bx.versatile

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Pretty decent so far, all the above rods weight 3.5oz and balance fairly well with a magnesium reel or low 6oz reels. All the rods either come with Toray T1100G, or some blend of it and mix with Toray M40X. Which tends to be on higher end JDM rods. There was no Toray label or tag, but just how lightweight these rods are I believe it has the raw carbon. Only need to get use to that the rods are 2 pieces, but I've had zero issues so far. When I first bought one, my mindset was a bank beater/slap in my truck rod, but I'm finding I'm putting the rods in my rod locker more.

Don't try out their rods or you'll end up with 4 extra rods.

I prefer MH spinning for ripping weeds on Neko rigs or Jig Worm/Ned rigs. With spinning, I'm holding the rod directly, where bait caster gets fatiguing palming the reel and holding the rod.

Dobyns x Phenix collaboration rod? Finally, a lighter and more balance, but x2 over rating in rod power.

2018 Tatula LT and "new" Elite has Zaion. 2023 Tatula LT MQ has Zaion V. My guess they switched over to Zaion V due to cost. Video | Facebook

I picked this up during the holiday sale. It's sitting with the tags still and most likely going to return it. I'll say it's closer to MH backbone. It doesn't load all that much with 3/16oz when I was testing tip out. Almost had to roll cast to get tip moving more. The sweet spot's probably 1/4 - 3/4 total weight. I think it's more a power finesse rod, which I was looking for one, but I want the JDM Expride or Adrena ML/H version more instead. The Steez "The Sensor" has the titanium tip which can get away with 1/8 oz total on roll/side cast. It's one of my most versatile rods. I say it's a powerful ML like tip and M backbone. But if you want to cast 1/8 oz decently you need a true Light rod/BFS reel IMO.

Rebellions are closer priced to Expride in Japan. I find it more sensitive than Zodias and just tad below Expride. I have 3 models, I find balance to be okay, but the 7'3 MH Glass is crazy light. Great bladed jig/crank rod for pointing my rod down and not getting fatigue. The 7'3 MH Graphite, has a faster tip compared to my 7'2 MH Expride. Great for throwing lighter baits when needed. It's close to an 893 NRX+ in terms of the tip. The 7'3 H is my least favorite, I perfer the 7'H Zodias over it because of balance. It balances okay on heavier reel, but I need to fish it more to get a feel for it. I might need add counter weight or just use as a heavy swimjig/frog rod. My guess a lot people didn't like the balance and reel seat as much. The trigger is a little small, but I don't mind. The balance can be better if they move the reel seat up the rod blank. They did that with Zodias Gen1 vs Gen2, the handles a bit longer with the monocoque handle and made it balance much better.

I've tried their Ned Bomb as a Neg Jig trailer. I'm sure the smaller Quiver would work great. For the Quiver, I mostly use the 6.5" as it has the same profile has a 5" Senko but the extra length comes from the tail. I use it more for Neko, Toko Rig, Power/Drop shotting. It's neutral buoyant and sits horizontal on the Tokyo/Drop shot rigs. I'm adding more to my finesse bait cast line a long side The Sensor. TW had the Zodias 7'2 ML BFS for about 53% discount after the 10% Gift Card. Seems to have even more backbone than The Sensor. Also, eying the 7'2 ML/H Expride (Japan only) model if it ever comes in stock.

The Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug looks like OSP Dolive Beaver KO. We'll see how the action compares.

My favorite Phenix model is the 7'3 XH. I sold the other models cause it's too moderate for my test. For the the 7'3 XH, it's more heavy and fast-moderate bend but it has plenty of backbone to pull fish out heavy cover. Long cast hook sets are fine too. The thing is the rod is incredible light for its power, at 3.8oz I can walk the frog all day. I currently own 2 and plan to pick up the 7'7 XH for long cast frogs.

I tried Hover Strolling or Ryugi HoverShot hooks with a small nail weight. Has a unique glide/tube like fall with a flat bottom bait. I hated the line tide and it wasn't great in grass. Honestly, I switched to a regular Neko rig and applied the same concepts and it did the same thing. This time I fished Mid-Column, instead of traditional bottom or hopping a Neko. If you think about it the Neko rig line tie sits 90 degrees and runs the same nail on the head. I can just place the hook differently and get a different fall or action (Hook by the nose was more like the Hover Strolling and more towards middle had more Wacky style)

I've thrown 1/4oz weight + plastic on The Sensor. I think it weighed under 3/4 oz total. I like using braid to leader, so hitting hook sets is fine even on a wide gap VMC hook on Tokyo Rigs. My go to around weed edges is 1/4 Tokyo Rig with a Missile Bait 6.5" Quiver worm, so probably weights around 5/8oz and it doesn't feel stressed. Like @softwateronly, I've thrown 1/2+ Blade baits last fall and it handle well. It may of sling out these baits further because how catapults baits with that soft tip. I have a Steez "The One" though it's spinning, it has decent power and consider the Sensor to have a bit more power too. Both covers all my finesse fishing needs, of course I add an NRX+ 872s for even more fun. The Sensor balances fine with mide 6oz reel. I might try it with an Alphas SV TW with a KKR spool on the way, since it palms the best. The new NRX+ are pretty powerful, the 872+ is my long cast drop shot. I typically use 3/8oz to 1/2 tungsten with Robo worms or wacky Yum Dingers. I like fishing it more like Carolina Rig. I don't own an 852s or 852c, I'm sure it's the same blank for S or C. My buddy has an 852s, it's a touch more powerful than the 872s. Call me crazy, but I've fished 3/4 weights on finesse Tokyo rigs with a small paddle tail and casting into 20+mph wind. It was the only way to reach Smallmouths in heavy current/wind. I reeled it back like a Biffle Head and banged rocks with it. The rod felt fine, but I tend load and test the rod over their ratings. I'm that guy that fishes 2.0oz DRT TKs on 7'2 MH Zodias rods that's rated for 1oz max.

TLDR: Pros-Fun rod, does what any ML and M spinning rod can do and more with one rod. Cons- Weighs more than it should. It was my main "Power BFS" rod last year. I have it setup with a Steez SV TW and lightweight AliExpress spools from Kawa and AMO. It can cast 1/32 jig & TRD with no issues with these spools. Though straight up a 1/8 oz lure, the rod wouldn't load as much, but you need a true UL BFS rod do that so I didn't care for it. I like it for finesse bottom contact like lighter free rig, Tokyo rig and Texas rigged Neko. Also, works great with soft/hard jerk baits and topwater. If you like a soft tip to work those baits. The tip is soft due to the SMT tip. I don't know if it makes a difference in terms of sensitivity, but more time on water will be needed. I might use it as visual indicator more like Tackle Tour suggested. The rod might not be for everyone expecting an NRX+ 852c alternative, the 852c is way faster tip/stiffer/more backbone and it's more like M/MH. IMO, the Sensor is more ML tip/M back bone. You can do what a ML and M bass spinning rod can and more with one rod. There's a time and place for a finesse bait caster with more efficient pitching, line management, and more powerful gear. Negatives: Balance point suffers with lighter reels, but the tip doesn't feel heavy at all. IMO, it's heavy for a high-end medium power rod. It weighs 4.2oz, it should be 3.8oz or under. You may say, that's just a few oz/grams, but hey I'm spending $500+ I expect it to be top tier. The Glass and Graphite Rebellion rod that are longer, MH,non-AGS weighs the same.

Advance to me gets the nod. Sensitivity is better compared to most Mono/Copoly/FC lines. It's thicker, but I go by diameter and not pound ratings. I buy bulk spool 1200 yards on sale from TW and Rapala for under $20. Crazy value, no need for overrated FC, only time I run FC is when I need the line help lure sink or hold the lure down (Cover scat, suspending jerkbaits, slow float swimbaits).