what rod to pair with a Monoblock 100XR

[scrapiron]

Just picked up a Megabass Monoblock 100XR and looking for recommendations.

Budget? Well, not ARMS level. Say $250 - $400. Prefer Megabass since I have mostly USDM Destoyers and Orochi XX (gen 2) now.

May use this inshore for stripers (top water) and bass fishing of course. Some kayaking, some boat.

Thanks-

[poisonokie]

Wait a bit longer, then Valkyrie.

[Cristo]

In just because Scrap Iron was a favorite GIJoe as a kid

[bronzefly]

Congratulations on the Block!

A couple of questions though, on the top waters, what size/weight will you be throwing? Also, length minimums and maximums? Are you leaving the stock gears in the Block or are you going to speed it up to 7.2?

[Winstondry]

Wait a bit longer, then Valkyrie.

Why longer?

[poisonokie]

Wait a bit longer, then Valkyrie.

Why longer?

To save money

[scrapiron]

Congratulations on the Block!

A couple of questions though, on the top waters, what size/weight will you be throwing? Also, length minimums and maximums? Are you leaving the stock gears in the Block or are you going to speed it up to 7.2?

Thanks Gary! I'd say typical topwaters would be in the 1/2oz.range --MB PopMax, Spook Jr. Jerkbaits would be the OneTen. Maybe some DT6 cranks.

Hmmm.. speed it up? I did not know about that option. My wallet doesn't like you.

[bronzefly]

Congratulations on the Block!

A couple of questions though, on the top waters, what size/weight will you be throwing? Also, length minimums and maximums? Are you leaving the stock gears in the Block or are you going to speed it up to 7.2?

Thanks Gary! I'd say typical topwaters would be in the 1/2oz.range --MB PopMax, Spook Jr. Jerkbaits would be the OneTen. Maybe some DT6 cranks.

Hmmm.. speed it up? I did not know about that option. My wallet doesn't like you.

You're welcome! Yes indeed, we have 7.2:1 brass gears in stock that drop right in the Block, RH or LH.

In that case, I'd give some serious consideration to the new US Destroyer Otomat. I was thinking you'd be tossing much heavier baits, but the Otomat is excellent with 1/2 oz top waters and is great with a Vision OneTen.

The only Valkyrie I'd suggest for those baits would be the 71MH, which is an awesome rod indeed, but the Otomat is lighter and has that US Destroyer crispness that is addictive which I really enjoy fishing OneTen. If you were throwing more chatter baits, spinner baits, swim jigs, etc. and had a $499 budget, I'd highly recommend the 71MH Valkyrie. It is tough and would match up well with your reel and against big stripers...

[scrapiron]

Congratulations on the Block!

A couple of questions though, on the top waters, what size/weight will you be throwing? Also, length minimums and maximums? Are you leaving the stock gears in the Block or are you going to speed it up to 7.2?

Thanks Gary! I'd say typical topwaters would be in the 1/2oz.range --MB PopMax, Spook Jr. Jerkbaits would be the OneTen. Maybe some DT6 cranks.

Hmmm.. speed it up? I did not know about that option. My wallet doesn't like you.

You're welcome! Yes indeed, we have 7.2:1 brass gears in stock that drop right in the Block, RH or LH.

In that case, I'd give some serious consideration to the new US Destroyer Otomat. I was thinking you'd be tossing much heavier baits, but the Otomat is excellent with 1/2 oz top waters and is great with a Vision OneTen.

That's a good choice.. but it's so darn close to the OneTen I already have. I guess I could move reels around. But the Steez SV TWS with a ZPI PG spool is just magic on that rod.

Switching gears... What about using the Monoblock for jigs?

[bronzefly]

That's a good choice.. but it's so darn close to the OneTen I already have. I guess I could move reels around. But the Steez SV TWS with a ZPI spool is just magic on that rod.

Switching gears... What about using the Monoblock for jigs?

The Otomat fishes quite a bit differently than the OneTen Destroyer, but obviously they can cover many of the same techniques. I have the Steez SV TW with a ZPI PG spool on my OneTen Destroyer too - it's a perfect match.

Absolutely, the Monoblock, especially with the 7.2:1 gears is a fine jig reel. It's obviously much smaller than most guys think, and built like a tank, so it will hold up well for fishing jigs or other heavier applications.

[scrapiron]

Thanks Gary et all...given me some solid choices as well as an option to speed up the block.

[Tokugawa]

I like my block for moving baits - topwater, swim jigs, cranks, etc. Mine is on a White Python. If you don't want to go that heavy, a Valdivia might be nice. You can frog and swim jig with it.

[Tokugawa]

Or mount it on a C40 Mephisto.