Megabass Levante

[RichF]

I was about to grab a new Phenix M1 but now.....ugh.  Anyone out there have one that didn't break before they were pulled off the shelves?

[iabass8]

The ones that are in stock are the new model. They aren’t the one with the breakage issues. Those were removed off shelves or sold at a huge discount.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, iabass8 said:

The ones that are in stock are the new model. They aren’t the one with the breakage issues. Those were removed off shelves or sold at a huge discount.

They still have the same look as the 2019's though right?  They didn't redesign the 2019s again, just addressed the breakage issue?

[Dens228]

Those Levante rods cost me a lot of money........they got me hooked on MegaBass rods, then stopped making them so I moved up to the Orochi XX's.  Now I have eight of them.......ugh.....lol

[waymont]

Here's an in-depth explanation of them. It's a new, redesigned blank.

 

 

[webertime]

Brailist has been ordered

[Bassin_Harrison]

2 hours ago, webertime said:

Brailist has been ordered

I don't have any experience with Megabass, but was eyeing a Brailist in the Orochi. Now that the Levantes are back I'd prefer to get one at the lower price point. Is the Brailist be able to throw 1/4 oz jigs or should it stick to 3/8+? 

[webertime]

1/4 oz jig plus a trailer is pretty close to 3/8oz total weight, I wouldn't worry.

[FryDog62]

On 11/25/2020 at 4:32 PM, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

I don't have any experience with Megabass, but was eyeing a Brailist in the Orochi. Now that the Levantes are back I'd prefer to get one at the lower price point. Is the Brailist be able to throw 1/4 oz jigs or should it stick to 3/8+? 

I agree, once you add a trailer a 1/4 oz jig is fine. I use my Orochi Braillist up to a 1 oz Dark Sleeper, works great, very sensitive at both ends of the weight ratings... No experience with the Levante but I bet after misfiring on the 2019 model the improved edition is good.  

[webertime]

Brailist showed today.  Feels great in hand, paired with a Scorpion DC.  Flex/action/power feels a lot like a MHR Daiwa or a 734.5 Dobyns.

[Bandersnatch]

My buddy has a 2019 Diablo spec r that he loves that didn't break. All the new levantes are just the exact same ones but weigh more, they beefed up the blank to reduce the breakage. So to me, I'd want to see some rod weights before I bought them. At no point should they feel lighter or more sensitive than the 2019s from what I understand, simply, because, they are the same rod but heavier. Maybe someone has more knowledge that would like to chime In. I thought Ben saying rjoa was the biggest rod release EVER was pretty funny. What's so big about it? They are the same rods but heavier. Another marketing term I heard was,"made by the same team responsible for the new p5s!" well, what does that mean? It doesn't mean it's a P5 blank, is the team responsible for the p5s the same team that was responsible for the very light weight 19 levantes that broke? What does any of that matter? This is coming from me who is a megabass fan boy just noticing all the marketing stuff. Kind of like the p5 having triple action points or more than one, it's just marketing as far as I can see. Don't get me wrong, I love my P5

Don't get me wrong, I'm considering picking up a lenvate but I'd just like to see some rod weights 

5 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

My buddy has a 2019 Diablo spec r that he loves that didn't break. All the new levantes are just the exact same ones but weigh more, they beefed up the blank to reduce the breakage. So to me, I'd want to see some rod weights before I bought them. At no point should they feel lighter or more sensitive than the 2019s from what I understand, simply, because, they are the same rod but heavier. Maybe someone has more knowledge that would like to chime In. I thought Ben saying rjoa was the biggest rod release EVER was pretty funny. What's so big about it? They are the same rods but heavier. Another marketing term I heard was,"made by the same team responsible for the new p5s!" well, what does that mean? It doesn't mean it's a P5 blank, is the team responsible for the p5s the same team that was responsible for the very light weight 19 levantes that broke? What does any of that matter? This is coming from me who is a megabass fan boy just noticing all the marketing stuff. Kind of like the p5 having triple action points or more than one, it's just marketing as far as I can see. Don't get me wrong, I love my P5

Don't get me wrong, I'm considering picking up a lenvate but I'd just like to see some rod weights, the previous generation levantes were considered heavy and not sensitive, in response, megabass came out with the 19 levantes which were much lighter and therfore more sensitive. I just am wondering how much weight needed to be added and what is the impact of that weight. 

 

[RTipton]

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

My buddy has a 2019 Diablo spec r that he loves that didn't break. All the new levantes are just the exact same ones but weigh more, they beefed up the blank to reduce the breakage. So to me, I'd want to see some rod weights before I bought them. At no point should they feel lighter or more sensitive than the 2019s from what I understand, simply, because, they are the same rod but heavier. Maybe someone has more knowledge that would like to chime In. I thought Ben saying rjoa was the biggest rod release EVER was pretty funny. What's so big about it? They are the same rods but heavier. Another marketing term I heard was,"made by the same team responsible for the new p5s!" well, what does that mean? It doesn't mean it's a P5 blank, is the team responsible for the p5s the same team that was responsible for the very light weight 19 levantes that broke? What does any of that matter? This is coming from me who is a megabass fan boy just noticing all the marketing stuff. Kind of like the p5 having triple action points or more than one, it's just marketing as far as I can see. Don't get me wrong, I love my P5

Don't get me wrong, I'm considering picking up a lenvate but I'd just like to see some rod weights 

 

Who said they weigh more? I have no idea, I didnt own the older version, and dont have a new one, but this is from Megabass...

 

Featuring upgraded blank material, construction, and Micro Pitch Taping, each LEVANTE is now lighter, more sensitive, and more responsive. Lighter blanks allow for a refinement in balance points, bringing each model closer to its target application. Finished with Fuji® Stainless Steel Alconite guides, custom metal accents, Megabass original Spiral Architect reel seat, hook keeper, and a premium color-shifting finish, the LEVANTE is sure to delight old and new Megabass enthusiasts alike.

[Bandersnatch]

3 minutes ago, RTipton said:

Who said they weigh more? I have no idea, I didnt own the older version, and dont have a new one, but this is from Megabass...

 

Featuring upgraded blank material, construction, and Micro Pitch Taping, each LEVANTE is now lighter, more sensitive, and more responsive. Lighter blanks allow for a refinement in balance points, bringing each model closer to its target application. Finished with Fuji® Stainless Steel Alconite guides, custom metal accents, Megabass original Spiral Architect reel seat, hook keeper, and a premium color-shifting finish, the LEVANTE is sure to delight old and new Megabass enthusiasts alike.

Dealers said that they weigh more than the 2019 levantes. I believe the marketing you're posting is the same marketing from the original roll out of the 2019s. In order to combat breakage, they made they weigh more. That's what I'm told

[RTipton]

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

Dealers said that they weigh more than the 2019 levantes. I believe the marketing you're posting is the same marketing from the original roll out of the 2019s. In order to combat breakage, they made they weigh more. That's what I'm told

No sir, this is for the brand new re-released models. Like I said, I dont know for sure, just what I have seen online. Drives me crazy how difficult it is to get info on rods. 

[Bandersnatch]

38 minutes ago, RTipton said:

No sir, this is for the brand new re-released models. Like I said, I don't know for sure, just what I have seen online. Drives me crazy how difficult it is to get info on rods. 

As I've said, my understanding is the new levantes are the same levantes but a bit heavier. I'm not saying that's bad. I'm just saying it's not ground breaking. Even in the promo videos, even the hook up tackle videos, I don't hear them saying anything about anything new. It would make sense that they add a tad bit of strength through weight if the initial formula resulted in breakage. Hopefully someone with more information will chime in. 

[Bandersnatch]

3 hours ago, webertime said:

Brailist showed today.  Feels great in hand, paired with a Scorpion DC.  Flex/action/power feels a lot like a MHR Daiwa or a 734.5 Dobyns.

are you able to weigh the Brailist? 

[webertime]

4.83oz

For reference a St Croix 75 mhxf Legend Tournament is 5.2 and about $100 more.

[RichF]

21 hours ago, webertime said:

Brailist showed today.  Feels great in hand, paired with a Scorpion DC.  Flex/action/power feels a lot like a MHR Daiwa or a 734.5 Dobyns.

What do you plan to use it for?  I also have no experience with the MHR Daiwa taper.  Would you say that's somewhat equivalent to a St. Croix medium or heavier?

[Bandersnatch]

18 hours ago, webertime said:

4.83oz

For reference a St Croix 75 mhxf Legend Tournament is 5.2 and about $100 more.

Thank you 

[webertime]

4 hours ago, RichF said:

What do you plan to use it for?  I also have no experience with the MHR Daiwa taper.  Would you say that's somewhat equivalent to a St. Croix medium or heavier?

Probably light c rigs, small footballs, underspins, and I guess ikas and senkos.  

 

Its like a more moderate mhf St Croix without being too soft.   Got the same sort of "west coast" action where a fast isn't super fast (Powell, Phenix, Lamiglas, Dobyns).

 

MHR Daiwas are the bomb for moving single hook baits.   Like "I guarantee you'll like it or I'll buy it", good.

[RichF]

57 minutes ago, webertime said:

Probably light c rigs, small footballs, underspins, and I guess ikas and senkos.  

 

Its like a more moderate mhf St Croix without being too soft.   Got the same sort of "west coast" action where a fast isn't super fast (Powell, Phenix, Lamiglas, Dobyns).

 

MHR Daiwas are the bomb for moving single hook baits.   Like "I guarantee you'll like it or I'll buy it", good.

Sweet. Thanks for the info and great description! I think a few of these suckers will be in my arsenal next season, for sure.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 11/30/2020 at 8:04 PM, Bandersnatch said:

As I've said, my understanding is the new levantes are the same levantes but a bit heavier. I'm not saying that's bad. I'm just saying it's not ground breaking. Even in the promo videos, even the hook up tackle videos, I don't hear them saying anything about anything new. It would make sense that they add a tad bit of strength through weight if the initial formula resulted in breakage. Hopefully someone with more information will chime in. 

MB actually designed a new graphite for the new Levantes.  They weren't happy with the amount of failures.  It was relatively low, but like any other Japanese company like Honda, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and so on, efficiency and quality control is a priority. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Does anybody know where the new Levante spinning rods are made?.....thinking of buying one tomorrow at a local shop, but can't remember if they were one of the JDM brands that had "made in China" rod offerings when I was in there a week ago.   I know the Daiwa Rebellion, and Shimano Zodius were.  

 

[LCG]

43 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Does anybody know where the new Levante spinning rods are made?.....thinking of buying one tomorrow at a local shop, but can't remember if they were one of the JDM brands that had "made in China" rod offerings when I was in there a week ago.   I know the Daiwa Rebellion, and Shimano Zodius were.  

 

Earlier this year, in the spring, I was looking for some new rods. It came down to levante, rebellion, and zodias. The levante won in the looks dept, but they were noticbly heavier than the others. I ultimately went with the rebellion rods, spinning and casting. No regrets. Very lightweight, sensitive, comfortable, and a really nice action. Made in china was not my first choice, but the quality and craftsmanship is excellent. But I really did like the looks of the levante. 

[Jrob78]

55 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Does anybody know where the new Levante spinning rods are made?.....thinking of buying one tomorrow at a local shop, but can't remember if they were one of the JDM brands that had "made in China" rod offerings when I was in there a week ago.   I know the Daiwa Rebellion, and Shimano Zodius were.  

 

They are made in China, I believe all Megabass rods are.