Need Some Opinions

[PitchinJigz]

So I  really need a new dropshot rod, and I've narrowed it down to two different rods. Either the Gander Mtn Elite Series 6'9" ML, or the *** *** Black Gen 2 6'10" ML. I'm not sure which rod would be better.

 

The *** Gen 2 rod has...

 

-30 ton Japanese Toray blank with Poly Vector Graphite Technology

-ALPS guides w/ Zirconia inserts

-Evolve Engage reel seat

-3A Portuguese cork handle

- Evolve snag-less hook hanger

 

The Gander Elite rod has...

 

-40 ton Japanese Toray blank

-Evolve N.E.R.D guides w/ Titanium frames

-Evolve Sniper reel seat

-Custom handle design

 

I'm not really concerned with price right now. I can save $20 if I buy the Gander rod (on sale), but I'm just looking for the best rod. What do you guys think is the better rod?

[kickerfish1]

Never buy a rod with "nerd" guides, it's just not cool!

[PitchinJigz]

Never buy a rod with "nerd" guides, it's just not cool!

Thanks for your help...LOL.

[MickD]

Are you sure you want medium light power?  Sounds to me that either rod will be a high quality rod.  I'm not sure on the reel seats, but if they are significantly different you may find one better ergonomically than the other.  Titanium frames are basically corrosion proof and very light , so the rods with them will most likely be very sensitive.  Any titanium framed guide will have a high quality ring, and you most likely will never groove either set of guides.  I've used a lot of Alps guides and they are excellent in all regards.  

[PitchinJigz]

Are you sure you want medium light power?  Sounds to me that either rod will be a high quality rod.  I'm not sure on the reel seats, but if they are significantly different you may find one better ergonomically than the other.  Titanium frames are basically corrosion proof and very light , so the rods with them will most likely be very sensitive.  Any titanium framed guide will have a high quality ring, and you most likely will never groove either set of guides.  I've used a lot of Alps guides and they are excellent in all regards.  

 

 

So sounds like the guides on the Gander Elite may be a bit better? And as for the power, I really do like medium light for dropshots. Dropshot rods typically have an extra fast tip so you get more backbone than other medium light rods.

[kickerfish1]

Thanks for your help...LOL.

My apologies, I couldn't resist. Sorry I couldn't help with your rod choices but hopefully you will get a few replies.

[PitchinJigz]

My apologies, I couldn't resist. Sorry I couldn't help with your rod choices but hopefully you will get a few replies.

It's totally cool man. You got me to laugh.

[RoLo]

Needless to say, different anglers will have different opinions as to the ideal dropshot rod.

In any case, never fall victim to brand wars & brand loyalty but select the rod

that provides the greatest number of features that "YOU" desire in a dropshot rod.

 

For dropshotting, my own preference is a 6' 6" Medium power blank with a fast action tip.  

Many anglers prefer a dropshot blank of 'medium-light' power, but IMO a 'medium' power blank

provides better hook-sets. By today's standards, a 6' 6" rod is relatively short, but dropshotting

is not cast-intensive, a delivery that frequently involves lowering the rig to the bottom on a vertical line.

Happily, the shorter the rod the greater its sensitivity.

 

Roger

[PitchinJigz]

Needless to say, different anglers will have different opinions as to the ideal dropshot rod.

All the same, never fall victim to brand wars & brand loyalty but select the rod

that provides the greatest number of features that "YOU" desire in a dropshot rod.

 

For dropshotting, my own preference is a 6' 6" Medium blank with a fast tip.  

Many anglers better than me prefer a blank with 'medium-light' power, but IMO

a 'medium' power blank provides better hook-sets. By today's standards a 6' 6" rod is relatively short,

but dropshotting is not cast-intensive, a delivery that commonly involves lowering the rig to the bottom

on a vertical line. Moreover, the shorter the rod the greater its sensitivity.

 

Roger

I do like the powers and actions of these two rods, but I was basically just asking which rod was better constructed. 

[RoLo]

I do like the powers and actions of these two rods, but I was basically just asking which rod was better constructed. 

 

Forced to be selfish, "*** *** Black gen-2"  

 

Roger

[MickD]

So I  really need a new dropshot rod, and I've narrowed it down to two different rods. Either the Gander Mtn Elite Series 6'9" ML, or the *** *** Black Gen 2 6'10" ML. I'm not sure which rod would be better.

 

The *** Gen 2 rod has...

 

-30 ton Japanese Toray blank with Poly Vector Graphite Technology

-ALPS guides w/ Zirconia inserts

-Evolve Engage reel seat

-3A Portuguese cork handle

- Evolve snag-less hook hanger

 

The Gander Elite rod has...

 

-40 ton Japanese Toray blank

-Evolve N.E.R.D guides w/ Titanium frames

-Evolve Sniper reel seat

-Custom handle design

 

I'm not really concerned with price right now. I can save $20 if I buy the Gander rod (on sale), but I'm just looking for the best rod. What do you guys think is the better rod?

I cannot find what the frame material is on the ***, but they are probably stainless steel.  A set of ALPS titanium frame guides retails for well over half the price of this rod.  The stainless Alps uses is a great material for corrosion, will most likely never corrode at all in fresh water. Any rod should be rinsed free of any salt after using in salt water.  Just noticed that Gander mountain is cutting the price on an elite I saw much more than $20.  This one was $79.95.  I expect it is a very fine rod based on specs.  Don't believe cork descriptions-there is no objective standard, and what you get can vary all over the place.  "Hand selected Portugese. . ." means next to nothing.  I believe GM has this price in stores now, if they do, go look at the rod and buy there.  You can see and feel.

[DogBone_384]

Which one feels better in your hands?

[poisonokie]

out of those two, I'd get the gander mtn. However, if it was me, I'd go for the tatula ml in either 6'11" or 6'3". They are both rated 1/64-1/4 with ex fast tips. The shorter of the two is probably more sensitive. They can be found quite a bot below msrp.

[PitchinJigz]

out of those two, I'd get the gander mtn. However, if it was me, I'd go for the tatula ml in either 6'11" or 6'3". They are both rated 1/64-1/4 with ex fast tips. The shorter of the two is probably more sensitive. They can be found quite a bot below msrp.

I really like Daiwa rods and I've looked at their Tatula Dropshot rod. I'm just a bit weary because the last "medium light" Daiwa spinning rod I bought feels like a stiff medium.

[PitchinJigz]

I cannot find what the frame material is on the ***, but they are probably stainless steel. A set of ALPS titanium frame guides retails for well over half the price of this rod. The stainless Alps uses is a great material for corrosion, will most likely never corrode at all in fresh water. Any rod should be rinsed free of any salt after using in salt water. Just noticed that Gander mountain is cutting the price on an elite I saw much more than $20. This one was $79.95. I expect it is a very fine rod based on specs. Don't believe cork descriptions-there is no objective standard, and what you get can vary all over the place. "Hand selected Portugese. . ." means next to nothing. I believe GM has this price in stores now, if they do, go look at the rod and buy there. You can see and feel.

When I said "$20 less," I meant the Gander rod is $20 less than the ***. And actually it's $30 apparently, which is crazy since the guides sound even better and the blank should be better.

[microotter]

I read this thread, specifically the posts by dropshot40 on the second page and found his comments on the elite rods very interesting. I am not sure if it is the exact same model or not.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110819-any-idea-who-makes/page-2

[Jrob78]

I read this thread, specifically the posts by dropshot40 on the second page and found his comments on the elite rods very interesting. I am not sure if it is the exact same model or not.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/110819-any-idea-who-makes/page-2

It sounds like 'dropshot40' knows what he is talking about.  If that is true, the Elite is probably a pretty nice rod, especially for the money.

[PitchinJigz]

It sounds like 'dropshot40' knows what he is talking about.  If that is true, the Elite is probably a pretty nice rod, especially for the money.

Based on what he said I may just get the Elite.

[poisonokie]

I really like Daiwa rods and I've looked at their Tatula Dropshot rod. I'm just a bit weary because the last "medium light" Daiwa spinning rod I bought feels like a stiff medium.

 

I've been using a lexa ml/f for a couple of years and I love it. It has the perfect action for weightless plastics and anything finesse. All i ever fish is daiwa, so it feels like a ml to me. Anyway, the tatula series has two different types of spinning rods. The 63 and 611 should be rated light as they are rated 1/64-1/4. I hear the tips are really soft, like don't flip your fish in the boat unless you want a two piece rod soft. The ones over 7 are the stiffer actions.

[microotter]

I just got to handle the gander mtn rod and I wasn't impressed. It didn't compare to my *** black. I have never owned an ***, but they had a couple of the first gen in stock. I liked the look of the omens better than the gm rod.

It was hard to tell other aspects bc they all had security sensor on them.

[PitchinJigz]

I just got to handle the gander mtn rod and I wasn't impressed. It didn't compare to my *** black. I have never owned an ***, but they had a couple of the first gen in stock. I liked the look of the omens better than the gm rod.

It was hard to tell other aspects bc they all had security sensor on them.

What didn't you like about it?

[microotter]

The components didnt seem as nice as the ***. It looks really nice for $80 and I don't really expect a $130 rod to compare to a $230 rod. When I said I wasn't impressed, I meant compared to the ***. It just had a cheaper look and feel to it. It was hard to tell how light the rod was and how it balanced with all the chunky plastic security sensors. I would have probably purchased one if they had the H in stock.

[PitchinJigz]

The components didnt seem as nice as the ***. It looks really nice for $80 and I don't really expect a $130 rod to compare to a $230 rod. When I said I wasn't impressed, I meant compared to the ***. It just had a cheaper look and feel to it. It was hard to tell how light the rod was and how it balanced with all the chunky plastic security sensors. I would have probably purchased one if they had the H in stock.

Do think it's worth $80? The components seem really good for that price, but if the craftsmanship isn't great, I'll buy the ***.

[microotter]

I think so. I may not be the best person to judge, i haven't handled or fished a bunch of different rods. It looked nice, maybe not $130 nice. Just my opinion.