Alx Enox vs Megabass Orochi XX

[michaelsrex]

I've been looking for a great bottom contact rod to throw light to middle weight jigs and dark sleepers on. Does anybody have an opinion on their preference between these two? The megabass braillist is supposed to be that rod but I've heard people say they are beautiful but just not that sensative. 

 

*Are the enox micro guides going to be a braid to leader issue? 

*is the Enox $80 better than the zolo? To me it sounded like the enox is the helium 3 to the Klx, just a bit faster. I guess I should call Alex lol

[RyneB]

I have an Enox I purchased this winter. I have not fished it yet. Just flipping jigs into a shoe. So I cant speak on sensitivity. I can say it's not as comfortable in my hand as a Zolo (I have small hands), and seems on the heavier side compared to the zolo. It is a beautiful rod and absolutely flawless. I cant wait to lay into the bucket mouths with it. Having said that, I'd have a hard time justifying any rod is $100 better than a Zolo. Good luck and hopefully someone gives you better advice than me. 

[LionHeart]

Have not tried the Enox but have a Zolo Dragger and am finally getting a Deputy custom built.

 

With the Dragger, I use 50 lb braid to a 15-20 lb mono leader and have zero problems clearing the guides.  At times I will get the slightest 'tick' as the knot passes (usually when the line is dry).  I'm pretty obsessive about this kind of stuff and it isn't enough to bother me.  To be fair, any knot will 'tick' any size guides from time to time.  Nature of the beast.

 

The guides are actually a mid-micro size 5, so the inner diameter is 4.5 mm.  These guides were chosen with leader knots in mind.  You can contact Alex at ALX and he will be more than happy to discuss in length with you and concerns.  He is an awesome dude, and talking to him feels like you are talking to just a regular dude that is passionate about building great rods instead of 'customer service.'

 

When I had my Dragger built, I jumped back and forth between having size 6-5.5 guides installed instead of size 5, because I had the same concern as you.  I'm glad I stuck with the size 5 guides.  

 

In full disclosure, I tie an FG knot and always will.  YMMV with a bigger knot.  Give Alex a call though.  He will be happy go put any guides you want on a rod.

[FryDog62]

My only comparison for you is that I have a Dragger and a Braillist.  Couldn’t be happier with both rods, but obviously for different uses.  

 

Am surprised to hear some think the Braillist isn’t very sensitive... I use that rod for 1/2-1 oz Dark Sleepers and I think it’s excellent.  I sold off a St Croix LTB (for the Braillist) and Dobyns Extreme HP (for the Dragger) and think I upgraded significantly in terms of weight and sensitivity. 

[Stephen B]

I'd take the XX anyday over the ALX. Never heard anyone say anything about the lack of sensitivity of a XX. In fact, the exact opposite. The XX are phenomenal rods and IMO are the among the best in the price range as well as the Shimano Expride. The XX perform well above there price.

[LegendaryBassin]

3 minutes ago, Stephen B said:

I'd take the XX anyday over the ALX. Never heard anyone say anything about the lack of sensitivity of a XX. In fact, the exact opposite. The XX are phenomenal rods and IMO are the among the best in the price range as well as the Shimano Expride. The XX perform well above there price.

Agreed. The XX, which I own 3 different models, are some of the finest rods in there price range. IMO I would easily go Megabass. Not a fan of ALX personally. Owned one, a ALX Enox Gravity for 1 day and no longer is a part of my arsenal.

[newyorktoiowa57]

4 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

My only comparison for you is that I have a Dragger and a Braillist.  Couldn’t be happier with both rods, but obviously for different uses.  

 

Am surprised to hear some think the Braillist isn’t very sensitive... I use that rod for 1/2-1 oz Dark Sleepers and I think it’s excellent.  I sold off a St Croix LTB (for the Braillist) and Dobyns Extreme HP (for the Dragger) and think I upgraded significantly in terms of weight and sensitivity. 

How is the balance on the braillist?

[FryDog62]

56 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

How is the balance on the braillist?

Excellent, night and day compared to the tip heavy St. Croix.  

[newyorktoiowa57]

18 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Excellent, night and day compared to the tip heavy St. Croix.  

SC balance is pretty terrible IMO.  how about compared to the dobyns HP?

[FryDog62]

9 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

SC balance is pretty terrible IMO.  how about compared to the dobyns HP?

I’d say on par in terms of balance with Dobyns.  I love my Dobyns flippin rod, but in terms of sensitivity - Orochi hands down..

[newyorktoiowa57]

10 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I’d say on par in terms of balance with Dobyns.  I love my Dobyns flippin rod, but in terms of sensitivity - Orochi hands down..

Braillist action should be comparable to a 744, no?  Can you throw senkos on that rod?

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Braillist action should be comparable to a 744, no?  Can you throw senkos on that rod?

I had a 744 and sold it. Dobyns makes great flippin rod, but I personally don’t think a great bottom contact rod.  It’s a fast action but IMO almost closer to a Moderate/Fast...where the Orochi is a Fast action but much crisper, almost like an XF.  

 

I think you could toss Senkos on an Orochi, it’s a matter of which model you’d use.  I save my Braillist for Dark Sleepers mostly.  I throw Senkos on a 7-1 Tatula Elite Ehrler M/MH.  

[newyorktoiowa57]

54 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I had a 744 and sold it. Dobyns makes great flippin rod, but I personally don’t think a great bottom contact rod.  It’s a fast action but IMO almost closer to a Moderate/Fast...where the Orochi is a Fast action but much crisper, almost like an XF.  

 

I think you could toss Senkos on an Orochi, it’s a matter of which model you’d use.  I save my Braillist for Dark Sleepers mostly.  I throw Senkos on a 7-1 Tatula Elite Ehrler M/MH.  

is that tatula a spinning rod?

[FryDog62]

23 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

is that tatula a spinning rod?

Baitcaster, it’s actually 7-0

Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Casting Rod 7' Med-MH Ehrler Show Information
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Extra Fast	8-20lb	1/8-1oz	8+Tip	Elite AGS Cast A	***/4"	In Stock: 5+	$279.99

[michaelsrex]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

I had a 744 and sold it. Dobyns makes great flippin rod, but I personally don’t think a great bottom contact rod.  It’s a fast action but IMO almost closer to a Moderate/Fast...where the Orochi is a Fast action but much crisper, almost like an XF.  

 

I think you could toss Senkos on an Orochi, it’s a matter of which model you’d use.  I save my Braillist for Dark Sleepers mostly.  I throw Senkos on a 7-1 Tatula Elite Ehrler M/MH.  

Which weight dark sleepers do you prefer on the braillist? 

[FryDog62]

Usually 1/2-3/4 but I frequently go up to 1 oz.  They are small and compact and less than 3/4 tend to “float up” in the water column.  Braillist handles any of these weights very well..