Better than the average travel rod?
- Hogsticker2
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Better than the average travel rod?
I've owned 2 piece rods from Major Craft, Abu, Olympic, Jackson, and Tailwalk. All around the same price, all blanks pretty similar - nothing to get too excited about. Recently sold my 2 piece Poison Adrena. Best travel rod I've owned by a good margin, but the full monocoque handle needed to be more tactile imo.
I'm currently looking at Bone Voyage, as I've read they fish like a one piece. Just discovered Jabbers, but it seems similar to something from Major Craft? Does anyone own the Urban Beat model?
So in a nutshell, I'm asking what travel rods people have found to be better than the typical JDM stuff. I'm after a really good blank. It can be a 2 or 4 piece, and I don't want to spend a fortune (No World Shaula). Preferably somewhat easy to source. I'm also eyeballing the 2 piece stuff from the new Daiwa Black Label line. I know some of you guys have found some cool stuff, so lay it on me .
I'm currently looking at Bone Voyage, as I've read they fish like a one piece. Just discovered Jabbers, but it seems similar to something from Major Craft? Does anyone own the Urban Beat model?
So in a nutshell, I'm asking what travel rods people have found to be better than the typical JDM stuff. I'm after a really good blank. It can be a 2 or 4 piece, and I don't want to spend a fortune (No World Shaula). Preferably somewhat easy to source. I'm also eyeballing the 2 piece stuff from the new Daiwa Black Label line. I know some of you guys have found some cool stuff, so lay it on me .
Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Check out these guys from our ICAST coverage:
Or... as I keep trying to tell people, a high end, domestic travel rod:
Or... as I keep trying to tell people, a high end, domestic travel rod:
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
That Legit 6'8 medium - medium fast is definitely something I'll look into. St Croix is more than I want to spend, plus I've always felt that their blanks performance doesn't equate to the asking price. Thanks Cal
Re: Better than the average travel rod?
How about a TRIZA?
easy to source from the HOOKUP TACKLE
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing ... sting+Rods
I have the Sparna and the Stympalides and both fish like one piece rods.
easy to source from the HOOKUP TACKLE
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing ... sting+Rods
I have the Sparna and the Stympalides and both fish like one piece rods.
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Forgot about those. Beautiful sticks. That F3 is right up my alleyvishus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 5:32 pmHow about a TRIZA?
easy to source from the HOOKUP TACKLE
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing ... sting+Rods
I have the Sparna and the Stympalides and both fish like one piece rods.
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Seriously have to buy the travel bag separately for another 80 bucks!? That's a freaking jokevishus wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 5:32 pmHow about a TRIZA?
easy to source from the HOOKUP TACKLE
https://www.thehookuptackle.com/fishing ... sting+Rods
I have the Sparna and the Stympalides and both fish like one piece rods.
- Bass Junkie
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
I grabbed a Megabass Levante F5-611LV travel rod from that auction site after a positive review from a member on here and really enjoy it, although it may not be anything any more special than the other rods you’ve already had experience with. My only other experience with multi piece travel rods is a Daiwa Ardito 7’ MH casting rod, and the Megabass does a much better job than that rod ever did.
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Better in terms of versatility and taper? Noticeably more sensitive?Bass Junkie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 7:50 pmI grabbed a Megabass Levante F5-611LV travel rod from that auction site after a positive review from a member on here and really enjoy it, although it may not be anything any more special than the other rods you’ve already had experience with. My only other experience with multi piece travel rods is a Daiwa Ardito 7’ MH casting rod, and the Megabass does a much better job than that rod ever did.
- Bass Junkie
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Both. The Levante is definitely built as a fast/extra fast action, but it still loads throughout the blank and in a pinch I’ve thrown a Pop-X on it and gotten decent distance. By comparison the Ardito was an absolute tree trunk, despite having the same basic specs.
The Levante has handled a very wide range of stuff, from smaller swim jigs to the full sized Buzzket and 6” Magdraft, and got it all done effectively, whereas the Ardito struggled to throw anything under ~7/16 consistently, and going much lower lost a lot of accuracy.
I also felt like I was guessing a lot with the Ardito as far as what was going on with my lure, and I saw an increase in the amount of bites I noticed due to my line moving side to side when fishing bottom contact. I wrote this off to the shortcomings of a mid tier at best travel rod, but the Megabass has been much better in this capacity. It’s not as sensitive as my Orochi Tour Versatile, but leaves you with no doubt as to what you’re dragging a jig over, or whether that tick was a limb or a bite.
I’d say the only advantage the Ardito presented was the travel tube it came in, and the slightly lower cost of acquisition. I’ve been using a cut off piece of PVC pipe mad slightly longer than the sections of the rod to hold the sleeve the Megabass comes rolled up in, and it’s survived a flight and trunk duty for the last six months.
The Levante has handled a very wide range of stuff, from smaller swim jigs to the full sized Buzzket and 6” Magdraft, and got it all done effectively, whereas the Ardito struggled to throw anything under ~7/16 consistently, and going much lower lost a lot of accuracy.
I also felt like I was guessing a lot with the Ardito as far as what was going on with my lure, and I saw an increase in the amount of bites I noticed due to my line moving side to side when fishing bottom contact. I wrote this off to the shortcomings of a mid tier at best travel rod, but the Megabass has been much better in this capacity. It’s not as sensitive as my Orochi Tour Versatile, but leaves you with no doubt as to what you’re dragging a jig over, or whether that tick was a limb or a bite.
I’d say the only advantage the Ardito presented was the travel tube it came in, and the slightly lower cost of acquisition. I’ve been using a cut off piece of PVC pipe mad slightly longer than the sections of the rod to hold the sleeve the Megabass comes rolled up in, and it’s survived a flight and trunk duty for the last six months.
Re: Better than the average travel rod?
the rods themselves come in a nice soft "plaid" bag. the travel bag is pricey, though you can stick a couple rods and reels and a small tackle box in there. I often bring one reel, with two spools, a BFS spool for the F2 and a standard spool for the F5. The Stympalides is great for a travel jig rod. Light and Sensitive, almost as nice as the Daemos, not quite a FMJ.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 7:36 pmSeriously have to buy the travel bag separately for another 80 bucks!? That's a freaking joke
Re: Better than the average travel rod?
+1 on the Levante. Awesome travel rod for the money. Another plus for me is that it's 4 pieces instead of the usual 2-3 piece. A lot easier for me to stash in confined spaces.
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
I didn't realize that the rod already came with a bag.vishus wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:58 amthe rods themselves come in a nice soft "plaid" bag. the travel bag is pricey, though you can stick a couple rods and reels and a small tackle box in there. I often bring one reel, with two spools, a BFS spool for the F2 and a standard spool for the F5. The Stympalides is great for a travel jig rod. Light and Sensitive, almost as nice as the Daemos, not quite a FMJ.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 7:36 pmSeriously have to buy the travel bag separately for another 80 bucks!? That's a freaking joke
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
I have two of the Daiwa BBB. One casting one spinning, that are always with me in the car. The fact that you can fully collapse them, make them SO much more practical in my opinion. You can put them in the luggage with the reel attached, add them on the side of your hiking backpack and just store them in general very easily.
They are beautifully made, balance well and look pretty good. Also the performance is nice. The sensitivity is pretty good and competes with something like a Dobyns Sierra.
The power of the Daiwa B.B.B Baitcasting 666TMLRB (casting version) is a medium light and it is fine for any kind of small tackle tasks (on up to 15 pound test), but I would not throw a frog on it or do any kind of heavy application technique.
They are beautifully made, balance well and look pretty good. Also the performance is nice. The sensitivity is pretty good and competes with something like a Dobyns Sierra.
The power of the Daiwa B.B.B Baitcasting 666TMLRB (casting version) is a medium light and it is fine for any kind of small tackle tasks (on up to 15 pound test), but I would not throw a frog on it or do any kind of heavy application technique.
Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:30 pmI didn't realize that the rod already came with a bag.vishus wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 7:58 amthe rods themselves come in a nice soft "plaid" bag. the travel bag is pricey, though you can stick a couple rods and reels and a small tackle box in there. I often bring one reel, with two spools, a BFS spool for the F2 and a standard spool for the F5. The Stympalides is great for a travel jig rod. Light and Sensitive, almost as nice as the Daemos, not quite a FMJ.Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 7:36 pmSeriously have to buy the travel bag separately for another 80 bucks!? That's a freaking joke
the hard bag is nice for actual "travel". the plaid rod sock is perfect for under the rear seat in the truck and to put in a backpack.
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Re: Better than the average travel rod?
Glad this came up, as I've been telling myself I could use a travel rod for non-fishing trips. Both the Triza Thunderbird and the Legit Design rods have my attention....