The Bass Geek: Geekin' Out Product Review
Products Being Discussed:
Brand/s: MHX & Mud Puppies Custom Rods
Models:
FS904-W-MHX 7'6" Length 1/4 - 1 1/4 Lure 10-20 Line Fast Action Med-Hvy Pwr
Applications: Flippin', Light Saltwater, Carolina Rigs
MB783-MHX 6'6" Length 10-17 Line 1/4 - 3/4 Lure Fast Action Med-Hvy Pwr
Applications: Jig & Pig, Spinner Bait, Worming
Both models were retro fitted and customized by me The Bass Geek and I added the following parts to my custom built rods - My Flippin' rod has standard American Tackle Nanolite guides (braid safe), Cork Split Grip with Graphite American Tackle reel seat. Green and yellow University of Oregon color theme.
The 6'6" is my go to Spinning rod in which I went for the Mud Puppies Custom Rods color theme and standard parts they put on their "Signature" rod. American Tackle Nanolite standard spinning guides, 2 Toned Cork Split Grips and an Aluminum Graphite mix reel seat.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Review Details:
So, during the Summer and in June I decided to go outside the box of upgrading my gear in preparation for Fall Bassin'. First, a bit of a back story to my go to gear that I currently have in my rod locker. My rods that were constantly on my boat and in my hands included a Duckett Micro Magic, 2 different Mojo's from good ole St. Croix and 2 "why the hell is a reel company making these?" " oh well they are cheap" Denny Brauer Ardent rods (which I will review in a later post). Mainly fishing waters in GA, FL, LA, New England and on the West Coast in OR, WA, CA, I throw a ton of soft plastics and jigs.
With that being said I crave a sexy Hulk stout Medium Heavy to Heavy rod especially when pitchin' and punching mats/pads in the South. Then again I crave the Hulk power and feel in my hands on Smallies in the North and Oregon! So I have been hearing about and follow a few different "Custom" rod builders on the net and social media. Finally, I said to myself, SELF "why not get some tackle in the boat that is my own and custom to what I need?". Well after that I decided to do such deed for myself and selected Mud Puppies Custom Rods. There was 3 reasons in particular I went with them. 1st reason was they rods looked and seemingly had a reputation of being more "for the sport" then as a novelty, ooohhh it looks pretty on my boat aspect. 2nd reason was their social buzz and pro staff seemed to enjoy their rods. 3rd and what really was a kicker to me, the owner and rod builder is a United States Air Force Veteran. So with all those in mind I sent an email to Mud Puppies (this is the best way to contact Blair the rod builder). Together we worked out all the details to build my rods. Asking the essential questions he tailored each rod to what I wanted and needed. And now the all important what was totally Sputnik cool about it, introduced me to the MHX brand of rod blanks Mud Puppies partners with and builds 90% of their rods on.
So my deets and specs on these 2 rods are up above. Not going over those any further, but lets get to performance. I am in love with my White Flipping rod. I recently hit waters in Connecticut and Candlewood Lake with a 3/4oz Booyah Boo Jig (Black w/ Blue) and OMG! the sensitivity on the MHX rod and power I can generate on hook sets, I honestly do not think I missed one with the balance being harmonic and true overall aesthetics making it comparable to any big named company. I followed on my 7'6" Flippin and changed to another jig in the 3/4oz All Terrain Rattling (Craw color) with a chunk trailer. Florida is my next stop with the rod and an update on how it handles Lake Okie will come soon. This rod just has that feel of business first and fun later. Graphite rods are now being updated everyday to where they started in the 30 million modulus range to now attempting to push 80 modulus range. These MHX are in the 44 million range and for the price to have it custom built you can't hold a flame to it.
7'6" Flippin MHX Rod by: Mud Puppies Custom Rods
University of Oregon the Ducks trance color scheme
The 6' 6" MHX rod I usually use for close quarters and throw small 1/4oz Strike King spinner with it by pads and tall in water grass. My only problem with this rod is that I do not have another one yet. I am thinking about pairing this rod with one of those Cardinal reels and do some basic worming while my other is rigged with my spinners. Again the rod is no prissy rod to mess with. There is no other feeling like this rod and I now choose this one over my St. Croix only because of the feel in my hands and that sensitivity factor.
6'6" Spinning MHX Rod in Slate Color by: Mud Puppies Custom Rods
After doing further research and being in more talks with Mud Puppies I know that the rods inlude both traditional and progressive actions to where having it customized to you helps this greatly. These rods are as lighter than comparable standard graphite models and incredibly more sensitive. By having these features they in no way lose strength and only are much stronger.
The rods are made here in the US with US products and are given a stamp of approval by my mark. Quality and craftsmanship are by far exceeding any other "Custom" rods on the market. With beautiful design and balancing out the rod makes it perform to tournament standards.
For more info or to order your rods please contact Blair M. at Mud Puppies Custom Rods
Visit them on Twitter: @MudPuppyRods
MHX Rod Blank Info can be found at: www.FishMHX.com
As always contact me with your questions, comments or would like me to review and talk about a product. Email me at BassGeekFishing@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment