The Megabass P5 Destroyers are Coming! A First Look at the US P5 Rod Launch Lineup

Introduction: The much anticipated Megabass America Destroyer P5 USA lineup of rods is right around the corner and the first run rods just landed here at the TackleTour lab today. As we begin a deeper dive into the new rods here is a preview of the launch lineup and what US anglers can expect from the new series.

Look familiar? The US Destroyer P5 rods feature many of the same styling features as what we previously have seen on the JDM P5 rods

US P5 Destroyers: In the world of Megabass there is nothing that stirs the hearts of enthusiasts quite like the Destroyer lineup of rods. The US Destroyer lineup was extremely popular, and rods like the FMJ, Mark 48 and Onager have already reached legendary status. A refresh of the US Destroyer line has been in the works for years but a combination of the pandemic, labor, and supply chain issues all forced Megabass America to alter their launch plans. 

Each Destroyer rod will come with a premium neoprene rod sock that is individually labeled

In Japan Megabass Inc. had already launched the JDM P5 Destroyers so in May of 2020 it made sense to make these JDM rods accessible to US anglers to help bridge this period. The JDM P5 Series was well received but like many JDM rods catered more to overseas anglers in terms of shorter lengths, powers, and lighter actions.

The beautifully machined fore nut returns

Megabass America wanted to leverage the technology that was already proven in the JDM P5 Series, including the 5-D graphite system, and develop rods that delivered familiar actions and were more suited to the U.S. applications which tend to lean on the more power fishing side.

A look at the split grip on the Daemos

5-D Graphite System: Yuki Ito developed the 5-D system to be an interlocking and reinforcing prepreg puzzle of sorts. These five performance-optimized panels include: #1 for longitudinal tension, #2 for 45-degree torsional rigidity to the right, #3 for 45-degree torsional rigidity to the left, #4 for lateral stiffness, and #5 for longitudinal elasticity. The five panels are then carefully arranged during the production process to maximize and integrate the distinct performance characteristics of each panel into a cohesive whole, forming a complete puzzle that Megabass says minimizes the unnecessary overlap in traditional patterning and layering.

The bottom line is that the 5-D Graphite system is designed to allow for a smoother and more precise taper, seamless load transition and power when anglers need it, and all with less waste material which helps reduce weight. 

Megabass considers 5D a paradigm shift in the blank construction process, as it is designed to enable improved performance through a new method of patterning and layering.

The Shimano Antares looks pretty good with the new Destroyer P5 US rods...

The IBSC Casting Seat is very comfortable and features a minimalist-styled grip contour and short-trigger design allowing for intuitive grip transitions as the angler moves through the cycle of casting, rod work, hookset and landing. Blank contact areas are maximized to deliver precise feedback without sacrificing control. This was one of my favorite elements in the JDM P5 rods and I am happy to see it carry over into the US lineup.

The ISBC casting seat features dual access and a short trigger design

The spinning MBCS Seat is a little more polarizing in design and features the bridge design that draws inspiration from the Megane-bashi in Nagasaki, known as Japan’s oldest arched stone bridge. This seat looks a little eccentric but is very comfortable to rest your hand over as it is positioned directly over the reel stem.

The MBCS spinning seat draws inspiration from an arched bridge

This ergonomic fit helps increase grip when working baits and provides a lot of access. I found on the P5 JDM rods that this design fit squarely in your hand when fighting fish and would not rotate, helping provide a firm grip.

A look at the rear locking nut which is covered in cork and finished with machined aluminum

Rod's like the new Addermine will benefit from this new seat which provides more access to the exposed blank section, palming contact, and overall better ergonomics when finesse fishing. 

Guides are proven Fuji Titanium SiC

The new US Destroyers will come armed with Fuji Titanium Frame SiC-S Guides, and as you might expect the thread work on these rods is excellent, and yes all those purple highlights have also carried over. Epoxy is kept to a minimum and tight around the wrap area to minimize weight and not interfere with the intended action of the raw blank.

Notice how the Daemos name is green, this corresponds to the Megabass "Recommended Game Chart"

In total there will be nine Destroyer P5 rods at time of launch. These are broken out into colors that fall into the Megabass "Game Chart". For example the F5072X Daemos is designed to be a spinnerbait and swim jig specialist so it is green on the chart. This is indicated by the color of the rod's name on the blank and also on the rod sleeve for quick and easy identification.

The Game Chart breaks each application into colors for easy identification

The following are the Megabass P5 USA rod descriptions, powers, and where they fall in the application specific "Game Chart" and retail prices for each model.

Quick Take: The Destroyer P5 US Rods are just entering mass production now and will retail from $475 to $525 depending on the rod model with the finesse oriented Addermine spinning rod being the most accessible, to the power oriented Mark 56 and Jungle Seven rods being the most expensive at $525 each. We have also confirmed that all nine of the launch rods will start becoming available in the early spring timeframe from retailers.

In true Megabass fashion even the butt caps are refined

Over the course of the next few months we will provide more details on the rods as we have a chance to get them on the water and see just how they feel, and how they compare to the last generation.

The P5 Addermine in particular feels immediately more crisp than the last gen with the new 5-D blank

Just handling rods like the FMJ, Daemos, Mark56 and Addermine in the lab and we are excited by the return of some immediately familiar lengths and actions bolstered with the enhanced styling and refinement from the 5-D equipped JDM P5 rods. As an example I can already say that I like the action of the new Addermine better than the last generation as the tip feels considerably more crisp and exhibits a faster action. I hope that this translates into an even better sensitivity, faster hooksets, and more torque under load. One can only hope, and there is only one way to find out. Time to hit to hit water!