with all joking aside, your opinion is very valued as well. I've gone through numerous posts where ur opinion has educated me on jdm equipment so thank uChode wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:20 pmno that's ur jobAquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:04 pmDom,Chode wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:42 pmu mind putting a reel on and post pics of the balancing point? much much appreciateddomthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 1:33 pmSorry for the delay guys. We have been smoked out here in Northern California, and I’ve had things that needed to be taken care of.
The Vigore C71H arrived on Wednesday but I just got my dirty fingers on this bad boy. So first things first to answer the main question everyone was asking about the lure rating. Yes it is 1/4-1oz lure weight. This rod feels like it will handle the full weight range no problem, but I’ll have to tie some stuff on it before confirming that.
It is a great looking rod. Simple but sharp looking with the carbon fiber accents and weave running about half way up the blank. Like another member mentioned it’s nice buying a JDM rod that is actually handmade in Japan instead of claiming to be JDM, but have made in China stickers on it. It was very well put together and a clean build. The guides are aligned and the epoxy was done well.
I ran some line through it and gave the taper a test, and it is pretty impressive. It’s nice and powerful with a nice US style fast taper. Doing the same with my Super Stallion GT right after I could tell that the tapers were a little different. The SS GT has a fast taper but it’s somewhat more progressive and deeper bending. The weave runs all the way to the tip of the SS while changing material about half way up the Vigore. Also the two weaves are noticeably different. I’m sure this has something to do with the characteristics of the two blanks. The V71H feels like it will make a really nice heavy powered jig rod.
These are just some primary reactions to handling this rod. I will come back with some more info after I actually do some testing. I have a handful of reels laying around so I will figure out which one I feel like putting on it and tie some baits on. Here are a couple pics til next time.
E7701DF1-A308-41A6-9106-57628908C8C6.jpeg
C01F7CEB-2208-4CDF-871A-A7E1164DCEA5.jpeg
Make me a sandwich while your at it.
Olympic Vigore
Re: Olympic Vigore
Last edited by Chode on Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Olympic Vigore
Perhaps I need new friends
Re: Olympic Vigore
It's all good man, you know I am the jokester around here, all in good fun. That Conquest DC is on my "to do" list, but I have to let the dust settle from the Steez RD I just bought, more like sandstorm..domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint buddy. Actually one of the rods I ordered wasn’t available yet due to limited stock and he isn’t sure when it will show up. I didn’t feel like waiting til he got word so I just had him ship me two Vigore 71H. It is my fishing partners B day next week so the second Vigore was really a surprise for him. I took my rod out sealed the tube back up and dropped it off at his door a little while ago. He was definitely not expecting a new rod and was very thankful. I also grabbed a 19 conquest 201 DC, and a bunch of brand new baits from a different vendor. I also got a bunch of DRT swimbaits which is always cool.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Thanks a whole lot, Dom! With the rod's top-end rating being 1oz this bodes well that the rod may not be too heavy for my needs. However, the website shows the rod's minimum line weight as 14lbs which seems heavy for a 1oz rod. In my mind, it being rated for just 1oz lures indicates that it's fairly thin-tipped and should give well enough under load to provide shock absorption for lighter lines (at least 12 if not 10lbs). Can you please verify the minimum line weight on the rod?
My Personal Worst https://photos.app.goo.gl/hHVeZoRFzGt5s4LfA
Re: Olympic Vigore
Here is a balance point pic. I have my full custom TD-Z R+ with ZPI PG spool, bearings, Star Drag, I’ze 90mm carbon handle, MB kanji’s, and hedgehog parts. It weighs 6.2 oz full of 12 lb sniper flouro. It balances right on that gunmetal piece.
Here are a Few pics of the taper against some Evergreen top offerings. Including the Rapid Gunner RSR and Super Stallion GT. The taper of the Vigore falls right between the two Evergreens. It is an awesome taper for all around bottom contact situations. It has more in common with the RSR than the SS GT as the GT has a little more versatile tip. I have a 1/2 oz jig tied on my RSR and dragged, hopped and a skipped them on it and the Vigore side by side and am straight up impressed. I haven’t tried my standard sensitivity test with tungsten weights and an empty wide gap hook yet but with a jig it’s really close. This rod is a pound for pound dollar for dollar heavy hitter. Depending on air quality tomorrow I may get out and try and rip some lips for a real world side by side. I’ll keep y’all updated.
RSR VIGORE SSGT
Here are a Few pics of the taper against some Evergreen top offerings. Including the Rapid Gunner RSR and Super Stallion GT. The taper of the Vigore falls right between the two Evergreens. It is an awesome taper for all around bottom contact situations. It has more in common with the RSR than the SS GT as the GT has a little more versatile tip. I have a 1/2 oz jig tied on my RSR and dragged, hopped and a skipped them on it and the Vigore side by side and am straight up impressed. I haven’t tried my standard sensitivity test with tungsten weights and an empty wide gap hook yet but with a jig it’s really close. This rod is a pound for pound dollar for dollar heavy hitter. Depending on air quality tomorrow I may get out and try and rip some lips for a real world side by side. I’ll keep y’all updated.
RSR VIGORE SSGT
Re: Olympic Vigore
Hey,BassKat wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:16 pmThanks a whole lot, Dom! With the rod's top-end rating being 1oz this bodes well that the rod may not be too heavy for my needs. However, the website shows the rod's minimum line weight as 14lbs which seems heavy for a 1oz rod. In my mind, it being rated for just 1oz lures indicates that it's fairly thin-tipped and should give well enough under load to provide shock absorption for lighter lines (at least 12 if not 10lbs). Can you please verify the minimum line weight on the rod?
So it is definitely a heavy powered rod. 7’ and 7’1” heavy powered rods are my favorite period. The ratings on the rod are 14-20lb. I have 12 lb fc sniper on it right now and it feels fine for me. I’ve only tried a 1/2 oz Deps jig and a cut down Damiki aircraw because that’s the same setup I have on my RSR except the RSR has 14 lb sniper. It is able to hop, skip, and pitch a jig beautifully at least for the 1/2oz jig and trailer I had tied on. The Vigore and RSR have similar power but the taper is a little slower and slightly less powerful feeling on the Vigore which will make it definitely more forgiving than the RSR at close range. I’ve lost a few fish on the RSR at the boat because the taper is really fast and powerful. I’m really looking forward to taking this rod out. It has some major potential. I will also tie on a 1/4 oz and 3/4 oz jig and trailer to get a better idea of the lure weight rating and how it reacts. I hope this helps a little bit. I don’t have much time with it yet but can tell it’s one that might be hard to put down.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Sweet rod Dom. Thanks for showing those tapers too.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Sorry for the hijack. So which RD did you get?Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:46 pmIt's all good man, you know I am the jokester around here, all in good fun. That Conquest DC is on my "to do" list, but I have to let the dust settle from the Steez RD I just bought, more like sandstorm..domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint buddy. Actually one of the rods I ordered wasn’t available yet due to limited stock and he isn’t sure when it will show up. I didn’t feel like waiting til he got word so I just had him ship me two Vigore 71H. It is my fishing partners B day next week so the second Vigore was really a surprise for him. I took my rod out sealed the tube back up and dropped it off at his door a little while ago. He was definitely not expecting a new rod and was very thankful. I also grabbed a 19 conquest 201 DC, and a bunch of brand new baits from a different vendor. I also got a bunch of DRT swimbaits which is always cool.
Re: Olympic Vigore
No worries Polk. I am the OG OP of this thread. I picked up Winstondry's RD he had listed, the 701 MH..somthing somthing. You wont find anyone on here that takes better care of his equipment. Excuse me while I go make my own bologna sandwich, all I can afford now.Polkfish1 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:42 pmSorry for the hijack. So which RD did you get?Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:46 pmIt's all good man, you know I am the jokester around here, all in good fun. That Conquest DC is on my "to do" list, but I have to let the dust settle from the Steez RD I just bought, more like sandstorm..domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint buddy. Actually one of the rods I ordered wasn’t available yet due to limited stock and he isn’t sure when it will show up. I didn’t feel like waiting til he got word so I just had him ship me two Vigore 71H. It is my fishing partners B day next week so the second Vigore was really a surprise for him. I took my rod out sealed the tube back up and dropped it off at his door a little while ago. He was definitely not expecting a new rod and was very thankful. I also grabbed a 19 conquest 201 DC, and a bunch of brand new baits from a different vendor. I also got a bunch of DRT swimbaits which is always cool.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Just thought I’d add with a digital caliper it is I.7mm at the tip just behind the tips epoxy and the same for the RSR. The SS GT is 1.9mm. I would say that it is pretty thin tipped. Also there is more usable blank on the Vigore since the handle on it is shorter than the RSR and it’s an inch longer. The Vigore has 9 guides plus the tip while the RSR has 11 plus tip. The first two guides from the bottom of the Vigore are double footed and the rest are single. On the RSR the first 3 from the bottom are double footed and the rest are single. The guides are larger for the most part on the Vigore til you get to the tip then they seem to be the same. The more I play with both of these rods it feels like they modeled the Vigore after the RSR with a slightly more user friendly taper compared to the special taper of the RSR.domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:40 pmHey,BassKat wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:16 pmThanks a whole lot, Dom! With the rod's top-end rating being 1oz this bodes well that the rod may not be too heavy for my needs. However, the website shows the rod's minimum line weight as 14lbs which seems heavy for a 1oz rod. In my mind, it being rated for just 1oz lures indicates that it's fairly thin-tipped and should give well enough under load to provide shock absorption for lighter lines (at least 12 if not 10lbs). Can you please verify the minimum line weight on the rod?
So it is definitely a heavy powered rod. 7’ and 7’1” heavy powered rods are my favorite period. The ratings on the rod are 14-20lb. I have 12 lb fc sniper on it right now and it feels fine for me. I’ve only tried a 1/2 oz Deps jig and a cut down Damiki aircraw because that’s the same setup I have on my RSR except the RSR has 14 lb sniper. It is able to hop, skip, and pitch a jig beautifully at least for the 1/2oz jig and trailer I had tied on. The Vigore and RSR have similar power but the taper is a little slower and slightly less powerful feeling on the Vigore which will make it definitely more forgiving than the RSR at close range. I’ve lost a few fish on the RSR at the boat because the taper is really fast and powerful. I’m really looking forward to taking this rod out. It has some major potential. I will also tie on a 1/4 oz and 3/4 oz jig and trailer to get a better idea of the lure weight rating and how it reacts. I hope this helps a little bit. I don’t have much time with it yet but can tell it’s one that might be hard to put down.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Hey, it’s not easy fishing behind me all day. Believe me he deserves it. I have really stepped my skills up this year in a major way. I need him to step his game up. I hope this rod sets a fire under his you know what. Plus he’s a great friend.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Congrats. That is a nice come-up. Super versatile rod. Enjoy your balogna sammich it’s worth they sacrifice.Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 5:02 pmNo worries Polk. I am the OG OP of this thread. I picked up Winstondry's RD he had listed, the 701 MH..somthing somthing. You wont find anyone on here that takes better care of his equipment. Excuse me while I go make my own bologna sandwich, all I can afford now.Polkfish1 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:42 pmSorry for the hijack. So which RD did you get?Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:46 pmIt's all good man, you know I am the jokester around here, all in good fun. That Conquest DC is on my "to do" list, but I have to let the dust settle from the Steez RD I just bought, more like sandstorm..domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint buddy. Actually one of the rods I ordered wasn’t available yet due to limited stock and he isn’t sure when it will show up. I didn’t feel like waiting til he got word so I just had him ship me two Vigore 71H. It is my fishing partners B day next week so the second Vigore was really a surprise for him. I took my rod out sealed the tube back up and dropped it off at his door a little while ago. He was definitely not expecting a new rod and was very thankful. I also grabbed a 19 conquest 201 DC, and a bunch of brand new baits from a different vendor. I also got a bunch of DRT swimbaits which is always cool.
Re: Olympic Vigore
Excellent choice! But, it’s not like one could go wrong in that line.Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 5:02 pmNo worries Polk. I am the OG OP of this thread. I picked up Winstondry's RD he had listed, the 701 MH..somthing somthing. You wont find anyone on here that takes better care of his equipment. Excuse me while I go make my own bologna sandwich, all I can afford now.Polkfish1 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 4:42 pmSorry for the hijack. So which RD did you get?Aquaftm45 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:46 pmIt's all good man, you know I am the jokester around here, all in good fun. That Conquest DC is on my "to do" list, but I have to let the dust settle from the Steez RD I just bought, more like sandstorm..domthewon wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 3:17 pm
Sorry to disappoint buddy. Actually one of the rods I ordered wasn’t available yet due to limited stock and he isn’t sure when it will show up. I didn’t feel like waiting til he got word so I just had him ship me two Vigore 71H. It is my fishing partners B day next week so the second Vigore was really a surprise for him. I took my rod out sealed the tube back up and dropped it off at his door a little while ago. He was definitely not expecting a new rod and was very thankful. I also grabbed a 19 conquest 201 DC, and a bunch of brand new baits from a different vendor. I also got a bunch of DRT swimbaits which is always cool.
Re: Olympic Vigore
I have to say I’m kind of in the same boat as Aqua. I’ve been a little tear and need to simmer down a short bit.