Want to buy one super high end rod - which one should it be?

[kschultz76]

24 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

So, which ones you love and why?

 

 

In the higher end bracket I have a MB 2017 USDM Destroyer FMJ and Addermine, a 2016 version Loomis GLX 844 MBR, and a St Croix Legend Xtreme 6’8” MXF spinning rod (previous gen with cork grips). 

 

I have ave a bunch of MB Orochi XX rods, a couple Helium 3s, a St Croix LTB, a St Croix Avid, and a KLX. 

 

Currently my favorite stick that just love is the Addermine, it’s truly a functional work of art to me, and the taper and power are fantastic. I’ve not fished it nearly enough but I know it’s going to be a very versatile rod with the “it” factor. Despite wanting to be better with some other techniques I catch a lot of my fish on finesse and this rod is perfect for it and even handles larger soft plastics like 5” Senkos.

 

The FMJ is again a work of art, but I’ve had limited time to fish, and may never fish enough heavy cover jigs to do it justice. This is one purchase I question bc I jumped into it wanting it with knowing if I needed it. Hoping next year I’ll have more opportunity to make myself fish with it and get comfortable with it. 

 

The GLX 844 MBR is a recent purchase that I want more time with, but already with the small amount of time I had on the water I think it’s going to be a favorite. The taper is really easy to cast and pitch with, and the taper handles various weights really well. Balance and weight are fantastic and I’m an a huge of the reel seat and full cork grip. I see an 843 MBR in my future. 

 

I like all all my Orochis quite a lot, the only one I don’t love is the Tour Versatile. It’s heavier and less balanced then the others and find it’s taper and power a bit awkward to cast with for some reason. I love the full cork grips on these rods and the quality of construction. 

 

My two Helium’s are fantastic. Super lightweight balanced and clean simple builds. I think they are two of my best casting rods, the blanks and tapers are just really supple. They’re right up there with my Diablo spec R and GLX for casting ease and accuracy. 

 

I’ve sold off a couple St Croixs that just weren’t right for me, and have one more LTB that will get moved on. I’ve also sold off a Dobyns I didn’t care for. 

 

What I’ve learned is not to splurge on the highest end rods unless I know exactly what I want that rod for and am confident it’s going to be what I wanted. I think for me the sweet spot of performance and value is in the $200-300 range. I’ve realized investment in versatile rods is better for me and gives me more flexibility. I also like trying different brands and seeing what they have to offer, early on I spent a lot on one manufacturer bc they were good deals, and I’ve found lots of other rods I like better then those I’ve moved on. At this point this is a hobby and passion that is far more about what I want then what I need. 

 

[TnRiver46]

The highest end rod I have is $20. I usually go with the $12.99 ones though. 

[new2BC4bass]

43 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

The highest end rod I have is $20. I usually go with the $12.99 ones though. 

I find it difficult to find these quality rods locally.  Where Online should I go for these value sticks?  

[kickerfish1]

17 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I find it difficult to find these quality rods locally.  Where Online should I go for these value sticks?  

Maybe he is talking about mozzarella "sticks". You can get 4 or so for under $10. Spiral wrapped, if you pull it apart and the cheese wraps around itself!

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I find it difficult to find these quality rods locally.  Where Online should I go for these value sticks?  

You can use a willow branch with a few micro guides, thread and epoxy. Seriously though I get mine at academy sports, shimano makes the ones they have now. They have different ones every year, daiwa used to have good ones called "crossfire" for $20

[new2BC4bass]

25 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

You can use a willow branch with a few micro guides, thread and epoxy. Seriously though I get mine at academy sports, shimano makes the ones they have now. They have different ones every year, daiwa used to have good ones called "crossfire" for $20

Funny you should mention the Daiwa Crossfire as I was doing some research last night and came across a blog about "cheap" rods.  The blogger was surprised at how well the Crossfire fished.  He wound up buying a second one as he felt it was a much better rod than the first cheap rod he had tried at twice that price.  Not to say I would actually buy one...or try that willow branch either.  Kind of outgrew those.  

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Funny you should mention the Daiwa Crossfire as I was doing some research last night and came across a blog about "cheap" rods.  The blogger was surprised at how well the Crossfire fished.  He wound up buying a second one as he felt it was a much better rod than the first cheap rod he had tried at twice that price.  Not to say I would actually buy one...or try that willow branch either.  Kind of outgrew those.  

I have 3 crossfires, one of them I got for $2.99 at academy. The only downside is the hook-keeper, whoever invented those things should be publicly flogged. I have to bend them down on every single rod they make nowadays and sometimes it's not that easy. Filing them down seems to work best 

[Angry John]

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I have 3 crossfires, one of them I got for $2.99 at academy. The only downside is the hook-keeper, whoever invented those things should be publicly flogged. I have to bend them down on every single rod they make nowadays and sometimes it's not that easy. Filing them down seems to work best 

Real rods dont come with hook keepers

[hawgenvy]

On 11/24/2017 at 2:53 PM, bigfruits said:

MB FMJ

Good suggestion for a high end jig rod. Would love to have that stick someday. BTW, nice tardigrade photo.

[Basseditor]

If Kistler is in the mix, you could go all out with the custom Zbone. Add a balancing kit. I have a couple of custom ZBones with select components. But there’s no discount on those. 

[Rodney Smith]

Shimano GL Conquest Cast Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR

[.ghoti.]

Contact Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle, and tell him EXACTLY what you want. He can build it for you.

[Deleted account]

On 11/25/2017 at 12:27 PM, iabass8 said:

Go custom

This ^.  Just like suits. Nothing wrong with an Armani, Hugo Boss, or Brooks Brothers, but when you get some really nice fabric (about 2 yards in my case) in the hands of a taylor that knows what they are doing, its magical. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I have not personally used any on your list. The closest I came was a GLX. However my favorite rod to use is the Kistler Z-Bone. You could use either the MH or Hvy. I love that rod and it is made with real NFC blanks and great components.

On ‎11‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 4:12 AM, basseditor said:

If Kistler is in the mix, you could go all out with the custom Zbone. Add a balancing kit. I have a couple of custom ZBones with select components. But there’s no discount on those. 

This ^^^^

[Choporoz]

Unsure whether you've fished from a kayak before....but if not, consider that many on here, including me, prefer shorter handles when yak fishing.  That may not be a 'quality' that was on your list of considerations before.

[evilcatfish]

On 11/25/2017 at 12:32 PM, kschultz76 said:

 

In the higher end bracket I have a MB 2017 USDM Destroyer FMJ and Addermine, a 2016 version Loomis GLX 844 MBR, and a St Croix Legend Xtreme 6’8” MXF spinning rod (previous gen with cork grips). 

 

I have ave a bunch of MB Orochi XX rods, a couple Helium 3s, a St Croix LTB, a St Croix Avid, and a KLX. 

 

Currently my favorite stick that just love is the Addermine, it’s truly a functional work of art to me, and the taper and power are fantastic. I’ve not fished it nearly enough but I know it’s going to be a very versatile rod with the “it” factor. Despite wanting to be better with some other techniques I catch a lot of my fish on finesse and this rod is perfect for it and even handles larger soft plastics like 5” Senkos.

 

The FMJ is again a work of art, but I’ve had limited time to fish, and may never fish enough heavy cover jigs to do it justice. This is one purchase I question bc I jumped into it wanting it with knowing if I needed it. Hoping next year I’ll have more opportunity to make myself fish with it and get comfortable with it. 

 

The GLX 844 MBR is a recent purchase that I want more time with, but already with the small amount of time I had on the water I think it’s going to be a favorite. The taper is really easy to cast and pitch with, and the taper handles various weights really well. Balance and weight are fantastic and I’m an a huge of the reel seat and full cork grip. I see an 843 MBR in my future. 

 

I like all all my Orochis quite a lot, the only one I don’t love is the Tour Versatile. It’s heavier and less balanced then the others and find it’s taper and power a bit awkward to cast with for some reason. I love the full cork grips on these rods and the quality of construction. 

 

My two Helium’s are fantastic. Super lightweight balanced and clean simple builds. I think they are two of my best casting rods, the blanks and tapers are just really supple. They’re right up there with my Diablo spec R and GLX for casting ease and accuracy. 

 

I’ve sold off a couple St Croixs that just weren’t right for me, and have one more LTB that will get moved on. I’ve also sold off a Dobyns I didn’t care for. 

 

What I’ve learned is not to splurge on the highest end rods unless I know exactly what I want that rod for and am confident it’s going to be what I wanted. I think for me the sweet spot of performance and value is in the $200-300 range. I’ve realized investment in versatile rods is better for me and gives me more flexibility. I also like trying different brands and seeing what they have to offer, early on I spent a lot on one manufacturer bc they were good deals, and I’ve found lots of other rods I like better then those I’ve moved on. At this point this is a hobby and passion that is far more about what I want then what I need. 

 

I think you'll really like the FMJ once you give it a little more time. I'd bought mine primarily for jigs and plastics but quickly found out how versatile it is. Frogs, swimbaits, horny toads, chatterbaits, and bigger topwaters are all well within it's capabilities. As a guy who often fishes from smaller craft and can't bring out a dozen setups, a versatile rod is important 

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Unsure whether you've fished from a kayak before....but if not, consider that many on here, including me, prefer shorter handles when yak fishing.  That may not be a 'quality' that was on your list of considerations before.

Not to mention that watching the diamond encrusted gold leafed NRX heading to the bottom of the lake while fishing from a pointy wading pool isn't for the faint of heart...

[WRB]

On November 25, 2017 at 9:27 AM, iabass8 said:

Go custom

^^^this^^^

Contact site sponsor DVT who can make the exact rod you want from any blank availble with state of the art components.

Tom

[22RangerZ520R]

Conquest...

 

904C or 905C