Megabass Destroyer P5 Dark Sleeper for pitching jigs?

[mheichelbech]

Found a good deal on a MB Dark Sleeper.  I would want to use it for pitching jigs in the 1/4 to 1/2 range and primarily 3/8 oz jigs (which probably weight 1/2 oz with trailer).  The descriptions on this rod says 1/4 to 1 oz but then also says best for light T rigs and booted swim baits???  I’ve never been one to only use a rod for what it’s supposed to be used for so it doesn’t bother me too much but just wondering if this would not be a good rod for pitching to beaver piles and the like.

 

Price is $375 and almost new condition.

[Stephen B]

I like the rod for light texas rigs and small finesse jigs. 3/8 oz jig w/ trailer is the max I would throw on it. 

[mheichelbech]

1 hour ago, BaitFinesse said:

MB rods are usually pretty versatile.  Dark sleepers are sort of fished like jigs anyways.  I'm sure it will work great as the perfect dark sleeper rod that can also do other things.  The whole point of MB sticks are that they fill the need to the perfect rod for [insert application] and that is why you buy one.  You then discover that it can do more which is great but you got for a reason and that should come 1st.  I would get a jig stick instead especially at that price.  The Orochi xx Brailist comes to mind.  The Perfect Pitch is also good.  I love the old gen PP I have.

 

 

Based on what I am hearing it is a great rod for casting a jig or dark sleeper and working it back to the boat.  I would want a faster action and more power for pitching if ideally on a dedicated pitching stick like the H powered XF Perfect Pitch but I'm sure the Dark Sleeper will get the job done and be much more versatile overall.

Is there much of a difference in the Orochi and the Destroyer in sensitivity?  This price is just for that particular rod.  Guy used it once, he bought 2 and is selling one.

1 hour ago, Stephen B said:

I like the rod for light texas rigs and small finesse jigs. 3/8 oz jig w/ trailer is the max I would throw on it. 

This is what confuses me, the rod range is 1/4 to 1 oz so you’d think a half oz jig would be okay??  I don’t get how a rig could be good for that range.

[Diggy]

2 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

Found a good deal on a MB Dark Sleeper.  I would want to use it for pitching jigs in the 1/4 to 1/2 range and primarily 3/8 oz jigs (which probably weight 1/2 oz with trailer).  The descriptions on this rod says 1/4 to 1 oz but then also says best for light T rigs and booted swim baits???  I’ve never been one to only use a rod for what it’s supposed to be used for so it doesn’t bother me too much but just wondering if this would not be a good rod for pitching to beaver piles and the like.

 

Price is $375 and almost new condition.

The Hookup Tackle's YouTube has a video where he goes through the popular P5 models.  

[Stephen B]

5 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

Is there much of a difference in the Orochi and the Destroyer in sensitivity?  This price is just for that particular rod.  Guy used it once, he bought 2 and is selling one.

This is what confuses me, the rod range is 1/4 to 1 oz so you’d think a half oz jig would be okay??  I don’t get how a rig could be good for that range.

IMO the Destroyer is worth the upgrade. 

[fishwizzard]

On 9/7/2020 at 3:12 PM, mheichelbech said:

Is there much of a difference in the Orochi and the Destroyer in sensitivity?  This price is just for that particular rod.  Guy used it once, he bought 2 and is selling one.

This is what confuses me, the rod range is 1/4 to 1 oz so you’d think a half oz jig would be okay??  I don’t get how a rig could be good for that range.

My “1/2oz jigs” end up weighing about 1oz with a trailer most of the time.  The rod will likely fish it but not super well. 
 

MB rods tend to have a larger weight range, you kinda use it and the power rating to figure out where the sweet spot will be. The DS is a 4.5, so not likely to be an ideal 1/2oz jig rod.  

[mheichelbech]

44 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

My “1/2oz jigs” end up weighing about 1oz with a trailer most of the time.  The rod will likely fish it but not super well. 
 

MB rods tend to have a larger weight range, you kinda use it and the power rating to figure out where the sweet spot will be. The DS is a 4.5, so not likely to be an ideal 1/2oz jig rod.  

Thanks for the input.  Excellent point about the trailer.  My main jig fishing is 3/8 oz using pork...U4 split tail eel.  Not sure how much that weighs.

[Logan S]

Disclaimer, I don't own the rod....But I think it'd be underpowered for 'normal' jig fishing with 3/8 or 1/2 oz jigs.  I'm sure it will handle finesse jigs and the Dark Sleeper swimbaits very well, but when you talk about pitching to beaver huts with 3/8 or 1/2 jig I'm thinking at least an F5 and more likely an F6 (sticking with MB powers).  

 

FWIW, my jig/texas preferences with MB rod powers are as follows:

F5 = 3/8 jigs (up to 1/2 if lightwire/openwater).  1/4 for texas weight size.

F6 = 3/8 to 5/8 jig.  Up to 3/4 max for texas weight size.

F7 = Up to 1oz jigs and 1oz texas weight size.  

 

[Stephen B]

17 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

My “1/2oz jigs” end up weighing about 1oz with a trailer most of the time.  The rod will likely fish it but not super well. 
 

MB rods tend to have a larger weight range, you kinda use it and the power rating to figure out where the sweet spot will be. The DS is a 4.5, so not likely to be an ideal 1/2oz jig rod.  

 

27 minutes ago, Logan S said:

Disclaimer, I don't own the rod....But I think it'd be underpowered for 'normal' jig fishing with 3/8 or 1/2 oz jigs.  I'm sure it will handle finesse jigs and the Dark Sleeper swimbaits very well, but when you talk about pitching to beaver huts with 3/8 or 1/2 jig I'm thinking at least an F5 and more likely an F6 (sticking with MB powers).  

 

FWIW, my jig/texas preferences with MB rod powers are as follows:

F5 = 3/8 jigs (up to 1/2 if lightwire/openwater).  1/4 for texas weight size.

F6 = 3/8 to 5/8 jig.  Up to 3/4 max for texas weight size.

F7 = Up to 1oz jigs and 1oz texas weight size.  

 

Depending on which trailer but yea. The dark sleeper would be an excellent shakeyhead casting rod, finesse jig, and light t-rig rod. Nothing too heavy. 

[fishwizzard]

6 minutes ago, Logan S said:

Disclaimer, I don't own the rod....But I think it'd be underpowered for 'normal' jig fishing with 3/8 or 1/2 oz jigs.  I'm sure it will handle finesse jigs and the Dark Sleeper swimbaits very well, but when you talk about pitching to beaver huts with 3/8 or 1/2 jig I'm thinking at least an F5 and more likely an F6 (sticking with MB powers).  

 

FWIW, my jig/texas preferences with MB rod powers is as follows:

F5 = 3/8 jigs (up to 1/2 if lightwire/openwater).  1/4 for texas weight size.

F6 = 3/8 to 5/8 jig.  Up to 3/4 max for texas weight size.

F7 = Up to 1oz jigs and 1oz texas weight size.  

 

I would agree with that and while it varies from line to line, I tend to feel that the P5 rods are close to 3 power Loomis rods and the P6 MB rods are close to the 4 Power Loomises.  

[evilcatfish]

I have the Dark Sleeper and absolutely love it, but pitching a jig to any serious cover is prob a no go for me. It makes an excellent finesse jig and small profile football jig rod. I've also used it quite a bit for tubes (the reason I bought it), light t rigs, wacky rigs, wobbleheads, and paddletails. I'm also planning to try spinnerbaits and cranks with it in the coming weeks. 

[mheichelbech]

Thanks for all the input.   I bought the rod so we shall see.  It arrives tomorrow.  If I don’t like it I’ll sell it and get something different.  My best Fall jig Fishing doesn’t come back in until late November so I have time.

[mheichelbech]

57 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Put it work as a swim bait and light jig and plastics rod.

I’ll make it work for something!  I love fishing finesse worms so it may work for that.

[Dens228]

I use my Diablo Spec R for the Dark Sleeper, it has a 5 rating.

I throw my contact jigs on a Braillist, it has a 5.5 rating. 

[evilcatfish]

3 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

I’ll make it work for something!  I love fishing finesse worms so it may work for that.

It will work great for finesse worming! I've used mine a bit for shakeyheads and smaller curly tail worms with good success. What reel/line do you plan on using?

[mheichelbech]

7 hours ago, evilcatfish said:

It will work great for finesse worming! I've used mine a bit for shakeyheads and smaller curly tail worms with good success. What reel/line do you plan on using?

Not sure yet.  I am partial to Big Game but I’m trying to move up to Flouro on my bottom contact stuff.  I’ve tried braid a few times with my baitcasters and I just can’t bring myself to like it even though I know it’s more sensitive.  Love braid on my spinning outfits.

[Stephen B]

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

Not sure yet.  I am partial to Big Game but I’m trying to move up to Flouro on my bottom contact stuff.  I’ve tried braid a few times with my baitcasters and I just can’t bring myself to like it even though I know it’s more sensitive.  Love braid on my spinning outfits.

I cry inside when I hear big game lol. I highly recommend giving flourocarbon a try and if you don't like it try a copolymer. I only use mono for topwater. I think you'd be very happy. Goodluck buddy

[evilcatfish]

12# fluoro is just about the perfect match with the dark sleep rod in my opinion. 

[mheichelbech]

12 hours ago, Stephen B said:

I cry inside when I hear big game lol. I highly recommend giving flourocarbon a try and if you don't like it try a copolymer. I only use mono for topwater. I think you'd be very happy. Goodluck buddy

Old habits are hard to break!!  Lol!  I just put some Sunline  Flippin Flouro for my other jig setup...

[mmoser52]

On 9/9/2020 at 4:18 PM, evilcatfish said:

I have the Dark Sleeper and absolutely love it, but pitching a jig to any serious cover is prob a no go for me. It makes an excellent finesse jig and small profile football jig rod. I've also used it quite a bit for tubes (the reason I bought it), light t rigs, wacky rigs, wobbleheads, and paddletails. I'm also planning to try spinnerbaits and cranks with it in the coming weeks. 

I have been looking at the Dark Sleeper quite a bit as a rod for my wife.  What reel do you have on it, and how well does it balance?  

 

Secondly, how would you rate the power, Medium, Light Medium Heavy, Medium Heavy (Megabass rod power ratings always confuse me)?  Her primary usage would be wacky worms and light Texas rigs.  Have you ever felt that it was overpowered for wacky worms?

[evilcatfish]

On 9/11/2020 at 1:47 PM, mmoser52 said:

I have been looking at the Dark Sleeper quite a bit as a rod for my wife.  What reel do you have on it, and how well does it balance?  

 

Secondly, how would you rate the power, Medium, Light Medium Heavy, Medium Heavy (Megabass rod power ratings always confuse me)?  Her primary usage would be wacky worms and light Texas rigs.  Have you ever felt that it was overpowered for wacky worms?

I have a px type r on mine and it balances nicely. I feel the power is best described as a light medium heavy, perhaps somewhere between a Dobyns 3 and 4 power. Definitely not overpowered for wacky rigs, though I do throw 5-6” Senkos and use a heavier hook than many people

[Ivan Katalinić Kate]

Hello, i am thinking of buying an MB Dark sleeper but I don't understand the OZ labels can anyone tell me which weight to buy for TROUT fishing and SeaBass ?

After all, are MB rods made for sea fishing?

I am from EU , Thanks people ! 

[Jorge D]

On 9/7/2020 at 12:58 PM, Stephen B said:

I like the rod for light texas rigs and small finesse jigs. 3/8 oz jig w/ trailer is the max I would throw on it. 

Would you say you can throw a buzz bait on the Dark sleeper? 

On 9/10/2020 at 12:57 PM, Dens228 said:

I use my Diablo Spec R for the Dark Sleeper, it has a 5 rating.

I throw my contact jigs on a Braillist, it has a 5.5 rating. 

Would you say that you could throw buzz baits on the Dark sleeper?