Thread: Spending a little time with the new rods

I was able to fish the new rods this morning.
Weather was low 50’s , sunny , occasionally breezy. The wind came in spurts and even shifted directions while I was fishing.
I fished the 6’ four piece Iprimi XUL first , but I want first want to talk about the Abu Garcia 6’3” light Mass Beat III .

This rod is what I thought I wanted in a JDM rod .
The rod fishes as a one piece rod in between an UL and a XUL. Definitely not what I’m use to in a light powered rod .
Paired up with a 500 size Shimano Symetre and 3# P-line it will cast a 1/64th jighead and Bobby Garland Itty Bitty Swim’R 50-60’ . It’ll also cast a 1/32 jighead and jig spinner and not feel over loaded . I even threw a 1/16 jighead a few times and it didn’t feel over loaded.
And when I was lucky enough to get a fish on , the small LM and the two gills I caught were a blast to catch .
The AB Mass Beat is a pretty rod of green and carbon . And is sensitive enough to feel the light taps of cold water gills .
The grip and handle are comfortable .
The travel case is protective enough to protect the rod in the backseat to be handy and ready to fish outfit .
I like the Abu Garcia Mass Beat III , so much that I ordered a backup while they are available.
At $70 , they’re a bargain.

Now , the Iprimi 6’ XUL four piece travel rod . I hoped the XUL would have a little more backbone in the lower sections than the XXUL and it does , a little , but not much .
First , it is easier to cast and fish than it’s 5’6” XXUL little sister . A little .
I did catch one fish in the 1 1/2 hours I fished it , a nice little warmouth. The only one I’ve caught out of the town pond in years .
The pond seems to be giving up odd catches lately .
The warmouth, out of cold water gave up as soon as it was hooked and was like winding in a stick .
Disappointing ,sort of like , the Iprimi .
There’s not much sensitivity to the rod and I found the best use for the rod was float n jig fishing .
Tossing a small beetlespin was also acceptable use of the rod .
I wished I’d caught something else that would have given me some kind of a fight .
The nylon cloth case it comes with gives very little protection except from scratches.
The Iprimi grip is identical to the XXUL and I find it uncomfortable and small for my oversize fingers and hands .
I think the rod would be great throwing tiny spinners to stocker trout in the 6-9” range in the creeks , in North Georgia, where DNR stock them weekly .
Actually any tiny creek would be a good place for it .
I can’t imagine hooking into a 14” spotted bass with an Iprimi.
Iprimi pics in next post .