Picked up a few nice rods lately...got some overlap...wanna try a Megabass

[Big Lou]

Here is what I've got--some used, some on sale, some ten years old. The ones I've used are all 8-11 years old and have a common use in parens. The ones above--with no application in parens--are new to me and haven't been used yet. I'm sorta wanting to "move up" from some Falcons, though my Cara T7 Weightless Worm and ML small T7 Cara Reaction both have excellent actions for their applications. (I have Curado 50e's on those).

Casting

NRX 895C JWR

NRX 873C CRR
NRX 854C JWR

NRX 802C JWR
2021 Helium 4 6'9" MH Sparse Cover
Legend Elite EC74HF
Legend X EC70MF
Legend Elite EC60MF

GLX BCR803 (w/ Recoils)  (T-rigs)
IMX MBR783  (Jerkbait)

 

Spinning

Legend Tournament LBS610MLXF
GLX 842S SJR
GLX 803S JWR
IMX-Pro 722S SJR
Legend Elite ES63MLXF

 

There are some nice rods here, but it's far from an ideal collection of complementing rods, it seems. I guess I'm sorta trying some things and will likely sell a few once I figure things out.

 

I fish with my Dad from an 18' boat that is not a true bass boat--quarters are a little cramped relative to most guys fishing off bass boats. Hence, not a lot of very long rods. I fish on a lake with very few large bass, no reeds or pads, a lot of docks, riprap, interesting bottom structure, and some lay downs and bottom brush. I want to skip docks. I want to pitch to areas around docks and lay downs, throw cranks, jerk baits and square bills big and small, small swimbaits, light T-rigs, topwaters, and frogs--beat the banks. I also want to go offshore, dragging football jigs across 20' points. I want to throw deep cranks, spoons, heavy hair jigs, magnum T-rig worms and larger soft swimbaits. I don't need to punch or flip...

 

                                                                    [EDITED OUT]

 

...I'm a little afraid of Megabass, due to their warranty, but the P5's and Orochi XX's intrigue me. If I "need" anything, it seems I might want another rod with heavy, deep water prowess, but not a broomstick. The XX Perfect Pitch seems like a versatile possibility. Not sure on the P5 side, or even the earlier Destroyers. I wouldn't want to go more than 7'6" for space reasons. I also find the P5 "Kameyama Special" strangely intriguing--6'5" stinger tip, MH spinning. It might make sense around docks and be able to do some deep stuff too. Can't find much about it, so maybe it's a dud.

 

What say you Megabass guys--or anyone else who has some thoughts on what to do with this somewhat eclectic collection, driven more by availability than any kind of grand plan.

 

Thanks in advance,

Lou

[djhands]

i have this one Orochi XXX Cover Hacking  works great for heavy jigs and working topwater baits  i have a scorpion mgl   amazing combo

[Big Lou]

7 hours ago, djhands said:

i have this one Orochi XXX Cover Hacking  works great for heavy jigs and working topwater baits  i have a scorpion mgl   amazing combo

 

The XXX Cover Hacking. Not familiar. I'll look into it. Thanks.

 

[Big Lou]

Upon thinking hard on this subject, I've had a moment of clarity. I'm going with my original gut instinct, which was to ignore expensive rods made in China that the manufacturer won't stand behind with a decent warranty.

 

If I'm going to look at Chinese-made rods, then I'll consider the Dobyns Xtasy lineup. Otherwise, I may just stick to my old faithfuls--Loomis, St. Croix and Kistler. Maybe I should try a Z-Bone.

 

Lou

[thunderblack]

Big L, you have some nice rods in your line up already. I like Megabass but you aren't missing anything fishing NRX, SC elite, or Falcon. 

[Big Lou]

13 hours ago, thunderblack said:

Big L, you have some nice rods in your line up already. I like Megabass but you aren't missing anything fishing NRX, SC elite, or Falcon. 

 

Thanks, TB. I absolutely agree that I have managed to acquire some very nice rods. I don't imagine I'll ultimately be keeping them all, actually. I just wonder if I decided to spend a day offshore, throwing heavy stuff, would I have enough heavier rods to do it. The Legend Elite 7'4" HF will do fine for any heavier jigs or t-rigs in deep water, and the NRX 895, 873 and 854 will probably be useful for the same kinds of things, just not quite as heavy--maybe up to 3/4 oz. Perhaps the 895 will do 1 oz.

 

I do have a dedicated crank 1st gen Cumara Reaction that I can throw deep cranks with. But, if I'm using that rod for a deep crank, then I'm not left with anything for throwing a 1+ oz. flutter spoon. That's why I was looking at sensitive rods that people describe as having a more moderate action than the jig and worm rods above. Megabass rods often have more of that "JDM" moderate flex thing, and Dobyns Xtasy are also described that way.

 

As I indicated above, my gut instinct is to wait until Megabass comes around to adding $50 and offering a decent warranty. Otherwise, there are several that sound interesting. There's just something off-putting about a company saying, "it can break once, but twice and you're screwed." If the thing legitimately breaks twice, then the company has a problem that they've managed to transfer the cost of to the buyer.

 

Anyway, I'm sure there are others--Phenix, Kistler, etc--who may have non-crankbait rods that are very nice and sensitive, just more moderate than the SC and Loomis. The Xtasy is the only one that immediately comes to mind, and Gary D. has a stellar reputation for customer service. I do have a 10-year-old Dobyns 795 ML SB rated at 1 to 5 oz., but that thing is big and sturdy. I use it for saltwater, when I get the chance. It very much seems overkill, and 7'9" is cumbersome in my situation. An Xtasy 725 seems about right.

 

Lou

[thunderblack]

Lou, I haven't fished an Xtasy so I can't help ya there. Megabass does have great customer service and I think they would help you out if you are the original owner and had an issue. Kistler's warranty is even worse in my opinion but they also make a good rod. Good luck in your search!

[Big Lou]

13 hours ago, thunderblack said:

Lou, I haven't fished an Xtasy so I can't help ya there. Megabass does have great customer service and I think they would help you out if you are the original owner and had an issue. Kistler's warranty is even worse in my opinion but they also make a good rod. Good luck in your search!

 

Thanks, TB. That's encouraging about MB. I do find their stuff interesting. I agree on the Kistler warranty. I got my one Helium for half price and figured I'd try it, knowing how well thought of that series has been over the years (minus the 2nd gen). At 6'9" MH, I thought it had close quarters/dock pitching, and maybe skipping potential. I think its tip is said to be a little softer.