Cabelas Xmlti Casting Rod Uses

[ChiCityBasser]

I had this rod sitting around and just pulled it out again and trying to figure out the best usage for the rod. It's the previous model to the Xmlti rods out now with this one having a cork handle. It's a short hangle rod and thinking it would work well as a jerkbait rod. Just trying to figure out some usages for the rod so I can figure out a reel to add to the rod. I have a Quantum Kinetic and a Quantum Accurist both 6:3.1 and thinking jerkbaits, spinners and maybe light jigs if possible.

Any other suggestions or usages and also what line would you recommend?

[Gone_Phishin]

Sounds like a great rod for walking Sammy 100's

[new2BC4bass]

CCB, which rod? I picked up 2 during their sale a couple weeks ago, one old style, one new...both 6'6" MH. I was a bit amazed by the different specs and looks of the 2 rods. The older model is rated for 3/8-2 oz. while the new for 1/4-1 oz lures. The older model has a larger diameter throughout its length. I'm going to try the older model for techniques that would normally call for a Heavy rod. I don't currently have any lure/bait that anywhere near approaches the 2 oz. limit.

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread for recommendations. Hopefully there will be several.

[J Francho]

Jerk baits, top water plugs, sniper spinnerbait/buzz bait, dock rod for unweighted plastics.

[K_Mac]

At that line/lure rating it is more a medium than MH by my standards. I agree with J Franco and would add small jigs and Trigs to the list. I am not familiar with the Cabelas rods though, and some rods have softer tips than others. String that thing up and see what works best!

I would use 10-12# PLine CXX.

[ChiCityBasser]

CCB, which rod? I picked up 2 during their sale a couple weeks ago, one old style, one new...both 6'6" MH. I was a bit amazed by the different specs and looks of the 2 rods. The older model is rated for 3/8-2 oz. while the new for 1/4-1 oz lures. The older model has a larger diameter throughout its length. I'm going to try the older model for techniques that would normally call for a Heavy rod. I don't currently have any lure/bait that anywhere near approaches the 2 oz. limit.

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread for recommendations. Hopefully there will be several.

Hey New, I have one of the models from 2 yrs ago and it is a short handle 6'6" MH model and just got the correct rating which are 1/4-3/4 oz. This model has a larger diameter through its length as well compared to the spinning model but that is a M as opposed to a MH so that is to be expected. I had only used it a couple times over the last couple years before putting it away. Gonna get a reel on it this weekend and try it with some of the recommendations from this post.

[ChiCityBasser]

Thanks J and K_Mac for the suggestions on usage for the rod and on the line suggestion also and thinking either the P-Line CXX or Yozuri Ultra Soft in 10-12# would be perfect.

[new2BC4bass]

At that line/lure rating it is more a medium than MH by my standards. I agree with J Franco and would add small jigs and Trigs to the list. I am not familiar with the Cabelas rods though, and some rods have softer tips than others. String that thing up and see what works best!

I would use 10-12# PLine CXX.

Since I am the only one to post line/lure ratings previous to your post, I assume your comments are meant for me. If that is the case I'm going to assume you are referring to the new model (1/4-1 oz) as being more a Medium in you eyes.

I'm confused. I know there are no industry standards for power ratings. One manufacturer's MH may be heavier (or lighter) than another manufacturer's MH. I've read that you should go by the lure rating listed on the rod. Here's my confusion.

I've got 2 Falcon Mediums. Rating is 1/4-1/2 oz as was the other Medium Falcon that I broke. A Tec Spec Medium is rated for 1/4-5/8 oz. while my Zillion Medium is rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. None listed at 3/4 oz much less 1 oz.

Phenix lists there 700H for 10-20 lb. line and 3/8-1 oz. yet both my XMLTis are classified MH. The older model is rated for 12-25 lb. line and 3/8-2 oz. Why wouldn't a person looking at these ratings consider the Phenix a MH and the XMLTi a Heavy? Very confusing.

[new2BC4bass]

Hey New, I have one of the models from 2 yrs ago and it is a short handle 6'6" MH model and just got the correct rating which are 1/4-3/4 oz. This model has a larger diameter through its length as well compared to the spinning model but that is a M as opposed to a MH so that is to be expected. I had only used it a couple times over the last couple years before putting it away. Gonna get a reel on it this weekend and try it with some of the recommendations from this post.

You say your MH is suppose to be rated for 1/4-3/4 oz.? Does this mean there is a different rating marked on the rod? Could this mean that my older model rod is marked very optimistically on the high end? How did you find out its true rating?

Just when I think I'm starting to get a handle on rod designations, all my conclusions turn to sh$t!

[ChiCityBasser]

You say your MH is suppose to be rated for 1/4-3/4 oz.? Does this mean there is a different rating marked on the rod? Could this mean that my older model rod is marked very optimistically on the high end? How did you find out its true rating?

Just when I think I'm starting to get a handle on rod designations, all my conclusions turn to sh$t!

My MH is a XMLTi 663x2 which it the 2 pc rod and looking at the rod ratings right now. I'm guessing as technology changes and materials ratings change as well. My model is 2-3 years old with a solid cork handles. I would say from your ratings your rod would be closer to a heavy than a medium. I have a XML 6'6" rod that has the same designations for line of 12-25# and lure weight of 3/8-2oz as well. When I ordered the rod it was suppose to be an MH but the the label under the shrink wrap plastic says its a heavy. The model# on that rod is XCLC66WJ which is their one pc 6'6" worm and jig rod.

So yeah the designations from one manufacturer to another can be a bit confusing I agree.

[K_Mac]

Since I am the only one to post line/lure ratings previous to your post, I assume your comments are meant for me. If that is the case I'm going to assume you are referring to the new model (1/4-1 oz) as being more a Medium in you eyes.

I'm confused. I know there are no industry standards for power ratings. One manufacturer's MH may be heavier (or lighter) than another manufacturer's MH. I've read that you should go by the lure rating listed on the rod. Here's my confusion.

I've got 2 Falcon Mediums. Rating is 1/4-1/2 oz as was the other Medium Falcon that I broke. A Tec Spec Medium is rated for 1/4-5/8 oz. while my Zillion Medium is rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. None listed at 3/4 oz much less 1 oz.

Phenix lists there 700H for 10-20 lb. line and 3/8-1 oz. yet both my XMLTis are classified MH. The older model is rated for 12-25 lb. line and 3/8-2 oz. Why wouldn't a person looking at these ratings consider the Phenix a MH and the XMLTi a Heavy? Very confusing.

The original rating (given in the topic desription line) for the rod was 1/4-5/8 and 10-17. For most of the rods I use (BPS PQs, Carbonlites, and Extremes) this would fall in the medium range. A MH in the BPS rods would be 3/8-1 and 10-20 (which would be a heavy rating for many manufacturers. ) As it turns out, ChiCity's rod is rated at 1/4-3/4 which is about right for a MH rod IMO. I use medium rods for the recommended baits. The XMLTi will likely work for the recommended lures, although it may be a little heavier than ideal depending on how soft the tip is.

Rod ratings are very confusing. With no industry standard, rod power ratings mean little. Rod action is a more objective measurement, but there are differences there as well. Just about the time you get a make and model figured out to know exactly what you like, the manufacturer upgrades or discontinues your rod and you have to start over. It's good for business.

[ChiCityBasser]

The original rating (given in the topic desription line) for the rod was 1/4-5/8 and 10-17. For most of the rods I use (BPS PQs, Carbonlites, and Extremes) this would fall in the medium range. A MH in the BPS rods would be 3/8-1 and 10-20 (which would be a heavy rating for many manufacturers. ) As it turns out, ChiCity's rod is rated at 1/4-3/4 which is about right for a MH rod IMO. I use medium rods for the recommended baits. The XMLTi will likely work for the recommended lures, although it may be a little heavier than ideal depending on how soft the tip is.

Rod ratings are very confusing. With no industry standard, rod power ratings mean little. Rod action is a more objective measurement, but there are differences there as well. Just about the time you get a make and model figured out to know exactly what you like, the manufacturer upgrades or discontinues your rod and you have to start over. It's good for business.

True K_Mac those were the original rod ratings for the post and I agree that would be considered to be a medium to me as well. I had my wife take another look at it and she gave me the 1/4-3/4 oz rod ratings (time to get the eyes checked, lol) which I agree is about what range most MH rods would fall into but manufacturers differ.

I'm gonna have a reel spooled up tomorrow to get out nd test the rod. I'm thinking the Kinetic reel and 10-12# Ultra soft with KVD line&lure and give it a try with spinnerbaits and some other lures on saturday.

I agree also on manufacturers discontinuing a rod or upgrading components or other things as well. They changed the XMLTi from the full cork handles to the split grip eva handles and they also changed the reel seats as well.

[new2BC4bass]

Holy Moly! My eyes are worse than I thought. K-Mac, I didn't believe you at first because I had gone back and read the original post including the subject line before making my post. I had to concentrate to make out the small letters among the green. Something I apparently didn't take the time to do before. My apologies.

Guess cataracts will do that to a person. Although my left eye is still good, the blurriness in the right eye affects my overall vision.

It would appear from the intermediate posts that my rod ratings are good, and I can use the older model for what amounts to "Heavy" for me. Now I need to invest in a few more lures more fitting for this rod. Currently my heaviest lure is a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait. Had to order that online as Dick's in my area doesn't carry spinnerbaits over 1/2 oz.

I noted the different reel seats, and tried one of my reel's on both rods before purchasing. It would appear the only common denominator between the 2 models is the color and guides.

I can see why a person would get upset upon finding their favorite rod is no longer made. Or has been 'upgraded' to a rod with totally different characteristics.

[ChiCityBasser]

I got out with the rod today after having the Quantum Kinetic spooled up with 10# CXX per the recommendation from one of the salesman at Cabelas. I got a chance to toss some jerkbaits and some lipless cranks and the rod and reel handled both nicely.

[new2BC4bass]

I got out with the rod today after having the Quantum Kinetic spooled up with 10# CXX per the recommendation from one of the salesman at Cabelas. I got a chance to toss some jerkbaits and some lipless cranks and the rod and reel handled both nicely.

I also went fishing today. I used the new model XMLTi with a new-to-me Patriarch XT and 12 lb. Big Game. Only threw a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait on it. As expected, it zings that size lure out there pretty good. I will say that I don't think the rod is as sensitive as my Cumara with the same lure, although I'm going from memory as I didn't use that lure on the Cumara today, but did 2 months ago.

I had been expecting the rod to be fairly sensitive from what the salesman told me. Will need a little more time with it to be 100% sure, but that most likely ain't going to happen until next year. Probably not going to get out anymore this year unless to the river.

[ChiCityBasser]

I also went fishing today. I used the new model XMLTi with a new-to-me Patriarch XT and 12 lb. Big Game. Only threw a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait on it. As expected, it zings that size lure out there pretty good. I will say that I don't think the rod is as sensitive as my Cumara with the same lure, although I'm going from memory as I didn't use that lure on the Cumara today, but did 2 months ago.

I had been expecting the rod to be fairly sensitive from what the salesman told me. Will need a little more time with it to be 100% sure, but that most likely ain't going to happen until next year. Probably not going to get out anymore this year unless to the river.

I'll be able to get out again and give the rod another test with some more lures and I'll try a spinnerbait next time out and see how it feels. The 6'9" spinning rod I have is very sensitive and been using it as a fat ika, senko and plastics rod and it has been great. I can feel every little tick on it from a fish and took some getting used to so I wasn't setting the hook too fast.

[new2BC4bass]

I'll be able to get out again and give the rod another test with some more lures and I'll try a spinnerbait next time out and see how it feels. The 6'9" spinning rod I have is very sensitive and been using it as a fat ika, senko and plastics rod and it has been great. I can feel every little tick on it from a fish and took some getting used to so I wasn't setting the hook too fast.

Glad to hear that. I didn't want to make my mind up after using it one afternoon. I also used a couple other rods yesterday so you can see the time I spent with it wasn't a lot although I did use it more than the other two. Maybe the cold had something to do with it also.

[pitchinthejig]

A 6.6MHF stick can be used for many things so you wont be limited thats for sure with uses. i would use it for skipping flukes under docks\over hangs ide go with 14\16#fc and go stick me some fish under docks with a fluke! also would be good for sniper spinner bait as well as Trigs and casting jigs.

depending on the size of the jerk baits i would say it might be a little to much rod you will got get the distance on the cast with smaller jerk baits. it would be fine with like LC 128 pointers and vision 110's its the smaller stuff that will cost you distance, also depending on how stiff that stick is it might cost you fish due to ripping hooks out so if you do use it for that go with a slightly stretchier line to help keep fish pinned. i do not like 6.6 rods for jerk baits... i use a 7' Steez flexlite for smaller jerk baits and a 7'2mh flexlite for 100's and up.

[new2BC4bass]

A 6.6MHF stick can be used for many things so you wont be limited thats for sure with uses. i would use it for skipping flukes under docks\over hangs ide go with 14\16#fc and go stick me some fish under docks with a fluke! also would be good for sniper spinner bait as well as Trigs and casting jigs.

depending on the size of the jerk baits i would say it might be a little to much rod you will got get the distance on the cast with smaller jerk baits. it would be fine with like LC 128 pointers and vision 110's its the smaller stuff that will cost you distance, also depending on how stiff that stick is it might cost you fish due to ripping hooks out so if you do use it for that go with a slightly stretchier line to help keep fish pinned. i do not like 6.6 rods for jerk baits... i use a 7' Steez flexlite for smaller jerk baits and a 7'2mh flexlite for 100's and up.

Hey, thanks a lot for all the information. I especially like the fluke and sniper spinner bait suggestions.

[UPFish]

Hi all,

I know it's been a long time since this thread has seen some action but I'm wondering if anyone is willing to part ways with their "Cabela's XMLti Rod" I have a two piece and lost the top part of my rod when I went camping this year. It's a 6'6'' ML rod.

 

Can anyone help me out?