Megabass P5 Destroyer Windbuster Review (AMAZING rod!)

[JWall14]

After fishing this rod for a full season worth of smallmouth wading I can confidently review this rod. First off, for $475, this is a MEGA-STEAL. This rod is on par with lightness and sensitivity as the NRX line. I paired it with a 2500 Daiwa Certate which balances very well (awesome reel!!). Spooled with SX1 12lb high vis braid to a 7lb Sniper leader.

 

I had trouble figuring out what this rod was truly "made for". I have narrowed it down to this: tubes, flukes, senkos, shakey heads (in this order). This rod is INSANELY sensitive. I HAVE NOT MISSED A SINGLE BITE. I literally feel everything going on. There is no mistaking bites from anything else. Every one is clearly felt. The power behind this rod is unbelievable. I can really put the pressure on fish with this rod. Big river smallmouth have no chance. Tubes are a straight joy to fish on this rod. If you are looking for an ultimate tube rod look no further. Flukes are awesome on this rod and this has the right amount of power to pull fish out of cover.

 

I highly recommend this rod and if anyone has any questions please ask! Thanks for reading!

[mrpao]

I have two Landsat and a Baby plugging. 

Both are a joy to fish. Like you mentioned, these rods are sensitive.

But they should be for the price.

I have a Exist C2500S LT on the Baby plugging and two Luvius airity FC2500S on the Landsats. Awesome combos.

[Diggy]

Nice review, I'm sold, don't even need one. 

[JWall14]

6 hours ago, mrpao said:

I have two Landsat and a Baby plugging. 

Both are a joy to fish. Like you mentioned, these rods are sensitive.

But they should be for the price.

I have a Exist C2500S LT on the Baby plugging and two Luvius airity FC2500S on the Landsats. Awesome combos.

Those sound awesome! What do you think about me getting a Landsat to round out the trio?

[mrpao]

I feel that the Landsat is a very versatile rod.

It's a slightly heavier medium light power is the best way to describe it.

With the 6'11" length, it's not too short or too long for most applications.

[JWall14]

1 hour ago, mrpao said:

I feel that the Landsat is a very versatile rod.

It's a slightly heavier medium light power is the best way to describe it.

With the 6'11" length, it's not too short or too long for most applications.

How do you like it for drop shorting compared to the baby plugging? I guess what I’m asking is which rods do what.

 

Also how does the Landsat compare sensitivity wise to the Windbuster?

[FishTank]

I have the P5 Super Destroyer and it's just an awesome rod.  I have been considering the Windbuster but I have a G. Loomis NRX 803S which seems very similar.  The Super Destroyer though sort of a jack of all trades.  It's a weird rod in that it sort of has a different feel with each different type of lure I have tried on it.  I don't know how Megabass did this but it's mind blowing. 

[JWall14]

1 minute ago, FishTank said:

I have the P5 Super Destroyer and it's just an awesome rod.  I have been considering the Windbuster but I have a G. Loomis NRX 803C which seems very similar.  The Super Destroyer though sort of a jack of all trades.  It's a weird rod in that it sort of has a different feel with each different type of lure I have tried on it.  I don't know how Megabass did this but it's mind blowing. 

Yeah I agree, their actions don't line up with the US market "standards" and I like it a lot! Yeah I would say that rod would do similar things to the Windbuster.

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, JWall14 said:

Yeah I agree, their actions don't line up with the US market "standards" and I like it a lot! Yeah I would say that rod would do similar things to the Windbuster.

 

Another thing that's odd, I have used baits down to 0.25 oz and up to 1.5oz and they all fish well.

 

Also, I have the the 803S not the 803C.  Typo on my part. 

[mrpao]

3 hours ago, JWall14 said:

How do you like it for drop shorting compared to the baby plugging? I guess what I’m asking is which rods do what.

 

Also how does the Landsat compare sensitivity wise to the Windbuster?

If you drop shot with 6" plastics or larger go with the Landsat. I mainly use it for 1/8 or 3/16 oz shakey head and 6" worm.

The Baby plugging is a light action rod and works better with 4" plastics or smaller. I use #6 fluro,  1/8 or 3/16 weight and 3" gulp minnow most of the time with the baby plugging.

[AriAngler]

I like how you say "for $475 this is a MEGA-STEAL" lol. I'm sure it's a nice but I can't see myself spending that much on a rod.

[new2BC4bass]

Curious as to how you know you never missed a bite?

 

I might talk myself into spending $475 on a fly rod, but never on a spinning rod...or casting rod.  However, at my age that is very unlikely.  My grandsons don't fish so no one to pass it down to. 

[Tommy3407]

On 2/16/2022 at 6:31 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Curious as to how you know you never missed a bite?

 

I might talk myself into spending $475 on a fly rod, but never on a spinning rod...or casting rod.  However, at my age that is very unlikely.  My grandsons don't fish so no one to pass it down to. 

Let me know if you need someone to pass rods down to. Would gladly put them to good use

[ironbjorn]

4 hours ago, Tommy3407 said:

Let me know if you need someone to pass rods down to. Would gladly put them to good use

Panhandlers are now passing through time and space 

[Darth-Baiter]

X-Bites first..then Windbuster.  thanks for the review.  

 

i honestly dont miss much on my current Dropshot rod, but i wouldnt know i suppose. 

[Dye99]

Ive got a few Megabass orochi rods, and two Destroyers ( Landsat and Kirisami )

 

Owning a few NRX+ rods as well I can attest to Megabass quality.

They make an amazing rod for the cost.

My Landsat is my drop shot rod. A fish swims by my bait I feel it.

The Kirisame was a little harder to find a technic that worked for me. It's labeled as a deep water or cover finesse set up but that didnt work for me at all. I actually was thinking about selling it until I started using weightless flukes on 15 pound braid with a 12 pound leader for skipping docks and holes in lilly pads. d**n if that rod didnt become my favorite to fish with in no time. its a f5 so it is short, stout and still utterly sensitive.

[qianggustc]

On 9/11/2021 at 1:36 PM, mrpao said:

If you drop shot with 6" plastics or larger go with the Landsat. I mainly use it for 1/8 or 3/16 oz shakey head and 6" worm.

The Baby plugging is a light action rod and works better with 4" plastics or smaller. I use #6 fluro,  1/8 or 3/16 weight and 3" gulp minnow most of the time with the baby plugging.

Have you tried the baby plugging with 1/16oz jig or lure? Considering bought a rod for both bass and crappie fishing, was wondering if baby plugging is good for crappie fishing especially using 1/16oz jig. What do you think? Thanks.

[FishTank]

6 hours ago, qianggustc said:

Have you tried the baby plugging with 1/16oz jig or lure? Considering bought a rod for both bass and crappie fishing, was wondering if baby plugging is good for crappie fishing especially using 1/16oz jig. What do you think? Thanks.

I don't have the Baby Plugging but I do have the Whippet and it's pretty light.  I throw a 1/16oz jig head and 3in Hazedong Shad on it and it's fine. It loads really well at the tip but has some power at mid section to the butt of the rod. It's a fun rod to fish.

 

 

[ABU is overpriced]

Its not this rod that's a steal, its the NRX's that are heavily overpriced, while also looking like they're from 1997.

[qianggustc]

11 hours ago, FishTank said:

I don't have the Baby Plugging but I do have the Whippet and it's pretty light.  I throw a 1/16oz jig head and 3in Hazedong Shad on it and it's fine. It loads really well at the tip but has some power at mid section to the butt of the rod. It's a fun rod to fish.

 

 

Thanks for the information. The whippet power is 2 and the baby plugging is 1.5 even more light than whippet. So I guess the baby plugging should be able to handle 1/16oz jig head. I don’t know why Megabass rate the lure starting from 3/32oz. I was also considering whippet but since I fishing from band most of the time. The length is important to me. I have ordered one and hope it works for my both bass and crappie fishing.

[FishTank]

1 hour ago, qianggustc said:

Thanks for the information. The whippet power is 2 and the baby plugging is 1.5 even more light than whippet. So I guess the baby plugging should be able to handle 1/16oz jig head. I don’t know why Megabass rate the lure starting from 3/32oz. I was also considering whippet but since I fishing from band most of the time. The length is important to me. I have ordered one and hope it works for my both bass and crappie fishing.

 

I fish from the bank and from a boat/kayak and thought about the Baby Plugging but I have found longer light spinning rods don't exactly load like you would think especially from a kayak. Also, the Baby Plugging seemed to be more designed for hard baits, hence the name Plug(ging) and I wanted something that would do it all but a light rod.  I thought the length on the Whippet would be too short for long casts at first but so far I have been really surprised.  I also considered the P5 Zangetsu and it's 7'7''. I got to toss one around and it will cast a mile (almost too far to control) but it loads in a weird way.   I might get the NRX+ 902s in the future to fill that need but I am in no hurry. 

 

Let us know how you like the Baby Plugging. I am kind of curious since it was one I did consider. 

[qianggustc]

On 3/3/2025 at 11:35 PM, FishTank said:

 

I fish from the bank and from a boat/kayak and thought about the Baby Plugging but I have found longer light spinning rods don't exactly load like you would think especially from a kayak. Also, the Baby Plugging seemed to be more designed for hard baits, hence the name Plug(ging) and I wanted something that would do it all but a light rod.  I thought the length on the Whippet would be too short for long casts at first but so far I have been really surprised.  I also considered the P5 Zangetsu and it's 7'7''. I got to toss one around and it will cast a mile (almost too far to control) but it loads in a weird way.   I might get the NRX+ 902s in the future to fill that need but I am in no hurry. 

 

Let us know how you like the Baby Plugging. I am kind of curious since it was one I did consider. 

Hello, it takes me some time to have a chance to try the Baby Plugging rod because the rod was broken during shipping and the seller sent me another one. I like the rod very much and it is super sensitive and light. But, it is only good for fish, which are not super large or strong. I used it for bass and stripper fishing, I lost all the large strippers (over 17inch, like 4 or 5) due to lack of power to set the hook. I did land a 17.5inch spotted bass. The rod is too weak to set the hook, so when the fish is on, I feel like dragging a mop and the fish struggles to make the hook penetrating to its mouth. During this process, it is very likely to lose the fish. This is totally opposite to Landsat, which has strong backbone to set the hook. Except for the hook setting, I think it is super comfortable to fish with light lures. Casting and sensitivity are good. I will try the small plugs this weekend, like Megabass x70 or x80 to see how it works.

On 3/3/2025 at 11:35 PM, FishTank said:

 

I fish from the bank and from a boat/kayak and thought about the Baby Plugging but I have found longer light spinning rods don't exactly load like you would think especially from a kayak. Also, the Baby Plugging seemed to be more designed for hard baits, hence the name Plug(ging) and I wanted something that would do it all but a light rod.  I thought the length on the Whippet would be too short for long casts at first but so far I have been really surprised.  I also considered the P5 Zangetsu and it's 7'7''. I got to toss one around and it will cast a mile (almost too far to control) but it loads in a weird way.   I might get the NRX+ 902s in the future to fill that need but I am in no hurry. 

 

Let us know how you like the Baby Plugging. I am kind of curious since it was one I did consider. 

By the way, I have the Flyssa, which is very similar to Zangetsu. Many people say baby plugging is a light version of Flyssa. But from my opinion, they are totally different. Flyssa has backbone, there is no issue to fight large fish with Flyssa, but I would say Baby plugging has 0 power compared to Flyssa. I like Flyssa very much, casting is excellent. Very sensitive. Hook set is also ok. (Not as strong as Landsat but Flyssa has second action to avoid losing fish compared to Landsat). 

[FishTank]

On 3/27/2025 at 12:15 AM, qianggustc said:

Hello, it takes me some time to have a chance to try the Baby Plugging rod because the rod was broken during shipping and the seller sent me another one. I like the rod very much and it is super sensitive and light. But, it is only good for fish, which are not super large or strong. I used it for bass and stripper fishing, I lost all the large strippers (over 17inch, like 4 or 5) due to lack of power to set the hook. I did land a 17.5inch spotted bass. The rod is too weak to set the hook, so when the fish is on, I feel like dragging a mop and the fish struggles to make the hook penetrating to its mouth. During this process, it is very likely to lose the fish. This is totally opposite to Landsat, which has strong backbone to set the hook. Except for the hook setting, I think it is super comfortable to fish with light lures. Casting and sensitivity are good. I will try the small plugs this weekend, like Megabass x70 or x80 to see how it works.

By the way, I have the Flyssa, which is very similar to Zangetsu. Many people say baby plugging is a light version of Flyssa. But from my opinion, they are totally different. Flyssa has backbone, there is no issue to fight large fish with Flyssa, but I would say Baby plugging has 0 power compared to Flyssa. I like Flyssa very much, casting is excellent. Very sensitive. Hook set is also ok. (Not as strong as Landsat but Flyssa has second action to avoid losing fish compared to Landsat). 

Good to know about the Baby Plugging.  I took the Whippet pond hopping a couple a days ago and caught 13 on it. Nothing big but it was fun. I was fishing a 3in Crush City Mayor and a One Up Shad. 

 

Just curious,  what lures were you using with the Baby Plugging? Hook sets on these light rods can be tricky. Also what line?

[qianggustc]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:53 AM, FishTank said:

Good to know about the Baby Plugging.  I took the Whippet pond hopping a couple a days ago and caught 13 on it. Nothing big but it was fun. I was fishing a 3in Crush City Mayor and a One Up Shad. 

 

Just curious,  what lures were you using with the Baby Plugging? Hook sets on these light rods can be tricky. Also what line?

Sorry that I forgot to mention the lure. I used the 1/8oz jig head with Megabass Hazedong 3 inch swimbait. I learned from hook up tackle YouTube video that people use baby plugging for okashira screw head before Flyssa released. The line is 8lbs Daiwa J braid with a 6lbs FC leader. Any tips on the hook set?

On 3/28/2025 at 8:53 AM, FishTank said:

Good to know about the Baby Plugging.  I took the Whippet pond hopping a couple a days ago and caught 13 on it. Nothing big but it was fun. I was fishing a 3in Crush City Mayor and a One Up Shad. 

 

Just curious,  what lures were you using with the Baby Plugging? Hook sets on these light rods can be tricky. Also what line?

I used the baby plugging on small Jerkbaits like Megabass X80, X80+1. Both are 1/4oz. It feels great, very similar feel with windbuster when playing jerkbaits. But I didn’t land any fish on the hard baits today. I will continue using it today. Hope I can get some fishes.

[FishTank]

10 hours ago, qianggustc said:

Sorry that I forgot to mention the lure. I used the 1/8oz jig head with Megabass Hazedong 3 inch swimbait. I learned from hook up tackle YouTube video that people use baby plugging for okashira screw head before Flyssa released. The line is 8lbs Daiwa J braid with a 6lbs FC leader. Any tips on the hook set?

I used the baby plugging on small Jerkbaits like Megabass X80, X80+1. Both are 1/4oz. It feels great, very similar feel with windbuster when playing jerkbaits. But I didn’t land any fish on the hard baits today. I will continue using it today. Hope I can get some fishes.

 

So on hook sets.... On any light spinning or BFS style rod, I don't really set the hook. I more or less lead the fish, let the rod do the work and the fish sort of hook themselves. Once the rod bends to its power point (on the Whippet this is about 5-6in in to the rod), I lift up on it but not like I am swinging for the fence.  With small jerkbaits and trout plugs, this is pretty easy. On 3in size swimbait jig heads, it takes some getting used to. With Baby Plugging, I am not sure how it differs from other P5 spinning rods but going easy at first and then tightening the line up has worked out for me so far. Also, I would let the drag do its work and one other thing, you might try a heavier leader. What are you using? I found 6lb leader material sometimes to be too light. I tried 6lb Sunline Gold Label and it was like 4lb. I kind of settle on 10lb. 

 

Ben kind of explains the hook set I use at 13:00 mark in this video. 
 

 

I also have the P5 Siglett. This is an F0 rod. Hook sets with it are more of whip or snap of the rod tip. I basically use this rod for small top water, like bug baits and bfs poppers. It's sort of the extreme example of letting the fish pull the hook in.