Looking for a new bottom contact rod $200 limit

[TNBankFishing]

  On 8/2/2022 at 4:03 PM, Cbump said:

So yes or no? 

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Yes. The Destroyers are much more crisp, lighter, better balanced and more sensitive. 

[Functional]

under $200 I'd go ARK Tharp Hammer or Money Maker OR the Daiwa Tatula with cork grip.

 

in my opinion I dont think anything above the price of either of those is worth it until you get to the mid to upper $200 range...even then the ARK tharps and Tatula are hard to beat. 

[Bandersnatch]

  On 7/31/2022 at 3:58 PM, Cbump said:

Anyone fished a fantasista next to a Megabass destroyer? 

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No

  On 8/2/2022 at 5:02 PM, TNBankFishing said:

Yes. The Destroyers are much more crisp, lighter, better balanced and more 

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[WRB]

SC Victory VTC73MHF, Marshall, 3.7 oz, lures 5/16-1 oz.

VTC71MHF, Grunt, 3.5 oz, lures 3/8-3/4.

Cork split handle, made in USA, $200 plus 10% off from ALF.

Excellent customer service.

Tom 

[Gorris317]

  On 8/3/2022 at 9:10 PM, WRB said:

SC Victory VTC73MHF, Marshall, 3.7 oz, lures 5/16-1 oz.

VTC71MHF, Grunt, 3.5 oz, lures 3/8-3/4.

Cork split handle, made in USA, $200 plus 10% off from ALF.

Excellent customer service.

Tom 

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Heard a lot of mixed reviews on those rods. Not very sensitive and stiffer than their rod ratings.

 

Part of the reason I ended up not purchasing one. 

[WRB]

Let’s hear from BR members who have victory rods.

Catt is positive on Daisy Tatula rods, less expensive, I don’t have a dog in this hunt.

I do have a Victory Spinning MF rod.

Tom

[Johnpenguin]

  On 7/31/2022 at 1:06 AM, Diggy said:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Casting Rods ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Fantasista_Premier_Casting_Rods/descpage-FPC.html

Ark Invoker Limited Edition Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy XFast ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ark_Invoker_Limited_Edition_Casting_Rods/descpage-AIZ.html

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The fantasista is a crazy good deal right now. I would 100p pick that up if I were you.

[CrashVector]

  On 7/30/2022 at 11:22 PM, Gorris317 said:

After looking into the St. Croix rods I don't think that's what I'm looking for. How are the Dobyns Champion rods?

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I use the Abu Garcia Fantasista X and Veritas tournament edition rods for bottom contact lures 

[KP Duty]

  On 8/4/2022 at 2:19 AM, CrashVector said:

 

I use the Abu Garcia Fantasista X and Veritas tournament edition rods for bottom contact lures 

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It appears the only difference between the fantasista X and fantasista Premier is the handle.    

[CrashVector]

  On 8/4/2022 at 3:38 AM, KP Duty said:

It appears the only difference between the fantasista X and fantasista Premier is the handle.    

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I was trying to figure that out myself.

 

The X advertises being made of a 36/40ton graphite mix.

 

The Premier has nothing that says what kind of graphite....but I'm highly partial to cork handles, so I'm probably going to pick up a premier just for that reason.

[KP Duty]

  On 8/4/2022 at 4:31 AM, CrashVector said:

 

I was trying to figure that out myself.

 

The X advertises being made of a 36/40ton graphite mix.

 

The Premier has nothing that says what kind of graphite....but I'm highly partial to cork handles, so I'm probably going to pick up a premier just for that reason.

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You should ?

[CrashVector]

  On 8/4/2022 at 4:36 AM, KP Duty said:

You should ?

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Stop encouraging me ??

[TNBankFishing]

  On 8/4/2022 at 2:00 AM, WRB said:

Let’s hear from BR members who have victory rods.

Catt is positive on Daisy Tatula rods, less expensive, I don’t have a dog in this hunt.

I do have a Victory Spinning MF rod.

Tom

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I’ve fished a couple of the casting options, my BIL is a Croix guy and they are really good values. I don’t know if I’d use them for bottom contact because I think there are better options at slightly higher prices. 
 

I will say the 6’8 MXF is a great jerk/topwater stick, and their spinning rods are fantastic. The 7’3 MF and any of the MLXF are some of my favorite actions.