Show off your Stuff

[Ryanralston07]

Nice looking setups in here!

[mcnealstash]

Started my first foray into high end gear this year with two spinning combos.  I'm hooked now and will probably be adding a couple of casting combos to cover a few other applications that these rods are a bit light for.  

 

Front one is a P5 Destroyer F3.5 Windbuster with the new Shimano Exsence 3000.  Spooled with 12 lb Tatsu, rigged with 3/16 oz. 3/0 flashy swimmer and 4"  megabass spark shad in green pumpkin.

 

Far one is P5 Destroyer F3 Landsat with the Shimano Vanford 2500.  Spooled with 10 lb Tatsu, texas rigged with 1/8 oz tungsten bullet weight, size 2 gama EWG hook, 2.8" keitech green pumpkin/chartreuse crazy flapper.

 

So far I like both rods a lot but I do think they excel at different uses.  The windbuster is an absolute cannon and I use it for smallish moving baits- I really like it for light belly weighted paddletails 4" and under (a spark shad almost always lives on it), flashy swimmers, and 1/2 oz. and under squarebills, bladebaits, lipless cranks, and jerkbaits.  You can use it for bottom contact, but in my opinion it does not excel for this as the taper is slightly more parabolic than the landsat. 

 

The landsat is definitely the better finesse bottom contact and slack line/vertical presentation rod of the two, as it gets into the backbone much quicker on the hookset than the windbuster.  I prefer it for light texas rigging (1/8 and 3/16 oz. tungsten bullets), throwing soft plastics like the 3" nikko helgrammite, 3.2" nikko craw, 2.8 and 3.6" keitech crazy flapper, and 3.5" tubes.  It would also be great for most other finesse-y bottom contact applications- finesse jigs, dropshot, neko, 3" swimbait, etc.  

 

[thunderblack]

How do you like the reel seat on the P5 mcneal? Comfortable or hard to get use to it? Sweet looking set ups for sure!

[mcnealstash]

44 minutes ago, thunderblack said:

How do you like the reel seat on the P5 mcneal? Comfortable or hard to get use to it? Sweet looking set ups for sure!

It's comfortable for me but I could see it taking a little getting used to for others.  I don't have huge hands so it potentially would not be big enough for some anglers.  The way I hold the grip- where the reel's attachment point to the reel seat is in between my middle and 4th finger, works perfectly for the P5 design imo.  

[Quitlimpin]

First time posting in several years...wanted to show off my setups before I start downsizing. I got rid of my boat a while back and now mainly fish out of a kayak or float tube and it's just excessive to have this many setups. After a ton of buy/sell/trades across every brand you could imagine, these are the rigs I settled on about 5 or so years ago. I'd estimate 1/2 of these rods & reels were acquired here in the flea market.

 

Front to Back

1. Abu Garcia Fantasista Yabai FCY65L-Silver Mica Pixzilla

2. Megabass Orochi X4 Rattle Viper-Alphas Custom Finesse 105--Easily my favorite setup ever

3. NRX803-Alphas Type F

4. NRX803-Alphas Type R

5. NRX804-Alphas Type R

6. Cumara CUC63H-T3 1016

7. Lamiglas 62ML Don Iovino Signature Series-Sol

8. Lamiglas XC724-Alphas ITO--Still the best 5" & 6" senko rod I've ever fished

9. Cumara CUC63M-Curado 100D--This reel is an absolute tank

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, Quitlimpin said:

 

 

That is a great fleet of Alpheses!

[Quitlimpin]

3 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

 

That is a great fleet of Alpheses!

Thanks! It definitely took a bunch of searching and patience to find the reels and parts. Idk if I’m gonna be able to let em go…

[evo2s197]

Finally was able to find one available.

It's gonna be an awesome football jig rod.

 

Daiwa Steez Racing Design 7011HRB

 

 

[fishwizzard]

22 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

Finally was able to find one available.

It's gonna be an awesome football jig rod.

 

Daiwa Steez Racing Design 7011HRB

 

That thing is stunning.  I want to dip deeper into jdm rods, but I am very gunshy about shipping right now, esp in terms of reliable tracking.  

 

What reel are you putting on it?  

[evo2s197]

7 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

What reel are you putting on it?

Most likely one if my IP79L'S any of the OG Zillion variants balance perfectly with the rod.

7 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

but I am very gunshy about shipping right now, esp in terms of reliable tracking.

I have never had any problems ordering from overseas vendors, multiple rods and reels have arrived safely with tracking.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

2 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

Most likely one if my IP79L'S any of the OG Zillion variants balance perfectly with the rod.

I have never had any problems ordering from overseas vendors, multiple rods and reels have arrived safely with tracking.

Ive never had a problem ordering from overseas ...cant say the same for local mail

[fishwizzard]

16 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

Most likely one if my IP79L'S any of the OG Zillion variants balance perfectly with the rod.

I have never had any problems ordering from overseas vendors, multiple rods and reels have arrived safely with tracking.

 

It's the US end of things that has me worried, both of the rods I have ordered this year have had big delays and tracking errors, in once case the tracking number came up invalid like 3-4 days before the rod arrived.  It was a Volkey UL that I had been wanting for years now and I was very bummed to think that it was going to disappear. Before these two rods I have never had an issue.  

 

 

 

[redmeansdistortion]

Got the Cardinal 3 mostly finished up.  New parts are a set of homemade carbontex washers, Avail CD0490R spool, IOS Factory bail springs, and lots of Dremel polishing internally.  I'm also going to add a small 3D printed part to enable manual bail return and possibly swap out the worm gear bearing for a one-way needle bearing for instant anti-reverse capability.  What a smooth reel.  My plan is to pair it with a 4wt or 5wt fiberglass fly rod blank with a Michigan handle and slay some trout.  The rod probably won't materialize until next year as I'm still looking for a decent blank between 7' and 7'6".

 

[Dinger0306]

New stream/river smallmouth setup. 
6’6” ML St. Croix Premier split-grip with a Daiwa Regal 2000D LT, 8lb Trilene XL mono. Gonna take duties for 4” wacky senkos, 1/15oz Ned rigs, Teeny pop-rs, whopper plopper 60s, etc. ?

[Eric 26]

2 hours ago, Dinger0306 said:

New stream/river smallmouth setup. 
6’6” ML St. Croix Premier split-grip with a Daiwa Regal 2000D LT, 8lb Trilene XL mono. Gonna take duties for 4” wacky senkos, 1/15oz Ned rigs, Teeny pop-rs, whopper plopper 60s, etc. ?

I have a 6’-6” premier light power fast action. Full grip 2 piece that I really like for pond fishing. I’ve been looking for an excuse to replace it with the same specs in split grip which I really like but d**n if my rod ain’t perfect for small cranks - in line spinners and anything light with treble hooks. Thinking you’re going to enjoy ?

[Dinger0306]

15 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

I have a 6’-6” premier light power fast action. Full grip 2 piece that I really like for pond fishing. I’ve been looking for an excuse to replace it with the same specs in split grip which I really like but d**n if my rod ain’t perfect for small cranks - in line spinners and anything light with treble hooks. Thinking you’re going to enjoy ?

I took it out once with a 2500 Sienna on it before I got my Regal in, and I dig it. It replaced an old 6’6” M Lightning Rod that had the handle falling apart, and casts lighter baits better tenfold. Just gotta wait till I hopefully get into some bigger smallies this weekend and see if I can still get a good hook set with that light tip on plastics. 
 

The decreased weight compared to the old Lightning Rod/Sienna is enough for me to justify the price difference, ha

[redmeansdistortion]

My Major Craft Finetail Stream Glass finally came in yesterday, 4'10" glass blank with a nice deep bend which I love, the recovery is lightning fast too according to my yard casting experimentation with a 5g weight.  I'll have it on the stream this weekend, look out trout!

 

[Quitlimpin]

15 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

My Major Craft Finetail Stream Glass finally came in yesterday, 4'10" glass blank with a nice deep bend which I love, the recovery is lightning fast too according to my yard casting experimentation with a 5g weight.  I'll have it on the stream this weekend, look out trout!

 

???I’m legit drooling over this setup. Immaculate!

[KP Duty]

On 7/10/2021 at 1:22 PM, Quitlimpin said:

First time posting in several years...wanted to show off my setups before I start downsizing. I got rid of my boat a while back and now mainly fish out of a kayak or float tube and it's just excessive to have this many setups. After a ton of buy/sell/trades across every brand you could imagine, these are the rigs I settled on about 5 or so years ago. I'd estimate 1/2 of these rods & reels were acquired here in the flea market.

 

Front to Back

1. Abu Garcia Fantasista Yabai FCY65L-Silver Mica Pixzilla

2. Megabass Orochi X4 Rattle Viper-Alphas Custom Finesse 105--Easily my favorite setup ever

3. NRX803-Alphas Type F

4. NRX803-Alphas Type R

5. NRX804-Alphas Type R

6. Cumara CUC63H-T3 1016

7. Lamiglas 62ML Don Iovino Signature Series-Sol

8. Lamiglas XC724-Alphas ITO--Still the best 5" & 6" senko rod I've ever fished

9. Cumara CUC63M-Curado 100D--This reel is an absolute tank

I wish they still made the 804 nrx...would be a sweet shorty frog/jig stick.  I have the old 843 nrx (3/16-5/8oz) which was discontinued, and its among my favorites.  I don't think you have too many rigs....I'd keep them all.

On 8/5/2021 at 7:53 AM, redmeansdistortion said:

My Major Craft Finetail Stream Glass finally came in yesterday, 4'10" glass blank with a nice deep bend which I love, the recovery is lightning fast too according to my yard casting experimentation with a 5g weight.  I'll have it on the stream this weekend, look out trout!

 

I bet balance isn't a problem with that setup ?.

[redmeansdistortion]

4 hours ago, KP Duty said:

I bet balance isn't a problem with that setup ?.

Not at all.  The rod itself comes in at 3.3oz.  I tried my Alphas CT for craps and chuckles to see how it balanced, way too tip heavy.  With the Conquest or my Millionaire CT, the balance is very, very good.

[fishwizzard]

On 8/5/2021 at 8:53 AM, redmeansdistortion said:

My Major Craft Finetail Stream Glass finally came in yesterday, 4'10" glass blank with a nice deep bend which I love, the recovery is lightning fast too according to my yard casting experimentation with a 5g weight.  I'll have it on the stream this weekend, look out trout!

 

I have been staring at the 3'8" version of that rod for months, but I can't pull the trigger.  I talk a big game about liking short rods, but 3'8" is nuts.  The rod is rated as a Fast and is 1-8g. It's graphie and I really wonder how it loads across that range.  

 

I would love a rod that short for 3" senkos, Super Jrs, and small poppers, but wanting to t-rig the plastics makes me afraid of most truly UL rated trout rods.  I never though to look as comparatively more powerful glass rods to dial in the ideal castability and hooksetting power.  Very interested to hear your thoughts on yours. 

[redmeansdistortion]

11 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

I have been staring at the 3'8" version of that rod for months, but I can't pull the trigger.  I talk a big game about liking short rods, but 3'8" is nuts.  The rod is rated as a Fast and is 1-8g. It's graphie and I really wonder how it loads across that range.  

In my experience, JDM trout rods are indeed fast action.  I think this has to do with the prevailing technique in Japan, fishing with minnows/plugs.  You need that fast tip to work those baits effectively when fishing trout.  USDM trout rods, such as St Croix, Lamiglas, and Loomis, while rated as fast by the manufacturer, are every bit of a moderate to moderate fast action.  On this side of the world, most trout fishermen are throwing spoons and spinners if they aren't swinging flies, and they fish better with a moderate action rod to sweep them through the current.  In Japan, trout rods are sold as either minnow rods or spoon rods.  The spoon rods have a moderate action and the minnow rods are typically fast or extra fast.

 

As far as the length goes, try to pick a rod that will work best in the environment you fish.  If you're fishing skinny overgrown creeks, something under 5' is best since it's more manageable.  Not only more manageable to fish, but also to transport through the brush.  Running a long 7'+ rod on skinny creeks will limit your casting options since you risk smacking overhanging branches or stuff behind you when casting.

[fishwizzard]

9 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

 

In my experience, JDM trout rods are indeed fast action.  I think this has to do with the prevailing technique in Japan, fishing with minnows/plugs.  You need that fast tip to work those baits effectively when fishing trout.  USDM trout rods, such as St Croix, Lamiglas, and Loomis, while rated as fast by the manufacturer, are every bit of a moderate to moderate fast action.  On this side of the world, most trout fishermen are throwing spoons and spinners if they aren't swinging flies, and they fish better with a moderate action rod to sweep them through the current.  In Japan, trout rods are sold as either minnow rods or spoon rods.  The spoon rods have a moderate action and the minnow rods are typically fast or extra fast.

 

As far as the length goes, try to pick a rod that will work best in the environment you fish.  If you're fishing skinny overgrown creeks, something under 5' is best since it's more manageable.  Not only more manageable to fish, but also to transport through the brush.  Running a long 7'+ rod on skinny creeks will limit your casting options since you risk smacking overhanging branches or stuff behind you when casting.

Very interesting, thanks for the info.  

 

A 3'8" two-part rod will pack down to 2', which from my (silly looking) testing, is the max length rod I can stick in my pack's water bottle holder and be able to bushwhack with.  I have a coworker deep into 3d printing and we have an idea for a rod holder he will print me up.  Basically a plastic "taco" that I will line with foam so I when I break the rod down I can slide it into the holder, leaving it rigged w/o the chance of the line or guides snagging on the underbrush.  I use a telescoping rod now and it's too slow to bring into action.  

[redmeansdistortion]

21 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Very interesting, thanks for the info.  

 

A 3'8" two-part rod will pack down to 2', which from my (silly looking) testing, is the max length rod I can stick in my pack's water bottle holder and be able to bushwhack with.  I have a coworker deep into 3d printing and we have an idea for a rod holder he will print me up.  Basically a plastic "taco" that I will line with foam so I when I break the rod down I can slide it into the holder, leaving it rigged w/o the chance of the line or guides snagging on the underbrush.  I use a telescoping rod now and it's too slow to bring into action.  

The JDM trout rods come with a thick canvas carrying pouch, really easy to transport.  Some of the higher end ones, like Anglo and Company even come with an aluminum tube similar to a fly rod tube, but that's a $1000 rod lol.

[evo2s197]

Added a new combo to the stable.

 

A Evergreen Kaleido Inspirare Special Model IRSC-66MHF-TG40X Black Raven Extreme RS, the history and technology in this rod is pretty incredible.

 

I paired it with a brand new Megabass Hyper Lariat IS71HL Galaxy Red.