RISE wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 1:56 am
TKIC is the faster of the two, and that’s why I was asking just in case you were talking about the TKLC. You did mention 5 different baits (jigs, t-rigs, frogs, swim jigs, and 8/0 owner/swim bait), and that’s why I interpreted your statement as leaning towards “versatile”. Many people have different rods for those apps, myself included, but that’s just part of our “disease”...right?...
I have fished most of the rods I own, and there are many great options out there for what you are wanting to do, but if you prefer a true fast taper for everything you’ve mentioned, we can just keep this simple. Grab the Rapid Gunner, and enjoy! It will make long casts with the right reel/weight on it and it’s plenty sensitive. The 7011HRB and Oltre B70H will do it, but won’t like the 1.5oz upper end you’re mentioning, as much. The SS or RG will handle those weights and like the SS, the Steez/Oltre also have slower tapers than the RG. The Oltre is a different rod altogether, and the taper is more of a dual taper which is common these days in solid tip/separate tip builds to alleviate stress at the junction point where the main blank meets the tip section. The Steez also sports a slower taper but is more stout. It does a great job up close, but I’ve been underwhelmed by its long range performance. Still an awesome rod that’s fun to fish once you are dialed in on its strengths.
Little rant...this is just my experience, and we all have our own preference when it comes to what we like in a rod for any given technique/situation. No judgments here and TO EACH THEIR OWN.
I myself, prefer a slightly slower (med/fast) taper when I’m making close range pitches/short roll casts to heavy cover, but I will fish a slightly heavier powered stick when doing so to compensate for the slower taper. My reasoning?...an fast-exfast taper is great for those “thwack” hooksets, I agree, and trust me, I get it...but I prefer fast-exfast tapers for longer casts with more line out. At close range, while utilizing heavier line around cover and with less line out, you are stressing that fast/ex-fast blank out a great deal more on the hook set and definitely shortening the life/chancing failure of that blank. Aside from that, you also have a better chance of ripping a hook from a mouth. At close range, with heavier line, a slightly slower taper distributes the load more evenly throughout the blank and prolongs the rod’s life...not to mention, does a great job of keeping fish pinned.
You don’t see a ton of fast/ex-fast tapers when it comes to JDM offerings, aside from solid tips that usually have more of a “dual taper” to, as mentioned, alleviate stress at the junction point where that separate/solid tip section is integrated into the blank, and for good reason. Most of these builders/designers really know what they are doing, and if you look at rods like the X7 Amart 71 (pitching/flip)”, Super Rekkai, BJ Punch and Swimbait, Super Stallion, Steez RD 7011 HRB (touted as a jig rod), Zenaq B5-74, Sedition Hooligan and many others...you’ll notice that these rods all sport slower/unique tapers. Many of the rods I’m referring to are stated to do very well in heavy cover/grass/close/long range/pitching duties and that has been my experience with those and many other JDM sticks. That’s just my 2 cents.
If you’ve fished the Oltre B70H you’re probably familiar with its unique dual taper. It’s one of my absolute favorite sticks, period...but it’s not what I’d choose first, 2nd or 3rd if fishing close range, heavy cover. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve pitched/skipped/roll-casted jigs, t-rigged plastics and 6-7” senkos around some sparse-moderate brush/tulles and have a blast doing so, but there are other sticks I’d rather utilize for what you are describing (unless I’m misunderstanding you). When things get hairier and I’m int the 3/4-1.5oz range, I’m reaching for the X7 Amart 71, or something similar. The slower taper and power come into play very well, and again, that powerful, slower taper would also allow you toss some big single hook baits. Froggin...would be a different stick IMO as the Amart’s tip is just a bit too stout for working a frog properly. Also consider that some of these sticks will tap out before that 1.5oz slot. The Grand Cobra RS could also do very well as a multi-tasker in this “niche”, and is rated to handle much heavier weights than the 7011 and B70H. It’s stout, med-fast taper is powerful and sensitive as well, but again, not what you want for froggin.
That’s enough babbling on that...so back to the rod that this thread was about. The Rapid Gunner simply excels at heavy t-rigs, jigs, carolinas and would probably do well with a frog but I haven’t tried it as I absolutely love my XBD and Heartland 741HXHFB for those duties. Yes, It could also handle big single hook duties, and swim jigs. Plenty of power and that true fast taper does a great job of getting a hook into any fish’s jaw. Only question you have to answer for yourself is if you want to chance stressing a 7-800.00 rod out for close range, heavy cover duties. With that Quattro wrap running all the way up and around the T1100/Nanoalloy inner blank and ending 13.75” away from the tip, it’s very similar to a solid tip in design, and that’s something to consider IMHO, as those close range hook-sets will generate even more stress at that section where the wrap ends. Again, it WILL absolutely do what you are wanting it to do, and will load up beautifully with the weights you’ve mentioned, but just wanted to throw those “other things” out there for you to consider as I believe they are relevant.
Also...The Rapid Gunner HD (all double foot guides) might be a better fit and at least you know the guide train would be a bit more comfy with the heavier use.
In other words...just buy it...
