Looking for recommendations

[Sota]

24 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

It sounds like you want a do it all blank.  I would start with a 7' (ish) M F.  You could throw anything from neds to senkos. There are a lot of good rods on the market at the price point you're working with.  Tatula is the first one to come to mind.  The actions/powers are great and they're fairly light.  A daiwa rep told me that there is virtually no difference between the Tatula and Tatula elite blank wise.  Daiwa knowing that doesnt making comparing them comparing them easy, as they dont offer the same rod in both lines.  The length, action and even weight range is different.  What you do get with the Elite is marginally upgraded guides rings, from fazlite to alconite.  Honestly I prefer the K frame guides on Tatula and functionaly there is no difference between fazlite and alconite.  You do get an additional guide on some Elite models which disperses load a little better.  What it comes down to is finding the model that fits what you need and depending which line has it is the line you go with.

I would suggest the Tatula 7' M F for a do it all rod.  Its rated to 3/4, but that's wishful thinking on Daiwas part IMO, I wouldn't fish much over 1/2.

The Megabass Levante is another great do it all rod.  Its 200$, but in terms of refinement and quality its well worth it. 

For a reel, I would go for a Daiwa Exceler or Shimano Miravel, depending on the budget, both in 3k.  If you wait until Labor Day sale, you can get a really good discount and stay within or very close to your budget.     

I’ve checked out the Miravel. I like the look of it and specs are nice. 
 I am thinking of using 4-5” senko pumpkin or watermelon Texas rigged. Braid line 15lb ish. 1/4 oz weight if I get into some cover. 
I’m still wondering about the rod. I keep seeing recommendations for Tatula. I see there are the XT, bass, and elite.  Elite if I can get a good deal on it. Maybe. 

[TNBankFishing]

40 minutes ago, Sota said:

I’ve checked out the Miravel. I like the look of it and specs are nice. 
 I am thinking of using 4-5” senko pumpkin or watermelon Texas rigged. Braid line 15lb ish. 1/4 oz weight if I get into some cover. 
I’m still wondering about the rod. I keep seeing recommendations for Tatula. I see there are the XT, bass, and elite.  Elite if I can get a good deal on it. Maybe. 

Wait until the evenings over the next week and check out American Legacy Fishing for any Daiwa/Shimano deals. Recently I got 20% off a Steez “The One”. They don’t advertise the sales, just go on the website and poke around. Right now Daiwa is on 5% off, but it can change daily or from morning to evening. 
 

I’ve owned a number or the Tatula Elites in the older line and they fished very well for their price point.
 

Think of the Daiwa rod line as generally this progression : Steez Racing Design/Reel Control > Steez AGS > Zillion/Tat Elite AGS > Tat Elite > Tat XT

 

As you go up from the XT you gain access to more unique tapers and the lines start having gems. I used the 6’9 Heavy Jig skipping rod as a close combat frog stick and it was amazing. 
 

As a side note, the Evergreen USA rods share production elements with Daiwa and they have some killer models. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1 hour ago, Sota said:

I’ve checked out the Miravel. I like the look of it and specs are nice. 
 I am thinking of using 4-5” senko pumpkin or watermelon Texas rigged. Braid line 15lb ish. 1/4 oz weight if I get into some cover. 
I’m still wondering about the rod. I keep seeing recommendations for Tatula. I see there are the XT, bass, and elite.  Elite if I can get a good deal on it. Maybe. 

All of the tatulas are good, but its worth going with Tatula(Bass) over the XT IMO.  If you want a faster taper then the elite may be worth it.  Honestly, if youre going to be throwing a lot of 5" senkos going to a MH might be worth considering.  The 7'1 MH Elite is closer to a stout M than a traditional MH, with the tip of a M, but the backbone of a MH.  That backbone will really help set a hook at distance and punch through plastic, which is important if you plan on T rigging them.

[MiceNReets]

4 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Wait until the evenings over the next week and check out American Legacy Fishing for any Daiwa/Shimano deals. Recently I got 20% off a Steez “The One”. They don’t advertise the sales, just go on the website and poke around. Right now Daiwa is on 5% off, but it can change daily or from morning to evening. 
 

I’ve owned a number or the Tatula Elites in the older line and they fished very well for their price point.
 

Think of the Daiwa rod line as generally this progression : Steez Racing Design/Reel Control > Steez AGS > Zillion/Tat Elite AGS > Tat Elite > Tat XT

 

As you go up from the XT you gain access to more unique tapers and the lines start having gems. I used the 6’9 Heavy Jig skipping rod as a close combat frog stick and it was amazing. 
 

As a side note, the Evergreen USA rods share production elements with Daiwa and they have some killer models. 

Ive only used the new tatula xt and tatula bass swimbait rod for daiwa rods.  I have 7 evergreen combat sticks (older models).  What blanks do they share with daiwa rods or closest to in daiwa line ups?   I’ve read (if I recall) that they’re the same blanks as the rebellions? (Never used that line)

[TNBankFishing]

8 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Ive only used the new tatula xt and tatula bass swimbait rod for daiwa rods.  I have 7 evergreen combat sticks (older models).  What blanks do they share with daiwa rods or closest to in daiwa line ups?   I’ve read (if I recall) that they’re the same blanks as the rebellions? (Never used that line)

I’ve never been able to find out if they are the elite blanks without the Daiwa wrap or rebellions. 
 

Go here and click more info https://evergreenbaits.com/products/23-combat-stick. They are warrantied by Daiwa. 

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

I’ve never been able to find out if they are the elite blanks without the Daiwa wrap or rebellions. 
 

Go here and click more info https://evergreenbaits.com/products/23-combat-stick. They are warrantied by Daiwa. 

Yeah I asked daiwa what blank they are and they couldn’t tell Me.    Those new 2023 models are nice just couldn’t justify getting one since I have enough of the older models  but I could maybe use that wakebait model.  🤫   Have you tried the new ones yet?

[TNBankFishing]

3 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Yeah I asked daiwa what blank they are and they couldn’t tell Me.    Those new 2023 models are nice just couldn’t justify getting one since I have enough of the older models  but I could maybe use that wakebait model.  🤫   Have you tried the new ones yet?

Yup I rock the 7’2 moving bait rod for chatters/swim jigs/squarebills. 

[MiceNReets]

8 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Yup I rock the 7’2 moving bait rod for chatters/swim jigs/squarebills. 

I have that in the old model. Have you tried the old model to see if they’re comparable or is the new blank different?

[TNBankFishing]

11 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I have that in the old model. Have you tried the old model to see if they’re comparable or is the new blank different?

Not ever had the chance. It’s not a super common brand in the states so I’ve never run into anyone who isn’t just using the jackhammer model. 

[Sota]

11 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Not ever had the chance. It’s not a super common brand in the states so I’ve never run into anyone who isn’t just using the jackhammer model. 

What brand are you talking about? I missed that. 

I am finding Miravel spinning reels “ imported “. What’s the difference if any? Seems to be like 20-30 bucks cheaper. 

[Brian11719]

I'd wait until ALF (or another site) has 20-25% off then get a Dobyn's Sierra SA 704SF and pair it with a Shimano Ultegra (3000). Not sure you are going to find a better rod at this price point with a lifetime warranty and this is what I use for a fluke / swimbait / bubba shot. In terms of reels I'd argue Shimano makes the best spinning reels out there and there are some very significant benefits that you get when you get into the Ultegra (or higher) models that will make the reel last longer and overall experience better. $140 for the rod (on sale) and about $120 for the reel gets you in just above your price goal. Not sure there's anything else out there that is going to match this setup in terms of value and warranty.

 

 

[Sota]

7 minutes ago, Brian11719 said:

I'd wait until ALF (or another site) has 20-25% off then get a Dobyn's Sierra SA 704SF and pair it with a Shimano Ultegra (3000). Not sure you are going to find a better rod at this price point with a lifetime warranty and this is what I use for a fluke / swimbait / bubba shot. In terms of reels I'd argue Shimano makes the best spinning reels out there and there are some very significant benefits that you get when you get into the Ultegra (or higher) models that will make the reel last longer and overall experience better. $140 for the rod (on sale) and about $120 for the reel gets you in just above your price goal. Not sure there's anything else out there that is going to match this setup in terms of value and warranty.

 

 

I have ALF bookmarked. Someone mentioned to check with them. So I bookmarked it. 
I looked at the Dobyns “ Siri hates me. Keeps trying to say Donna instead of Dobyns” line. Why do you suggest the Sierra over the Fury? 

[TNBankFishing]

2 hours ago, Sota said:

What brand are you talking about? I missed that. 

I am finding Miravel spinning reels “ imported “. What’s the difference if any? Seems to be like 20-30 bucks cheaper. 

Evergreen USA rods. They have a massive following in Japan and make some amazing sticks but they don’t sell them here. 
 

If you’re seeing them on Digitaka, Asian Portal Fishing, or Japan Lure Shop there isn’t a difference. Those are shops I’ve used extensively in the past. 

11 minutes ago, Sota said:

I have ALF bookmarked. Someone mentioned to check with them. So I bookmarked it. 
I looked at the Dobyns “ Siri hates me. Keeps trying to say Donna instead of Dobyns” line. Why do you suggest the Sierra over the Fury? 

The sierra line is a step above the fury. 

[Sota]

6 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Evergreen USA rods. They have a massive following in Japan and make some amazing sticks but they don’t sell them here. 
 

If you’re seeing them on Digitaka, Asian Portal Fishing, or Japan Lure Shop there isn’t a difference. Those are shops I’ve used extensively in the past. 

The sierra line is a step above the fury. 

I sooooo need to get up to speed on things here. 
I know the salmon/ steelhead stuff. I know Lamiglas well. Picked up some stuff from the warehouse sale they had.  

[Brian11719]

1 hour ago, Sota said:

I have ALF bookmarked. Someone mentioned to check with them. So I bookmarked it. 
I looked at the Dobyns “ Siri hates me. Keeps trying to say Donna instead of Dobyns” line. Why do you suggest the Sierra over the Fury? 

Both fine rods but you specified a certain price point and for the $30 or so extra bucks I'd argue the Sierra is worth it. It's also a little softer action which will make it better for an 'all in one' type setup since you could still probably get away with throwing a bladed jig or smaller crankbaits / jerkbaits on it (although I'd ultimately suggest a mod fast action rod for these). The Fury is also not a bad rod at all and if you had said your budget was a bit lower I'd say go with that one but in my personal opinion the Kaden / Sierra series rods are probably the best in terms of value / bang for the buck and the Sierra is going to be a bit more sensitive than the Fury (I also own 2 Kaden spinning rods and 2 Kaden crankbait rods). In my opinion this is the best value price point and you start to see diminishing returns across most manufacturers as you go up from here in price. I also like St. Croix, but none of them around that price point are going to have a warranty like the Dobyn's rods. Cashion would be the other one you might want to check out and their warranty programs are also good but again you are most likely going to be looking at a little bit higher of a price point. One last one to mention would be the Johnny Morris Signature rods at Bass Pro Shops they also have a medium heavy rod and sometimes you can get they have a special for club members that gives you $20 off and if you wait for days when they also give club members 10% off that one has a pretty good warranty on it for around the same price. But out of them all I personally own the Sierra and it does great for the techniques I mentioned earlier and would also make good all around bass fishing rod. And that rod paired up with the Ultegra reel is hands down what I'd recommend to anyone looking for something like this around that price point.

[Rockhopper]

1 hour ago, Sota said:

I know Lamiglas well. Picked up some stuff from the warehouse sale they had.  

Where did you live? I'm in Hockinson now. Lived in Woodland for years. 

 

How about a Lamiglas SI bass spinning rod? Mine is pretty darn nice. Got it at the warehouse for $100 few years back. 

[Sota]

4 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Where did you live? I'm in Hockinson now. Lived in Woodland for years. 

 

How about a Lamiglas SI bass spinning rod? Mine is pretty darn nice. Got it at the warehouse for $100 few years back. 

I was in Kent. I spent many a day freezing as I was wading in Cowlitz. Beautiful area but that water was COLD. 

[Sota]

I found Dobyns Champion XP. How are the Dobyns rods? Do they run true to spec on the action? Is a med/ fast a med/ fast or does it run little faster or slower? Does Dobyns make a Champion XP med/ x fast? 

[Bullett]

I own a Levante Enforcer with an Abu MGX 3000 spinning reel mounted on it, makes for a nice set up 

plus you get a Megabass Rod sleeve with it