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Topic starter
March 14, 2026 5:39 pm
FWIW, I really believe that these longer Hard Rock rods rock for fast moving water and for dealing with hybrids and stripers when using spinning gear for long casts and power techs.
I just popped a just shy of 17"/3.25 (15 lb Boga) pre-spawn female smallie on this Vanquish 4000XG in fairly fast moving current, paired to a Shimano Hard Rocker BB 8'3" MH 2piece. Straight 16lb SS112 to a snap and modified 3/8 oz Northstar triple blade spinnerbait. The reel didn't even break a sweat and that female was pulling hard, granted that 8'3" Hard Rocker just loads so deep and with such a strong backbone, she was just going to wear herself out. Crazy that the last fish I caught in Colorado was on this rod, a 3+ smallie and the first 3+ smallie in TN was also on this same rod.
March 15, 2026 12:51 am
That’s what I’m talking about, right there. I absolutely love how you think outside the box and aren’t afraid to try different things. Beautiful fish. Any more shots of that handle assembly…specs?
dragon1 reacted
Topic starter
March 15, 2026 1:07 pm
I'll probably upgrade to a Yamaga Blanks Early Rock 86MH later this year.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nkfLxnANyIs&feature=youtu.be
"Explanation video":
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfyMBSQkw4
March 16, 2026 8:15 am
Somebody else is jumping on salt spinners for fresh presentations as well? Nice!
How are you liking this gen vanquish?
dragon1 reacted
Topic starter
March 16, 2026 9:05 am
Somebody else is jumping on salt spinners for fresh presentations as well? Nice!
How are you liking this gen vanquish?
Hey brother, I'm really enjoying this reel, still sufficient cranking torque and smoothness in faster current, excellent line lay and management = superb casting, strong and smooth drag...and incredibly light. All this said, I'm not going to toss bigger 3/4-1.5 oz big bladed spinnerbaits in current with it. Also, I went with the up sized 4000 gearing because I know for a fact, HG/XG gearing will wear faster than lower gear ratio with bigger gear teeth/step/cut. Thus far I only wish the spool was a Medium or Shallow depth.
On the YB rods, yeppers, I'm highly impressed with the quality and performance versus price point, and essentially 💯 made in Japan. Just wish they had more FW bass models in MH-H powers and 7'2"-7'11" range.
Topic starter
March 22, 2026 12:42 pm
