Shimano Cumara Vs. Phenix Recon

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

So I am going to be buying a Heavy action punching rod. The Shimano Cumaras will be down to approx 125 dollars on Labor Day and the Phenix rods will be on sale but not as cheap. I am wondering if any of you Shimano/Phenix guys have some opinions on why you like one over the other or just why you like your rod. The phenix I can get in a 7'6" or a 7'10" where as the Cumara would be a 7'7". Is a Cumara for this cheap something I shouldn't pass up?

[Bass_Fanatic]

I have a Cumara 7'2" M/XF and a Phenix Recon 764C. They weigh about the same in my hand and both balance exremely well with a slight edge to the Recon. If I were buying a punching rod, I would go with a Recon 796. I like the more MF taper of this rod over a Cumara's F action. Both are fantastic rods and for $125, a Cumara is hard to pass on!

[BASSclary]

Are you talking about the Recon models? That's what im assuming anyways. I dont think you can go wrong with either really. The Cumaras are fantastic rods for the money, especially at that price, but the Phenix is also incredible. I got to throw one for a few casts and was very impressed.

I would go with the Cumara if it were me though, its a little bit cheaper, and I like the Aesthetics alot better. Its not in your face, but still looks realy nice, and they look really nice in the sun. Im not big on this whole JDM thing thats going on.

[shootermcbob]

I have never fished a phenix, but do have the 7'4" cumara heavy power fast action, and I can feel EVERYTHING when dragging a jig around. Incredibly sensitive rod. Have had no problems detecting the bites I have had on this rod. I have only had it about a month, but I really, really like it.

Good luck with your decision.

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

Are you talking about the Recon models? That's what im assuming anyways. I dont think you can go wrong with either really. The Cumaras are fantastic rods for the money, especially at that price, but the Phenix is also incredible. I got to throw one for a few casts and was very impressed.

I would go with the Cumara if it were me though, its a little bit cheaper, and I like the Aesthetics alot better. Its not in your face, but still looks realy nice, and they look really nice in the sun. Im not big on this whole JDM thing thats going on.

I'm all about the JDM thing thats going on! haha

[msolorio]

From what I hear, the recons are awesome! I have yet to fish one but I just might pick one up soon and give it a shot. I have and ultra mbx that I actually love so if the recon series are just as good it will be money well spent.

[webertime]

I have a Recon 766, and I love it. Not pool cue stiff at all. In one trip I can very effectively throw frogs, flip t-rigs or jigs into junk, drag c-rigs and even toss a 6" Hudd or Shellcracker swimbait. I like the slightly moderate action with braid, it somewhat tempers my jerky style when jiggling a flipped bait. I've held a Cumara and I would never tell anyone to not get one, but I really like my Recon 766.

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

I have a Recon 766, and I love it. Not pool cue stiff at all. In one trip I can very effectively throw frogs, flip t-rigs or jigs into junk, drag c-rigs and even toss a 6" Hudd or Shellcracker swimbait. I like the slightly moderate action with braid, it somewhat tempers my jerky style when jiggling a flipped bait. I've held a Cumara and I would never tell anyone to not get one, but I really like my Recon 766.

I would be using it for these exact applications. I want to be able to flip/pitch, punch in the heavy stuff, and even throw a smaller swimbait if I feel like it. I feel like the cumara will be on the extreme side of technique specific. Athough it's a killer deal I am most likely going to end up with a phenix. I haven't decided between the 7'6" or the 7'9" but I feel the 7'6" will still be able to handle some heavy punching and be more versatile for throwing a swimbait or a larger wakebait.

Also, you all are stating that the tip is slightly moderate. Do you feel like its too much give when trying to pull a bass out of the thick stuff? Or are you able to wrestle them out just fine? I'm all for a tip that allows them to inhale the bait but if its too much give I don't want a big one swimming around some branches or deep into the cover..

[webertime]

I would be using it for these exact applications. I want to be able to flip/pitch, punch in the heavy stuff, and even throw a smaller swimbait if I feel like it. I feel like the cumara will be on the extreme side of technique specific. Athough it's a killer deal I am most likely going to end up with a phenix. I haven't decided between the 7'6" or the 7'9" but I feel the 7'6" will still be able to handle some heavy punching and be more versatile for throwing a swimbait or a larger wakebait.

Also, you all are stating that the tip is slightly moderate. Do you feel like its too much give when trying to pull a bass out of the thick stuff? Or are you able to wrestle them out just fine? I'm all for a tip that allows them to inhale the bait but if its too much give I don't want a big one swimming around some branches or deep into the cover..

NOOOO worries about the tip when a fish buries itself. Plenty of power to pull them out.

[msolorio]

I would go with the 795. That seems like it would suit your needs better. I'm addicted to throwin swimbaits right now but I also looove fishing the heavy stuff so thats what I would get if I were to get a recon.

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

NOOOO worries about the tip when a fish buries itself. Plenty of power to pull them out.

Nice. I think I'm even more sold on the phenix even though I sort of have been for some time.

I would go with the 795. That seems like it would suit your needs better. I'm addicted to throwin swimbaits right now but I also looove fishing the heavy stuff so thats what I would get if I were to get a recon.

Is that length OK/better than the 7'6" for throwing the smaller swim baits/punchin' in your opinion? I am 5'9" tall so I think it would be good for me vs something in the 8ft range. I've just never used a rod this length for bass fishing so I want to make sure I don't get something wayy too big.

[msolorio]

I think it'd be better. Its not necessarily better than a 7'6" but when your punching you want that extra length to keep that fish pinned when your having to dig her out of the grass. I think theb795 would be best for swimbaits because you can't really cast it over head like smaller baits so that extra 3 inches would help get more distance on a side arm/lob cast. I was actually looking at the recon 795 myself for the same reasons you are.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I too would recommend the 795 recon. I love my 764, but my next will be a 795 for added distance and power for punching!

[webertime]

796 or 766. I don't think height has anything to do with rod length, I'm 6'5" and prefer a shorter rod... why? I have a 6'8" wingspan so I still smack the tips of my rods in the water as much as anyone else. I've had 7'6", 7'9", 7'10" and 8' rods, I prefer the 7'6"ers.

The 766 will balance better (with a 200 sized shimano, just for reference) and 3" will really have a negligible effect on casting distance, ability to keep a fish pinned or anything else for that matter when bio-mechanics, fishing platform, wind, etc. are added to the fishing equation. This is just my opinion though.

[.ghoti.]

If you're giving the Cumara any consideration at all, go to a store that has them and mount your reel on it to see if you like the feel.

I have one. Bought it when they first came out. Fished with it three times, and its been sitting in my rod rack ever since. I don't use the term "hate" very often, but I hate the way this rod feels in my hand. I'll be kind and say only that the grip / seat combination is seriously under-sized.

[Hooligan]

Ghoti, I'll buy it- if I don't already have three. I love my Cumara's very often fish them over GLX and NRX- they just fit. That said, I'm not at all fond of the rod in question. I liked it initially, and fell out of love with it rather quickly. It's just too heavy a power and too fast for the application. As much as I dislike the Phenix line, the Recon 766 is a better rod. Unless you're fishing deep jigs and swimbaits constantly, where you need to tip speed on a hookset, the 766 is the better rod for the purpose. It's more manageable and has a better feel in hand.

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

Ghoti, I'll buy it- if I don't already have three. I love my Cumara's very often fish them over GLX and NRX- they just fit. That said, I'm not at all fond of the rod in question. I liked it initially, and fell out of love with it rather quickly. It's just too heavy a power and too fast for the application. As much as I dislike the Phenix line, the Recon 766 is a better rod. Unless you're fishing deep jigs and swimbaits constantly, where you need to tip speed on a hookset, the 766 is the better rod for the purpose. It's more manageable and has a better feel in hand.

Thats odd that you say the phenix has an extra fast tip. A few of the other guys here were saying its more of a fast even moderate fast tip. I feel like the cumara 7'7" punching model would be much stiffer as its rated for a 1-3oz lure where the phenix is rated a 3/8th-2 1/2 oz lure.

[webertime]

Thats odd that you say the phenix has an extra fast tip. A few of the other guys here were saying its more of a fast even moderate fast tip. I feel like the cumara 7'7" punching model would be much stiffer as its rated for a 1-3oz lure where the phenix is rated a 3/8th-2 1/2 oz lure.

I think he's saying the Cumara is XF.

[n8cas4]

I too have narrowed my new flip n pitch down to these two. In my research so far, a lot of negative reviews for the recons on TW. Yet, I'm still interested. I really like the power/tip/feel of the crc-x711h (my current flip/pitch older crucial). Which of the recons is closest to this power/action without going shorter than 7'6"?

I'm guess the poster bought one of these rods over labor day, so I'm wondering what he went with and how he likes it so far...