Help with which rod to pick

[Joe_1017]

I'm having trouble picking which rod to go with. I live in a rural area and only have two places to actually go and get a feel for a rod and they both carry the same brands of rods which isn't a wide selection brands like duckett, Loomis, abu, and maybe one or two more. I had been looking at a megabass levante but can't really find many people that have used or own one and kind of on the fence about buying one. I have a limit of $200-$250 and was hoping to get some help on what to decide on 

[EllisJuan]

In that price range I usually recommend a St. Croix Avid.  If you want to stretch the budget a tad I can tell you where to get G Loomis GLX's for ~$280...they are normally ~$420.

[Dan_the_fisher]

I have a st croix avid and a couple Phenix m1 rods that I love, but it doesn't hold a candle to  megabass orochi xx, the extra $ bill is well worth it in my opinion. The sensitivity and lightweightness of the rod are amazing. Get on the phone with the tackle trap and check out there selection there. 

[Joe_1017]

if I could find a used orochi for a good price I'd jump on it but I don't see up on the flea market and I guess it's for a good reason lol

[bigturtle]

6 hours ago, Joe_1017 said:

I'm having trouble picking which rod to go with. I live in a rural area and only have two places to actually go and get a feel for a rod and they both carry the same brands of rods which isn't a wide selection brands like duckett, Loomis, abu, and maybe one or two more. I had been looking at a megabass levante but can't really find many people that have used or own one and kind of on the fence about buying one. I have a limit of $200-$250 and was hoping to get some help on what to decide on 

Before we get into brands and models, why don't you tell us what kind of lures you fish, types of cover you fish(lots of grass? lily pads? stumps? trees? rocks? a little bit of everything?), and what you currently use in terms of rod and reel? it'l be very helpful in getting you an appropriate rod.

Also, is this a baitcast rod or a spinning rod?

[thebillsman]

Kistler

[sprint61]

Kistler helium 3

[Joe_1017]

it's really a little bit everything minus the lily pads.  if I'm not throwing a a jerkbait or spinnerbait or crankbait I'm mainly using a daiwa reel anywhere from a 5 to a 7.3 gear ratio a MH to H

[drew4779]

Hard to go wrong with Loomis or St. Croix.  I've never handled a megabass rod but these guys on this forum have always seemed to know what they're talking about.

[MIbassangler30]

I haven't tried every brand of rod out there, but I recently bought a Megabass Levante Pefect Pitch and it's a beautiful, light, and well balanced rod. Wrappings, guides, and reel seat are all top notch. The EVA handles are also a step above all other EVA I've felt. I have a Poison Adrena and the EVA on the Levante blows it away. And also, just to throw it out there, it is the best looking $200 dollar, non custom rod on the market. 

 

JC

[Joe_1017]

well I broke down down and decided to give the levante 7'2 diablo a chance. order it from TW and should have it tomorrow  

[SenkoGuru]

Would you please let us know how well you like it? I own a bunch of the Orochi XX but I have not bought any of the LeVante yet. I would really like a review. Thanks.

[Joe_1017]

I've never had any of the xx rods so I can't say if it's better, worse or on par with xx and I haven't got to actually fish with it considering the weather where I live but my first impression of just on it looks and feels is great, I couldn't find a single blemish, spot, etc... on the rod all of the guides are perfectly perfectly straight none off center or anything, the reel seat feels better to me than any of the other rods I've owned or used. it's just slightly and very slightly tip heavy but once I put one of my tatula's on it it balanced out extremely well. the reels seat, eva foam and the whole rod says quality. I even looked at the wraps for the guides to see if there anything wrong like the more or fewer wraps on one side or the other or a problem with expoy and found nothing. with all that said based on feel and looks alone I'm extremely glad I bought rod and will more than likely be adding more megabass rods to line up whether it be the levante, orochi xx or any of their other rods