Raoul

Congratulations on the rod, you won’t regret it. I used it this winter under freezing conditions, pushing out the ice crystals from the rod eyes, dunked the reel in the water (I’m a wading fisherman) and experienced a few backlashes under these conditions: no issues with my braid (55lbs) to fluoro leaders (0.60mm diameter, 60lbs) using an FG knot. I use short leaders (1-1 1/2 rod lengths) but much thicker because of pike (and the occassional catfish).

I bought mine from JDM tackle heaven, I also bought my previous MB rod over there. I got excellent advice when sharing my preference for the fun factor combined with a rod that could cast a klash9 comfortably. Since both my other MB rods weren’t true to their casting weight I needed good advice. I can really recommend them (I bought some of my lures there as well). Both Mat and Kazumi deliver expert advice.

I use both the Metanium 2020xg and Abu Revo Beast. Though there’s a weight difference between the two reels the rod doesn’t feel out of balance with any of those. I use the Met in summer up to 2 ounce as it is a better caster, but for the Klash9 and other 3-4 ounce lures I prefer the Revo Beast (the Met is not so good at heavier ratings)

I highly recommend the Valkyrie World Expedition VKC78H: during travel you never know what you’re up to and thus what size of lures you need. I use the VKC78H for small swimbaits (MB Vatalion) up to Klash9 and Linethru Pike 25 cm. Sensitivity: I’ve used it for 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits and could feel when the blades stopped. I chose the rod for its versatilty (main use swimbaits and topwaters, but can use it for other lures as well) and ability to use a klash9 pretty well. I use the rod for pike fishing and decided not to go for the heavier rods in this line because the majority of pike I catch are 35-39 inch, not the 45+ and it’s much more pleasure with a H rather than an XH or XXH rod. Take travel size, versatility, sensitivity and the fun factor in account when looking for a new multipiece travel rod.

I noticed Deps has two pencils: the giant pencil walker and the giant pencil skater. Based on the name I guess the skater is more on top of the surface but the accompanying youtube movie from deps at full sea in Japanese isn’t too informativeto me. Does anyone has experience with the skater and tell me what is special before I buy and find out it doesn’t do anything different to other pencils?