If you could buy one high end rod and reel setup, what would it be for?

[Randy Price]

As admitted St. Croix fanboy I'm say look at the Legend X, Legend Xtreme or the good old classic Legend Elite for your high end rod.

[kayaking_kev]

Conquest 843c MBR - Takes care of your T-Rigs & Jigs 1/2 oz. or under and also does good with single hook moving baits, I paid $405 for mine. Casting with the Titanium Torzite Guides & High Power and Spiral X Wrapping is a dream and it has more power than the NRX and weighs 3.8 oz.

[Bankc]

21 hours ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Guys who fish clear water, "finesse!"

Guys who fish stained/muddy water, "jigs!"

That's the truth!   

[Boomstick]

2 hours ago, Bankc said:

That's the truth!   

I fish primarily clear water, but I also have some weeds to contend with often so in short, I run both but like I mentioned before, my most expensive rod is my finesse rod.

[TnRiver46]

A gift! Because I’m guaranteed to break it 

[WRB]

Why does everybody consider a 3/8 jig finesse and a 1/2 oz not?

1/8-3/16 oz jig is closer to finesse regarding size and weight, but a 3/16 oz bullet weight and T-rigged may not be?

Finesse has more to do with presentation the lure weight IMO.

Back to the question. I use the same Rod-Reel-line for jigs 1/4 to 3/4 oz and for bullet weight T-rigged worms 3/16-3/8 oz. Rod ALX custom rated 1/4-1 oz 5 power, fast 6'10" long.

Reel Daiwa Tatula 100R 8:1, line Sunline Shooter 10 lb or 12 lb. Not "highend" in today's value or the lightest weight. Rod wt is 3.8 oz. s/n 201202.

Tom

[Hammer 4]

I'd get a custom made rod if money were no object. Reel would be a older 201E Shimano, only cuz they were built like a tank and performed really well. This would for jig fishing.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

17 hours ago, WRB said:

Why does everybody consider a 3/8 jig finesse and a 1/2 oz not?

1/8-3/16 oz jig is closer to finesse regarding size and weight, but a 3/16 oz bullet weight and T-rigged may not be?

That's the truth, its not the weight so much then it is the way you trim the skirt and the size and or diameter of the hook.

[Boomstick]

20 hours ago, WRB said:

Why does everybody consider a 3/8 jig finesse and a 1/2 oz not?

1/8-3/16 oz jig is closer to finesse regarding size and weight, but a 3/16 oz bullet weight and T-rigged may not be?

Finesse has more to do with presentation the lure weight IMO.

Back to the question. I use the same Rod-Reel-line for jigs 1/4 to 3/4 oz and for bullet weight T-rigged worms 3/16-3/8 oz. Rod ALX custom rated 1/4-1 oz 5 power, fast 6'10" long.

Reel Daiwa Tatula 100R 8:1, line Sunline Shooter 10 lb or 12 lb. Not "highend" in today's value or the lightest weight. Rod wt is 3.8 oz. s/n 201202.

Tom

I'm not sure if I was misleading or you were responding to others, but I was in no way trying to say the 3/8oz jigs I would be looking to fish on this setup were finesse jigs. What I was trying to say is this would not be for flipping or pitching into heavy cover, but this would be a rod for all purpose jig and t-rig fishing. I would get a completely different setup for finesse jigs. I use my medium (rated for 8-14lb line) for light finesse jigs, and for a 3/8oz finesse jig I would use a medium or medium heavy rod that is on the lighter side just one step up, but if I'm fishing finesse jigs I keep it at 1/8oz or 3/16oz.

[WRB]

44 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I'm not sure if I was misleading or you were responding to others, but I was in no way trying to say the 3/8oz jigs I would be looking to fish on this setup were finesse jigs. What I was trying to say is this would not be for flipping or pitching into heavy cover, but this would be a rod for all purpose jig and t-rig fishing. I would get a completely different setup for finesse jigs. I use my medium (rated for 8-14lb line) for light finesse jigs, and for a 3/8oz finesse jig I would use a medium or medium heavy rod that is typically rated for 8-17lb line, but when to be honest, if I'm fishing finesse jigs I keep it at 1/8oz or 3/16oz.

I realize that and referenced my jig rod ideally suited for your use. Try contacting Alex at ALX and start with the s/n 201202 for reference and tell Alex exactly what you want.

My rods have a short fore grip like NRX rods, micro guides, split grip NG+ blank equal to NRX, what length you want and reel you plan to use, braid with leader or FC line etc.

This way get an idea of what a custom rod cost, warranty etc, and what blanks are availble today.

Tom

PS, my average casting distance is between 100-120', sometime 150' using 7/16 oz (actual weight w 5/0 hook) jig+ trailer and 12 lb FC line. This info helps a good rod builder set up the guide train for optimized performance.

PM your email and will send a few photos.

 

[Boomstick]

So I am still deciding what what I am going to go with this, and not sure if it will happen at all (I'm going to be getting married soon). But I am actually learning more towards option B (an all around jig rod) the more and more I think about it, partially form necessity and also partially because I can throw 17lb fluorocarbon on whatever reel I go with and that'll work for the majority of my fishing. Then I can drop down to 12lb line on the medium heavy rod that I use for T-Rigs.

 

I know I want it to be between 6'10" and 7'2", and for option B I might go for the longer end of the spectrum. The Megabass FMJ seems like it would be a solid option. The G  Loomis NRX 873C seems like it would be very similar. The Daiwa Steez 7'1" H/F may also be a good option, and I had a 7'1" Tatula H/F that casted 3/8oz and especially 1/2oz jigs absolutely beautifully (better than either of my MH rods actually) that I actually plan to replace for next season. Then I may go with a custom ALX option as well.

 

Life is full of important choices. And d**n, this one is kind of hard.

[Junk Fisherman]

I used the combo this past weekend- Steez 76 MML and a Tatula 3000.  Best rod I have ever used.  I used the rod for Ned rigs but with it large weight range of 1/16 to 3/4 oz, I plan to use it for whatever I anticipate to be the best spinning application I will use for the day.  So that will mostly be Ned rigs when I am fishing for largemouth, tubes for my shallow water smallmouth fishing, and dropshot for deep water, summer smallmouth.  I recently posted this on another forum about the rod:  "After using the rod for the last couple days all I can say is WOW. The level of crispness and sensitivity is unlike any rod I have ever used. It is incredibly light with an extremely sensitive tip and those guides are game-changers. The word I keep coming back to is "crisp." You get a tap and with the braid you just get a jolt unlike other rod/line combination I have used. It is such a sensitive, delicate rod then you set the hook on 17" bass and you see the rod in action. The best rods I own are a newest model GLX 843 and a Dobyns 741 and 742 Champion HP and this Steez is easily at a higher level than those. I was throwing a Ned rig on a rip shoreline with the rod and with the braid the sensitivity was unreal- much better than the Champion HP which is a great rod in its own right. I bought this rod with the intention of using it as my drop shot rod but with the range of action and lure sizes from 1/16 to 3/4 oz, I will use the rod for whatever I anticipate as being the best tactic of the day whether that be a Ned, a tube, or a dropshot. I am eager to see how it handles heavier presentations and those 4 and 5 lb smallies I tangle with up north. I can already envision buying another one of these in the future. Can you tell I liked the rod?

[J Francho]

I’d get a 7’ish MH/fast that would work for a lot of things. 

[Teal]

On 10/23/2020 at 9:20 PM, WRB said:

Why does everybody consider a 3/8 jig finesse and a 1/2 oz not?

1/8-3/16 oz jig is closer to finesse regarding size and weight, but a 3/16 oz bullet weight and T-rigged may not be?

Finesse has more to do with presentation the lure weight IMO.

Back to the question. I use the same Rod-Reel-line for jigs 1/4 to 3/4 oz and for bullet weight T-rigged worms 3/16-3/8 oz. Rod ALX custom rated 1/4-1 oz 5 power, fast 6'10" long.

Reel Daiwa Tatula 100R 8:1, line Sunline Shooter 10 lb or 12 lb. Not "highend" in today's value or the lightest weight. Rod wt is 3.8 oz. s/n 201202.

Tom

 

Bingo!  Finesse is a STYLE AND PRESENTATION NOT A LURE, SIZE OR WEIGHT!

 

I have some 1/2 oz and 3/4  football hair jigs that are absolutely finesse.  It it wasnt for the light wire hook they come with, I'd use slightly heavier gear when I throw them.  That's just an example.  Sorry to hi Jack the thread, but it's a pet peeve.  It annoys me to hear finesse fishing or presentations associated with small tiny baits and spinning tackle.  On my DX 744 I have 50 lb braid to a 15 lb sniper, and typically a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig.  The style of jig, weather its living rubber, grass jig, flippi ngf style, arky, or even a jig with a very subtle trailer and tightly trimmed skirt, doesnt change the set up for me.   I'm gonna present it the way I think the fish want it, sometimes it flip and go, some times it's very slow and methodical...which to me is finesse.  The rod abd gear doesnt change, unless we are talking sub 1/4 oz jigs or t rigs.  

 

 

[J Francho]

As long as it fits the definition, “intricate and refined delicacy” you can call it finesse. 

[Boomstick]

Well I ended up getting a real good price on the Daiwa Steez AGS Bottom Contact rod, so I jumped on that. It is a little bit longer than what I was thinking, but that shouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

@Bandersnatch was nice enough to answer some questions about the power and action and it seems like it should be exactly what I was looking for from option B in a solid all around jig rod, and the fact that it's supposed to balance extremely well with a light reel is extremely important for me for vertical presentations due to how I hold the rod.

[Fishes in trees]

You're kidding yourself if you think that you can get by with just one high end set up.  You'e probably good for now - HOWEVER - sooner or later, sooner than you think for sure,  as soon as you've got a decent amount of disposable income stashed away, you'll be wondering "What is my next favorite technique and what would be the best rig for that?"  Or maybe you won't wait - just put it on your credit card - tackle addiction can be justified in many ways.

 I'm telling you - once you get used to a certain level of quality/sensitivity with your favorite rig, you're going to want similar quality in other rigs you use from time to time.

As someone who more or less has this addiction, your best hope is to follow close outs, always check the bargain rack in every tackle shop you go into, and from time to time you'll find a rig that upgrades what you've got.   Don't be in a hurry, but try to always have some spare cash around so that when you find an upgrade you can jump on it.

[new2BC4bass]

23 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

You're kidding yourself if you think that you can get by with just one high end set up.  You'e probably good for now - HOWEVER - sooner or later, sooner than you think for sure,  as soon as you've got a decent amount of disposable income stashed away, you'll be wondering "What is my next favorite technique and what would be the best rig for that?"  Or maybe you won't wait - just put it on your credit card - tackle addiction can be justified in many ways.

 I'm telling you - once you get used to a certain level of quality/sensitivity with your favorite rig, you're going to want similar quality in other rigs you use from time to time.

As someone who more or less has this addiction, your best hope is to follow close outs, always check the bargain rack in every tackle shop you go into, and from time to time you'll find a rig that upgrades what you've got.   Don't be in a hurry, but try to always have some spare cash around so that when you find an upgrade you can jump on it.

 

Yup.  A very slippery slope.  Took me about 10 years to work up to a used Steez reel.  Now have four....all used naturally.  And they had to be exceptional deals.  Too expensive for my budget otherwise.  Similar to rods.  A few Helium 3 and Zolos.  Even a Witch Doctor and Orochii XX.  Again used.  Even used there are many rods beyond my budget.  Would love a GLX MBR, but...........

 

Absolutely have no need for another rod or reel, but still haunt the For Sale forums.    Dang Bait Monkey.  Wish we weren't such good buddies. 

[Boomstick]

3 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

You're kidding yourself if you think that you can get by with just one high end set up.  You'e probably good for now - HOWEVER - sooner or later, sooner than you think for sure,  as soon as you've got a decent amount of disposable income stashed away, you'll be wondering "What is my next favorite technique and what would be the best rig for that?"  Or maybe you won't wait - just put it on your credit card - tackle addiction can be justified in many ways.

 I'm telling you - once you get used to a certain level of quality/sensitivity with your favorite rig, you're going to want similar quality in other rigs you use from time to time.

As someone who more or less has this addiction, your best hope is to follow close outs, always check the bargain rack in every tackle shop you go into, and from time to time you'll find a rig that upgrades what you've got.   Don't be in a hurry, but try to always have some spare cash around so that when you find an upgrade you can jump on it.

I know... I just got the Daiwa Steez Bottom Contact rod if you saw, which fits an all around jig rod option but maybe someday I will add a typical medium heavy or even medium, but it will be quite some time. If I win the bi-annual award at work maybe lol but I'm getting married and I'm going to have to pay for a wedding next year or maybe the year after depending on Covid. I could think of a few others too don't get me wrong but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[NOC 1]

On 10/22/2020 at 7:04 PM, Boomstick said:

I think that's a great suggestion, and the primary reason why that wasn't option #3 is that my most expensive rod is my Avid X 6'9" ML/XF that I use for finesse fishing, so I have a pretty decent setup there.

 

The GLX/NRX are among the options I'm considering along with Megabass or maybe Steez since I'm a Daiwa fanboy admittedly - depending if I can find a pretty good deal

The Z-bone is right up there with those rods when it comes to sensitivity I think

[Boomstick]

@Fishes in trees and @new2bass you guys may be right... option A (a standard MH rod) might be sooner than later if at all possible. This thing is amazing.

 

When I took the rod out of the included rod sock, I could feel the vibrations in the tip. So I went around to various soft items I could find, items I wouldn't even detect hitting it fairly hard on many rods and gently tapped the tip on all of them. I felt everything. The best was a blind slat the cats broke or maybe a sweatshirt that I threw on a pile of towels. I've done the same thing with the GLX, NRX and Expride before, but I didn't have anything like the arm of a sweatshirt folded on top of it and I'd need to do it back to back to tell, but this is among the best.

The power and action feels about right for an all-around jig rod, and the tip bends where I'd like it to. I can't wait to get it out on the water now

[Sir Shamsalot]

On 10/23/2020 at 10:49 AM, Randy Price said:

As admitted St. Croix fanboy I'm say look at the Legend X, Legend Xtreme or the good old classic Legend Elite for your high end rod.

I fell for my Legend X MH/EF. I just purchased the 7' 4" Legend Xtreme and am agonizing over a reel to pair it with. I want to be able to skip and long cast though not long bomb if that makes sense. I prefer to use straight 20lb FC. So far, I've narrowed down my choice between a Tatula SV TW103, Metanium MGL, or a Steeze SV Tw. Any recommendations and insights would be greatly appreciated. 

[NOC 1]

On 10/22/2020 at 7:04 PM, Boomstick said:

I think that's a great suggestion, and the primary reason why that wasn't option #3 is that my most expensive rod is my Avid X 6'9" ML/XF that I use for finesse fishing, so I have a pretty decent setup there.

 

The GLX/NRX are among the options I'm considering along with Megabass or maybe Steez since I'm a Daiwa fanboy admittedly - depending if I can find a pretty good deal

Kistler Z-bone is worth a look too. You can feel each individual pebble with that Loomis X-Ray blank.

I love my Megabass stuff, but for sensitivity, the Z-bone wins hands down.

Just now, NOC 1 said:

Kistler Z-bone is worth a look too. You can feel each individual pebble with that Loomis X-Ray blank.

I love my Megabass stuff, but for sensitivity, the Z-bone wins hands down.

Whoops sorry, I didn't realize this was an old thread that I had already opined within.

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, Sir Shamsalot said:

So far, I've narrowed down my choice between a Tatula SV TW103, Metanium MGL, or a Steeze SV Tw. Any recommendations and insights would be greatly appreciated. 

Wait for some feedback on the new Zillion SV TW 1000. One member here, Bandersnatch, has one already, and another, iabass8, has one on the way.  Both are in hard water states, but maybe they'd be willing to sling some casting plugs across the ice and give us a quick impression? The reports have been quite good from other sources.

[dodgeguy]

On 10/22/2020 at 10:05 PM, Mike L said:

I keep hearing good things about those, gotta try one. 
 

(The rod not the reel)

 

 

 

Mike

The reel is awesome. Just bought one to use pitching next year.