stk44 Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 The rods I have fished around the 220 mark give or take are the ***, klx, avid, champion, endurance (discontinued), orochi xx, max 3D, Irod air, and Lews hm85, and of all those I would recommend the ***. These are all great rods, but the *** is as close to perfect as I have found so far. The KLX feels great, but I have the 6'9 MHF jig rod and t isn't fast enough for me. It doesn't get to the backbone quickly, so I feel I lose too much power with that rod. It's now a spinnerbait rod for me. I like the Dobyns, but feel you are paying a lot for the name and could get a better rod for the price imo. If I had to rank my top 3 of this list, it would go: 1. *** 2. Megabass Orochi XX 3. Endurance Those are just my personal opinions from the experiences I have had so far. Hope that helps. I like the ***, the problem is that I don't know much about X-fast tips and don't know that I'm willing to spend $250 on a rod with one. I would probably want the 7' 1" Heavy rod, but it only comes in X-fast Quote
MidwestF1sh Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I'd take a look at Powell 3d max they just dropped their price on their website to $160 whichis a steal for that rod or a dobyns champion series. I've never bought a dobyns rod but have heard great things about them. Quote
poisonokie Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 The White Ice (also a very good rod) has a 20 year, the MicroMagic Pro is only 5, which, IMO, is weak, if a company has confidence in a product they have life warranties, like Orvis fly rods. I think they have confidence in every part of their product except the nut behind the reel. Better to sell more rods at a lower price and let the consumer take care of their own stuff. Quote
Stapsy Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 The MH *** is pretty stout and is perfect for any 3/8-1/2oz bottom contact stuff, though it would probably handle up to 3/4oz weights without any issue. If you went up to the Heavy I worry it would be too stiff for a 3/8 oz t-rig. The taper on the MH is pretty good. I like a rod to load up on a cast and even though the tip is x-fast it casts really easily. The advantage of an x-fast soft tip is that it quickly gets to the backbone on the hookset. If you want a true heavy action rod witha fast taper that could go from 1/4-3/4oz texas rigs or jigs I would recommend the Orochi XX Perfect Pitch. It is awesome for casting a wide range of weights and the Megabass tapers are killer for keeping fish pinned. You should be able to find a used one in your price range Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted October 2, 2015 Super User Posted October 2, 2015 As I have said time and time again, the only BEST rod is the one that YOU like. Others have offered opinions, but they are opinions only. Quote
clh121787 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 The rods I have fished around the 220 mark give or take are the ***, klx, avid, champion, endurance (discontinued), orochi xx, max 3D, Irod air, and Lews hm85, and of all those I would recommend the ***. These are all great rods, but the *** is as close to perfect as I have found so far. The KLX feels great, but I have the 6'9 MHF jig rod and t isn't fast enough for me. It doesn't get to the backbone quickly, so I feel I lose too much power with that rod. It's now a spinnerbait rod for me. I like the Dobyns, but feel you are paying a lot for the name and could get a better rod for the price imo. If I had to rank my top 3 of this list, it would go: 1. *** 2. Megabass Orochi XX 3. Endurance Those are just my personal opinions from the experiences I have had so far. Hope that helps. what *** and orochii xx do you have. How would you describe it's advantages over the m.b. I've been intrigued by the *** for a long time. I'm extremely happy with the 3 orochii I have. Quote
smallies24/7 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 what *** and orochii xx do you have. How would you describe it's advantages over the m.b. I've been intrigued by the *** for a long time. I'm extremely happy with the 3 orochii I have. I have 3 Envys, the 6'10 ML finesse Spinning, 6'10 M casting, and 7'1 MH/XF. The only Orochi XX I currently own is the Flat Side Special, but have fished with the EMTF and will be ordering one within the next month. The *** and Orochi XX are very close to me, both amazing rods, but Id give the slightest edge to the ***. It just has that weightless air feel to it, extremely responsive, light blank, and definitely that overall "it" factor. Not putting down the Orochi XX in any way, it is a terrific line of rods. Just for me personally, I prefer the overall feel of the *** by a slight margin. Quote
clh121787 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I have 3 Envys, the 6'10 ML finesse Spinning, 6'10 M casting, and 7'1 MH/XF. The only Orochi XX I currently own is the Flat Side Special, but have fished with the EMTF and will be ordering one within the next month. The *** and Orochi XX are very close to me, both amazing rods, but Id give the slightest edge to the ***. It just has that weightless air feel to it, extremely responsive, light blank, and definitely that overall "it" factor. Not putting down the Orochi XX in any way, it is a terrific line of rods. Just for me personally, I prefer the overall feel of the *** by a slight margin. thanks for the response. I totally get the "it factor" I primarily fish bottom contact presentations. Who gets the nod for balance and sensitivity? I'd love to get a rod exchange program going but . That would probably hard to do. Quote
smallies24/7 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 Im so with you. I have so many rods that I bought, fish for 6 months, really like but dont quite love, and would love to get rid of for good value just so I can continue trying out the many offerings the market has to offer. To be honest I havent compared them and tested them for balance side by side, but what I can tell you is they are both two of my most balanced rods. Possible slight edge to the *** just because again, that blank feels like air, but I have nothing to concretely base that off of. Both super balanced, you are just splitting hairs with that one. Quote
ogbfishing Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I think they have confidence in every part of their product except the nut behind the reel. Better to sell more rods at a lower price and let the consumer take care of their own stuff. i'm not looking for an argument, its my opinion man, I think less about spending a lot of money on something I can use for the rest of my life, period. Quote
Robert Riley Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 As some had said, look used, that's about the price range for used top-tier rods. Dobyns, my preference, are sold fairly frequently on the Flea Market page of this forum. Quote
poisonokie Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 i'm not looking for an argument, its my opinion man, I think less about spending a lot of money on something I can use for the rest of my life, period. I'm not either. I'm just saying that you won't have to spend as much in the first place if you aren't getting a huge warranty. If you take good care of your tackle, you'll still get a lifetime of use out of it and be able to put what you saved toward the same rod in another power/length/action instead of subsidizing that rod for some idiot and his errant car door. You get more for your money that way. Quote
dam0007 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 If you look around you can find an mb orochi xx in that range. Or 13 ***. Or 2 Omens Quote
stk44 Posted October 2, 2015 Author Posted October 2, 2015 I think I have it narrowed to Heavy ***, MH St Croix, and Heavy dobyns all fast action in the 7 foot range. Can anyone compare and contrast some of these for me? Quote
fishindad Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I have 3 Envys, the 6'10 ML finesse Spinning, 6'10 M casting, and 7'1 MH/XF. The only Orochi XX I currently own is the Flat Side Special, but have fished with the EMTF and will be ordering one within the next month. The *** and Orochi XX are very close to me, both amazing rods, but Id give the slightest edge to the ***. It just has that weightless air feel to it, extremely responsive, light blank, and definitely that overall "it" factor. Not putting down the Orochi XX in any way, it is a terrific line of rods. Just for me personally, I prefer the overall feel of the *** by a slight margin. smallies, I also have the *** Finesse spin rod (though the 7'2" version) and find it light and sensitive but feel it fishes like St Croix rods, much heavier than their rating - do you feel this is the case? I bought this rod to use for dropshotting with 6 and 7lb Sniper but think it is too stiff for those. I also have a DX702SF, Legend Extreme 70MLF, and Crucial68MXF and the *** feels much more powerful than all these, even though it's supposed to be a ML 'finesse' rod. Should I have gotten the 6'10" version? Quote
smallies24/7 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 smallies, I also have the *** Finesse spin rod (though the 7'2" version) and find it light and sensitive but feel it fishes like St Croix rods, much heavier than their rating - do you feel this is the case? I bought this rod to use for dropshotting with 6 and 7lb Sniper but think it is too stiff for those. I also have a DX702SF, Legend Extreme 70MLF, and Crucial68MXF and the *** feels much more powerful than all these, even though it's supposed to be a ML 'finesse' rod. Should I have gotten the 6'10" version? Oh it is absolutely much heavier. I was shocked when I bought mine as well. I also have a Champion 702sf, and my *** feels almost double the power. I bought it for the same purposes as you, and it is not at all like I expected. I now use it for deep water structure drop shotting. Quote
fishindad Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 Oh it is absolutely much heavier. I was shocked when I bought mine as well. I also have a Champion 702sf, and my *** feels almost double the power. I bought it for the same purposes as you, and it is not at all like I expected. I now use it for deep water structure drop shotting. Yeah, me too. I love the rod - guide train, handle, power, sensitivity - but really think 13 dropped the ball by not labeling it a M power (at least). Definitely not a ML by any stretch. Am hoping they release a L power version, which would probably be perfect for finesse and keep everything else the same. Anyone know if the *** Gen 2 ML is properly rated? Quote
sofarfrome Posted October 3, 2015 Posted October 3, 2015 Save another $20 and get this one: *** *** Black Casting Rod 7'1" Heavy. These are fantastic rods. IMHO. Quote
stk44 Posted October 3, 2015 Author Posted October 3, 2015 Thanks for all of the help! I decided on a Dobyns champion 705c. I will add all the other rods mentioned on my future wish list for other projects. My wife currently placed me on the "Don't need a another rod list" Next Spring I will have a compelling story as to why I "need" another rod. Thanks again! Quote
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