Only thought that isn’t heavily mentioned is the frog set up

I find I have a hard time with top water hollow frogs without 8:1 speed reel with 50# braid. It’s just not a good time missing bites.

If that’s good for your single hook and t-rig set ups then you’re good to go.

Also my favorite versatile set up is a p5 tequila Baccarac. 7’ it’s super light weight for the power

It will throw anything 3/4 oz up to 4 oz so will cover anything your levante cannot. You might even be able to eliminate two rods with that one set up. Including a rig or Carolina rig.

Versatile, does good a lot but not the best at any technique.

13 hours ago, TimTheGearNerd said:

Only thought that isn’t heavily mentioned is the frog set up

I find I have a hard time with top water hollow frogs without 8:1 speed reel with 50# braid. It’s just not a good time missing bites.

If that’s good for your single hook and t-rig set ups then you’re good to go.

Also my favorite versatile set up is a p5 tequila Baccarac. 7’ it’s super light weight for the power

It will throw anything 3/4 oz up to 4 oz so will cover anything your levante cannot. You might even be able to eliminate two rods with that one set up. Including a rig or Carolina rig.

Versatile, does good a lot but not the best at any technique.

Appreciate your input. I planned on the Zillion TW HD being an 8:1. I considered the Tequila but most of my jig and T-rig fishing is with 3/8-1/2oz weight + Trailer. Haven't weighed trailers but I assume it would be close to that low end of the rating around 3/4oz. I've heard people like the GLX 844MBR for frogging but still have some doubts on it. I do prefer a softer tip for walking frogs and feel my hook up ratio is better with a softer tip. I currently have a perfect pitch that I use for frogging. I plan on keeping it as a back up just in case. I could just take that when I plan on doing some frogging. But kinda defeats my whole purpose of downsizing.

37 minutes ago, BigBassBlake said:

Ya I'm looking for a versatile bottom contact spinning combo. Mainly for neds and senkos but the ability to do other things.

Have you considered. . . . . . "The One"

2 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Have you considered. . . . . . "The One"

No... lol I don't even know what your talking about? What's "The One"?

7 hours ago, BigBassBlake said:

No... lol I don't even know what your talking about? What's "The One"?

The Daiwa Steez spinning rod known as "The One" (STAGS761MMLFS). Daiwa named it that because it is said to be super versatile and effective for baits from 1/16 to 3/4 of an ounce. Tackle tour has a somewhat in depth review of it.

8 hours ago, Big Hands said:

The Daiwa Steez spinning rod known as "The One" (STAGS761MMLFS). Daiwa named it that because it is said to be super versatile and effective for baits from 1/16 to 3/4 of an ounce. Tackle tour has a somewhat in depth review of it.

Ok I see. Thanks I'll go take a look at it and watch the video.

Appreciate all the help from everyone. Made the first order have a GLX 844 MBR, P5 Madbull, and Went with a Poison Adrena 610m on the way. Got one metanium mgl already and another one on the way along with a Zillion TW HD.

So as the line up sits right now it will be.

Levante Shakeyhead/ Tatula MQ LT

Poison Adrena 610M/ Metanium MGL

P5 Madbull/ Metanium MGL

GLX 844 MBR/ Zillion TW HD

Orochi XX Launcher/ Curado 200m

Levante Leviathan/ Curado 300k

Phenix Classic BFS/ Curado BFS

But I'm still trying to decide on a versatile spinning rod to upgrade to from the shakeyhead. So any opinions would be appreciated. Considering 852 JWR, 842 SJR, 822 DSR, P5 addermine, also considering St. Croix and Great lakes finesse rods. But open to other suggestions outside of those.

On 1/14/2026 at 8:52 PM, BigBassBlake said:

Just looking to get some opinions on my 2026 lineup. Looking to downsize from 12 combos down to 6 or 7 while upgrading the quality. Looking to go more versatile and less technique specific to bring the total number down.

Upgrading is fine. Downsizing is blasphemy!

Kidding aside, too large of an arsenal is not a good thing. Spent 15 years gathering mine. Now I wish I had way less. It's not only a case of "Which MHF combo do I take today?", but also a problem properly storing them.

Someone else mentioned ‘the one’ by Daiwa. Fantastic spinning rod and very versatile.

I also have a kistler Z bone and very fond of that rod. Would put it right up there with the legend elite, steez, and NRX. Not as technique specific as the other rods but very sensitive.

I haven’t fished it yet, but have have it on order after playing around in store. The Legend X2 from Croix feels incredible and I cannot wait to fish it. Got to talk with Dan Johnston in person who is with St croix and he has high praises for the rod (yes I know he works there and wouldn’t say anything bad about it). But I was very impressed with the rod.

1 hour ago, Loomis13 said:

Someone else mentioned ‘the one’ by Daiwa. Fantastic spinning rod and very versatile.

I also have a kistler Z bone and very fond of that rod. Would put it right up there with the legend elite, steez, and NRX. Not as technique specific as the other rods but very sensitive.

I haven’t fished it yet, but have have it on order after playing around in store. The Legend X2 from Croix feels incredible and I cannot wait to fish it. Got to talk with Dan Johnston in person who is with St croix and he has high praises for the rod (yes I know he works there and wouldn’t say anything bad about it). But I was very impressed with the rod.

Ya I thought about "the one" but the AGS guides worry me as I will be using braid to leader. Ill have to take a look at the kistler I've heard good things about them but never used one. The legend X2 look great and I've heard nothing but great things about them.

@BigBassBlake I have 3-4 years with the power pitch and the sensor and I only throw braid to leader. It doesn’t seem to be an issue to me.

scott

26 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

@BigBassBlake I have 3-4 years with the power pitch and the sensor and I only throw braid to leader. It doesn’t seem to be an issue to me.

scott

That's reassuring. I've heard from a lot of people that use braid to leader and never had any issues but with my luck I always worry.

I also the braid to leader, but tend to use a fairly short leader and try to keep the knot out of the guides.

Can’t go wrong with a destroyer either like has been mentioned in the thread. I have a daemos as well it and it’s awesome.

On 3/1/2026 at 4:02 AM, Loomis13 said:

I also the braid to leader, but tend to use a fairly short leader and try to keep the knot out of the guides.

Can’t go wrong with a destroyer either like has been mentioned in the thread. I have a daemos as well it and it’s awesome.

Ya I'm probably overly worried about it. I'll have to add "The one" to the list to check out.