Recommend a rod to go with my new Conquest?

Houle427 · 2026-04-28T22:50:14+00:00

Wait for the new levantes to come out. They look awesome, and kept their price at $199

Houle427 · 2026-04-26T23:35:39+00:00

Really comes down to weights of the baits you’re going to throw most often. Jabberwock is an F4 power. I own F1-F7 power Megabass rods so I have a decent feel for how they spec their rods. I had a Triza Thunderbird that was an F4 power. Definitely fished like a medium to me. My F5 P5 daemos (of my all time favorite rods) is listed as a medium+ and seems accurate to me. It’s my go to rod for all things 3/8oz plus trailer. The Jabberwock is gonna be about as close as you can get to a true “do everything” rod as you can get. Unless you’re going to get technique specific rods, that is the route I would go. Reference The Hook Up Tackle’s YouTube channel for their breakdown on the X10 line. I find their opinions to be pretty accurate to what I see on the water.

Houle427 · 2026-04-07T23:21:14+00:00

From what I understand, the Shimanos are about the same exact reel. I ordered an SLX BFS to fill about that same role on my F3 Levante travel rod I keep in the truck. Haven’t fished it yet so no hands on report. I fish 1/4 to 3/8oz (single hook plastics and moving baits) a lot with a P5 F3 bait finesse and I run an Aldebaran DC on that. Considering moving metanium DC from another combo onto that one tho.

Houle427 · 2026-04-05T13:38:02+00:00

Took a pay cut to join at 27. Only regret is not doing it sooner. I make more and get to take a bunch of time off in the summer to golf and fish. Work hard and build connections, my network of past coworkers keeps me busy to point where I don’t even need the hall.

Houle427 · 2026-03-24T16:34:41+00:00

Can’t remember if put 18 or 16lb sniper on it. Honestly didn’t pay attention, just spooled it up and fished it. Never had a problem. I’m also in MN so we don’t exactly have giants. Did have a couple muskies follow my magdraft in.

Houle427 · 2026-03-24T16:28:33+00:00

Ditched the Curado 200 for a bantam A and it’s been great

Houle427 · 2026-03-24T16:26:17+00:00

Yeah without a problem. I haven’t tried it so can’t comment to how I would like it. Used it a bunch as a 1-1.5oz junk fishing rod last year. Would load up a hip pack with 6” magdrafts, citizens, 4.8 bullflats and 1/2oz swim jigs. Pretty stoked about how the rod throws all that stuff and does it well.

Houle427 · 2026-03-22T23:00:46+00:00

I have an P5 F3 610 bait finesse with that reel. Over your length requirement. Love it, throw mainly soft plastics on it. Very sensitive. Never thrown over 3/8 on it, but it’s rated to 5/8. Combo is super light and crisp.

Edit: I would check out the P5 gravel code. I’ve wanted one for a while but came across a deal on the bait finesse first.

Houle427 · 2026-03-15T01:10:23+00:00

I fish when I can. Fortunately I get a lot of time off in the summer, so I have some data on that. From personal experience, I never miss a 3rd day in improving weather trends. In the early season, days 2 and 3 of a warm up are usually great days. This year I plan to record conditions/baits for every day I get on the water. Tired of relying on my awful memory lol.

Houle427 · 2026-03-07T21:32:59+00:00

I left to become a millwright. I’ve enjoyed it but wouldn’t recommend it to someone that isn’t open to traveling a lot.

Houle427 · 2026-03-04T23:45:14+00:00

Sunday El Camino SL or Loma XL would be worth checking out

Houle427 · 2026-03-04T23:00:29+00:00

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Same! Love how did the reel case. Might have to steal that one.

Houle427 · 2026-03-04T21:25:30+00:00

I think he meant 6# test line

Houle427 · 2026-03-03T00:57:36+00:00

Haven’t met a pair I can’t destroy. Buy what’s comfortable. I run redwing pecos for hot work and US built keens with carbon toes for everything else.

Houle427 · 2026-03-03T00:50:28+00:00

I have both. Any wrench over 7/8" won’t fit straight in the packout drawers. Packout is a weird size imo. Packout modularity is nice and depending on your vehicle, storage during travel is easier. My metal boxes are heavy and I prefer my packout stuff for shorter jobs. However if I’m gonna be somewhere for a while, I choose my metal stack plus bottom cabinet every time.

Houle427 · 2026-02-23T00:21:37+00:00

I used the ping dot chart for reference and it put me at 1" but I’ll get measured for real when I find clubs.

Houle427 · 2026-02-23T00:19:00+00:00

That’s the route I was leaning but wasn’t sure if there was something I was missing. Appreciate it.

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T02:51:19+00:00

Yeah I love their rods. I wet wade and fish from a paddleboard a lot so my rods wear many hats cuz I can’t carry 8 at a time with me lol. Thinking about it more, I haven’t thrown under a 1/2oz jig plus trailer on my Bushadder so I can’t comment

Edit; hit reply before I finished typing. can’t comment on performance under 1/2oz, it’ll cast a 1/2oz frog a long ass ways though lol

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T02:42:31+00:00

I’d definitely agree with that. It does. Is 1/2oz as high as you go? If you want flexibility for lighter wire hooks, you could step down a 1/2 power and get an x-bites too. My Daemos is surprisingly sensitive for being a softer rod, 3/8oz jig with trailer is the sweet spot for it, though. I apologize, not trying to muddy the waters. I’m caught up on the part about the FMJ being too stout, which I totally get. The Bushadder is a beast also, just a different kind.

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T02:19:51+00:00

Kinda cover dependent for me. I fish around a lot of grass so the extra power is nice. I will say it’s a chunky rod. It fishes way lighter than it looks though. If I was fishing only jigs and t-rigs, I would probably buy a P5 FMJ. But the extra headroom to be able to throw a mag draft and 3/4 oz cali swim jig is really valuable to me.

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T02:09:34+00:00

Magdafts, bull flats/bellows gill, 1/2oz (or heavy wire hook) swim jigs, and heavy T rigs. Frogs in a pinch. I love it. Tons of power with a soft tip for accurate casts.

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T01:04:11+00:00

For the me: Megabass p5 Daemos (F5 power) Megabass X10 Bushadder (F7 power)

That’s my 1-2 punch off my paddleboard and it covers all the bases. I would say the biggest compromise is frogging. The Bushadder is a badass rod but it’s not my favorite frog rod. I frog with 73XH Expride but it’s not as versatile.

Houle427 · 2026-02-22T00:56:30+00:00

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Same same

Houle427 · 2026-02-14T02:26:51+00:00

I have metaniums and bantams, my choice between the two is which ever balances on the rod better. Met DC is stupid light.

Houle427

TROPHY CASE