Rod In The 200 To 300 Dollar Range

[fisherrw]

looking to buy a new casting rod. Have been looking at megabass orochi or shimano zodias just wondering who's used what and if the megabass is worth the extra 100 bucks.

[rippin-lips]

x2

[Stapsy]

What are you looking to do with it?

I haven't used the Zodias but the Megabass rods are great. The thing that continues to impress me is their versatility. You can get a sensitive jig rod and then use it to fish moving baits without an issue. The actions are great for fighting fish and keeping them pinned no matter what you are doing. It's hard to say if it's worth the price difference. I have looked at the Zodias in store, but it's hard to judge sensitivity from that. Worth is subjective but because the XX can cover so many techniques I would argue they are a pretty good value.

Another rod to consider is the 13 ***. I love mine and on sale they are closer to the price of the Zodias.

Also Megabass is releasing a new line soon at the ~ $199 price point called Levante. The rod specs all look pretty much the same as the XX line.

[poisonokie]

You know, I wonder if guys in Japan are ruminating over whether they should buy that St. Croix they can't get their hands on...

[fisherrw]

What are you looking to do with it?

I haven't used the Zodias but the Megabass rods are great. The thing that continues to impress me is their versatility. You can get a sensitive jig rod and then use it to fish moving baits without an issue. The actions are great for fighting fish and keeping them pinned no matter what you are doing. It's hard to say if it's worth the price difference. I have looked at the Zodias in store, but it's hard to judge sensitivity from that. Worth is subjective but because the XX can cover so many techniques I would argue they are a pretty good value.

Another rod to consider is the 13 ***. I love mine and on sale they are closer to the price of the Zodias.

Also Megabass is releasing a new line soon at the ~ $199 price point called Levante. The rod specs all look pretty much the same as the XX line.

Thnx I'll check out the new megabass!!

[fisherrw]

What are you looking to do with it?

I haven't used the Zodias but the Megabass rods are great. The thing that continues to impress me is their versatility. You can get a sensitive jig rod and then use it to fish moving baits without an issue. The actions are great for fighting fish and keeping them pinned no matter what you are doing. It's hard to say if it's worth the price difference. I have looked at the Zodias in store, but it's hard to judge sensitivity from that. Worth is subjective but because the XX can cover so many techniques I would argue they are a pretty good value.

Another rod to consider is the 13 ***. I love mine and on sale they are closer to the price of the Zodias.

Also Megabass is releasing a new line soon at the ~ $199 price point called Levante. The rod specs all look pretty much the same as the XX line.

Thnx I'll check out the new megabass!!

[Hogsticker]

You know, I wonder if guys in Japan are ruminating over whether they should buy that St. Croix they can't get their hands on...

Ya know, I've always wondered this as well. If any Japanese anglers are using top tier Nfc or Croix sticks. I wonder what the custom rod market looks like over there. I know they like the softer, less powerful, lighter lines stuff. If they are as curious as we are, maybe so. If they read TT they're either laughing at us or drooling with us.

At any rate the two rod lines I'd be paying closest attention to at that price point is the Megabass XX and the Kistler Helium 3. Either way, you get good versatility and a lot of rod for the money.

[clh121787]

I've got 3 orochii xx love them. Extreme mission type f, perfect pitch and leviathan. The emtf, is my favorite rod. I'll be getting an nrx in the next few weeks to compare it to. My next megabass will be the diablo spec r. It's basically a 7'2 version of the 7'5 emtf. I'd highly recommend them. Very highly.

[kickerfish1]

Kistler has a sale regularly on their rods through their website. During their last sale I bought an H3 for about $200. The Orichi XX rods will never be on sale from authorized retailers though they can be found used for close to $200. I would probably get an H3 if money is your biggest concern.

[FrankW]

Kistler is having a Labor Day sale this weekend. 

 

Frank

[poisonokie]

if I were to spend that kind of cash on a rod, it would be a steez xt. At least if you have an issue, tackle warehouse will make it easy to sort out.

[poisonokie]

I did just buy a volkey bfs rod , but that's just because those type of rods are practically impossible to come by usdm.

[fisherrw]

Thanks for all the info guys!

[smalljaw67]

I have one word of caution before getting a Megabass rod, ask about the taper. I got to fish with my friend's X4 Super Orochi and I did not like it at all, he has a few of them and told all his Megabass rods have a similar taper so there was no use in trying any others out. The tapers are kind of like a strange cranking rod and to me it feels like there are distinct power zones that cause the rod to have a slower action. To me it feels like I have to really set the hook with everything I got and that isn't enough, I mean it is more than enough power but it doesn't feel like it, it feels like the rod just keeps giving with no shut off point, it is hard to explain but that very thing makes the rods super versatile but not for me. So, if you like a slower rod you may find the Megabass to your liking, if you like faster American tapers you may want something a little different but as I said, some anglers love them so you have to try one to know.

[kickerfish1]

Very true Smalljaw. I have a few MB rods that are labeled as "fast" however they don't feel as stout and fast as other manufacturers. I have only fished rods from the Orichi XX series but hoping to try a new Levante when released.

[Stapsy]

I agree, most Megabass rods are not the classic "fast" action with a very pronounced tip section that goes straight into the backbone.  I see those taper's as a hinge.  The Megabass rods tend to lead a bit more gradually into the backbone, though I do notice the same sort of thing with my NRX rods as well. If you want a more classic "hinge" profile look at the 13 *** rods.  The MH I have really fits that profile.

 

In regards to versatility, the Megabass rods are kind of in two groups.  One for primarily bottom contact that can still do moving baits, and one for primarily moving baits that can still do bottom contact.  I have the Perfect Pitch and EMTF from the XX line and they are definitely bottom contact oriented.  I believe the Super Orochi is more of a moving bait rod so that could explain why you felt that way.  I have an X4 Black Elseil and a Evo Super Griffon that fits into the moving bait category.  They could do bottom contact but it wouldn't be my primary choice.  I do like the option of changing a rod to a backup technique if I find I need it. Sometimes my Perfect Pitch is frogging or punching, other times it is swimming jigs or chatterbaits.

 

Personally I have never had a problem setting the hook with the bottom contact type rods and definitely feel the shut off point.  The more gradually tapered tip helps with fighting the fish after you hook up. Another thing to consider is that even within their own ratings the Megabass rods aren't consistent.  An F4 from one line can feel lighter than an F4.5 from another line.  If you have a rod in mind it is best to feel it in person.  If you can't there are plenty of people online who can help you out.

 

I hope that helps a bit if you decide on a Megabass rod.

[Dan_the_fisher]

I love my extreme mission type f rod, it is a amazing rod for Texas rigs and small swimbaits on jigheads

[kickerfish1]

^^ Nice post^^

I strongly agree and also have the EMTF. Good rod for variety of baits. Weightless plastics, jigs, swimjigs, small swimbaits, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, chatterbaits, and probably a few other uses.

[fisherrw]

If I got the megabass is probably get the emtf still deciding

[kickerfish1]

Fisher,

What were you intending to use this rod for? Something all around or technique specific? The new MB rod series called the Levante is still weeks to months away from being available. If you want something now the Orichi XX is a good "get your feet wet MB rod"

[Stapsy]

For a true all around rod I may go for one of the other XX rods mostly because the length isn't very conducive to topwater's or jerkbaits and the fast action will make you work a little bit harder for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits.  The EMTF works fine with other techniques, but is probably the most bottom contact oriented of the XX rods.  I have actually been using it for a combination of deep cranking, spinnerbaits, and football jigs.  The length can be a little cumbersome and it isn't the lightest rod but it balances nicely with light reels and works well enough for me with techniques that need a long cast.  I also don't like having a million technique specific rods for stuff that I don't use all the time so you have to make trade offs.

 

If I had to make an honest assessment in terms of performance, the XX line I have used is 85-90% of my higher end Megabass rods.  Sensitivity is slightly less for deciphering fine details (this will depend on the model), but other than that you are paying for lighter weight and better components/details  (i.e bling).  Considering it cost 50% what my Phase III Bearing Down did, I would say the XX rods are an excellent get your feet wet MB rod.  Even though I have some higher end rods I still keep my XX rods around to fill out my lineup.

 

I hope I don't come across as trying to sell you on it, I just wanted to share my experience.  If you have any questions on the rod feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.