TackleTour

Hogsticker2 wrote:

Teal101 wrote:

Hogsticker2 wrote:Kinda funny. I don't really think their are many under rated rods. The cat usually gets out of the bag. Kistler has always been popular, especially when they switched to NFC proprietary blanks. Funny thing is, I kinda think NFC blanks are over rated. At sale prices, very good, but at full retail, not so much. Especially considering an K2 at the same price, or a Point Blank at even less are imo, much better than the HMs. I have an X Ray on the way, hoping it's a substantial improvement.
Back on topic, Fenwick has put out a couple of affordable lines that punched above their price. Well, the blanks did anyways. Across the board, I feel Shimano makes some of the best rods and rod blanks I've encountered.

Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth to name one. It was underrated though, it got rave reviews from everyone who used them. They were just affordable and discontinued much too quickly.

Yep. That was the one I had in mind. I almost stripped down and rebuilt the 6"10 medium.

I have the 6'-9" ML spinning rod, girlfriend uses it for dropshot, its sensitive and has landed a ton of fish. Great rod.

Kistler H3, OG Tatula

Teal101 wrote:

Hogsticker2 wrote:Kinda funny. I don't really think their are many under rated rods. The cat usually gets out of the bag. Kistler has always been popular, especially when they switched to NFC proprietary blanks. Funny thing is, I kinda think NFC blanks are over rated. At sale prices, very good, but at full retail, not so much. Especially considering an K2 at the same price, or a Point Blank at even less are imo, much better than the HMs. I have an X Ray on the way, hoping it's a substantial improvement.
Back on topic, Fenwick has put out a couple of affordable lines that punched above their price. Well, the blanks did anyways. Across the board, I feel Shimano makes some of the best rods and rod blanks I've encountered.

Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth to name one. It was underrated though, it got rave reviews from everyone who used them. They were just affordable and discontinued much too quickly.

I feel the same about their Elitetech walleye series. I have one of the riggin' spinning sticks, and the action is beyond amazing for Lindy rigs.

American Tackle Bushido Blanks, especially SWB710/15-30.

MardukFIN wrote:American Tackle Bushido Blanks, especially SWB710/15-30.

I've heard this from quite a few sources. How would you rank / rate them along side others? Hopefully better than MHX. Not a fan of most of those, aside from the high mod popping blanks.

Megabass xti evolution series. These are stuck between the vaulted xfti that have better re-sale value due to collector interest and newer C40s that look exotic. But, xti are awesome and there seems to be a ton of them floating around used or barely used that can be had cheap. It's not as easy as finding the exact model you want right when you want it, but the hunt is part of the fun. JDM tackle heaven seems to always have a new lot of them. Of course, the more nicks and scratches you're willing to tolerate, the cheaper they get, but you can easily score for $200 and under even including shipping charges. Now, if you want barely used, it can be more expensive. In any case, you can get a nicked up awesome rod for the price of a new whatever rod, if you hunt around. The pictured jig and worm super diablo 7ft model can do just about every popular bass technique very well and it's tough as nails. Never had an issue that made me wish I had a warranty. Used JDM tackle heaven special for the price of a new 13, dobyns or any other middle of the pack rod.

Polkfish1 wrote:Megabass xti evolution series. These are stuck between the vaulted xfti that have better re-sale value due to collector interest and newer C40s that look exotic. But, xti are awesome and there seems to be a ton of them floating around used or barely used that can be had cheap. It's not as easy as finding the exact model you want right when you want it, but the hunt is part of the fun. JDM tackle heaven seems to always have a new lot of them. Of course, the more nicks and scratches you're willing to tolerate, the cheaper they get, but you can easily score for $200 and under even including shipping charges. Now, if you want barely used, it can be more expensive. In any case, you can get a nicked up awesome rod for the price of a new whatever rod, if you hunt around. The pictured jig and worm super diablo 7ft model can do just about every popular bass technique very well and it's tough as nails. Never had an issue that made me wish I had a warranty. Used JDM tackle heaven special for the price of a new 13, dobyns or any other middle of the pack rod.

You've piqued my interest...

I see some models are designated XDti instead of Xti, what's the difference?

St Croix 74 legend elite
Is a great rod

Poisson wrote:

Polkfish1 wrote:Megabass xti evolution series. These are stuck between the vaulted xfti that have better re-sale value due to collector interest and newer C40s that look exotic. But, xti are awesome and there seems to be a ton of them floating around used or barely used that can be had cheap. It's not as easy as finding the exact model you want right when you want it, but the hunt is part of the fun. JDM tackle heaven seems to always have a new lot of them. Of course, the more nicks and scratches you're willing to tolerate, the cheaper they get, but you can easily score for $200 and under even including shipping charges. Now, if you want barely used, it can be more expensive. In any case, you can get a nicked up awesome rod for the price of a new whatever rod, if you hunt around. The pictured jig and worm super diablo 7ft model can do just about every popular bass technique very well and it's tough as nails. Never had an issue that made me wish I had a warranty. Used JDM tackle heaven special for the price of a new 13, dobyns or any other middle of the pack rod.

You've piqued my interest...

I see some models are designated XDti instead of Xti, what's the difference?

Those are different series for sure. Someone will correct be if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that in xti, the titanium fibers run the length of the blank and you can see the individual strands running to the very tip, while in xDti there is some type of titanium mesh work on the first third of the blank closet to the handle.

Hogsticker2 wrote:

MardukFIN wrote:American Tackle Bushido Blanks, especially SWB710/15-30.

I've heard this from quite a few sources. How would you rank / rate them along side others? Hopefully better than MHX. Not a fan of most of those, aside from the high mod popping blanks.

Better than regular MHX (IM). Not lightest ones, but very durable. Finish is great matte black. Very powerful blanks. I've built several those. Customers are very satisfied with these.

Lamiglas, Majorcraft Volkey, Majorcraft Go Emotion, and Shimano Clarus

hoohoorjoo wrote:

LgMouthGambler wrote:Gen 2 Mojo Bass.

They changed from SC-II to SC-III for the gen 2 Mojo blanks, same blanks as the Avid series. That's why they are better. The Avid series are great sticks, but overpriced imo.

WRONG!! I've heard this before and it isn't true. Yes, the gen 2 Mojo blanks use SC-III graphite but they are not the same blank as the Avid. I spoke to a rep from St. Croix and he told me the material is the same but the resin system and scrims are completely different from the Avid series blanks. It is why there is a distinct difference in sensitivity and responsiveness between the Avid series and the Mojo series.

Polkfish1 wrote:Megabass xti evolution series. These are stuck between the vaulted xfti that have better re-sale value due to collector interest and newer C40s that look exotic. But, xti are awesome and there seems to be a ton of them floating around used or barely used that can be had cheap. It's not as easy as finding the exact model you want right when you want it, but the hunt is part of the fun. JDM tackle heaven seems to always have a new lot of them. Of course, the more nicks and scratches you're willing to tolerate, the cheaper they get, but you can easily score for $200 and under even including shipping charges. Now, if you want barely used, it can be more expensive. In any case, you can get a nicked up awesome rod for the price of a new whatever rod, if you hunt around. The pictured jig and worm super diablo 7ft model can do just about every popular bass technique very well and it's tough as nails. Never had an issue that made me wish I had a warranty. Used JDM tackle heaven special for the price of a new 13, dobyns or any other middle of the pack rod.

I had the Super Griffon and Super Diablo and the blanks on these rods was great, very versatile. I didn't like the long handles.

smalljaw wrote:

hoohoorjoo wrote:

LgMouthGambler wrote:Gen 2 Mojo Bass.

They changed from SC-II to SC-III for the gen 2 Mojo blanks, same blanks as the Avid series. That's why they are better. The Avid series are great sticks, but overpriced imo.

WRONG!! I've heard this before and it isn't true. Yes, the gen 2 Mojo blanks use SC-III graphite but they are not the same blank as the Avid. I spoke to a rep from St. Croix and he told me the material is the same but the resin system and scrims are completely different from the Avid series blanks. It is why there is a distinct difference in sensitivity and responsiveness between the Avid series and the Mojo series.

If true, then it is overt deception at the very least. They call it SC-III graphite, but it isnt the same. Wow, that's pretty sneaky. I hate to think that one of the last 3 US rodbuilders isnt being honest with its comsumers.

hoohoorjoo wrote:

smalljaw wrote:

hoohoorjoo wrote:

LgMouthGambler wrote:Gen 2 Mojo Bass.

They changed from SC-II to SC-III for the gen 2 Mojo blanks, same blanks as the Avid series. That's why they are better. The Avid series are great sticks, but overpriced imo.

WRONG!! I've heard this before and it isn't true. Yes, the gen 2 Mojo blanks use SC-III graphite but they are not the same blank as the Avid. I spoke to a rep from St. Croix and he told me the material is the same but the resin system and scrims are completely different from the Avid series blanks. It is why there is a distinct difference in sensitivity and responsiveness between the Avid series and the Mojo series.

If true, then it is overt deception at the very least. They call it SC-III graphite, but it isnt the same. Wow, that's pretty sneaky. I hate to think that one of the last 3 US rodbuilders isnt being honest with its comsumers.

I think they all do that. Like Daiwa may use SVF graphite in the Tatula, Zillion, amd Steez Lines, but I don't think the blanks are identical. I used to think so, but now I'm not so sure.