Megabass P5 The-Xbites Applications

[UmairF]

What do you guys use your X-Bites for? I’m having a hard time justifying keeping it in my lineup which is why I put it up for sale. Here’s my current casting lineup:

- Dobyn’s Fury 705 CB (I throw cranks and lipless maybe 5-7% of the year lol)
- Expride B 6’10 M
- P5 Dark Sleeper
- Dobyn’s Champ XP 734 (trying to sell this too)
- NRX+ 873C CRR
- Daiwa Steez AGS Bottom Contact 2
- Expride B 7’3 XH

 

You guys see any gaps here that the X-Bites (or another rod) could fill? Also how do you guys feel about the dark sleeper or 873 CRR for throwing chatterbaits through grass?

You guys think it’s worth trading the X Bites for a P5 One Ten Stick and selling the Expride 6’10M? Would use it for topwater and jerkbaits.

 

[webertime]

Lighter than 1/2oz footballs? 873 you have is a great compliment to it.

[softwateronly]

I've never fished the x-bites, but from what I heard it sounds like a good worm, free rig, and fluke rod.  But, I can see the dark sleeper also excelling in these techniques especially because I don't love x-fast rods when dealing with weeds.  

 

If you fish full size spooks and you drop the 734 champ, you might need to slightly compromise.  But between the expride, dark sleeper, and 873 you can probably cover that too.

 

Have you spent anytime with the expride in single hook applications?  I find it pretty darn good to go with being a good-great treble hook rod.  I do fish braid to leader, so that might play a role.  So if you can swing it, trade/sell the 734 and x-bites, get the one ten stick, and hold on to the expride would be something I'd consider.  

 

scott

[UmairF]

58 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I've never fished the x-bites, but from what I heard it sounds like a good worm, free rig, and fluke rod.  But, I can see the dark sleeper also excelling in these techniques especially because I don't love x-fast rods when dealing with weeds.  

 

If you fish full size spooks and you drop the 734 champ, you might need to slightly compromise.  But between the expride, dark sleeper, and 873 you can probably cover that too.

 

Have you spent anytime with the expride in single hook applications?  I find it pretty darn good to go with being a good-great treble hook rod.  I do fish braid to leader, so that might play a role.  So if you can swing it, trade/sell the 734 and x-bites, get the one ten stick, and hold on to the expride would be something I'd consider.  

 

scott

Yeah that’s exactly how I feel about the dark sleeper. I got to fish it a couple times now and it feels like it could do pretty much everything the xbites can do. Xbites just seems a tad more stiff. Xbites is advertised as THE 1/4-3/8 jig and light texas rig rod but I prefer the BC2 for my jigs/ texas rigs in grass and 873CRR for dragging anything and both of those could double for each other. Im fine with those 2 having similar uses because I like throwing those techniques a lot more. I do like how accurate the xbites is for a 7’2. Not sure if it’s worth it to keep in my lineup since I like the Dark Sleeper better. Tough decision for me haha.

 

On the 6’10 expride, I was throwing showerblows 105s out on the ozarks this fall for spotted bass and it handled them great. Was worried about the showerblows being too heavy but I was slinging it out there on that rod with straight 30lb braid no issues. Havent tried single hook baits on it as much although, it’s a very accurate rod. It’s been primarily my treble hook topwater rod. Jerkbaits is a technique I want to focus on next season so don’t have a lot of experience with it but I have caught some on jerkbaits with the Expride. Why do you think I should keep the expride 6’10 and have the one ten stick alongside?

 

The Champ XP 734 was my dedicated Chatterbait rod. I just didnt like how it felt in my hands after ripping 3/8 and 1/2 oz chatterbaits through grass all day. I had it paired with the metanium dc 100 which is “heavier” than some of my other reels so could it be that? Not sure between the dark sleeper and 873 CRR if I can use either of those as my chatterbait rod. I heard the dark sleeper is a great single hook moving bait rod but specifically for swimjigs and spinner baits. Not sure if it’s got the right load in it to absorb the negative pressure a bass had when sucking in a chatterbait. That 873CRR has a little bend through the top (mainly for dragging) but @TNBankFishing and @TheBaitMonkey I know you guys helped me pick the 873 CRR in another post so maybe you guys could weigh in here?

 

Don’t want to let go of any “gem” rods either but can’t find a spot for the xbites yet.

 

Thanks,

Umair

[FishTank]

I don't have the X-bites but I do have the Daemos. This rod is a good do all Medium powered rod with a soft tip. It does not have a lot of power for deep applications but works great for shallow jigs, spinnerbaits, and swim jigs. I have not tried it for chatterbaits but would guess it would do well for the 3/8oz size. Also, I never really cared for the X-bites when I picked one up in store. For jigs I tend to like the G. Loomis 894 and 904 NRX+ rods. 

 

I do have the 873CRR and it is a good do all rod but I did not care for it for chatterbaits. The tip is softer than the JWR series but not soft enough for a chatterbait. 

 

If chatterbaits are what you are aiming to throw, the Loomis NRX+ 883BJR is awesome. Definitely overkill for this technique but I have yet to find one better. It loads perfectly, it's sensitive in just the right way, and it makes for a great spinnerbait rod as well. I keep repeating this but the hook keeper sucks. Once you get use to it you learn to avoid it. Overall, I love this rod. 

[TNBankFishing]

I’d not use the 873 for a chatterbait. To be honest I sold my Xbites within a couple months after buying it. It didn’t fit with the type of fishing and cover in the lakes I fished. 
 

 

[UmairF]

Yeah idk I think I’ll keep the xbites as my shallow cover lighter t rig and free rig rod. Still trying to find other uses for it. Seems like a limited use rod which is surprising from the P5 line.

 

I found a really good deal on a Daemos and snagged it. Looking forward to putting it to good use and haul some chatterbait fish in!

[lunkerboss923]

While on the topic of Megabass X-Bites...can someone recommend a reel for it. I'm looking for high end. Something that would be a perfect compliment. I use the X Bites for hopping and dragging compact football jigs. Looking for a reel ideal for this. Would a Steez 70 or Metanium 70 DC be options. Help me decide. 

[UmairF]

On 12/18/2024 at 11:44 PM, lunkerboss923 said:

While on the topic of Megabass X-Bites...can someone recommend a reel for it. I'm looking for high end. Something that would be a perfect compliment. I use the X Bites for hopping and dragging compact football jigs. Looking for a reel ideal for this. Would a Steez 70 or Metanium 70 DC be options. Help me decide. 

I had mine paired with a 21 zillion and felt super compact in my hands. A 70 sized reel would go great on it too. It’s mainly a finesse bottom contact rod so you don’t need a tank of a reel on it.