New Megabass Levante

[IAY]

I'm actually upset that they're just reusing models and names from the XX series.

 

They actually do that pretty often.

[kschultz76]

They actually do that pretty often.

Yep even some of the XX names are derived from other series.

[thehooligan]

No bfs models and full size fuji's so ill be holding off. It will be between these, the new daiwa tatula, or new *** for a frog rod and small swimbait stick. 

[rippin-lips]

No bfs models and full size fuji's so ill be holding off. It will be between these, the new daiwa tatula, or new *** for a frog rod and small swimbait stick.

The current tatula is a nice rod for the money. That tiny trigger kills me though.

How big is a full size Fuji? I don't know if I've ever had a rod with full size guides. The guides on the Volkey might be. Not sure though.

[thehooligan]

The current tatula is a nice rod for the money. That tiny trigger kills me though.

How big is a full size Fuji? I don't know if I've ever had a rod with full size guides. The guides on the Volkey might be. Not sure though.

 

Pretty sure the volkey bfs models have k micros. The full size fuji's should be comaparable to the guides on most older shimano & daiwa rods. I dont mind as much on frog or swimbait rods, but for jig/finesse purposes i love me some k micros. Definitely help balance the rod out a bit.

[stkbassn]

For me this is not a budget rod but I will try one for sure. I've been wanting a MB rod for a long time. I am assuming it will be the same deal as the Fury...better get one while you can when they come out or be prepared to wait several months for them to actually make enough to sell to everyone who wants one.

[rippin-lips]

Pretty sure the volkey bfs models have k micros. The full size fuji's should be comaparable to the guides on most older shimano & daiwa rods. I dont mind as much on frog or swimbait rods, but for jig/finesse purposes i love me some k micros. Definitely help balance the rod out a bit.

I have the blc model. It's has k series sic guides but I'm not 100% on the size. Probably mids or micro. They aren't too terribly big.

[conorsixtakc]

At this price point it would be VERY hard to turn me away from a St. Croix Avid X. The only thing that line doesn't address for me would be an A-rig / swimbait rod, at which point I'd step down to a Mojo for the added stiffness and durability. Megabass always has a place in my tackle box, I'd just rather stick with a rod company that's been serving the market at that price point for a long time.

 

AND BECAUSE MURICA.  :USA: 

[stkbassn]

So I reached out for an update on availability of this series and was told end of November , early December. Bummer for sure. Just FYI.  If anyone has a better answer please come forward! Ha!

[rippin-lips]

The release date has been the end of November since they were introduced at iCast. I wouldn't get too excited because there's a good chance the release date could get pushed back even further.

It'll be one rod I purchase over winter to try.

[Cgrinder]

Probably be frozen in November, but if not I'll be getting into a Leviathan and maybe a Diablo depending on how the taper plays out in practice. Basically I need a Flatside Special that's 1-1.5 powers heavier.

[tomustang]

Probably be frozen in November, but if not I'll be getting into a Leviathan and maybe a Diablo depending on how the taper plays out in practice. Basically I need a Flatside Special that's 1-1.5 powers heavier.

Taper is the key there. If MB would show up to more sportsman/fishing shows and had rods to handle they'd have less weary potential buyers. Their descriptions are bad to begin with, like jigs rods that throw cranks.

[Cgrinder]

Taper is the key there. If MB would show up to more sportsman/fishing shows and had rods to handle they'd have less weary potential buyers. Their descriptions are bad to begin with, like jigs rods that throw cranks.

 

Yeah, I agree. The descriptions and quotes on the Orochi XX rods leave something to be desired. "Every rod does everything! SUCH VERSATILITY!"

 

Great rod series regardless, but you really need to talk to people with first hand experience or handle them yourself, as you've suggested.

[clh121787]

Yeah, I agree. The descriptions and quotes on the Orochi XX rods leave something to be desired. "Every rod does everything! SUCH VERSATILITY!"

 

Great rod series regardless, but you really need to talk to people with first hand experience or handle them yourself, as you've suggested.

I sure do love mine. Especially the emtf. Loomis used to make my favorite rod. Until I got a M.B.

[IAY]

Yeah, I agree. The descriptions and quotes on the Orochi XX rods leave something to be desired. "Every rod does everything! SUCH VERSATILITY!"

 

Great rod series regardless, but you really need to talk to people with first hand experience or handle them yourself, as you've suggested.

 

You have to understand that MB's target market is Japan. Versatility becomes very valuable, when it is pain in the butt to carry multiple combos. 

[Jrob78]

From everything I've read, Megabass rods are known for being versatile.  They make rods that are capable of throwing jigs and cranks, more so than traditional American rod powers/actions.  Not from personal experience but that's the way I've always understood it at least.

[Cgrinder]

You have to understand that MB's target market is Japan. Versatility becomes very valuable, when it is pain in the butt to carry multiple combos. 

 

I do understand that for every rod series except the XX, which is supposed to be the 'murica targeted line.

[rippin-lips]

I do understand that for every rod series except the XX, which is supposed to be the 'murica targeted line.

They still have your typical JDM tapers. They're a very versatile rod. I've spoken with Gary a good bit about them. When he tells you what they're good at he's giving you first hand info. I had my emtf out today for 3hrs. I cycled through a handful of lures and it handled them all great. I'll be waiting on purchasing a Levante until he's had s chance to use them and tell me how the tapers compare to the xx. I got my eye on a dsr.

1/2 spinnerbait

1.5 squarebill

1/16 jig head with 4" stick bait

1/2 lipless crank

1/4 with baby paca craw

3/8 jig with baby paca craw

[bootytrain]

You have to understand that MB's target market is Japan. Versatility becomes very valuable, when it is pain in the butt to carry multiple combos. 

This is true, most Japanese anglers fish from the bank.

[Cgrinder]

They still have your typical JDM tapers. They're a very versatile rod. I've spoken with Gary a good bit about them. When he tells you what they're good at he's giving you first hand info. I had my emtf out today for 3hrs. I cycled through a handful of lures and it handled them all great. I'll be waiting on purchasing a Levante until he's had s chance to use them and tell me how the tapers compare to the xx. I got my eye on a dsr.

1/2 spinnerbait

1.5 squarebill

1/16 jig head with 4" stick bait

1/2 lipless crank

1/4 with baby paca craw

3/8 jig with baby paca craw

 

Yar, I harass Gary on a regular basis and I'm almost certainly going to purchase my next Orochi from him. Glad you're into the EMTF. I really would like the XX DSR for swim jigs. As I sad before, I'm also hoping that the Levante DSR is a Flat Side with more oomph as its been advertised with a regular taper.

 

I get the whole JDM versatility taper thing. I also dig it, as I like to carry few rods and double-duty is a must. I probably should just ignore the Clausen and Martens quotes in the descriptions. Marketing puffery at its finest I suppose. Definitely not enjoying weightless worms on the Flat Side as suggested.

[tomustang]

You could say the same about most american anglers fishing from the bank too, also looking for the versatility rod. See countless people bass fishing from the bank everywhere I go. I mean how many posts here about a all-in-one rod.

I don't know, once I fished a xf rod for jigs and a moderate for cranking and found them each excelled at those single techniques it's hard to find a rod that can do both of them the best with one rod.

[kschultz76]

Yar, I harass Gary on a regular basis and I'm almost certainly going to purchase my next Orochi from him. Glad you're into the EMTF. I really would like the XX DSR for swim jigs. As I sad before, I'm also hoping that the Levante DSR is a Flat Side with more oomph as its been advertised with a regular taper.

I get the whole JDM versatility taper thing. I also dig it, as I like to carry few rods and double-duty is a must. I probably should just ignore the Clausen and Martens quotes in the descriptions. Marketing puffery at its finest I suppose. Definitely not enjoying weightless worms on the Flat Side as suggested.

I have the Jerkbait Special, Spinnerbait Special, Diablo, and Tour Versatile in the XX line. In terms of how parabolic they are it's JS>SS>DSR. While the DSR isn't as fast as my LTB MH/F or my HE3 MH/XF it's also not as moderate as my KLX CRT MH/MF. If you're looking for a but more power the. The Flatside I'd look at the Spinnerbait Special, I throw larger heavier squarebills on it a lot with great results as well as lipless, spinnerbaits, etc. from what I understand from Gary the taper/action on the JS and Flatside are very similar, the SS is not as parabolic but handles treble baits very well. I got the DSR because for pitching lighter jigs and trigs the SS wasn't quite what I wanted though it will do it. The DSR handles those duties much better, as well as spinnerbaits and lipless, in my hands though its not as moderate as the SS. The DSR for me really is very versatile and I've caught several fish pitching triged creatures on it in light cover as well as on a Spinnerbait and lipless. Now since I got the DSR I've gotten the HE3 MH/XF and that is fast becoming my favorite rod for any kind of jig or trig duty up to 1/2 oz, over that I move to my Tour Versatile. I really enjoy my XX rods but they are certainly a niche and you have to experiment with each one to find how it really suits you. I think there may still be room in my stable for a Perfect Pitch.

Now I know the tapers may be different on the Levantes based on what's been published so we will have to see how those rods actually perform. But hopefully that comparison helps you.