Pinnacle Perfecta Initial Rod Review

[clipper]

I received my Pinnacle DHC5-781CAMHCB crank bait rod last week but have not been able to get it to the lake yet, so I will do a dry-land review for now and post a performance review as soon as I can get to the lake.

The rod is labeled Cranking on the butt end. It is 7'-8, medium heavy action with moderate taper. Line weight is rated at 14-20 lb and lure weight at 3/8 - 1 oz. The rod has a Fuji ACS split grip reel seat with cut out for finger placement on the blank. The cork appears to be good quality. The balance point with a low-profile reel mounted is about 1.5 in front of the point where the blank enters the reel seat. The guides are small which I like and the wrapping is uniform and neat. The overall workmanship of the rod appears to be superior. It also has a lure keeper which I think is a must have for a quality rod.

I was very pleased with the weight of the rod as it is super light. It feels about the same weight as a 7'-0 finesse spinning rod I have which I really like. It also seems to be very sensitive. I haven't actually fished with it yet but I can feel when a practice plug crosses from carpet to wood flooring. Not only are the vibrations transmitted through the cut-out on the reel seat, but you can feel them in the reel as well.

I casted 3/8, ½, and 1 oz weights in the yard and the rod handled each weight very well. I got good distance with all and was able to get the feel of the rod in just a few casts. Due to its light weight and good balance, I don't think I will be nearly as tired after a day of cranking.

I will continue the review after actually fishing with the rod.

[hmongkidBee]

include some pictures alright. 

[Glenn]

Yes, pictures please.  Even I haven't seen these new rods yet!

[ChiCityBasser]

Here are some pics from one of the other Rod winners.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276219191

[clipper]

Here are some pics from one of the other Rod winners.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276219191

The pictures above are exactly like the rod I have.  Same guides, same reel seat, same split grip, same hook keeper.  I assumed that since they had been posted once there was no need to post them again. 

I got to fish with the rod today for about 20 minutes until my wife called needing to go to the emergency room.  She fell at a yard sale buying me a wheelbarrow and injured a previously broken shoulder.  We should know how serious the injury is next Tuesday. 

The rod handled a DD22 crankbait very well and is a pleasure to fish with due to its balance and being so light.  I made several one handed casts with this heavy bait with no problem.  I hope to get out next week and spend some time evaluating the sensitivity on different bottom types and also use some lighter lures as well.  I would also like to see how it manages ripping lipless crankbaits out of grass, but I will have to go somewhere besides Allatoona to do that.  I will report back the next time I get on the lake again.

[clipper]

I finally got to take the Pinnacle Perfecta cranking rod fishing today. My wife broke her shoulder Saturday and is waiting on surgery, so I figured if I was going to go fishing it better be this morning.

I mounted a 5:2:1 low profile reel spooled with 12 lb flourocarbon line and tied on a Rapala DT 10. I fished this lure on specific bottom types so I could get an idea of the sensitivity of the rod. I first pulled it through a downed tree top to get the feel as it came over limbs. I could tell when it pulled over a limb, and I could also tell when it got hung on a limb (lol). It was very easy to tell the difference between a limb and a rock.

I could tell the difference between soft bottom and hard clay and I could tell the difference between hard clay and gravel. I could also tell the difference between gravel and larger rocks as hitting a rock transmitted a distinctive sharp vibration. I could also feel the wobble of the bait as it pulled through the water before it reached bottom and I could tell when it picked up a wad of pine needles or a strand of weed. I did all of this in shallow water so I could actually see the bottom structure I was feeling through the rod.

I tied on a 1/2 oz lipless Norman crankbait and made several casts with it. I could pick up the vibration of the lure very well, even in the butt section that was laid against my forearm. I had expected to get most of the feel of the lure through the cut-out under the reel seat, but it seemed to me that the entire rod and reel assembly was transmitting the feel as a unit to my hand, not just the finger I had on the cut out.

The rod handled both of the lures I used today very well and I was able to make accurate casts as well as long casts. It is a pleasure to cast due to its light weight and good balance. I was not able to catch a fish on it today and had to resort to a Senko to keep from getting skunked, therefore I can't report on its fish handling ability right now.

In my opinion, this is a well made, quality rod that would serve the weekend or tournament angler well and is comparable in quality to much more expensive rods. It has earned a place in my rod locker and will replace the crankbait rod I am now using.

I would like to thank Pinnacle for conducting this Sneak Peak Rod Giveaway and giving me the opportunity to own this fine rod.

[shootermcbob]

Nice review. Sounds like a very nice rod.

[Pinnacle58]

I have used the Perfecta in two tournaments this month.  Caught limits in both.  I really believe the sensitivity of these rods is unbelievable.  I can feel every little bump.  Awesome advancement by Pinnacle!!!