kayaking_kev

There's been a handful of rods that I didn't like, but I don't regret buying any of them because I bought them for great prices and was able to sell them for what I paid for them or more and in the end I learned from the experience.

I don't think there's much doubt, especially for the application you're wanting it for. SLX MGL 70 all the way, it's a lighter and just a better reel overall, not that the Fuego is a bad reel, but I really only go to that for stuff like frogging. I've had all the SLX versions and the MGL 70 is my favorite, and I've never had a problem with running out of line and mostly use it for cranking, but also use it for everything else, besides stuff like frogging. Unless you're a huge guy with huge hands and a heavy rod, go with the SLX MGL. I also have both of those reels and definitely prefer the SLX MGL over the Tatula 100. I've owned two Tatula 100's and both seem a little finicky at times, especially with Fluorocarbon. A tougher question would be between the SLX MGL 70 and Tatula SV, I love both of them.

I believe it was @J Francho who gave me some advice once to try use a light Ned Rig, so the bait will sit on top of the muck instead of sinking into it. Would a Bottom Bouncer with a short leader work for big worms, or would it be too much going on near the bait, I don't know, but maybe it would work if the fish are aggressive like you say.

I've had two their reels and two of their rods. Concept Z & Fate Black Reel. Defy Black & Fate Black Rod. I thought one of each was decent and the other one was junk. I liked the Concept Z and the bright orange reel for the $70 I paid for on sale, but wouldn't of ever paid $200 for it, and I even passed on it at $100. But, for $70 I had no problems with it besides being blinded in the bright sun, but I kinda liked the look of it paired with my Dobyns Extreme HP. The Fate Black reel was pure garbage and the worst reel I've owned. I bought it for $50 on sale and loved the look of it, but that was it. It got a scuff on it just from taking it out of the plastic packaging it came in and then before I even took it out for the first time I noticed it got a small crack in the side plate and I have no idea from what because it was just sitting on a shelf. Besides the durability, it didn't cast very good either. The Defy Black composite crankbait rod I had was pretty good, but right after I sold it the person broke it. The Fate Black rods I thought were junk, and I only paid $40 each for two of them, but quickly sold them. I don't think I'll ever buy anything 13 Fishing again, there's just better stuff available for the same price.

I think a lot of it depends on the gear - rod, reel, & line. I used an Dobyns Xtasy 723c, which is rated as a MH, but not even close to a MH in reality and it has a really nice soft tip and I had it paired with a Tatula SV and a Metanium MGL with #8 line. I'm sure the BFS guys can throw a lot lighter with some of their setups. I've also seen a few people on here use a Phenix Feather Light Power Rod paired with a Alphas Air or even a Tatula Elite and say they can throw really light stuff with it.

Same here, I just bought a Vanford and built a X-Ray MB-733, so I better be using it more this season. I used to only use Spinning Gear when panfishing with really light baits. I can cast a 1/10 oz Ned Rig pretty good with a BC, but going to switch to Spinning this year.

I feel you on that, my accuracy with spinning gear due to lack of experience is terrible.

Anyone know where these are in stock at?

So will I need to install one, two, or all now, or just wait and see how it's retrieving first before installing any of them?

This isn't a big fish, but it's significant to me because it completed my 2020 goal of catching a Bass in every month of 2020, which isn't an easy thing to do in Ohio, when the water freezes over the majority of 3 months. It was also fish #431 for the season and the last one I caught. It was also the first fish I caught on a rod that I built myself, a Custom Phenix X-10 Composite Crankbait rod. The rod is very similar to my Dobyns 704 Glass rod, but it only weighs 3.9 oz.

I received my Shimano Vanford last week from TW BF sale. It's the first time I invested in a good spinning reel because I would rarely use spinning gear, but I'm sure I will be using it a lot more now. I've always wanted a Ci4+, but never could pull the trigger, but the Vanford seemed like a no brainer. It's going to go on a Custom NFC X-Ray MB-733 that I just built specifically for the Vanford, with red wrapping and a red custom decal that matches the reel. One thing I was puzzled by was the set of washers that was in the box. I seen it says they are used to create a different winding shape, but I have no clue what difference that makes.

I have a St.Croix Panifish Series UL rod and it's great for perch, but it's not going to throw lures that are 3/8 oz. or 0.40 oz.

I have a Conquest 843c and it's good for bottom baits or single hook moving baits. I wouldn't want to throw treble hook baits on it too often, but it will handle them in a pinch. It's an awesome rod that cast better than any other high end rod I've owned, and the cork is super nice and tapered, which I like. I don't care for the color of the wrapping, but the rod blank itself is beautiful all the way to the tip and glistens in the sunshine. One thing to consider is the warranty, Conquest are lifetime, but I don't think the P5 is.

Fuego has external brakes, but weighs about an ounce more. The SLX has internal only, but is lighter and is smaller in the hands. I'm not a big fan of internal brakes only, but I like the SLX size better. I also seem to personally cast the SLX easier. The one time I would choose the Fuego, would be for a heavier rod such as a frog setup. But, I wouldn't ever buy another regular SLX again, I would much rather get a used SLX XT for less than $100 or even better a SLX MGL 70. *** usually has SLX XT in their Used section for under $100 and everything I've ever ordered used from them was in pretty much new condition. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to get 10% off, if you go that route. I own a SLX DC, SLX MGL 70 & SLX XT, and the MGL 70 is my favorite. I sold my regular SLX and Fuego, but I'm most likely going to buy another Fuego this week for a Heavier rod I just built, so let me know if you find a good deal on one.

The 843c, it cast like a dream and weighs 3.8 oz. I was supposed to sell mine after I started building my own rods, but I haven't been able to part with it yet.

Lew's Hank Parker MH from Walmart for $40 for T-Rigs. That thing always blows my mind when it comes to sensitivity and I own a Conquest, Xtasy's, & Custom X-Rays.

Thanks, I feel better now!

I recently built a MB-733, MB-736, & MB7109 and I'm a little disappointed/concerned about the weight of the blanks. It's always said weight is the enemy of sensitivity, but yet the X-Ray blanks get good reviews for sensitivity. Granted, these were my first builds and I went a little crazy with the aesthetics which added some weight on a couple of the builds, the MB-736 and the MB-7109 since it's already a beast of a blank, I didn't think a little extra would hurt. The MB-733 I kept it simpler and only added a custom decal and hook keeper. My first build, the MB-736, I got carried away with making it look a specific way and added to carbon fiber rod skins, custom decal, rod spec decal, hook keeper and at least a 10" decorative thread wrap fade. But, even the MB-733 isn't heavy, but for a ML I would of thought it would be lighter. So, I'm seeking some of you builders who have built on some of these blanks or any other X-Ray blanks and wondering what you all thought about the weight of your rods and if it being heavier will diminish some of the sensitivity the blanks are known for. I've built another rod using a Phenix blank and it ended up weighing 3.9 oz. and it was a composite blank, and I have a Conquest 843c that weighs 3.8 oz and a Dobyns Xtasy that weighs 4.6 and feels lighter, so I'm a little worried about these X-Ray blanks being too heavy, FYI, they are all built using Torzite or SiC Fuji K Guides and Carbon Handles and Reel Seats, so I tried to get the lightest components for the builds. The end results is nice looking rods, but on the Heavy side. My MB-736 weighs over 5 oz and my MB-7109, which was cut down to 7'6 weighs over 6 oz. MB-7109 MB-736

I would get two Elites, or at least the Tatula 100 for the Tube and the Elite for Jerkbaits. My thinking is that you want as much distance as you can get on the cast for jerkbaits and the Elite is the farther caster from what I hear. But, I don't know how the Elite compares to the 100 in size, I wouldn't really want a big reel for jerkbaits. I have the Tatula 100, but never tried the Elite, both of the 100's I've had seem a little finicky compared to my Shimano's or Tatula SV.

My favorite was those two above, but I'm currently building an NFC X-Ray MB-733, which is a Med-Light, with G2 Carbon Split Grip Handle and Fuji Titanium SiC Guides, paired with a Shimano Vanford that I just received in the mail today from the TW BF sale.

I shipped it for $13.10 USPS, Priority Mail. I had to go through dozens of rod tubes that I had to find one that was long enough though at 96". The cut off is 98" for oversize shipping, which is expensive.

I looked it up, I'm 138 Miles from Detroit, 190 from Lansing. That is an option though. Once you get your replacement and know that you'll be able to keep it, then we can make arrangements. I will put the 7'10 rod in a tube and take measurements and see what the price would be. It's normally about $13 to ship a rod for me through USPS, but I usually add full insurance and signature on delivery, but we can discuss that stuff. I think the $50 insurance they give you for free may be ok for me, if it's for you and signature on delivery is not really needed because I trust you.

I'm about 100 miles south of Detroit str8 down I-75.

They finally got some Medium Power Blanks and they're on sale for $87.50. https://northforkcomposites.com/x-ray-rod-blanks/?goal=0_e5485418aa-53c9c66c28-95894270&mc_cid=53c9c66c28&mc_eid=ede838fd02

They sent me a new one and I received it in a little less than two weeks. They never asked for the other one back, so I cut less than an inch off the tip and enlarged my tip top a little to fit and now I have a extra brand new X-Ray Blank. I just wish it wasn't a Mag Heavy Blank and something that I wouldn't mind having two of. If your interested I would consider trading you my extra new MB-7109 for your extra defect SJ-736. I'm not too worried about those blemishes that SJ-736 has, because the material it's made out of is "supposed" to be able to withstand stuff like that. The only thing I'm worried about is the price of shipping a 7'10" rod.