Rod Advice: Versatile Casting Rod

[Swest18x]

I canoe and bank fish so I prefer to carry no more than 2 rods. I spent the money on a Megabass P5 Windbuster last season for that reason and I love that rod. I use it for hard jerkbaits, flukes, dropshot, and other lighter bottom contact stuff too. Now for my second rod I want a baitcaster that will be able to fish lipless cranks, topwater, small to medium cranks (so a moderate action for treblehooks), but also with enough power to set the hook on smaller paddletails, chatterbaits, small spinnerbaits. This is exactly how the megabass P5 Madbull is advertised and it sounds like it would fit the bill, but I dont want to drop another $500 on a rod. Does anyone have any ideas on a more affordable casting rod that will do the same thing, $350 or less would be ideal.

[roadwarrior]

https://stcroixrods.com/products/legend-tournament-bass-2022-new-models

 

LBTC72HM  (Rip & Chatter)

[GetFishorDieTryin]

WDYM by small cranks?

[softwateronly]

I have thrown all those baits successfully on the Dobyns Champ 706cb graphite with braid to leader.  There's a sale at A*F for dobyns right now and a used one at ***.  Definite big step down in sensitivity from a P5 though.

 

scott

 

2nd option:

 

Thought about it some more and think a poison adrena 7'3MH R/F would do all of it and fill in on some heavier bottom contact too.  I've thrown a big poppa on it, otherwise cranks are pretty infrequent for me.  Everything else you listed handles real well on it.  Stellar for all those single hook applications and a great trap rod for me.  

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon expert finesse jig would be my recommendation.  6’10” mh f though it’s pretty light on power and fishes a little slower than a fast action with a lot of power. Great all around rod for lighter than average techniques like you describe. The head turner is the other all purpose rod in the lineup but fishes best with 3/8 oz or more. The finesse jig does well below 3/8 which is what you describe. 
 

if you’re set on something more moderate, the 7’ 5 power all round is the one. It works for topwater (though I like a little shorter) and it great for crank baits of all types (my choice for that). Great all around rod. 

[Jrob78]

Japan Lure Shop has a P5 Blade for around $315. I don't have any experience with that rod but I would imagine it would handle everything on your list if you wanted to stay with a P5.

[NorthernBasser]

If you wanna stick with Megabass...the Orochi Diablo. 

[WRB]

My advice with a specialty multiple use rod is go custom.

Alex at ALX is who I would use give him a call, he can make or has off the shelf exactly what you/are looking for.

Tom

[Wprich]

Loomis 843C in whatever line is in your price range

[A kid from Canada]

7'2 Zodias Medium Moderate Fast, would be great for small cranks and paddle tails. You can use mono if you want more stretch in the system but flouro will work fine. 

[waymont]

Of all the rods I have had over the years a G Loomis 843 MBR is the most versatile rod I have ever used. I have three of them, and at least two get used every trip.

[NorcalBassin]

Agree with the 843mbr from G Loomis recommendation. Doesn't get much more versatile than that rod in whichever series is at the price point you're looking for (I'd recommend NRX, GLX or IMX pro).

[Swest18x]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

Lipless and topwater really needs to be a priority.  I should have mentioned my fishery is pretty much weedless so I dont rip my lipless. There are a couple Levante rods (diablo and emtf) I thought about too. Any Exprides you'd recommend? 

[KP Duty]

On 1/28/2023 at 9:01 PM, Wprich said:

Loomis 843C in whatever line is in your price range

This has been my standard answer for years regarding similar questions.  However, there are a lot of options out there these days with a $350 budget.  JDM prices further muddy the water.

[Tatulatard]

On 1/28/2023 at 4:12 PM, roadwarrior said:

https://stcroixrods.com/products/legend-tournament-bass-2022-new-models

 

LBTC72HM  (Rip & Chatter)

I want to buy this rod so bad with my bass pro gift cards.  I can never find it in stock there.

[WIGuide]

On 1/28/2023 at 4:12 PM, roadwarrior said:

https://stcroixrods.com/products/legend-tournament-bass-2022-new-models

 

LBTC72HM  (Rip & Chatter)

x2 I have the glass version of this rod and don't let the name fool you, it's a pretty versatile stick. Being a heavy power it's got some strength to it, but the moderate taper lets you throw baits smaller than what you'd think to throw on a heavy. 

[badfish79]

From my limited experience, the most versatile rods I've tried are the Dobyns Champ XP 733 or 734, depending on the weights of the lures you want to throw most.

[Swest18x]

I talked to Alex at ALX rods today, he recommended the Zolo Dream. Anyone have experience with this rod? The power/action sound like my windbuster.

[ska4fun]

On 1/28/2023 at 7:03 PM, Swest18x said:

I canoe and bank fish so I prefer to carry no more than 2 rods. I spent the money on a Megabass P5 Windbuster last season for that reason and I love that rod. I use it for hard jerkbaits, flukes, dropshot, and other lighter bottom contact stuff too. Now for my second rod I want a baitcaster that will be able to fish lipless cranks, topwater, small to medium cranks (so a moderate action for treblehooks), but also with enough power to set the hook on smaller paddletails, chatterbaits, small spinnerbaits. This is exactly how the megabass P5 Madbull is advertised and it sounds like it would fit the bill, but I dont want to drop another $500 on a rod. Does anyone have any ideas on a more affordable casting rod that will do the same thing, $350 or less would be ideal.

You will need just a M/F and a M rod, to cover most, if not all, situations for baitcasting. The bottom fishing itself guide the size you will choose for each rod.

[The Maestro]

7'2" mh Expride is a great utility rod. I'm referring to the previous model. I haven't used the new one with the carbon fiber handle.

[new2BC4bass]

On 2/2/2023 at 4:55 PM, Swest18x said:

I talked to Alex at ALX rods today, he recommended the Zolo Dream. Anyone have experience with this rod? The power/action sound like my windbuster.

I'm looking forward to some responses on this rod.  I picked up a used one that I haven't mounted a reel on yet.

[Hulkster]

I have the IMX Pro MBR 903C and its amazing. I throw everything on it with a Curado 200i and 12 pound Sufix Siege. 

[Swest18x]

I bought a P5 Madbull, probably overkill for my LVRs and 3.8 Keitechs but who can regret a Destroyer purchase. I also have a Zodias 7'6 Medium on the way: I fish a lot on a canal and need to have maximum casting distance, we'll see how these rods work out. I'm sure I'll be trying other suggestions before the search is complete.

[Scud_Muffin]

You like Megabass so why not step down to an Orochi or Levanta? Diablo Spec-R is pretty close to the mad bull for power etc. EMTF works too. 

[Swest18x]

Yep, I was thinking the same thing, the EMTF in particular appeals to me because the longer length / longer casts which I need when bank fishing my fishery. But the Madbulls are really hard to find right now and so when I came across one last week I jumped on it. My only question now is if the 5 power will be too much for the smaller to medium treble baits I throw (TN60,70 Jackalls, Luckycraft LVR, medium topwaters). I bought a medium power 7'6 Zodias to compare, it hasn't even arrived yet and I'm wondering if I should have tried a MH glass expride instead.