Keith Lusher 04.26.24
As an avid bass fisherman, I’m at all times looking out for a rod that not solely executes correctly, however has the sturdiness to final for years. Lately I’ve been utilizing spinnerbaits much more and with the windy circumstances this Spring, it’s gotten to be have been I’ve used them virtually solely. I’ve been particularly focusing on wind blown banks and having tons of success. However there’s one downside I’ve been having with my spinnerbait rod: it’s uncomfortable and begins to harm my hand after throwing spinnerbaits for too lengthy. After doing some research I made a decision on making an attempt out the brand new Shimano Intenza spinning rod.
I made a decision on a 7′ 3″ lengthy rod with a medium-heavy energy score with a quick motion. The rod is available in one piece. Usually I’ll use a medium motion for spinnerbaits, however these days I’ve been stepping up within the weight and measurement class of spinnerbaits. I had a bass fishing journey deliberate for the next week however I simply couldn’t wait to do that rod out so I spent the day down on the lake fishing a shorline that was stacked up with wind-blown trash on the floor: pollen, mud, leaves and so forth. I tied on a white spinnerbait made by Flashin’ Murderer. They specialise in holographic strips which might be embedded within the jighead which give of super flash underwater.
The very first thing I observed throughout my first solid was the consolation of the grip. It’s a cork grip which I’m not often a fan of however the cork on the Intenza is sculpted to suit my hand completely. Shimano’s customized reel seat on this reel can also be sculpted to suit very snug even after hours of casting.
Subsequent, I need to discuss rod strenght. The butt of the clean to the primary eye information is wrapped in a cross sample of carbon tape. Shimano calls this DIAFLASH know-how and its completed to strengthen the butt finish of the rod and stop flex and twist. I’ll say that it did appear very stable and I evaluate it to a high-end reel that’s inflexible with no flex.
The flex within the clean transitioned subtly after the primary information and the rod behaved like a typical medium-heavy rod with quick motion.
Being a split-grip rod I used to be in a position to capitalize on it’s energy to whip my spinnerbait about 50 yards out. Throughout my casts the road flowed by way of the guides with none downside. There are 9 whole guides on the 7’3″ Intenza rod that are fabricated from light-weight titanium oxide which is extraordinarily clean and located on high-end match rods. I’m absolutely assured that I can’t have any future downside with line-whip carrying out the insides of those guides.
Let’s discuss hook-up price. I fished a single wind-blown financial institution for about three hours and was in a position to land 9 largemouth bass that ranged from a pound to 4 kilos. I missed on two strikes and misplaced one whereas reeling in. The hook-up price was nice and the sensitivity of this rod was super. Quite a few occasions I might really feel that blade rolling after which cease because the strike occurred.
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As I discussed, I caught a 4-pounder and I used to be in a position to check the rod underneath stress. The fish made two laborious runs that bowed the rod over and confirmed me how parabolic it was. The rod had first rate stiffness main as much as about two ft from the tip.
In the long run I used to be impressed with my new Intenza spinning rod and at a retail value of 150, it’s reasonably priced. Nonetheless, I’d say it was awefully near rivaling these high-end match grade rods. Im wanting ahead to including extra lure particular Intenza’s to my bass fishing arsenal sooner or later!