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Posts: 251
| I am looking into getting a pounder/big bait rod and was wondering which rod every one prefers between the Big Dawg and Predator XH. I have nothing against other rods out there but I have narrowed it down to these two choices. Thoughts and opinions would be great! |
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Posts: 1100
| I have a Big dawg, and love it, works great, but tried Ben Olsen's, predator xh and xxh for pounders last year, and i would love to have one of those for pounders instead, but they are kinda expensive to get shipped overseas, so i got my hands on a MI mark lejewski xxxxh for the "big stuff". and prefer that one for pounder over the BD, the BD throws pounders very well but it's just more comfortable on the Mark Lejewski rod imo.
If it's mainly for pounders/monster medusa i would go the the predator xxh.
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Posts: 744
| I have never thrown a Big Dawg but I have made hundreds of thousands of casts with an XH Pred and it is my go to pounder rod and I at no time have I ever wished it did it better. It loads up beautifully and launches the baits and has the proper amount of backbone for hoot sets and fighting big fish. |
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Posts: 117
| Mojo1269 - 9/11/2014 11:41 AM
I have never thrown a Big Dawg but I have made hundreds of thousands of casts with an XH Pred and it is my go to pounder rod and I at no time have I ever wished it did it better. It loads up beautifully and launches the baits and has the proper amount of backbone for hoot sets and fighting big fish.
+1 |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Jumping in on this: does the XH Predator have a fast enough tip and heavy enough backbone to make ripping Pounders pretty easy, or does it load up a lot when ripping baits that heavy?
In comparison, does the XXH feel like a broomstick without much give for keeping a tight line and a fish pinned up, or not being able to let the rod do the work of sling shotting the bait on a cast? |
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Posts: 744
| It rips them just fine....no issue as far as I am concerend. I curretnly run a HG Tranx on my XH Pred and its a dream combo for ripping or rolling big rubber...
The XH Predator was more or less designed by one of the best rod builders out there and manufactured by IMHO the best manufacturer of rods to be "The" rod for tossing big baits and they nailed it... |
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Posts: 116
| X3 on the Predator. Plus you get to design it exactly like you want. My XH gets a good workout all season long and is probably one of the best investments I have made. Both are great rods and I am not saying the Predator is better, but with the predator I got the handle and foregrip length/ diameter that is comfortable for me and I extended it 3". These things together make the hard job of casting big baits just a little easier on my aging body. |
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | Hows is the action compared. To my understanding stcroix makes the blanks for thorne bros. I thought the big dawg was alittle on the litte side for throwing pounders. Just my opinion.. are they the same or diffrent? |
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Posts: 116
| The Predator has a little more backbone than the Big Dawg. I have owned both and I agree the Big Dawg is a little light for a dedicated pounder rod. It can do the job on pounders and is probably the nicest rod for mag dawgs I have used but if you throw a lot of big rubber the Predator XH will handle it all. I also used a Tooth Tamer Jawbreaker XXXH for a season and can say that for a factory rod and the price this is a great rod for big baits. If I ever lost my Predator I would go looking for a Jawbreaker to get me through the season. |
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | Does thorne bros go to the chicago musky show. Im from nort WI n cant get to citys to actually see n feel the rods. Planin chicago trip this winter to visit family. Could plan around chicago show too. |
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Posts: 87
| predator rods are where its at. i love my XH for pounders. |
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Posts: 410
Location: With my son on the water | I know you didn't ask, but you may want to consider the 9ft TI in XXH. It comes in a 2 pc that is easy to store and literally 1/3 the price.
Great value and mine have worked for me so far.
Have a good day.  |
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Posts: 744
| He asking about Cadilacs and you want to sell him a Yugo? |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Cadillac or Yugo, they both get you from point A to point B. and I've seen multiple people say that they prefer TI to St. Croix |
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Posts: 744
| How about takingthe bus? Or a Schwin Varsity 10 Speed? Proud to say I am looking for more out of life than getting from A to B. |
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Posts: 149
| Mojo1269 - 9/21/2014 4:32 PM
He asking about Cadilacs and you want to sell him a Yugo?
LOL I had five Cadillacs a few years ago, sold 4 and kept 1. Bought all Tackle Industries rods and had enough extra money to buy two nice reels. TI rods are some of the best rods I have ever used. Don't let the lower price fool you. They are great rods and IMO feel better than any premium rod I have ever used. Try to use one before you buy and you will feel it for yourself. |
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Posts: 231
| As mentioned above you'll be very happy with the XH Predator. I'm not sure why a TI plug was thrown into this thread?! The original poster said he narrowed it down to the Big Dawg or Predator XH. I have a TI xxh and while it will get the job done, it does not compare to my Predator XH. The actions are completely different, and the Predator out preforms it all day in the pounder category. If you have the "means" and the TB Predator is what you want, it will put a smile on your face  |
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Posts: 744
| Back on topic as the above poster stated...Cant go worng with the best inthe biz... |
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Posts: 251
| I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. I decided to go with the XH Predator and it should be done in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to use it on my next trip to MN. |
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Posts: 744
| Awesome choice. You will love it. How are you having it done? Spil Grip, Full. Adding any on the back side? Extended handle etc?? |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | That's cool. I threw a double 10 with a H Predator for a bit and it flung them out there with ease.
Those with the XH, what else do you like it for? Is it a pretty good Mag Dawg rod too? How about throwing double 10's? Does it do pretty well with them or is it a little stiff for that? |
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Posts: 251
| I really like the new reel seat on the new St. Croix rods, the palm style, so I did that for my grip. I also went with a full syncork 18inch handle. I reel with my left hand so I will be putting a 401 TE on it so the wraps are black with gold accents. I can't wait to start throwing baits with it. |
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Posts: 744
| That will look as awesome as it will perform. |
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Posts: 977
| Ahh it was only a matter of time in this thread before the TI cult chimed in as they do in every rod post...
Excellent choice going with the Predator...I do like the big dawg but the XH predator is in a league of its own IMO. |
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Posts: 537
Location: Gilberts IL/Rhinelander WI | Ronix - 9/22/2014 6:03 PM
Ahh it was only a matter of time in this thread before the TI cult chimed in as they do in every rod post.
It's like people need to talk themselves into using TI, making up some weird rational that they are a better rod than any other on the market. Trying to imply anyone who uses anything else is wasting money. Strange.
The predator will work great for what you're looking for, great choice. I also thought the big dawg is a little light for a main pounder rod. |
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Posts: 1283
| I have 2 TI rods, they are nice for the $$$$ but Im in the market for a really nice rod. Big Dawg is what I want but now you guys got me thinking predator. What to do what to do lol. |
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Posts: 403
Location: Lakeville, MN | im going to fling some rubber with my predator xxh tomorrow, ive had a big dawg and am looking forward to seeing how they compare. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | achotrod - 9/22/2014 7:29 PM
I have 2 TI rods, they are nice for the $$$$ but Im in the market for a really nice rod. Big Dawg is what I want but now you guys got me thinking predator. What to do what to do lol.
Hey Mike,
If you are looking into really treating yourself you should look into having Tuscarora Tackle build you a custom rod on a SC blank!! Jeremy also has Predator blanks in stock to build on too. Usable art He has built me about 10 rods and every one was incredible and the attention to detail was fantastic.
http://tuscaroratackle.com/rods/
James
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Posts: 284
Location: Eagan, MN | Kdebell, consider calling Lonnie at Thornes to ask him to put single foot guides on the last five guides of the blank instead of double foot guides. This is how I have all my customs done. I think the double foot guides act like a splint or brace, preventing the rod from bending underneath those guides. This is okay in the butt section of the rod where stiffness and rigidity can be beneficial, but may not what you want nearest to the tip where you gain from the little bit of increased flexibility. Let's the rod work more naturally IMO. My experience too is that the single foot guides are much easier to bend back into place when you invariably catch them in a door or step on them in the boat as I often seem to do. Just a thought for you to consider.
BrianF |
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Posts: 251
| Thanks Brian, I really appreciate it. I have talked to Lonnie a couple of times and he really knows his stuff! I am not sure how the process goes but he may already have the guides on. |
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