Purchased over the winter - Megabass Destroyer P5 JDM F2.1/2-62X GRAVEL CODE paired with a JDM Calcutta BFS, 7# Shooter FC. I've caught numerous Smallies this spring/summer and the ads do not lie. Super soft tip, almost solid tip action but lots of power down low. My dedicated NED rod, it works so well I haven't tried anything else.

Purchased this spring - Megabass EVOLUZION F3st-611ti-S HEDGEHOG SYRINGE paired with a JDM Twinpower 2500XG, 7# Shooter invisible. Yes, this is an expensive rod. My most expensive buy wow, sensitivity is off the chart. Just imagine what it would feel like with braid. My dedicated DropShot rod but looking to try shakey hd and Neko with it. This rod replaces an Orochi XX Whipsnake.

I started buying MB rods 34 years ago and now I have 2 Orochi XX, 2 Orochi X10, 4 P5s, and 1 Evoluzion. All great rods but you can really feel the difference when you move up the ranks. Anything requiring sensitivity I would go P5 or Evo, moving baits (Cranks, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits) no need to go above the Orochi X10.

YMMV

All the ones i tried were great as well. Short warranty is the only con of this company.

1 hour ago, SuperWetBlanket said:

All the ones i tried were great as well. Short warranty is the only con of this company.

I also agree it’s short but the positive is they don’t care how you break the stick. Shimano/Daiwa and most brands will not warranty a rod that wasn’t a manufacturer defect. Loomis offers the expiditor if you’ve provided the receipt and registered the rod, but it’s one time only from my understanding. St. Croix has replaced multiple guides I’ve cracked at no cost but I’ve so far never blown a rod of theirs up.

I crushed the tip of my perfect pitch in the door of my car and MB sent me a new one. Now you will pay part of retail after the first year. 33% after the first and 66% after the second.

The reality is if a rod survives the first couple years any defect should show themselves and future explosions are user error.

I really appreciate MB walking back the price increases on the Levante and Orochi lines and not so far increasing the P5s. Maybe they built in enough margin to account for tariff nonsense or they choose to eat the cost. Either way it’s built cache with me.

I sold a ton of my rods when I moved to MD and lost another batch when I turtled my kayak over riprap. I want to replace them but it’s a slog. My only personal gripe is the short window the ‘17 destroyers were on the market. The Javelin, Otomat, OG FMJ, and Addermine for absolute gems.

I still believe Megabass makes the absolute best reaction bait rods on the market. The problem for most folks is they really don’t want to spend P5 money on a bladed jig, spinnerbait, topwater, or swim jig stick. Now with the new Levante line dropping this fall I see some of those pricing issues disappearing. You get that amazing MG action in a $200 package with updated style. Sign me up.

4 hours ago, Patrick Oliver said:

Purchased over the winter - Megabass Destroyer P5 JDM F2.1/2-62X GRAVEL CODE paired with a JDM Calcutta BFS, 7# Shooter FC. I've caught numerous Smallies this spring/summer and the ads do not lie. Super soft tip, almost solid tip action but lots of power down low. My dedicated NED rod, it works so well I haven't tried anything else.

Purchased this spring - Megabass EVOLUZION F3st-611ti-S HEDGEHOG SYRINGE paired with a JDM Twinpower 2500XG, 7# Shooter invisible. Yes, this is an expensive rod. My most expensive buy wow, sensitivity is off the chart. Just imagine what it would feel like with braid. My dedicated DropShot rod but looking to try shakey hd and Neko with it. This rod replaces an Orochi XX Whipsnake.

I started buying MB rods 34 years ago and now I have 2 Orochi XX, 2 Orochi X10, 4 P5s, and 1 Evoluzion. All great rods but you can really feel the difference when you move up the ranks. Anything requiring sensitivity I would go P5 or Evo, moving baits (Cranks, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits) no need to go above the Orochi X10.

YMMV

Does the handle on the Gravel Code get slippery when wet at all? That rods been on my radar for a while, but worried about it being slick and accidentally launching over the side of my kayak on a cast 🤣

Love the Megabass rods I have though. I have a Destroyer p5 Bait Finesse and Addermine, and recently got an Orochi x10 Jade Python.

Haven't had a chance to fish the JP yet, but judging by doing bend tests in the house it seems perfect for my intended use fishing for speckled trout.

My 2 p5's are amazing though. Look fantastic, feel great in hand, excellent sensitivity and, as I described to my wife, are just extremely fun to fish with, and have become the first rods I go to grab when heading out.

20 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I also agree it’s short but the positive is they don’t care how you break the stick. Shimano/Daiwa and most brands will not warranty a rod that wasn’t a manufacturer defect. Loomis offers the expiditor if you’ve provided the receipt and registered the rod, but it’s one time only from my understanding. St. Croix has replaced multiple guides I’ve cracked at no cost but I’ve so far never blown a rod of theirs up.

I crushed the tip of my perfect pitch in the door of my car and MB sent me a new one. Now you will pay part of retail after the first year. 33% after the first and 66% after the second.

The reality is if a rod survives the first couple years any defect should show themselves and future explosions are user error.

I really appreciate MB walking back the price increases on the Levante and Orochi lines and not so far increasing the P5s. Maybe they built in enough margin to account for tariff nonsense or they choose to eat the cost. Either way it’s built cache with me.

I sold a ton of my rods when I moved to MD and lost another batch when I turtled my kayak over riprap. I want to replace them but it’s a slog. My only personal gripe is the short window the ‘17 destroyers were on the market. The Javelin, Otomat, OG FMJ, and Addermine for absolute gems.

I still believe Megabass makes the absolute best reaction bait rods on the market. The problem for most folks is they really don’t want to spend P5 money on a bladed jig, spinnerbait, topwater, or swim jig stick. Now with the new Levante line dropping this fall I see some of those pricing issues disappearing. You get that amazing MG action in a $200 package with updated style. Sign me up.

Great comment about the new Levante - Huge lineup with 2pce options for those who need it. I have a feeling that these are going to be on par with the Orochi XX, especially since the new Levante will have cork grips and a new blank.

20 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I also agree it’s short but the positive is they don’t care how you break the stick. Shimano/Daiwa and most brands will not warranty a rod that wasn’t a manufacturer defect. Loomis offers the expiditor if you’ve provided the receipt and registered the rod, but it’s one time only from my understanding. St. Croix has replaced multiple guides I’ve cracked at no cost but I’ve so far never blown a rod of theirs up.

I crushed the tip of my perfect pitch in the door of my car and MB sent me a new one. Now you will pay part of retail after the first year. 33% after the first and 66% after the second.

The reality is if a rod survives the first couple years any defect should show themselves and future explosions are user error.

I really appreciate MB walking back the price increases on the Levante and Orochi lines and not so far increasing the P5s. Maybe they built in enough margin to account for tariff nonsense or they choose to eat the cost. Either way it’s built cache with me.

I sold a ton of my rods when I moved to MD and lost another batch when I turtled my kayak over riprap. I want to replace them but it’s a slog. My only personal gripe is the short window the ‘17 destroyers were on the market. The Javelin, Otomat, OG FMJ, and Addermine for absolute gems.

I still believe Megabass makes the absolute best reaction bait rods on the market. The problem for most folks is they really don’t want to spend P5 money on a bladed jig, spinnerbait, topwater, or swim jig stick. Now with the new Levante line dropping this fall I see some of those pricing issues disappearing. You get that amazing MG action in a $200 package with updated style. Sign me up.

Re - reaction bait rod. If I could affort it i would have nothing but Evos and P5s..lol. Personally I think that the benefit isn't as much over a bottom contact setup. But hell ya, the P5 Oneten stick & Blade would be on my radar..