What the F-Power? Megabass's Drop Shot is Going to Double XX The Competition!

Total Score: 7.83 - BEST VALUE AWARD!

Introduction: There comes a time in most boutique, enthusiast brand's time when the manufacturer has to choose between two paths: 1) stay true to what is perceived to be yourself and cater to the very small but loyal following you've built; 2) take what you've learned together with the reputation you've built, and open yourself up to an even greater audience. After more than 20 years in the industry, Megabass can hardly be considered a boutique brand, but they do command a rather loyal following each of whom has certain expectations of the manufacturer. Well with the recent introduction of their DoubleX series of rods, Megabass, together with their new international subsidiary, Megabass of America, is looking to walk that very fine line between not upsetting their loyal fans, and expanding their audience beyond the Enthusiast market. Here is our first in a planned series of reviews on this new line, introducing the Orochi XX F3-611XXS Drop Shot.

Introducing the Megabass Orochi XX F3-611XXS Drop Shot.

Quality/Construction: The F3-611XXS is a six foot, eleven inch stick built from Megabass's new DoubleX series of blanks whose technology and construction we outlined in our preview article from April of this year. The blank has a natural, matt finish through most of its length and has a very finely crafted and subtly sculpted cork handle with a composite cork butt end. The cork within the handle does have a good degree of fill which may not bode well in the long run. The reel seat is very clean with smart detailing.

All DoubleX rods come equipped with Fuji, K-Series, stainless steel framed guides with Alconite inserts. Purists will say the guides are small, not micro-small. We're not going to split hairs and are calling them micro-guides although the very first two guides up from the reel seat are standard sized guides. Alignment of the guides on our test sample is spot on and the blank is straight.