TackleTour

Check Practicality at the Door : Evergreen's Leopard



Introduction: In 2014 Brett Hite set the Facebook, Twitter, and fishing discussion forum worlds on fire by winning an FLW event on storied Lake Okeechobee throwing a chatterbait on a "mysterious" red and black rod. Of course, the only real mystery was the rod's model number and name since most are aware Brett Hite is sponsored by Evergreen International. So, the stick in question? It was the Heracles, HCSC-73HG Leopard and we managed to get our hands on one to check it out for ourselves.

Complete Article: http://tackletour.com/reviewegheraglesleopard.html

I wonder how the upcoming Dobyns 736CB is going to compare to the Leopard. Similar spec and application between the two rods.

zatoad wrote:I wonder how the upcoming Dobyns 736CB is going to compare to the Leopard. Similar spec and application between the two rods.

If you want a glass composite rod just for the performance, get the Dobyns. If the additional 400 dollars is worth it for the bling, by all means get the Leopard.

I was shocked at the weight of the rod. I love glass rods and none of my Seeker or Lamiglas rods are close to that heavy.

Why is a hook keeper worth 5 points? It should be 0 or 1 because not everyone wants one. I mean we all know and are aware that JDM rods do not come with a hook keeper so it isn't a surprise. There is also Fuji hook keeper for those that want a hook keeper and they can have it anywhere they want on the rod. I personally would give it a negative score for having a built in hook keeper for a rod over $200. Every rod that i own or have owned with one has cracked or air under the epoxy around it, not a pretty sight for such a fine rod.

Before everyone starts, i understand the points don't determine everything, but it does mean something.

I would be on the opposite side. I want my crankbait rods to have hook keepers.

civicrr wrote:I would be on the opposite side. I want my crankbait rods to have hook keepers.

I do too, just not one that will eventually lead to cracked epoxy.

Pen3 wrote:

civicrr wrote:I would be on the opposite side. I want my crankbait rods to have hook keepers.

I do too, just not one that will eventually lead to cracked epoxy.

Yup. I like the Fujis as I can get the bait to stand out and not hit the blank as well. Reduces blank damage.

Teal101 wrote:

Pen3 wrote:

civicrr wrote:I would be on the opposite side. I want my crankbait rods to have hook keepers.

I do too, just not one that will eventually lead to cracked epoxy.

Yup. I like the Fujis as I can get the bait to stand out and not hit the blank as well. Reduces blank damage.

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic. ... 11#p539911

Damn that is actually pretty cool.

The review is true, the rod is not "practical," but at least the hook keeper can be.

zodiak311 wrote:The review is true, the rod is not "practical," but at least the hook keeper can be.

My rant is just the point system for a hook keeper being as important as the blank. Even rods like Ultima and Luxxe Otre would automatically do bad because they would get 0 for hook keeper and a Shakesphere would get 4-5 negating the lost points in other more significant areas. Should just be either 0-1.

Your review has saved me some money. This stick (or one in the series) was on my radar.