MHX Elite Pro Series

[Sonik]

I'm looking at a few options for a custom rod. Has anyone built any rods off the Elite Pro Series blanks? If so, what's your opinion? The description says it has the best parts of the standard and high-mod MHX blanks but I just don't know. I'm looking at a standard 7'-7'2" MH fast action rod for jigs, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, etc. I've read the standard is about like the IMX and the high-mod is around a GLX. Just wondering where that new Elite Pro sits.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The elite pro are nice blanks. Kind of a beefed up high modulus to stand up to the rigors of tournament fishing. 

[sarcazmo]

Sounds kinda similar to what Rod Geeks did.

I emailed asking the difference between the C473MHXS and the B473MHXS.  They are almost the same but the bass version except " the big difference is that the bass version has the reinforcing material.   This blank will me more durable, but it is just as light and sensitive as the Carbon 4 blank. "

Direct quote from the email I got from Rodgeeks.

The weights on the elite series seem pretty impressive if they deliver the same sensitivity and durability.

[Hogsticker]

I currently have and use standard and high mod MHX builds. Anybody who thinks these blanks measure out to the standards of IMX and GLX in terms of strength to weight ratio and sensitivity may be a little loaded. Don't get me wrong, they are nice blanks, especially at that price point, but if you are expecting a high mod to feel just like a GLX, you may be a little disappointed. I know these blanks are modeled after old Loomis blanks, but they're not the same animal. Powers are pretty close though, so if you want to get a similar blank to your old Loomis you may have had to retire these are a safe bet in that regard. After fishing an NFC IM blank next to a high mod MHX in similar power, the difference is pretty obvious imo. Just my 2 cents, but I don't consider the MHX high mod a high end blank. More of a really good value blank. 

[S Hovanec]

6 hours ago, Hogsticker said:

I don't consider the MHX high mod a high end blank. More of a really good value blank. 

 

I've been saying that for a while, but there are some that put them on a pedestal with SCVs and NFC HMs.  They're not even in the same zip code.

[Tim Kelly]

The MHX HM blanks I've got appear to be a little better than Avid blanks, but not as good as the SCIV or SCV blanks. I don't have any of the gen 2 though, so have no idea whether they're any better. I like the MHX range, they're good value and if you build them well with light components they fish better than more expensive factory built rods.

[kickerfish1]

I would put the MHX Hi Mod between a classic GLX and IMX rod. I have not fished the new IMX or GLX so I couldn't tell you how it compares there. For around $100 the Hi Mod provides a pretty affordable and a sharp looking not painted blank. My MHX Hi Mod 874 has better feel than the IMX MBR 844 I sold last year.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I agree with the assessment of MHX hi mods as compared to "high end " blanks but I'm not impressed by NFC. For the price I'd pick an SCV, c4  Rodgeeks or K2. I still see the MHX hm as a little more than value blank though. Same with Rainshadow immortal and e2. At the end of the day there's a blank for most every need and budget. 

[basscatcher8]

On ‎5‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 6:36 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I agree with the assessment of MHX hi mods as compared to "high end " blanks but I'm not impressed by NFC. For the price I'd pick an SCV, c4  Rodgeeks or K2. I still see the MHX hm as a little more than value blank though. Same with Rainshadow immortal and e2. At the end of the day there's a blank for most every need and budget. 

Thank you. I have heard nobody talk about the NFC blanks and I have been looking at them. I have liked the last MHX 873HM I built and plan to build more of them but of course we always look around and I was checking those NFC's but the price made me wonder if they were really worth it.

[S Hovanec]

4 hours ago, basscatcher8 said:

 I was checking those NFC's but the price made me wonder if they were really worth it.

IMO, no.  My performance builds are on SCV blanks.

[SFL BassHunter]

Bringing this discussion back to life as I am considering an Elite Pro Series as one of 3 options for a rod build. The OP had asked about where this blank falls between the standard and hi mod. A couple responses were given then the discussion went off into a discussion about the Hi Mod blanks instead.

 

As 7 months have passed since the last post I figured maybe someone had some more experience with them at this point.

 

I am looking for a durable (Lots of vegetation in Florida waters), lightweight, and sensitive rod for the same applications as the OP.

 

If anyone has experience with the Elite Series Pro blank, I would appreciate your honest review of durability, and sensitivity of the rod.

As a baseline I have a Carbonlite 7'3 MH and a Savvy 734C. If you've handled a EPS blank and either of these, how would you compare them?

I know I am getting pretty specific but those are the rods I have used for these applications and have as a comparable.

[custer]

I've got the MHX  MB843 HM, MB843 and the EPS86MHF. I also have Gl3 and lamiglas rods. 

 

A friend has ScIV and NRX.

 

I'll take my "mid-low" end mhx over the other over priced rods any day of the week. Built properly they compete with the expensive stuff leaving you money to actually use them.

 

Their action, power and rating are accurate. 

 

And Mudhole backs their blanks. 

[SFL BassHunter]

On ‎12‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 9:06 PM, custer said:

I've got the MHX  MB843 HM, MB843 and the EPS86MHF. I also have Gl3 and lamiglas rods. 

 

A friend has ScIV and NRX.

 

I'll take my "mid-low" end mhx over the other over priced rods any day of the week. Built properly they compete with the expensive stuff leaving you money to actually use them.

 

Their action, power and rating are accurate. 

 

And Mudhole backs their blanks. 

Thanks for your input Custer! Greatly appreciated. That seems to be the consensus on the interwebs.

 

I ended up going with the Pro Tour Kit. The John Cox MB873 though I did buy carbon fiber rod handle and butt to replace the winn grips. Priced out the kit buying the parts separately and realized it would be considerably more expensive. So just bought the kit and the handle. I guess I'll have a few parts laying around as spares, but no biggy. I do wish you had a choice of winn grip handle color instead of just the green and black on those kits. The green doesn't match any of my reels. I am that picky, yes lol.

[fishnkamp]

Change out some of the bling on your reel to match. problem solved LOL

[SFL BassHunter]

That is also a good solution fishnkamp lol and there is plenty of bling out there. Either way, wanted to go carbonfiber handle.  

 

 

[EODAce26]

I recently built two bait casting rods on the elite pro series blanks.  The first one was a 7'2 MH Fast action elite pro and I used American Tackle micro guides with nanolite inserts.  I intended to use this rod as a Texas rigged senko rod and it doesn't fish that bait particularly well.  The rod is very stiff for its rating and action and makes long casts difficult.  With that said, I repurposed it to throw heavier baits and it fishes very well.  The rod has backbone for days and effortlessly drags big bass to the boat.

 

The second build was on the 7'2 M Fast action elite pro and I have the same complaint.  When I purchased it I had hoped it would be a solid light jig rod but it doesn't cast light jigs well because it is too stiff. It did turn out to be a very good Texas rigged worm rod in the opinion though. 

 

For the money I am pleased with the blanks I would just suggest that You select a lighter blank than you would think.  (I think the blanks fish heavier than they are rated if that makes sense)

 

With all of that said, I also recently built a St. Croix SCV rod with the same nanolite micro guides 7'1 MH X-Fast and that blank is absolutely amazing.  Slightly more than twice the price for the blank but the increased performance makes it more appealing to my needs for future builds.  (When I have the money)

 

Not sure if you still needed input, but if you did, I hope this helped.

[Jason Penn]

8 hours ago, EODAce26 said:

I recently built two bait casting rods on the elite pro series blanks.  The first one was a 7'2 MH Fast action elite pro and I used American Tackle micro guides with nanolite inserts.  I intended to use this rod as a Texas rigged senko rod and it doesn't fish that bait particularly well.  The rod is very stiff for its rating and action and makes long casts difficult.  With that said, I repurposed it to throw heavier baits and it fishes very well.  The rod has backbone for days and effortlessly drags big bass to the boat.

 

The second build was on the 7'2 M Fast action elite pro and I have the same complaint.  When I purchased it I had hoped it would be a solid light jig rod but it doesn't cast light jigs well because it is too stiff. It did turn out to be a very good Texas rigged worm rod in the opinion though. 

 

For the money I am pleased with the blanks I would just suggest that You select a lighter blank than you would think.  (I think the blanks fish heavier than they are rated if that makes sense)

 

With all of that said, I also recently built a St. Croix SCV rod with the same nanolite micro guides 7'1 MH X-Fast and that blank is absolutely amazing.  Slightly more than twice the price for the blank but the increased performance makes it more appealing to my needs for future builds.  (When I have the money)

 

Not sure if you still needed input, but if you did, I hope this helped.

 

i've got a standard 7' mh mhx, and i feel the rod fishes more like an 844 than 843.  it's not the lightest or most sensitive rod i've ever fished, but it's really not bad at all.

 

i bought this rod from a guy just to check out the blanks when i thought i wanted to get into building.  i finally realized i like to tinker way too much to get into building!!