Anyone tried the new H2O Xpress Tac 40 rod?

[Aaron_H]

Was in Academy today picking up a couple of things I forgot to add in my last TW order and saw the new Tac 40 casting rods, the ones with the monocoque handle. I've never been one for most store brand rods, but the 7' Medium/Moderate Fast felt really great in hand. Anyone played around with/bought one of these yet?

[MAN]

Yes I really like them. Stetson Blaylock used them in the Bass Masters Classic on Ray Roberts this year. They are ahead of their time in my humble opinion.   

[georgeyew]

  On 10/29/2021 at 5:38 AM, Aaron_H said:

monocoque handle

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What is that? Sounds pretty cool.

[Aaron_H]

  On 10/29/2021 at 3:22 PM, georgeyew said:

 

What is that? Sounds pretty cool.

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It's made up of a single piece of material, in this case carbon fiber. The new rod looks like this:

[Fishingmickey]

Looks pretty dang sweet for a 100 dollar rod. 

FM

[mrpao]

I felt the 7' med spinning version last few times i was in the store.

Quite nice for the price. Seemed fairly light and balanced in the hand.

[Aaron_H]

  On 10/29/2021 at 9:00 PM, Fishingmickey said:

Looks pretty dang sweet for a 100 dollar rod. 

FM

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  On 10/30/2021 at 12:07 AM, mrpao said:

I felt the 7' med spinning version last few times i was in the store.

Quite nice for the price. Seemed fairly light and balanced in the hand.

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Yeah, I only played with the one model (7' M/MF casting) but I was surprised at the feel and action of the rod. The $100 price point is incredibly competitive, so I'd be curious to see how it compares to other well-received rods in that bracket.

[Fishlegs]

I have a tac-40 spinning rod with the eva handle. I think it’s a good rod. I like enough that I bought a second one when I caught it on sale.

[thediscochef]

I bought one of these for 80 at my local vendor, the 7'1" MF spinning as well as a shimano SLX 7' M-EF. What a rod the tac40 is, today was the first day with it and I'm already in love. I think I like the grip on the SLX better but I prefer the balance and smaller guides of the tac40. I do wish the grip had some form of rubber or foam on it, it feels a little smooth at times. I'm using a daiwa regal 3000 xh with 20lb braid, it fishes like a dream. I have zero buyers remorse.

[Aaron_H]

  On 11/9/2021 at 11:30 PM, thediscochef said:

I bought one of these for 80 at my local vendor, the 7'1" MF spinning as well as a shimano SLX 7' M-EF. What a rod the tac40 is, today was the first day with it and I'm already in love. I think I like the grip on the SLX better but I prefer the balance and smaller guides of the tac40. I do wish the grip had some form of rubber or foam on it, it feels a little smooth at times. I'm using a daiwa regal 3000 xh with 20lb braid, it fishes like a dream. I have zero buyers remorse.

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That's great to hear! I actually thought the grip was surprisingly solid given how smooth it is, but I'm sure it's less tactile when your hands are wet and covered in fish slime. I might have to try out that 7' M/MF casting (rated up to 1 oz, felt more like a MH/MF to me) if I can find a niche in my lineup for it.

[thediscochef]

  On 11/10/2021 at 12:10 AM, Aaron_H said:

 

That's great to hear! I actually thought the grip was surprisingly solid given how smooth it is, but I'm sure it's less tactile when your hands are wet and covered in fish slime. I might have to try out that 7' M/MF casting (rated up to 1 oz, felt more like a MH/MF to me) if I can find a niche in my lineup for it.

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The grip is very solid, much like the SLX. Just gets a little slick sometimes and makes you wonder if it's going to land where your lure does ?

I'm considering some kind of grip tape 

[thediscochef]

  On 11/10/2021 at 12:23 AM, thediscochef said:

The grip is very solid, much like the SLX. Just gets a little slick sometimes and makes you wonder if it's going to land where your lure does ?

I'm considering some kind of grip tape 

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I spent this morning really getting to know this rod. It doesn't need grip tape. It's not going anywhere if you're holding it like a normal human being. The smoothess of the rod's grip just takes some getting used to. I paired it with a Daiwa Fuego 2500xh and now I'm not really missing my broken clarus anymore...

[jdr99a]

I got the tac 40 rod and a tac 40 reel on my 40th birthday just for kicks. Turn out it’s a fantastic rod (reel is decent, not particularly special). I got the 7 ft medium casting model and I’ve been impressed. I use it as a topwater setup and it’s performed admirably. I was concerned that the grip would be slick when wet but I have had zero issues at all. 

[Cranks4fun]

I am responding about two months late to this discussion but I too have a TAC 40 casting rod (original handle) and love it. I am not necessarily a fan of micro-guides but I can work around them and they do make the rod's swing weight a little lighter. Academy branded H20 xpress Ethos rods (blue) were/ are fairly decent too. I have a buddy who uses one as his favorite medium spinning rod and he likes it a lot. I used it and it is light, sensitive, and strong.

  As most of you probably know, the H2O Xpress crankbaits are awesome, second to none. I have Lucky Craft, 6th Sense, and tons of other brands of cranks and those h20 Xpress cranks (those that I've tried) are just as good in matching categories. In my opinion, I would match their squarebills and deep UL cranks against any in the American/ Japanese market.

   Now about the Academy hunting stuff.... ? eh? Some of it is cheapo and some not.

[cottny27]

  On 1/10/2022 at 8:33 PM, Cranks4fun said:

I am responding about two months late to this discussion but I too have a TAC 40 casting rod (original handle) and love it. I am not necessarily a fan of micro-guides but I can work around them and they do make the rod's swing weight a little lighter. Academy branded H20 xpress Ethos rods (blue) were/ are fairly decent too. I have a buddy who uses one as his favorite medium spinning rod and he likes it a lot. I used it and it is light, sensitive, and strong.

  As most of you probably know, the H2O Xpress crankbaits are awesome, second to none. I have Lucky Craft, 6th Sense, and tons of other brands of cranks and those h20 Xpress cranks (those that I've tried) are just as good in matching categories. In my opinion, I would match their squarebills and deep UL cranks against any in the American/ Japanese market.

   Now about the Academy hunting stuff.... ? eh? Some of it is cheapo and some not.

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Very good cranks for $4, agree!