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Mail Calls & New Acquisitions
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Topic starter
January 7, 2022 4:03 am
Mail Call 2/17/21
RODS
A few more Kaleidos join the family...
IRSC-66MHF-TG40X Black Raven Extreme RS
This rounds out the Black Raven family and I got to spend a little time on the water with it. While (not surprisingly) it fishes much lighter than it’s rated MH power, it’s a performer. Blank is very crisp, but not as crisp as some of the other TKICs, IMO. For lack of better words...There’s something about the TG40X and T1100 blanks that feels just a hair smoother/softer to me, for some reason. Not that this is a bad thing at all, it’s just different. With that said, sensitivity is still VERY VERY impressive and I primarily tossed a small creature or craw bait, pegged/t-rigged. It was mated with the ABU LX992Z, which has really impressed me as well. Looking forward to a nice 3-way comparison between all 3 Black Ravens.
Super Stallion GT2RS-C71MH
Super clean, little faster taper than the TKIC, stunning build. Can’t wait to spend time on the water with it.
TKIC-69MH Stallion DG
Outstanding condition, absolutely stole it at the price I got it for. One of the EG TKIC rods that’s actually on point when it comes to its ratings, IMO.
Next...
Picked up an unused pair of the new Fantasista Deez rods.
NDC-610M ZR+ (Med/Fast taper)
NDC-68M Bait Finesse Max (Fast Taper)
Very nice builds. Torzites, clean cork with not a lot of filler, light, very good balance with a Deez 8 reel on board, nice cross weave carbon between the grips that’s reminiscent of other high end sticks and very comfy reel seats in my hands...I’m a big fan. Interesting that the two reel seats on these models are different sizes (as seen in pics), right down to the triggers which are thin and disappear between your fingers while palming. Overall, while they are a tad heavy on the “badging”, they are really sharp rods, in my eyes. Had a chance to break em’ in... Loved tossing a Neko on the 68M and smaller jerks on the ZR+. Sensitivity is really quite solid. Not at the same level as those tippy-top of the food chain rods, but honestly very good, especially at this price point (about 44k JPY retail) and better than some other rods that cost much more. Plus, they are a lot of fun to fish.
Rod number 6...
Found another MINT X7 Extreme Mission. That makes number 4
And the last rod...is my first “New Gen” MB purchase since the 2016 Hein that I owned for about 2.8 seconds and sold as soon as I read that Buck snapped his on a cast...(So technically, my last brand new MB rod purchase(s) were the OG X7s)
#pyrofailyears #traumatized
Enter...A brand new P5 X-Bites.
I’ve stayed away for a good number of years, hoarding as many of the old school MB gems as I could, because...they just don’t, and PROBABLY won’t ever make em like that again. But, as time has gone on, it’s just not fair for me to hate on any of the new offerings without actually trying one. So...I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse on this one by a store owner in Japan, and although it didn’t come with a sleeve, it is brand new and actually the only model amongst the P5 series that had me intrigued, so I pulled the trigger.
Gonna keep it real...build is clean, but honestly kinda bland and overly minimalistic for MB (which I actually thought would be of help in the sensitivity department). Rated as a F5.5 but it’s definitely not IMO...more like 4.5+, maybe a 5, and MB also calls it a X-fast taper...again...it’s not. More like a fast to dual taper. Much softer than specs would lead you to believe.
Lost a couple of fish while tossing a T-rigged creature with it and the 2021 Zilly on board, which was discouraging. Could’ve been some subconscious fear of breaking the rod during a hookset that was hindering me/keeping me from really leaning into em, but anyone who’s fished with me also knows I’ll usually get a running start on the hookset if I can...😆
In other words...I’m not shy about my swings, but didn’t feel like the rod delivered in the power department.
IMO, it just doesn’t transition into that backbone quickly enough for my liking and fishes much softer than I prefer for the suggested duties. Sensitivity is pretty good, but not top shelf and while I could detect bites clearly...I wasn’t wowed. TBH, I didn’t buy it with high expectations, and will say it performs about where I expected, maybe slightly above.
What I do like...
I dig the fore nut, wraps are clean/color scheme is simple yet classy, reel seat is comfy, and it’s pretty well balanced. The minimalist (for MB) build is nice, but it leaves me wishing a touch of that eclectic Itö styling was included.
I would expect a tad more for the 500.00 retail, but that price could also be much more easily justified in my eyes, had it been a true X-fast taper, an actual F5.5 and done what I was hoping it would do power-wise.
No hate for the rod, it seems fairly solid. I’m just disappointed, as the listed specs are misleading and overall performance is lacking that “it” factor for me. Not that surprised, and with their builds these days...I’m missing those golden years more and more. Glad I’ve held onto the older Gen sticks.
REELS
Jumped on that ZILLY train during pre-order and have had the reel for little bit. Added a 95mm slp works handle, Steez Ltd retainer, Itö retainer screw, and some OG corks to it. Got a couple of other parts coming for it as well. As everyone has stated, it’s been a great performer out of the box, and I’ll most likely be adding more to the lineup. Hat’s off to Daiwa on this new Gen Zilly.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!
FINALLY found that Pink missing link...
A Pink Personal Order finishes out the PO collection. Aside from a small mark on the reel foot, she’s minty. I’ve been searching for this elusive biatch for the past few years after regretfully passing on a couple prior to that. And while it didn’t come with a card and pin, I’ll take it. I am TRULY grateful that this reel was offered to me by a fellow enthusiast that became aware that I was in need of it to finish the PO family tree. Can’t tell you guys how happy it makes me to close the book on that chapter of my collection.
As usual, I thank you guys for looking.
Kickerfish1 reacted
January 8, 2022 6:53 pm
All of your mail call posts bring me immense joy and this one was no exception.
Your acquisitions of a mini arsenal of rods in a single call is straight gansta.
It’s reassuring to read someone else’s shared thoughts on megabass rods during the era post phase 3/X7. I gave it a try with what were at the time called the “New Destroyers” as compared with the current P5s that were initially named “brand new destroyers” at their respective product launches. I thought the “new” ones didn’t share the magical tapers of the P3s and older predecessors and of course there was the little issue of them not wanting to remain in one piece. But, every time I mentioned anything critical on any of the the forums there was immediate backlash. I’ve never sniffed a P5 after the initial reports of breakages started to appear with those.
I will say that I’m really happy with the Valkyrie line, which is fairly new. I use them for moving baits and really enjoy the rods. Great tapers, plenty of power, plenty of sensitivity for the moving bait purpose, solid/sturdy build (I’ve put mine through the ringer), and visually very megabass. Enough there, I don’t want this to come off as hating on MB either; I’m a loyal fan. Just wish they’d get back to their older ways and have more solid runs like with valkerie in their primary lines. Here’s to thinking positive that the pendulum will swing back closer to the OGs.
I just pulled the trigger on the dire wolf GT-R. So your acquisitions of more inspirare kleidos has me giddy. Maybe I’ll try to post something when it arrives. I thought I saw you post some pictures of that rod, but I can’t figure out where that was. The spineless deal has me very intrigued. By the way, your article on the rapid gunner is fantastic. Thank you for your work on those.
It also pleases me that you got that pink PO to finish off your collection. I will now never pass one of those up in a lefty if it’s minty, but I’m far from having a complete set. I started picking those up very late in the game.
RISE reacted
January 9, 2022 4:11 pm
Good stuff as always! The pink PO, you SOB!
Topic starter
January 10, 2022 9:50 pm
All of your mail call posts bring me immense joy and this one was no exception.
Your acquisitions of a mini arsenal of rods in a single call is straight gansta.
It’s reassuring to read someone else’s shared thoughts on megabass rods during the era post phase 3/X7. I gave it a try with what were at the time called the “New Destroyers” as compared with the current P5s that were initially named “brand new destroyers” at their respective product launches. I thought the “new” ones didn’t share the magical tapers of the P3s and older predecessors and of course there was the little issue of them not wanting to remain in one piece. But, every time I mentioned anything critical on any of the the forums there was immediate backlash. I’ve never sniffed a P5 after the initial reports of breakages started to appear with those.
I will say that I’m really happy with the Valkyrie line, which is fairly new. I use them for moving baits and really enjoy the rods. Great tapers, plenty of power, plenty of sensitivity for the moving bait purpose, solid/sturdy build (I’ve put mine through the ringer), and visually very megabass. Enough there, I don’t want this to come off as hating on MB either; I’m a loyal fan. Just wish they’d get back to their older ways and have more solid runs like with valkerie in their primary lines. Here’s to thinking positive that the pendulum will swing back closer to the OGs.
I just pulled the trigger on the dire wolf GT-R. So your acquisitions of more inspirare kleidos has me giddy. Maybe I’ll try to post something when it arrives. I thought I saw you post some pictures of that rod, but I can’t figure out where that was. The spineless deal has me very intrigued. By the way, your article on the rapid gunner is fantastic. Thank you for your work on those.
It also pleases me that you got that pink PO to finish off your collection. I will now never pass one of those up in a lefty if it’s minty, but I’m far from having a complete set. I started picking those up very late in the game.
I’m sincerely humbled by the kind words and appreciate you taking the time to read anything I’ve written.
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of anything post OG X7 and I hear ya when it comes to mentioning that to others that are “newer” to the world of Megabass…they just don’t want to hear that. I’m assuming it has much to do with the fact that the best they made are not readily available any more…and most of those people will never know what it was like back then.
{black}:tears:
That said…I agree with your assessment on the tapers and quality of 2015 and later models. I quickly sold the X-bites after a few sessions on the water. Just doesn’t have that “it” factor for me. We really are spoiled by the quality/styling/performance that originally made the company what it is, today. I have heard good things about the Valkyrie series, but honestly…the adjustable handle kept me away. Good to know that someone such as yourself (whom I very much respect) has good things to say about them…sounds like they line up with the older Evoluzion series in terms of tapers/performance. Again…I agree…some of the best looking MB has put out in recent years.
I did recently acquire the Dire Wolf Wild 7 RS but have yet to spend time with it. It’s part of another mail call that I will post soon. It’s quite impressive in hand, regardless of the non-contact TCS reel seat that didn’t really excite me when it was disclosed pre-release. Should fill a small gap within the Arsenal, nicely, though. I look forward to your thoughts on the GT-R and congrats on the acquisition.
{violet}:cool:
The pink PO was nice to finally find. Unfortunately, no pin and card with that one, BUT….something special recently happened that I’ll share more about, shortly.
Topic starter
January 10, 2022 9:53 pm
Good stuff as always! The pink PO, you SOB!
That was “the first” Pinky… {black}:smile:
January 12, 2022 8:46 am
Good stuff as always! The pink PO, you SOB!
That was “the first” Pinky… {black}:smile:
Bout to say I think G-Pa Chin was about to throw down!
