Megabass Orochi Xx And Versital Line

[Tylertut]

I looked at a couple of these rods at my local bass pro and am extremely impressed. I handled the Perfect Pitch and Tour Versital. I like the TV better out of these two but wish they had a Spinnerbait Special for me to look at. I need a rod to pair with my new Chronarch Ci4. So my question is, between the Spinnerbait Special and Tour Versital, which one will be a better rod for most techniques. I need an all around rod to go pond hopping and and cover almost every technique.

Also as far as all around line goes, is 30# PP a good choice or should I use mono for the stretch when using cranks?

[Dwight Hottle]

Take a look at the XX Flat Side Special. Was just looking at this today. It is considered to be the most verstile rod in their line up for baits from 1/4 to 3/4 oz.  

"The most universal rod in the Double X line. Works great for everything from light plastics to jigs. You name it, it does it!”
- Luke Clausen, FLW TOUR

 

[Tylertut]

Take a look at the XX Flat Side Special. Was just looking at this today. It is considered to be the most verstile rod in their line up for baits from 1/4 to 3/4 oz.  

"The most universal rod in the Double X line. Works great for everything from light plastics to jigs. You name it, it does it!”

- Luke Clausen, FLW TOUR

It seems to me like the rod is geared more towards reaction baits. I'm newish to most of this so bear with me. Is the 'regular' taper going to be more like a moderate? If so won't that be too slow for jigs and some other applications. And is the power going to be too weak for smaller frogs and jigs?

[rangerjockey]

I have the flat side special, The build quality of the orochi is very impressive. It's a great crankbait , spinnerbait and topwater rod. also a nice jerkbait rod if you don't mind the length. I wouldn't be afraid to drag a 3/8 oz jig with it either. 

[Tylertut]

I have the flat side special, The build quality of the orochi is very impressive. It's a great crankbait , spinnerbait and topwater rod. also a nice jerkbait rod if you don't mind the length. I wouldn't be afraid to drag a 3/8 oz jig with it either.

Would you say heavier jigs, such as 3/4 oz be too heavy? What about t rigs?

[Dwight Hottle]

Here is a link about it.

 

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=56743

[rangerjockey]

I wouldn't go that heavy with it, It's a 4.5 power but it's not as parabolic as a traditional crankbait rod. I would say it's a moving bait rod that you could fish a light jig or a t-rigged plastic like a beaver with...when your looking for a rod to fish 3/4 oz. jigs with your really in a different power and action.

[Tylertut]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll probably pull the trigger on the FSS then and use my MH veritas for heavier stuff.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a well suited line for this rod and a Ci4? Would 30# PP be versital enough?

[Dwight Hottle]

Try the 30 lb braid and see how it works for you. I always try to drop the braid weight after I get comfortable with what I am using. If you are totally happy writh the 30 then give 20lb a try.

[Tylertut]

Try the 30 lb braid and see how it works for you. I always try to drop the braid weight after I get comfortable with what I am using. If you are totally happy writh the 30 then give 20lb a try.

I have 30 on it now but haven't used it enough to know if it will work well enough for topwater and moving baits. Im using 20# on my Curado right now and its working fine, so I'm sure it'll be the same on the Ci4. 

[jbsoonerfan]

What's all this talk about a versatile rod????? Don't you know that you need a different rod for every technique you plan to use????

 

 

That's what we are told anyway.

[Tylertut]

What's all this talk about a versatile rod????? Don't you know that you need a different rod for every technique you plan to use????

 

 

That's what we are told anyway.

Ha, I tried going that route. Now I'm broke and only halfway there. I also mostly bank fish and fish from a kayak, so 3-5 rods is my max, right now I have 3.

[jbsoonerfan]

Ha, I tried going that route. Now I'm broke and only halfway there. I also mostly bank fish and fish from a kayak, so 3-5 rods is my max, right now I have 3.

 

 

I completely understand. It was more a jab at people who honestly believe they "need" a rod for every technique.

[Tylertut]

I know that bugs me quite a bit. But I'm trying to buy a couple quality rods to to cover everything. Starting with this megabass rod.

[Raul]

What's all this talk about a versatile rod????? Don't you know that you need a different rod for every technique you plan to use????

 

 

That's what we are told anyway.

Not by me.

[kickerfish1]

I don't know if you have pulled the trigger on a rod but in a few of your latter posts you reference jigs and Texas rigs between 1/4-3/4 oz. I would strongly look at the EMTF. It is a great jig, swimjig, Texas rig, weightless plastics, and spinnerbait rod plus even light frogs and swimbaits. As long as you weren't wanting a rod for treble hook applications I would strongly consider it. Of all the rods I own it is the only one I would ever consider getting a duplicate of. If the legnth doesn't bother you it would be worth a look. I wouldn't part with mine for anything.

[Hogsticker]

Bank fishing, fishing from a Kayak has spinnerbait special written all over it.

[kschultz76]

Kickerfish has some good time with the EMTF so I'd value his input.

I have the Spinnerbait Soecial and it is a unique rod that seems will be very versatile. I've had it since October so I've not fished it a ton, but have enjoyed it. I've so far tried it with jigs, trigs, weightless Senkos, couple squarebills, and a Spinnerbait. The blank seems forgiving enough to handle the fight with treble hooks, but braid might not be ideal for this.

I also just got a Tour Versatile, just as beautiful and immaculate build as the Spinner Bait. It is without a doubt a more powerful rod that sets up faster and a stiffer backbone. They are both medium fast actions but they don't feel the same to me. Caveat is I've only been able to cast and pitch a jig a few times with it testing it. I did try a weightless Senko on it, and the SS handles that better.

In my opinion as long as you aren't consistently fishing a total weight of 1/2 or heavier, and not in super thick heavy cover the SS will suit your needs better and be more forgiving over the TV. If you're really in the heavy cover often, or primarily looking to fish heavier then 1/2oz TW normally the heavier TV would be more appropriate.

Also fwiw the SS is a lighter rod in the hand and balances perfectly with a CI4 Chronarch. It has that weightless sensation to it. The TV is heavier in hand, still balances well but just not as perfectly for me as the SS.

I can't compare to any other MB rods as I only own these two. I've heard the SS and EMTF compared favorably especially in the versatility category. The length of the EMTF precluded me from going that route.

I selected my MB rods with the help of Gary at The Tackle Trap, I highly recommend you call them up before making your purchase. Gary has a ton of time on the water with all the Orochi XX rods and can really help you dial in your selection. The service from TTT is top notch.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[Tylertut]

Kickerfish has some good time with the EMTF so I'd value his input.

I have the Spinnerbait Soecial and it is a unique rod that seems will be very versatile. I've had it since October so I've not fished it a ton, but have enjoyed it. I've so far tried it with jigs, trigs, weightless Senkos, couple squarebills, and a Spinnerbait. The blank seems forgiving enough to handle the fight with treble hooks, but braid might not be ideal for this.

I also just got a Tour Versatile, just as beautiful and immaculate build as the Spinner Bait. It is without a doubt a more powerful rod that sets up faster and a stiffer backbone. They are both medium fast actions but they don't feel the same to me. Caveat is I've only been able to cast and pitch a jig a few times with it testing it. I did try a weightless Senko on it, and the SS handles that better.

In my opinion as long as you aren't consistently fishing a total weight of 1/2 or heavier, and not in super thick heavy cover the SS will suit your needs better and be more forgiving over the TV. If you're really in the heavy cover often, or primarily looking to fish heavier then 1/2oz TW normally the heavier TV would be more appropriate.

Also fwiw the SS is a lighter rod in the hand and balances perfectly with a CI4 Chronarch. It has that weightless sensation to it. The TV is heavier in hand, still balances well but just not as perfectly for me as the SS.

I can't compare to any other MB rods as I only own these two. I've heard the SS and EMTF compared favorably especially in the versatility category. The length of the EMTF precluded me from going that route.

I selected my MB rods with the help of Gary at The Tackle Trap, I highly recommend you call them up before making your purchase. Gary has a ton of time on the water with all the Orochi XX rods and can really help you dial in your selection. The service from TTT is top notch.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Wow, thanks for the super informative post, just what I was looking for. I just have a couple more questions.

Do you recommend a versatile line to use?

Would the TV still work well for moving baits?

And would the SS work with lures slightly over 1/2 ounce in a pinch in your opinion.

[kschultz76]

If you are really going to use a lot of moving or reaction baits with either I'd stick to at least a good Fluorocarbon with some stretch to it over braid. Neither if these rods is a truly moderate taper a line that absorbs some shock will help.

I've not thrown any moving baits on the TV, but I'm told it will handle them by Gary at the TTT. I'm sure it would handle big spinnerbaits, chatter baits, swim jigs, small swim baits, even frogs or big top water like spooks. My impression with no practical experience is that bigger cranks would be doable as long as they are heavy enough to cast effectively. It wouldn't be my first choice for smaller lighter cranks.

In a pinch and occasionally the SS will def take weights over 1/2 oz, the rod will handle. I'm just saying if you fished those weights 75% of the time or more may not be your first choice. After rereading your OP my gut says the SS or EMTF is where you want to be with a slight nod to the SS for reaction baits.

If you check out Tackle Tour's rod section they did a write up on the SS.

Again before you pull the trigger I highly recommend you look up The Tackle Trap and talk to Gary. Super nice guy, no pressure, and he will help you pick out the MB that best suits your needs.

Hope that helps and good luck.

[MediumHeavy]

I have the Flat Side Special, Spinnerbait special and Perfect Pitch. Right now, the FSS is my favorite. It's not a true parabolic cranking rod by any means. I've used it with Vision 110 Jr's, chatterbaits and weightless Texas rigs so far and loved it. The Spinnerbait Special would also be a very versatile choice, but has more of a fast action. If you're going to use 3/4oz. jigs or Texas rigs, you might want the SS over the FSS. The FSS seems more versatile to me, though. But I rarely go over 1/2oz. Lots of power on tap with these rods, too. And they're some of the nicest sticks I've ever used. They all pair great with a Ci4+ or Curado I 200 HG. I use 30lb braid on them and it's been fine for me.

[Tylertut]

I have the Flat Side Special, Spinnerbait special and Perfect Pitch. Right now, the FSS is my favorite. It's not a true parabolic cranking rod by any means. I've used it with Vision 110 Jr's, chatterbaits and weightless Texas rigs so far and loved it. The Spinnerbait Special would also be a very versatile choice, but has more of a fast action. If you're going to use 3/4oz. jigs or Texas rigs, you might want the SS over the FSS. The FSS seems more versatile to me, though. But I rarely go over 1/2oz. Lots of power on tap with these rods, too. And they're some of the nicest sticks I've ever used. They all pair great with a Ci4+ or Curado I 200 HG. I use 30lb braid on them and it's been fine for me.

Judging by your post it seems the FSS seems more suited to my needs as I have a preference towards moving baits over jigs and plastics, especially lipless cranks.