

Another vote for Major Craft.  I don't own any of their BFS rods, but have a fair amount of their trout rods which are about the best bang for the buck you'll find.  I do own one of their more traditional bass rods, a Days 65ML and love it.  While it's rated for 5-14g, it's very competent with a 3g total weight.  I'm not sure how light you're wanting to go, so keep in mind that a jig and trailer will exceed that weight. 

 

I see you're in Ontario.  If you're near Windsor, I'm right across the river and if you want, I'll let you check out my Days so you can get an idea.

2 hours ago, ike8120 said:

I have the Kestrel Finesse by Kastking they are reasonably priced. The Zephyr which is a little bit cheaper.

I am partial to KK but with the BF sales going on there is a brand of rod that will suit yours needs and budget.

Kast King has its BFS Casting Rods Zephyr model with 3 options on Amazon Black Friday sale. I bought the Feather rated rod. 

Good Fishing

Just picked up a Major Craft Volkey 69ML BFS rod. With coupons on the auction site, ended up costing me $38 and it looks to be in great condition.    I’ll give that a go with the PX-R and finesse spool.    

rated 1/16-1/14oz so come springtime I’ll see how it does.  Hopefully it’ll do at least a few of the lures I plan to use! 

3 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Just picked up a Major Craft Volkey 69ML BFS rod. With coupons on the auction site, ended up costing me $38 and it looks to be in great condition.    I’ll give that a go with the PX-R and finesse spool.    

rated 1/16-1/14oz so come springtime I’ll see how it does.  Hopefully it’ll do at least a few of the lures I plan to use! 

I found a topic on your exact rod worth a read for some insight into the rod.

32 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I found a topic on your exact rod worth a read for some insight into the rod.

Just came across this before I bought the rod.   Would have preferred the 68L as recommended but I’m hoping the 69ML do what I need.    Or close too is fine with me.   I just plan to use it for river fishing here when I go wading. 
 

here’s hoping I made an OK choice.  Tough one because there isn’t much out there on either rods.   

 

On 11/21/2025 at 11:28 AM, redmeansdistortion said:

Another vote for Major Craft.  I don't own any of their BFS rods, but have a fair amount of their trout rods which are about the best bang for the buck you'll find.  I do own one of their more traditional bass rods, a Days 65ML and love it.  While it's rated for 5-14g, it's very competent with a 3g total weight.  I'm not sure how light you're wanting to go, so keep in mind that a jig and trailer will exceed that weight. 

 

I see you're in Ontario.  If you're near Windsor, I'm right across the river and if you want, I'll let you check out my Days so you can get an idea.

I used to fish in Windsor for musky and smallies.  Now I’m about 7-8hrs away but if I go back there  I’ll let you know.