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Topic starter
October 1, 2024 8:02 am
Walter Hill dam....they are finally back up from the rains and receding waters. The 3.5/3.75 (Boga 15 lb increments) fought like a 6-7 + largemouth in this current! Longest was almost 22", look at that tail length...and look how short my leader ended up being after the first couple on this combo...it's imperative to retie when they dog into the rocks and fray it up. That's 20lb Sufix Elite mono.
Topic starter
October 1, 2024 11:52 am
Thus far, this is my favorite rod for bigger 3/8-3/4 oz swimjigs and bigger/bulkier trailers, with braid + leader. This rod just has incredible sensitivity, perfect taper for hooksets and keeping fish pinned, and plenty of power. It also loads and casts well with 1/2 oz +.
It is a perfect MH+ Mod-Fast that is built rugged. It is a bit heavier finished weight than other high end rods, but I can tell it has thicker blank walls and the reel seat and components feel more rugged. It is also very sensitive for how the taper fishes and could easily be used for slack line techs with fluoro.
Also, if you are frogging open water up to light/medium cover, I think this rod has about a perfect taper and power for that as well.
3/4-1.5 oz wake baits would also excel with it, as would spinnerbaits.
If the timing was right, I would pick up another in a heartbeat.
Topic starter
October 1, 2024 12:00 pm
FWIW....
The big smallie today in that fast current was as strong pulling as the ~8/9 lb flathead I caught (slow rolling a black spinnerbait) at night a few months ago. Albeit it didn't have the weight to stay down and the overall fight stamina, it had more spirited runs and lunges and dogged down into the rocks and current with a mean and onery attitude that only smallies possess in these parts.
RISE reacted
October 3, 2024 7:05 am
Good looking fish and gear brother! I am still waiting for you to hang the hammock by the waterfall rapids so I can catch some Zs while you serenade me to some Taylor Swift tunes.
dragon1 reacted
Topic starter
October 3, 2024 8:52 pm
LMMFAO...the hammock is doable, but barfing a Swiftee tune?!? Dat be the day I am spiritually castrated by the bubble gum Machine.
Ain't gonna happen so long as I breathe.
RISE and Kickerfish1 reacted
Topic starter
October 4, 2024 11:23 am
Yessir, for sure. Even fishing in the winter here is good.
Kickerfish1 reacted
Topic starter
November 27, 2024 2:58 pm
Adding some more on the water feedback...
The Zenaq Blackart 72MH Biwa Special is the best overall big spinnerbait rod I have ever used (I used 15lb CXX). To load and cast best, I feel you will need to be around 3/4-1.5 oz total weight and it's best if the spinnerbait has a big hook, as the power of this blank will mangle a light wire and rip out a smaller hook. Also, IMO this rod model doesn't load well enough with a true 1/2 oz total weight, so a 3/8 oz spinnerbait even with a trailer is a little light for this blank. Based upon several hours on the water, a 1/2 oz spinnerbait + trailer in the least is best on this blank.
This rod is like an MBR 845 but at 7'2"...it's a heavy powered tip with mod-fast+ taper and a heavy + backbone.
Change the line to braid + leader and swimjigs with bigger gauge hooks and 5"-6"paddletails or bigger craw trailers, are about perfect on this rod. Also, the 6" factory Magdraft with belly hook would be great on it with whatever line type you want to use. I also feel heavier straight braid to a 6" Magdraft Freestyle with an 8/0 beast hook is easily handled by this rod, both casting and hook setting.
RISE and Kickerfish1 reacted
November 28, 2024 11:24 pm
Adding some more on the water feedback...
The Zenaq Blackart 72MH Biwa Special is the best overall big spinnerbait rod I have ever used (I used 15lb CXX). To load and cast best, I feel you will need to be around 3/4-1.5 oz total weight and it's best if the spinnerbait has a big hook, as the power of this blank will mangle a light wire and rip out a smaller hook. Also, IMO this rod model doesn't load well enough with a true 1/2 oz total weight, so a 3/8 oz spinnerbait even with a trailer is a little light for this blank. Based upon several hours on the water, a 1/2 oz spinnerbait + trailer in the least is best on this blank.
This rod is like an MBR 845 but at 7'2"...it's a heavy powered tip with mod-fast+ taper and a heavy + backbone.
Change the line to braid + leader and swimjigs with bigger gauge hooks and 5"-6"paddletails or bigger craw trailers, are about perfect on this rod. Also, the 6" factory Magdraft with belly hook would be great on it with whatever line type you want to use. I also feel heavier straight braid to a 6" Magdraft Freestyle with an 8/0 beast hook is easily handled by this rod, both casting and hook setting.
Outstanding breakdown, brother! Thank you for sharing that info. The Zenaq offerings are very special, and this is one other model I’d like to add to the stable. I think I’m sold. 👊🏼💥
