Excel Bass 2 Casting Rod 7'3" Med Lt Fast....opinions?

[new2BC4bass]

Never owned a Lamiglas rod.  TW has them on sale.  The rods specs are the same as many MF rods.  Would it handle lures on the lower end better than a MF with the same rating?   How about lures towards the high end?   How is sensitivity?  Build quality?  Haven't done any research on it yet.  Any complaints about breakage?

 

I have a hard time passing up good deals.  There are a couple other rods (more expensive than the Excel's listed price) that I have been wanting.  One is the 7' MF Okuma Helios.   TT's review has me wanting one.  Would I be better off saving my money and going for the Helios?  Thanks.

 

BTW, this isn't TT so don't go suggesting I buy both. 

 

[webertime]

I have a 735 Excel 2, a 703 Excel 1 spinning and had a 734 Excel 1.  They are not as fast as most companies fast rods, so that my help them load and toss lighter baits.  My old 734 had the same specs as the Excel 2 733 you are looking at, and if the action is the same as I suspect, it MAY be a bit to moderate to fish anything other than trebles and/or light wire hooks.

 

So as far as breakage or anything.  I fished the snot out of my 735 Excel 2 this year and caught dozens and dozens of fish including 5 smallies over 5lbs.  It was a dedicated Carolina Rig rod (Citica E, 20lb Abrazx, 1oz Mojo, LONG 17lb mono leader) with occasional 6" Hudd tossing.  I set the hook on many a boulder in 40' and that rod never ever winced.  I did very very well in tournaments this year on that rod and when it was all over and I was breaking down my gear for the winter I found that I had nearly rounded out the handle/driveshaft interface on the Citica and only a trim ring on the rod had come loose.  I am really trying not to buy another 735.

 

AND it is a beautiful rod, if that matters.

[JaxBasser]

I don't need another rod right now but man I'm tempted to grab one of those rods for that price.

[new2BC4bass]

I have a 735 Excel 2, a 703 Excel 1 spinning and had a 734 Excel 1.  They are not as fast as most companies fast rods, so that my help them load and toss lighter baits.  My old 734 had the same specs as the Excel 2 733 you are looking at, and if the action is the same as I suspect, it MAY be a bit to moderate to fish anything other than trebles and/or light wire hooks.

 

So as far as breakage or anything.  I fished the snot out of my 735 Excel 2 this year and caught dozens and dozens of fish including 5 smallies over 5lbs.  It was a dedicated Carolina Rig rod (Citica E, 20lb Abrazx, 1oz Mojo, LONG 17lb mono leader) with occasional 6" Hudd tossing.  I set the hook on many a boulder in 40' and that rod never ever winced.  I did very very well in tournaments this year on that rod and when it was all over and I was breaking down my gear for the winter I found that I had nearly rounded out the handle/driveshaft interface on the Citica and only a trim ring on the rod had come loose.  I am really trying not to buy another 735.

 

AND it is a beautiful rod, if that matters.

 

You should do a review of your Lamiglas rods.  They seldom get mentioned.   The only exception was the no longer made 705 that many claimed to be the best deep diving crankbait rod made.  I'm surprised by this as I was aware of Lamiglas rods long before getting back into fishing in '09 even tho I've never owned or used one.

 

Although a rod's looks are low on my requirement list, a beautiful rod only enhances my fishing pleasure.  I do like the blue color in the picture on TW.  I already have 3 rods dedicated to lighter lures plus an ET Smallmouth MF with a 1/8 oz. low end that usually gets 1/4-3/8 oz. lures.  Not sure I need another.  However, I only have one dedicated crankbait rod.  A second one for shallow to mid depth lures wouldn't be excessive.  I currently don't have much use for a deep diving crankbait rod.

 

Jax, I have no need for another rod either, but since when does "need" have anything to do with it? 

[JaxBasser]

True, and it would just give me a reason to buy a new reel. My wallet is already a bit light from the Phenix Maxim spinning rod I just bought but I think I'll grab one of these. Probably the 703.