Higher-end combo recommendation

[sugargenius]

While TW is having 15% off and Paypal+Discover has 5% rebate, I am itching to pickup my first "higher end" setup. I mostly fish weightless t-rig, squarebills, and jerkbaits.

 

Reels

• Shimano Chronarch MGL
• Abu Garcia REVO AL-F

 

Rods

• St. Croix Legend X
• G. Loomis GLX
• Megabass Destroyer
• Shimano Expride

 

Any thoughts would be much appreciated

[T2DM]

I recommend Chronarch MGL or Curado 70k MGL + Expride 6'10" Medium or Zodias 6'10" Medium. Both reels are in stock but the rod is not, been waiting for the rod to be back in stock myself..?

[dodgeguy]

I would go with a Dobyns rod in your price range and a Lews Custom Lite at 4.9 oz. You will be blown away.

[TNBankFishing]

How high end is high end? 
 

You listed under $300 reels with $400+ rods. If you want a hyper sensitive well balanced combo there are a couple sticks I can recommend. 
 

Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper - Fantastic sensitivity coupled with a great looks and other worldly fit and finish. Does what you want in a fantastic package. It is geared just slightly more towards moving applications. If you prefer the Trig rod of the group it’s the X-Bites. I owned a DS, but have only fished an X-Bites for half a day. 
 

I own 2 legend x casters. A 7’ MF and MHF. I adore these rods, and their sensitivity is up there with the higher end Megabass rods I own. I can compare them in hand to a FMJ and Brailist and the X comes out on top. The only knock is the semi micro guides. Unless your connection knot game is on point you might run into issues. 
 

Exprides are great, but in that price range I’d step up to the Poison Adrena. I’ve never owned one and can’t give you any feedback. I own a 7’ M spinning Expride and it’s an amazing senko rod and does well with lighter jerkbaits. 
 

I would skip the Chronarch and get a 21 Zillion, or step way up into a Metanium. If you want a sleeper SUPER light reel grab a lews hypermag. I have one on my frog rod and it’s the only non Shimano reel I’ve kept. 

[FishTank]

I have the Chronarch MGL and the older Revo ALX.  Between the two, the Chronarch is the better reel and it ain't even close.   Don't get me wrong, the ALX is fun to fish but it's not in the same class as the Chronarch.  

 

As far as the rod goes, you are asking, in my opinion, for three different technique rods in one rod which is hard to narrow down.  You might look at the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer or the G. Loomis GLX MBR series (especially the 843 or the 844).  The Super Destroyer is an odd,  sensitive rod and can be used for just about anything.  It's kind of a do all unicorn.  The MBR series have a fast but soft tip and can be used for a variety of techniques but generally crankbaits are not one of them.  

[ATA]

• Shimano Chronarch MGL
• Shimano Expride        
• That would be my choice. Good luck

[softwateronly]

I was torn between a GLX 843 and a PA 6'11" M+ for awhile.  Finally decided/found the PA and have no regrets.  Paired with a JDM 20 Met is the lightest, most sensitive combo I own.  Don't want to put it down when I'm on the water.  The GLX has a better warranty for sure, but I feel like this PA punches way above it's price point.  I'm also a huge fan of the Expride 7'6" MH.  I've abused that rod like no other and it holds up to nearly everything.   

 

 

scott 

[Captain Phil]

On 9/5/2021 at 2:54 PM, T2DM said:

I recommend Chronarch MGL or Curado 70k MGL + Expride 6'10" Medium or Zodias 6'10" Medium. Both reels are in stock but the rod is not, been waiting for the rod to be back in stock myself..?

 

I recently purchased a Chronarch MGL and Shimano Zodias rod from Tackle Warehouse.  They had what I wanted and it came within a week.  Previously, my limit for a bass rod was about $150 and a reel about the same. I decided to treat myself to an early Christmas present.  I use this outfit strictly for worm fishing.  This rod is 6' 10" in Medium Heavy.  I loaded the reel with 15 pound fluorocarbon line. To say this rod is sensitive in an understatement.  I feel things that I never could before.  When my first fish pecked the worm, there was no question about it.  The reel casts beautifully without making weird noises.  You can backlash it if you really try, but anyone who wants to learn to cast won't have problems.  Go for it!

[T2DM]

On 9/11/2021 at 11:01 AM, Captain Phil said:

 

I recently purchased a Chronarch MGL and Shimano Zodias rod from Tackle Warehouse.  They had what I wanted and it came within a week.  Previously, my limit for a bass rod was about $150 and a reel about the same. I decided to treat myself to an early Christmas present.  I use this outfit strictly for worm fishing.  This rod is 6' 10" in Medium Heavy.  I loaded the reel with 15 pound fluorocarbon line. To say this rod is sensitive in an understatement.  I feel things that I never could before.  When my first fish pecked the worm, there was no question about it.  The reel casts beautifully without making weird noises.  You can backlash it if you really try, but anyone who wants to learn to cast won't have problems.  Go for it!

 

Excellent Setup! Mine is on 7' MH.

 

 

[JWall14]

Chronarch is a no brainer. Rod wise I would say the P5s are much nicer than the glx rods. They really are NRX level rods at a lower price point.

[bulldog1935]

throwing in a Revo alternate.  

This is ZPI Alcance, magnesium spool, titanium spindle, and tuned mag-brake cam.  

It's a bench-raced Revo.  

Samurai Tackle in Japan has best price, always seems to have stock, and a close link with ZPI.   

 

[Dumbbassanglr]

Only rod I know of that could handle all the techniques you mentioned is the glx 843. I would get that and a zillion. Unless you can swing a metanium.

[newapti5]

17 hours ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

Only rod I know of that could handle all the techniques you mentioned is the glx 843. I would get that and a zillion. Unless you can swing a metanium.

 

Second that.  It can almost do ANYTHING.

[Deephaven]

Not the answer you need for TW, but I can't say I understand paying for an ultra premium rod that isn't custom.  Once you are at a price point like that the stock rods are still a compromise for what you need, but a custom won't be.  Would love to understand why custom builts are not more prevalent in this situation.  I only own a few rods that aren't custom built atm and guess which ones I have issues with?

[bulldog1935]

There are actually very few custom-made rod blanks.  

Most rod builders are buying off-the-shelf blanks, and only a few have blanks made to their private specs.  

 

What you gain with a custom rod is the rodbuilder's preference on guide spacing, hardware choice, and finishing detail. His attention and labor also costs more than a ready-to-fish high-grade blank from the manufacturer.  

 

Perfect off-the-shelf high-grade bass rod.  

 

Custom surf-lure rod with custom blank, and a custom build was the only way to get a reel seat that fits this custom reel foot.  

If you know exactly what you want/need, you can spec it - if you don't, you're still at the rodbuilder's mercy.  

 

It's odd there aren't more spiral-wrap rods out there  What you gain with spiral wrap is using fewer guides to eliminate line-slap.  Spiral wrap also eliminates torsional loading in the blank at very high tip loads - torsional loading causes those 45-degree rod breaks on your high-stick set.  But spiral-wrapped rods look weird.  

[Deephaven]

There is no stock rod I've picked up that has the reel seat, grips, and length the way I would make the stick.  Customizing those really kicks the blank up a notch.  I have a bunch of GLX and SC5 sticks and none are stock and their stock counterparts would not satisfy me.  

[fishwizzard]

8 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Not the answer you need for TW, but I can't say I understand paying for an ultra premium rod that isn't custom.  Once you are at a price point like that the stock rods are still a compromise for what you need, but a custom won't be.  Would love to understand why custom builts are not more prevalent in this situation.  I only own a few rods that aren't custom built atm and guess which ones I have issues with?

A few issues with a custom:

 

1) Lack of resale value

2) Unless you already know a lot about blanks/components and can get hands on the blank beforehand, you are still “buying blind” other then cosmetic choices.

3) It’s riskier to buy from smaller business, a lifetime warranty is useless if your builder gets hit by a bus. 

[thunderblack]

OP, out of the rods you mentioned GLX would be my choice. If you want to go even higher the new Steez Compile AGS is awesome. GLX is a favorite at its price pt. and would make a great first high end rod. Chronarch or a JDM bantam would be my choice for the reel. 

[Deephaven]

19 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

A few issues with a custom:

 

1) Lack of resale value

2) Unless you already know a lot about blanks/components and can get hands on the blank beforehand, you are still “buying blind” other then cosmetic choices.

3) It’s riskier to buy from smaller business, a lifetime warranty is useless if your builder gets hit by a bus. 

1) If I am buying ultra high end I will never sell that rod IF it fits the needs I have

2) No way I would ever buy an ultra high end rod without feeling many.  In my case I felt the stock rods with the blanks I would then use for custom and fixed what I didn't like about them.  I was also able to compare the empty blanks as well.

3) This is true and we are lucky in MN to have a great place to work with

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Deephaven said:

1) If I am buying ultra high end I will never sell that rod IF it fits the needs I have

2) No way I would ever buy an ultra high end rod without feeling many.  In my case I felt the stock rods with the blanks I would then use for custom and fixed what I didn't like about them.  I was also able to compare the empty blanks as well.

3) This is true and we are lucky in MN to have a great place to work with

Sadly I live it is fairly saltwater dominated area so to hold anything above “middle of the road” it’s a 6h round trip and anything even a little exotic will be a two or three day road trip.  I’m always buying more or less blind which is why resale value matters a lot more.