Rod choice for one rod fishing
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:43 am
Looking for a broad use rod for bass and snakehead. Want something vesitale mid level. Budget $200-$350ish, I have searched and read a number of the longer all purpose special favorite if you could only have one rod threads. It helped me narrow down my choices and they general rough specs.
Reel will be a Zillion TWHD for now eventually it may get switched to, an 19/21Antares DC, maybe a Metanium MGL. Will probably use this setup, infrequently, for some inshore (kayak) fishing along the OBX and in the gulf. The idea is, it's a single rod I can grab and know it will handle many rigs and styles with the understanding "jack of all....master of none".
I am just getting back into dedicated bass/fw Been mostly SW for the last 15+yrs. Just used my inshore setups when I fished fw which were spinners. Focusing on baitcasters now as I've had my fill of spinners. Even SW I'm trimming down to only 3-4 main spinning setups and my small Stradic FL 1k-3k can pull trout/bass duty. Had countless budget level setups over the years....too many.
My List:
* MB Orochi XX ETMF 7'5" M(F5) MF ⅜-1oz
* MB Orochi XX Tour Versatile 7' MH(F6) F ⅜-1oz
* MB Levante Perfect Pitch 7'2" H(F7) XF ⅜-1⅕oz
* ALX Zolo Toadfish 7'2" MH+ F ⅜-1⅛oz
* ALX Enox BMJ 7'2" MH+ F ¼-1⅛oz
* Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7'1" M-MH XF ⅛-1oz & 7'4" H F ½-1½oz
MegaBass are just so damn nice looking It's hard not to be bias on that alone.. I have heard the new gen Levante PP has a softer tip. It's more a fast tip now. Wish it was the XX as I prefer it's styling but it's also $100 diff. Also going to come down to availability with the XX Orochi. I never fished a MB
I really like the ALX Eno. It's the most $$ but has very nice Cork handles. Seems as good as my old Sage Fly rod that's worth close to 3x. The blank seems very good. I like it's made different. I would be fine with the Toadface blank but would prefer the Enox reel seat and premium cork handle. They both use the same moderate micro guides. I could get it custom for likely same cost as the Enox. From what I understand the BMJ is a more sensitive premium Toadface.
The Daiwa is nice and should balance well with the Zillion. I liked the feel of the 7'4" H. Even though its spec'd ½-1½oz it feels like it would go 3/8 without issue and from reviews I know it can handle 2oz. That is a nice broad range. Not sure the AGS is worth the $ but it did change the feel and balance but it might have been partially psychological bias.
So what are some opinions and or recommendations?? Other Rods I should look into?
RH
Reel will be a Zillion TWHD for now eventually it may get switched to, an 19/21Antares DC, maybe a Metanium MGL. Will probably use this setup, infrequently, for some inshore (kayak) fishing along the OBX and in the gulf. The idea is, it's a single rod I can grab and know it will handle many rigs and styles with the understanding "jack of all....master of none".
I am just getting back into dedicated bass/fw Been mostly SW for the last 15+yrs. Just used my inshore setups when I fished fw which were spinners. Focusing on baitcasters now as I've had my fill of spinners. Even SW I'm trimming down to only 3-4 main spinning setups and my small Stradic FL 1k-3k can pull trout/bass duty. Had countless budget level setups over the years....too many.
My List:
* MB Orochi XX ETMF 7'5" M(F5) MF ⅜-1oz
* MB Orochi XX Tour Versatile 7' MH(F6) F ⅜-1oz
* MB Levante Perfect Pitch 7'2" H(F7) XF ⅜-1⅕oz
* ALX Zolo Toadfish 7'2" MH+ F ⅜-1⅛oz
* ALX Enox BMJ 7'2" MH+ F ¼-1⅛oz
* Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7'1" M-MH XF ⅛-1oz & 7'4" H F ½-1½oz
MegaBass are just so damn nice looking It's hard not to be bias on that alone.. I have heard the new gen Levante PP has a softer tip. It's more a fast tip now. Wish it was the XX as I prefer it's styling but it's also $100 diff. Also going to come down to availability with the XX Orochi. I never fished a MB
I really like the ALX Eno. It's the most $$ but has very nice Cork handles. Seems as good as my old Sage Fly rod that's worth close to 3x. The blank seems very good. I like it's made different. I would be fine with the Toadface blank but would prefer the Enox reel seat and premium cork handle. They both use the same moderate micro guides. I could get it custom for likely same cost as the Enox. From what I understand the BMJ is a more sensitive premium Toadface.
The Daiwa is nice and should balance well with the Zillion. I liked the feel of the 7'4" H. Even though its spec'd ½-1½oz it feels like it would go 3/8 without issue and from reviews I know it can handle 2oz. That is a nice broad range. Not sure the AGS is worth the $ but it did change the feel and balance but it might have been partially psychological bias.
So what are some opinions and or recommendations?? Other Rods I should look into?
RH