Originally Posted by
NathanDLTH
Time for an update:
Spinning rods are looking like this:
1) Orochi XX Whipsnake & Kage MQ LT
neds, drop shot, finesse swimbaits, and jerkbaits
2) Steez 7'1 Med/Fast Utility Player Spin & Tatula LT SS CXH-3000
Shaky heads, fineese jigs, neko, etc...
Casting
1) Orochi XX EMTF & Daiwa Zillion SV 6:3
Reaction bait rod primairly
2) Steez Utility Player 7'3 MH/F
jigs and t-rigs, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits
3) P5 Super Destroyer
Primarily docks or shallow cover, secondary moving baits
4) Steez Bottom Contact II w/ Tatula LT Limited
Jigs and dark sleepers, I think this might work for texas rigs
5) P5 Tequilla Baccarac
Frogs, Magdrafts, smaller glides 1-2oz range
6) Steez Universal Light (hasn't arrived yet).
Primarily jerkbaits and small treble hooks
Soooooo I ended up with one more rod then I planned on, my goal was 6-7 rods but it looks like I'll have 8 total unfortunatley. That being said, since I live in Minnesota have a medium and medium light spinning rod is almost a necessity for me and the same can be said for jerkbaiting too but jerkbait fishing isn't just popular to Minnesota but what is is how we fish them. Guys will toss them on a baitcaster, others are spinning rod only, the choice is yours. I am really looking forward to this project because lets be honest, this is a project in understanding how each rod plays in my arsenal, what techniques it's used for, and how versatile they are. As for the rods, well some I know them well and others I am still getting aquainted with and I'll share some prelimary thoughts on them.
P5 Tequilla Baccarac-what do I say? This rod simply does it all and has a ton of potential from frogging to jigs to big topwater or to even bigger baits. I love this rod and how it feels in my hand, paired with the Bantam MGL or Zillion HD, it's hard to find anything this rod won't do within it's range.
Orochi XX EMTF.... where do I start? So far this rod has far surpassed my Levante EMTF in terms of detecting bite, loading up on casting and handling fish when underload. I am looking forward to getting more time on the water with this rod, I think with braid this rod might do well with 1/4-3/8 texas rigs or shallow water (6-12ft) football jigs. Just loving it!! Is the Madbull a better choice? Maybe if I'm toss 1/2oz and up for baits, but rarely do I feel the need for a 3/4oz jackhammer. The old Zillion SV feels at home on this rod, this reel was my entry into high end gear.
Whipsnake has far exceeded my expectations in terms of handling a charging smallmouth and pairing it with the Kage MQ LT was the perfect choice for this rod. I do not know if there is a better reel for the price I've paid for it. Been tossing some jerkbaits on her and fineese swimbaits along with 110s and 110 jrs. The fullsize 110s feel a bit much, but the 110 jrs are excellent on this rod. Hopefully when the Mississippi comes down, I'll get more oppurtunity to chance those footballs I love catching so much.
The Steez Utility Player Spin is a 7'1 Medium/Fast spinning rod, this is my go to rod for tubes and all that fineese baits that require a little more power setting the hook. Not a ton of time on the water with this rod, but it feels good in the hands. I'm still not 100% on this, but time will tell. She has all the goods in all the areas, but maybe a touch to fast for my liking.
Time will tell how this holds up over the course of the season and into the fall then winter because we fish in the winter up here. You might notice only have the rods were covered, that's because more time is required with the others before actually sharing my thoughts on them. If you're thinking about downsizing or looking for a handful of rods to fish with because that's all you/need for you, great! In all honesty, I'd love to be at the 6-7 rod mark however I am at 8 for now. Hoping to continue to update this through the course of the year. Hope this helps if you're looking for info on rods, arsenal size, what rods do what, or just like learning/hearing what others are doing.