greywalls Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 So, I'm in need of a premium (as much as I can afford) baitcasting rod to serve as a general purpose "go to" rod... Â All of these are available in an ~7ft Medium/MH Fast action profile, which will suit my needs as a generalist setup for spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastics... Â I've narrowed down my choices to the Dobyns Saavy series, the Denali Kovert series, and the Loomis E6X series. Â My basic questions are: which is the most reputable company? Â which of these series utilizes the best components (sensitive blank, quality guides, quality reel seat)? Â I'm looking for something that will be lightweight yet durable, and a brand that would be respectable enough to use in regional tournaments... Â All of these rods feel great to me, and are identically priced... Â So, which series would you choose, and why? Â THANK YOU!!!! Â Aside: Other runners-up include the Daiwa Tatula series and the St. Croiz Mojo Bass series rods... Quote
NJSalt Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 If it were me, and I was looking for a line of rods that was from a quality, reputable company that could do a lot of different things, I would look at the Shimano Zodias.... Â Out of that list, the E6X would be the rod I would choose, but that line of rods was not built to be a "jack of all trades". Do yourself a favor at the same price and take a look at the Zodias rods Quote
greywalls Posted December 31, 2015 Author Posted December 31, 2015 Thank you. Â I've heard many great things re: the Zodias line. Â ...Just haven't been able to find one to hold, in person. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted December 31, 2015 Super User Posted December 31, 2015 The E6X would be my choice of the options you listed. If you are wanting to stay on the lower end of the price range being you're interested in the Mojo, I would choose both the NEW mojo on the SCIII blank or the Dobyns Fury over the Savvy. St. Croix. Dobyns, and Loomis all have top notch customer service. No idea about Denali's reputation. Quote
thebillsman Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 They are all quality rods but the E6X handle is awesome. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted December 31, 2015 Super User Posted December 31, 2015 Option D. Abu Garcia Ike series  Otherwise go with the E6X or Dobyns savy. For the price of the E6X, I'd prefer a St. Croix Avid. 1 Quote
WI_Angler1989 Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I'll second the St Croix Avid. I have a 7' MH (mine is spinning) that can and does do it all. You can't beat their warranty service either. Now, mind you, I don't have experience with the others you mentioned, just sharing my experience with one in your price range. Quote
k3bass Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I would get an avid or one of the new mojo bass rods. Quote
PennBass Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I also highly recommend the St. Croix Avid (X). Also, while the Zodias may have some advantages, the Tatula (which I also recommend) is essentially the same thing for $100 cheaper. Avid: Tad bit tip heavy (nothing really noticeable) Very sensitive Loads well, but rating is a bit low (Medium is sort of like a medium heavy) Lightweight Amazing warranty and customer service Tatula: Cheaper Also lightweight (3.9 oz. for 7' MH) Also sensitive Accurate rating in terms of power Comfortable grip Might be more aesthetically pleasing 2 Quote
stkbassn Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 All are good choices I think. I love my E6X and wish I hadn't sold my Dobyns Savvy 703, that was a great little rod and balanced well. I've held the Kovert rods in store and they seem nice. I liked the look and feel but never fished one. I have a Fury on order so can't speak for it but I'm guessing if it comes from Dobyns that it's not a bad rod even at entry level. Looking forward to it and didn't break my wallet either so not very worried. Good luck, sounds like none of the choices presented can really go wrong for you. Quote
Lendiesel22 Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 How the E6 for balance once the reel is on? The ones i held in the store feel heavy and not very Excalibur like. Quote
sprint61 Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 They are a ton of good rods in the $200 range. Klx and the new magnesium from kistler or awesome rods. Megabass also has out a $200 rod now looks very nice. Quote
Silas Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I have the Loomis E6. Meh!  Better rods out there for price .  I vote St Croix Avid. Does everything!  One of the most underrated rods in my opinion  Also have 2 Kistlers. Excellent rods.  I'm amazed at the quality of their blank    Quote
Robert Riley Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 Savvys are pretty sweet.  Super light, well balanced, tend to be on the softer side in my opinion, so they're good for moving baits. Quote
PitchinJigz Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 Here would be my picks at that price range: Powell Max 3D Shimano Zodias Loomis E6X Megabass Levante Quote
greywalls Posted December 31, 2015 Author Posted December 31, 2015 Thanks, guys!  It's nice to hear that I didn't goof up too badly on narrowing down my choices!  I'm really impressed by all of these rods, and, as someone else mentioned, the options available at the ~$150 price point are simply amazing.  Mind you, I haven't purchased a new rod in 15+ years -- currently running three old Daiwas, two AllStars and one of the original Powell offerings...  Can't believe how far technology has advanced -- it's literally shocking for someone like myself, refreshing 20yr-old gear! Over the next year, I'll be trading up (and gifting to a neighborhood kiddo who is nuts about all things fishing) all rods and reels; so, I'll probably end up with a new 2 or 3-rod basic setup (my "go to" 7' M/MH F and my crankbait 7' M "parabolic/moderate", and maybe something on the heavier end)...  In any event, while I probably will go with one of the more popular (i.e., tested) options, I'll have to say:  as far as fit & finish and general "feel" is concerned, the Denali Kovert rod is my top choice...  Interestingly, no one has chimed in on Denali, and, honestly, until I picked up the rod, I'd never even heard of the company...  It seems to be a sweet, sweet rod, although I'm reluctant to purchase something that doesn't have somewhat of a loyal following.  Ha, I guess it'll be a coin flip at this point!  Quote
greywalls Posted December 31, 2015 Author Posted December 31, 2015 29 minutes ago, PitchinJigz said: Here would be my picks at that price range: Powell Max 3D Shimano Zodias Loomis E6X Megabass Levante Megabass Levante is AWESOME. Â It's a bit outside my price-range; otherwise, I'd go with it! Â 1 Quote
PitchinJigz Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 2 hours ago, greywalls said: Megabass Levante is AWESOME. Â It's a bit outside my price-range; otherwise, I'd go with it! Â It's the same price as the E6X, unless you found the E6X on sale somewhere. Quote
stkbassn Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 7 hours ago, Lendiesel22 said: How the E6 for balance once the reel is on? The ones i held in the store feel heavy and not very Excalibur like. Mine balances well with my scorpion on it. Very good rod. I have the spinnerbait rod so not familiar with the other models. 1 Quote
rangerjockey Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 Of those 3 I would go with the E6X in the 843..Great all purpose rod for jigs, plastics, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and soft jerkbaits... Â Also throw larger walking baits like the spook and vixen if you don't mind the length. Â I've used the 783/843 a bunch over the years in IMX and GLX.. A classic versatile rod... Â I'd recommend calling American Legacy.. Quote
Lendiesel22 Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 12 hours ago, stkbassn said: Mine balances well with my scorpion on it. Very good rod. I have the spinnerbait rod so not familiar with the other models. I would be headed the spinnerbait models direction anyhow. Quote
TxHawgs Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 I love and appreciate all high end rods and have a pretty good selection of loomis rods and love all of them. I haven't handled an E6X but I'm sure they are very nice for 200 bucks. I'm also a Megabass  fan and have held the Levante and was floored that it was a 200 dollar rod, would definitely check them out before making a purchase. Quote
MIbassangler30 Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 Out of your list, I would go with Donyns. I would take advantage of the killer deal on TW and get the Champion Extreme 683 instead of the Savy. Other than that; I'd go Zodias 6'10" MH or the Megabass Levante Tour Versitale. As mainly a bank fisherman, I've been researching that "one rod" for the last 6 months. I settled on two; Zodias 6' 10" MH for my all around and the Levante Pefect Pitch for frogs and heavy cover. Covers all my bases for the way I like to fish.  JC Quote
AMAC Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Personally I can't speak on the other 2 brands listed, but the Denali Kovert 7'2 mh IS MY go to rod. In fact most tournaments I fish I can't take 6 of those and cover most of the techniques that I utilize. Great customer service and quick shipping. Very durable too. I beat the crap out of mine ??. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted January 4, 2016 Super User Posted January 4, 2016 dobyn's customer service is phenomenal.... and the rods are sweet too. Â i'd lean to the dobyns with the e6x in second place. Quote
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