Powell Max Review

[BASSclary]

An In-Depth Look at Powell's Bass Offering

After a long, strenuous, run with Powell's rods, I have a little review for you on Powell bass rods.

Rods Used: Powell 682C, 683C, 704C.

Variables: I've used these rods with various reels, including Daiwa Fuego, Daiwa Tierra, Shimano Curado 50E, as well as all types of line, including mono, fluorocarbon, braid, and copolymer.

Feel In Hand: The first thing I noticed upon receiving my rods was the sheer light weight of the rods, including the 7' Heavy rod, but as a Heavy power it still had some noticeable weight, yet still lightweight. When mounted with a mid-weight reel he balance on the rods is extremely well placed, right at the reel side of the reel seat screw, at the top of the reel seat on the 683C, a bit higher for the 704C. Upon further use of the rod, you will really notice the how crisp and light these rods feel. They have a really high end feel to them, yet they still feels sturdy and you're not going to be afraid of them breaking. The cork handles also feel very high quality, I've had no chunks fall out, and only some minor loss.

Components: Featuring Fuji Alconite guides, ECS reels seat, and a multipurpose hook hanger, these rods boast the standard for its price range, but they're standard for good reason, they are quality, and as good as it gets for only 139 dollars. The Alconites are very nice guides, not SiC's but they'll stand up to about anything you can throw at them. The ECS is the time tested reel seat, and it's very comfortable. One thing I would change if I could though, is change the reel seat to the ACS, or atleast offer another version with that seat instead. It takes some getting used to, but after an initial awkward feeling you'll appreciate it's palmability over the ECS, but that is all preference. The hook hanger is also very nice, being able to hold anything from texas rigs to dropshots. They use some very nice cork as well, its not the best you can get out there, but still very nice non the less with no pitting.

Sensitivity: The key feature of all rods is sensitivity, right? You need to be able to tell what your presentation is doing at all times, know what the bottom is like, feel structure, and fell a bass pick it up. These rods are very sensitive and I can feel everything I need to, and performs above its class with some rods in the $200 price range. I have favored these rods over anything I've used so far, being on par with a St.Croix Avid. But where the rod differs from an Avid is that it feels much better in hand, thank in part to it not being as tip Heavy when compared from the 704C to the 7' MH/F offering from Croix.

Styling: One of the reasons why I really like the Powell's are they're subdued, but yet flavorful choice of styling. These rods boast a split cork grip (no foregrip), with small EVA bands on the end, aluminum winding checks, and a simple metallic green, silver, and black thread wraps. It doesn't jump out at you, but you can really appreciate the beauty of these rods. The logo is also very simple, but yet elegant. On the underside of the rod you can see the model, ratings, and some intended uses for the rods. The rod is also a naked graphite after the logo, being a matte gray all they way to the tip. It looks good, but also saves you a bit of weight. One thing I might like to see on these rods is a very small foregrip, a la NRX rods.

Durability: Over about 7 months of fishing hard, banging these into rocks, and trees, and abusing these rods, I've yet to have a rod break on me. I cant speak for longer term durability, but I imagine they will be fine, except for slamming the tip in a door ! However, if you were to have any issues with these rods, Powell has you covered with a lifetime warranty. So if it breaks, you're covered!

Overall, these rods have really grown on me and I prefer them to any other rod I have used. They are light, balanced, sensitive, use top of the line components, and dont feel brittle like some others I have used. I would give these rods a solid 9/10 and would highly recommend them to anybody looking for a rod in the 150-200 dollar range. Obviously, Its no Steez, but for only $139, these rods deserve a Best In Class award.

If you have any questions, or want to know something I havent covered with these rods, please post them below and I will get back to them promptly, otherwise, I hope you enjoyed my review, and will consider a Powell for your next purchase! (Oh, and Btw, Im not sponsored by Powell, just a fan!)

[nwmike]

do you have any experience with the diesel series.I'm looking at buying a 7'6" flipping stick and the 7'2" as a jig rod.

[BASSclary]

do you have any experience with the diesel series.I'm looking at buying a 7'6" flipping stick and the 7'2" as a jig rod.

Unfortunately, I do not have any experience with the Diesel Line of rods, but haven't read anything bad about them, and with their price, I would jump on them, but I just dont need another rod right now.

[smr913]

Thanks BASSclary. You must have been in my head last night. I have been trying to find rods at this price point and went to bed looking at this whole line of rods on TW. The thing I like the best about it (other than the price) is the fact that they have such a wide line. I really like the idea of having all your rods the same series and this is an affordable way to do so without giving up quality. Great review thanks again!

[BassinNY]

I own all Powell rods and I love them. BassClary did a nice job!! I'm going to order a Diesel next week just to see how they stack up to my Endurances and Maxs. To me Powell is quality, sensitive, lightweight and priced very well.

[deep]

Hey BC, have you tried the Powell spinning rods? Just curious.

[webertime]

do you have any experience with the diesel series.I'm looking at buying a 7'6" flipping stick and the 7'2" as a jig rod.

I have the 765 Diesel and it's very light (not carrot stick/Veritas light but lighter than my Recon 766). Feels like it would fit right between a MH and H St. Croix with a similar flex/tip. I got mine to use as a Jig/T-Rig rod when I am using the Recon for Frogs (hate clipping and retying so often since I use both techniques so often on my waters). It balances nicely with a Citica E spooled with 50lb Tufline.

[BASSclary]

Hey BC, have you tried the Powell spinning rods? Just curious.

I've used the 702 spinning model, but dont own one because I just dont use spinning gear that often. It felt really nice for some lighter line techniques, like dropshotting and light shakey heads, maybe some weightless worms thrown in too.

[andamtoft]

Great thorough review, thank you!

I use mostly powell rods, both spinning and casting, with that being said obviously I love them. I have a 683 c paired with a zillion and there is very little I would trade that combo for. It can do pretty much anything i need it to. The rod is extremely versatile. I also have the 735 frog rod which I actually use for pitching and jigs and it is outstanding. they are plenty sensitive and feel sturdy.

Heard great things about the diesel line, so I just ordered one to give it a try. The already low price combined with the 4th of july sale brought it to a point where I couldn't pass it up. Very excited to give it a try. If I like it I'm really hoping they expand both the spinning and casting lines. A true finesse spinning rod would be nice as well as a 7' casting rod.

[senile1]

Thanks for the write-up Bassclary. I purchased one of the first Powell Max bass rods, the 683C, back in 2006. I was thoroughly impressed and purchased a few more Powell rods in the next couple of years thereafter including the 684c, the 684cb, the 703mef spinning and the 702mlef spinning. I still see Powell as very high quality at its price point.

[jj'sbassinforfun]

Very nice write up! Much appreciated!

I own the Powell Diesel 705CB glass crankin rod and I am very pleased. Even fishing mono I feel the slightest nip on the bait. My only complaint is the reel seat feels a little cheap. But so far its been a solid performer for what I paid for it, I'm tickled pink! I'll be adding more to my rod box in the future!

[WdyCrankbait]

Yeah, I own a couple of Endurance series rods 723c and 6103 spin, love them! They hooking setting power of the Powell's are the key for me. Great write up BASSclary!!

[flipin4bass]

Great review! I own a couple 684c rods and they have served me well for six years now. I use mine mainly for t-rigs and they are very sensitive and although they feel lite, they definately have the backbone to haul the hawgs in. They look plain next to my Dobyns, but when I need to reel em in out of the trash, I grab my Powell rods. Great rods and you can't beat the price.

[hike4steel]

I agree with all. Own 4 and will certianly buy more. Perticularly am impressed with the ML spinning bought last year for my Shakey Head fishing. Paired with a Stradic reel the performance is outstanding. The 703-CEF is the most versitial rod I own. Great bang for the buck.