Kevhead19

I have had a great time with the Evergreen Combat 7'2 MH Mod Fast rod. It's labeled the SB-125 / Moving Versatile rod. The rod is graphite with split eva. I use it for bladed jigs/swim jig /spinnerbaits with great success. I do prefer Evergeen's glass rods but the rod listed above fits your criteria. I also have used the Millerods Castfreak with the bladed jigs it works well. It's a 7ft graphite rod. They have a 7'6 Bladefreak graphite designed for what you're looking for - no glass - but I have no personal experience with that model.

I use the 6'9 medium fast JM Platinum casting rod for 110 size jerkbaits and 1/2oz size topwater. The rod performs really well for this task. The guides are smaller but I switched my connection knot for braid to leader and no problem. I also have the JM Platinum casting reel in the 8.3:1 version. I use it for frog fishing / heavy cover needs. It is an incredible weedwacker. The reel is light and fits in hand very well. It compares equally to the other higher end offerings by the OEM. If the Bass Pro name on it doesn't bother you the platinum offerings are impressive (some can't/won't look at them due to it I feel). I want to add the 7'4 MH as I like the 6'9 M that much.

Spinning: Kage LT 2500, Fuego LT 2500 Casting: Daiwa Tatula 100, Tatula SV, Tatula Elite, Zillion HD, Johnny Morris Platinum. The BPS reel is great for my frogging needs. The Daiwa's do the rest.

I use a lot of 1-4oz lures in IL waters. I have an Evergreen ND180 rod (basically 1-4 oz, 7'8) and a custom 7'8 1-5 that I rotate through. I have also used a Dobyns Champ 796 but disliked the shorter handle. Dont feel like these are secrets but the following work well for me: Jenko Booty Shaker 6 inch ( budget WCZcitizen option ) WCZ citizen 6 and 7 ( spendy ) Megabass I wing 135 Megabass Magdraft 8inch Spro Rat 50 Valley Hill Boogie Back (JDM harder to source) Grab one of the Furys, a 200 sized reel, a softbait and a topwater and have fun. Wakebaits work well and are easier to recover if there is an issue.

It means Long Handle. The rods are the exact same blank but the LH model has a much longer grip from back of reel seat to butt. The LH model's reel seat is essentially where the non LH 806's fore grip is.

I've not used a Fury 734 for a direct comparison. The Sierra is more moderate under heavy load compared to my Dobyns Champion and other models. It is not crankbait rod moderate by any means though. I have no issues with it for 1oz walking baits like a Showerblows 125. I like the load for casting and landing purposes.

I use an Evergreen Combat Stick 7'2 MH / Mod Fast rod and Dobyns Sierra 734C for my walking baits. I like both equally and use whatever is with me that day. I'm using 16/18lb sunline machine gun cast mono or 40lb sufix 832 braid.

I have a Rebellion 7ft Medium / Fast spinning rod. I used it heavily last year and it did great with 1/4oz free rigs, texas rigs and drop shots. I ran 10-20lb braid to leaders of various size. The rod is very light in weight and responsive. I like the grip as I hold three fingers above and one behind reel stem. I like it so much I added a 7'3 MH Glass rod for this season. This will be all around cranking and chatterbait needs. Curious how it will compare to my Evergreens. The Rebellion glass is super light in weight in comparison.

Quality hardened EVA is my favorite. I like the looks. Split grip preferred. (Miller, Evergreen, etc.) Second would be winn for same reasons though I have less of those. Third is cork split then full. My reasons are mainly visual for my ranking. They all fish the same to me at the end of the day

I don't do it religiously but I do use a Berkley Dredger 25.5 from my kayak. It's not as heavy as a 10xd though. I use the Evergreen Combat Jackhammer rod (7'3 Heavy Glass) and it does the job well. It's a hefty glass rod and not a lightweight option by any means. I have found more success with the 3/4 - 1oz size cranks personally. I don't anchor my kayak but cast at 90 degrees and let the lure pull me to it. I doubt I hit true depth or close. I do stand for most of the day while doing it. I have read the 803sb is very similar, if not the same, as the 806cb. I do use 7'8 - 8ft swimbait rods without issue in my kayak and see no reason why a true deep crank rod would have problems. I don't know how you would store it on yours but my feedback is from a PA14.

Evergreen Combat Stick 7'2 MH / Mod Fast ( aka SB-125 / Moving Versatile model). 3/8 - 1.25 oz rating. Great graphite rod that really sends em. Designed specifically for the 125 size Showerblows. I use both straight mono or braid w/ small mono leader with the rod.

I don't own the 180 but I do own the PA 14 360. I have had it since release and have enjoyed the two seasons. Minus the drive differences here is my feedback and hope it helps: Love the platform as a taller guy (6'5) plenty of leg room and the chair is incredible with the different height positions. No issues wearing my pfd and being comfortable. I do stand a ton though. It's a very stable standing platform but don't go too wild. The secondary stability kicks in nicely. I transport it in a Sierra 1500 with a simple bed extender. I made a garage storage cart with pvc equal to bed height and it slides in and out with much hassle. Transporting to launch I bought the Boonedox Groovy system and dealer installed. The wheels make moving it a quick task. I run a Hook 5 and the estimate above is an accurate guess on the h rail gear. I don't use a crate but keep a plano weekender bag tethered and tossed in the back well. Easy, easy hull access and pre cut for electronics. The front space is huge. I also recommend the drop in bucket for the storage by the seat. I carry 5 rods in the horizontal storage and like to leave one spot open to quickly lay down when on the move. The longest I use is 8ft and fits just fine. I cannot think of anything I would change from the vessel. Expensive, yes, but well worth it to me.

Evergreen, Miller, Dobyns, Daiwa, Megabass, Nameless Customs, Ark and Bass Pro. I plan to try a Shimano Zodias at some point mainly due to looks but enjoy all the brands above at various price levels.

Those Ark Tharp rods are the real deal. I sold a Money Maker that I completely regret. I have a feeling I will be adding one back into the mix by the end of the year. I've wanted to get my hands on an Offshore Special also.

For many techniques they usurped my Dobyns arsenal other than Frogs and Plastics. The graphite 7'2 MH/Mod Fast and 7'8 Wakebait rods get the most use. The 7'2 is my primary spinner/swim jig/big walking bait rod. I think it is the newest rod in the lineup. The 7'8 lives with a Spro Rat 50 constantly. This is a complete sleeper for a 1-4oz treble swimbait stick. Long handle, wonderful action. The 7 MH and 7'3 H glass are pretty slick but have some trade offs. Glass is clunky and heavy...these rods are no exception. They are 100% balanced for tip down position. I use the H more and it flings bladed jigs and 6xd size cranks all day for me. When a fish hooks up it doesn't stand a chance. Beautiful landing power but did I mention phyiscally heavy? Haha. Longer handles on those casting models which I prefer. The 7'1 MH spin is the best candidate for a 'one and done' spin only rod. I have it ready for guests that do not want to use a baitcaster for pond trips. I use my Rebellion more but that doesn't take away from the versatility of this model. I did not like the graphite casting jig and worm rods. Those were too awkward for me to hold tip up. My Dobyns, Platinums and Millerod are way, way more enjoyable for those presentations.

This is the full arsenal as of today and what I plan to run with for 2022. I bought a used Evergreen on a whim last year and suddenly they took over. Not much discussion on them but they are great rods for the price. Physically heavier but great actions. Casting: Evergreen Combat Stick 7'2 MH (Moving Versatile/SB-125 model) + Tatula Elite 7 speed Evergreen Combat Stick 7'3 H Glass (Jackhammer special model) + Tatula SV 6 speed Evergreen Combat Stick 7' MH Glass (chatterbait / crankbait model) + Tatula 100 6 speed Evergeeen Combat Stick 7'8 Swimbait (ND180 wakebait model) + Zillion HD 7 speed BPS JM Platinum 6'9 M / F + Tatula SV 7 speed BPS JM Platinum 6'9 MH / F + Tatula SV 7 speed Millerods 7' Cast Freak model + Tatula SV 7 speed Dobyns Champion XP 736C + BPS JM Platinum 8 speed Dobyns Champion XP 704C + Tatula SV 7 speed Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch + Tatula 100 7 speed Megabass Destroyer P5 Tequila Baccarac + Zillion HD 7 speed Nameless Customs 786 Swimbait + Zillion HD Crazy Cranker 5 speed Dobyns Champion XP 806SB + Tatula 300 Spinning: Daiwa Rebellion 7' M / F + Kage LT 2500 Evergreen Combat Stick 7'1 MH / F + Fuego LT 2500

Second full season in the PA14 360. Expensive but has been well worth the cost in terms of enjoyment and expanding my options. Great platform for a taller guy (6'5) for those considering the plunge.

6 inch magdraft in Ayu. Bass in profile pic.

I have a 7ft Medium Rebellion spinning rod. I purchased it in the spring and used it all year exclusively for 1/4oz free rig plastic presentations. It has become my favorite spinning rod. I really like the feel and action on it. I found it was really responsive and set the hook well with braid to leader. I think they fish as well as they look. I do not have any of the other Daiwa rods mentioned to compare to directly though. I would select a Rebllion again without question.

Have to join in with my fellow Great Lakes area guys. I could not let the open water go to waste in IL.

I have a 3700 and 3600 size. I use the 3600 size more and keep it tethered to my kayak rather than a crate. I have both the standard and edge type boxes. The weekender bags will fit 3 (3700) and 4 (3600) of each standard size box. However, I fit one less in each with the edge boxes as they do not flex to easily remove from the bag when full. The front pouch fits a good amount of plastics in bags and gets a little difficult with clam shells. I live very close to the Plano factory so these were purchased at a steep discount at their outlet store. I like both and would buy at full price.

I use a good deal of Sufix Advance Mono as mainline or leader for braid and really enjoy it. I'm not a fan of fluoro but I'll pay attention the diameter of fluro others suggest and use the closest I can get in the Advance Mono. The approach has worked well for me since it's a thicker line. The other mono I really like is Sunline Machinegun Cast but that is really, really expensive for what it is and bought out a bunch of it when sunline had it direct on clearance for $6 a spool or so.

I've done well with the 6 inch on 14lb sufix advance mono. I believe it is .015" diameter for reference in your preferred brand.

Wild Gill or plain ol' Gill are what I use the most. I'm using a 6'9 M/F baitcaster with 40lb braid / 14lb mono leader most often. I usually use the Popmax as a walking bait first and personally have more success with a straight walk rather than a slower traditional popper style. It's probably my most used topwater lure. Big fan.

I have the Tharp series Money Maker (7'3 MH/F) and had a BHittay (7'4 MH Mod Fast composite). I really, really like the action of the blanks. I dislike the micro guides but I have just decided to use straight copoly or braid as needed with these. The Money Maker is a stout MH and I would say it's more like a heavy with a flexible tip. I use it for texas rigs, jigs and frogs when it's not crazy deep pads/grass/slop. The BHittay is an excellent chatterbait / crank rod. It seems better with 1/2oz + trailer chatterbaits for me though. I sold due to mainly using 3/8 size and wanted something slightly less powerful. Thick diameter and weight on the composite but that comes with the territory. I am eying the Grinder model during the upcoming sale.