High end Rods

[Patrickcatalano]

Hello All,

 

I am looking to get a high end all purpose casting rod. I have my options limited down to 3.

 

St Croix Legend Elite

G Rods Pro Bass

Doblyns champion extreme HP.

 

I will be getting a 7ft Medium Heavy, Fast action rod. If it helps, I have a Abu Garcia Revo Premier Gen 4. 

 

I appreciate it. 

 

Tight Lines

Patrick

[Angry John]

I am partial to the st croix as i have one and love it, do not care for the dobyns rod and know nothing about the g rods.  At the price point you also may consider megabass or a daiwa steez.  

[anderb54]

At that price range, I'd definitely consider the Megabass Destroyer line, specifically the Daemos for what you're looking for. That being said, I like my Champion Extreme, but it's a spinning model, so it's not an apples to apples comparison. 

[Stephen B]

Legend Elite and Megabass Destroyer line are the best at the price point.

[Patrickcatalano]

Which of the Megabass destroyer rods would fit the all purpose profile the best? A lot of them are heavy power. 

[Stephen B]

The Daemos is the rod in the Megabass Destroyer USA lineup to consider. It is very versatile.

[Patrickcatalano]

What’s the specs on it?

[anderb54]

Daemos Specs

 

Length: 7'2''

Power: 5 (aka medium heavy)

Lure Weight: 3/8 to 1 oz

Line Rating: 8-20 lb

Action: Fast

 

The Daemos is a great all around rod. I've mostly used it for swimbaits (Keitechs), spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and bigger jerkbaits like the Pointer 128, Rerange 130, etc., but you could easily use it as a jig rod, lighter Texas Rigs, and even frogs in moderate cover

 

[Patrickcatalano]

Thank you, that sounds exactly what I am looking for. Can it be used for other species than bass, such as 20-30 inch pike? I have a Abu Garcia Revo gen 4 premier as my reel. 

[anderb54]

You won't have any issues with pike that size using that rod.

 

Just a heads up with the Destroyers: they don't have hook keepers, so be sure to order one of the Fuji EZ Keepers with it too if that's what rod you choose. I have them on all of mine, I think they cost like $4-$5.

[WRB]

You should also consider having a custom rod made from the high end blanks and components. Contact site sponsor DVL and my rod maker ALX and get their input.

Don't over look off the shelf rods from Lamiglas Infinity series.

Tom

[Patrickcatalano]

I thought about having a custom rod from alx but decided against it because I do fish a lot but I wouldn’t get to use it enough to enjoy it. I’ll definently check on lamiglas.

[Primus]

You might want to look into a Kistler KLX or Helium series rod, excellent fishing rods for the money. 

[PAbasser927]

29 minutes ago, Primus said:

You might want to look into a Kistler KLX or Helium series rod, excellent fishing rods for the money. 

I just posted in the sale thread that Kistler is running a 20% off everything sale right now.  I used it to grab a Helium 3 which I am psyched to try out.  Details on the site.

 

I believe the Heliums are only offered in ex-fast for their MH rods.  I think the KLX would be the only way to go for a true fast action.

[Patrickcatalano]

I’ll need y’alls help again, so between the Daemos and the legend elite, which of them would be better? It’d be an all purpose rod for a variety of baits. 

5 hours ago, Primus said:

You might want to look into a Kistler KLX or Helium series rod, excellent fishing rods for the money. 

I thought about Kitsler for awhile but everytime I would find one I’d like it’d be sold out. I’ll check again and see if they have them in stock at tackle warehouse.

[anderb54]

I've not used the Legend Elite before, but I've had lots of first hand experience using the Daemos, and I own several of the others in the Destroyer line. I keep buying Destroyers because they're incredibly sensitive, well made, and the ergonomics are top notch. It's obvious every time I use one that a high level of thought and craftsmanship goes into those rods. Let's be honest too, there's a certain mystique and sexiness to Megabass products too, especially their rods. What you're paying for is a functional piece of art. I can tell you right now that if you buy the Daemos, you won't be disappointed. It's as good of an "all around" rod as you'll find in that price range.

[Patrickcatalano]

I’ve also noticed that the Daemos not only gets good reviews but also looks a lot nicer as well. How well would it work for T-rigs and other reaction baits such as spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and jigs?

[anderb54]

That's basically what the rod was designed for. It's an evolution of the Diablo Spec-R, which was made for any application that uses big single hooks. They have a dedicated jig rod, the FMJ, which is awesome to fish, but it's definitely beefier with a stiffer tip. The Daemos is for sure the most versatile in the Destroyer lineup, and for what you want, it'll be awesome.

[Patrickcatalano]

ok that sounds perfect. Thank you.

[kickerfish1]

Not sure if you are open to suggestion outside of what you listed in your original post but if so I would HIGHLY consider an MBR GLX 844 or 843. You can also look at the MBR 843 NRX. All of these are, have been, or will, be available in a rep sample model meaning the prices will all be under $400 and with full warranty.

 

The MBR or Mag Bass Taper rods from Loomis can pretty much do anything you want from a bass'n standpoint. Great feel as well!

 

There isn't a bad rod on your list but I would lean more towards the MB Destroyer if those were my only options.

[kschultz76]

I’d agree the Destroyer Daemos is likely a great choice for your intended purposes. I have the FMJ myself. The build quality, weight/balance, and ergonomics on these is top notch. 

 

I agree with Kickerfish, another top option for high end and very versatile would be a GLX MBR 843 or 844.  The 844 is a beefier stick then the 843, and choice would come down to total weight/size of lures and cover you will fish. But these rods have a great tip making them versatile and easy to cast with a nice backbone to handle fish in cover. Loomis have a great warranty, however their attention to detail and build quality are known to not always be quite up to par at this price point, primarily issues reported around finish on threadwraps. 

 

St Croix Legend Elites are awesome sticks as well, and superbly build with great warranty. You’d certainly be getting a great stick with a St Croix. However in my personal experience their MH/F are stout rods, and while they’re very capable, they aren’t quite as versatile for moving baits. 

 

Good luck. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I would add the Kistler Z-Bone with their 20% discount you can pick one up for $400. That would be the best $400 rod you will ever use.

[evilcatfish]

I feel like all the suggestions mentioned would be great choices, but if I could pick one it would be the Daemos. The new destroyers are very impressive. If you want to save a few bucks (and can actually find one) the XX diablo spec r is similar as mentioned above. Or if you can wait a bit, the next gen XX rods are coming this year, though I don't believe the exact models have been confirmed yet. 

[Fishingmickey]

19 hours ago, Patrickcatalano said:

I’ll need y’alls help again, so between the Daemos and the legend elite, which of them would be better? It’d be an all purpose rod for a variety of baits. 

I thought about Kitsler for awhile but everytime I would find one I’d like it’d be sold out. I’ll check again and see if they have them in stock at tackle warehouse.

Go straight to Kistler's website, That is where the 20% off is at and there are a lot of models that are not shown on TW.

Fishingmickey

 https://www.kistlerrods.com/

[Stephen B]

Kistler, Megabass, and St Croix all have excellent blanks and build quality. St Croix has the best warranty by far. However, I think the Destroyer Daemos is the best rod for what you are looking for.