I tried using the rod as a traditional spinning rod but the way the rod is laid out with the cork on the butt I was not comfortable. I decided to use the rod as a power drop shot rod. It was more comfortable fishing with it that way. I was fishing in 48 degree water. A cold front high pressure system just moved in so it was a good time to try out the new setup. I paired the rod up with a Symetre 2500 spooled with 6 lb Trilene gold fluorocarbon. I was trying different finesse 3 inch swim baits utilizing a ¼ once ball weight. The rod was sensitive especially with the design of the cork to blank to cork handle. I caught three 2 ½ smallmouth bass on the set up. The rod stood up well to the hard fighting smallies. The rod was a tid bit heavier than expected also.

Casting was not a problem. With the rod being a little beefy I was able to cast out the heavier setup with no problem.

Having the blank exposed between the cork on the butt made the rod more sensitive especially using a drop shot setup and feeling the light bites.  The quality Titanium Guides also added to the sensitivity of this rod.

Very impressed with the stout butt section of this rod.  Lot’s of power and backbone.

So far the rod seems to stand up well to the elements

I like the color layout. It is a sharp looking rod. As for comfort a tad bit lighter would make it more comfortable fishing for hours at a time.

I found the rod to be best used for power drop shot or other heavy plastics. The rod is not comfortable to me fishing as the traditional spinning setup.  I will say that this makes a nice cross over rod for light tackle saltwater fishing as well.  Makes a for a great Spro Jig fishing rod for Fluke and Stripped Bass.

If the rod was a bit lighters it would be a total homerun. All though I was still impressed.