Design & Ergonomics: If you're familiar with what I refer to as the OG B-Hittay stick from ARK Fishing International, you'll know that this updated version looks more or less the same. What you will not know unless you can compare them side by side is that the new version is about half an ounce lighter though not as well balanced as the OG. The new version is also slightly more powerful - at least according to our RoD rating as shown in the table below.

Name brand, Fuji guides with O-ring inserts

This all translates to an enjoyable time out on the water. I found the NTS74MH-G to be a very comfortable stick to fish for extended periods of time and it matched up well with ARK's new Gravity 8 casting reel. The new, "O-ring" guides from Fuji are more appealing in appearance than the previous "F-rings" with that light grey finish though the relative grade of those inserts is probably close to the same. Either way, I've not experienced any mis-haps with either guide material

Checking out detailing at the hood

Clean detailing between the grips

Price & Applications: As with the majority of ARK's offerings, what consumers will find best about the NTS74MH-G and all the sticks from this refreshed lineup is each rod is priced the same at $139.99. There are no incremental increases depending on length and power that afflict some series from other manufacturers. As for application, as mentioned earlier, this is a stick built for vibrating jigs, but it will serve just as well, in my opinion, with crankbaits and probably cranks at all depths. It's light enough in the tip for shallow cranks, yet powerful enough to pull deep running cranks as well. It's a very versatile rod.

Conclusion: For all the different series in ARK's crowded rod lineup, Randall Tharp's signature and this stick in particular, remain among my favorites. It's very easy to take a moving bait stick for granted, but when you get one that's dialed in just right, that stick can be difficult to put down.

If you're looking for an affordable moving bait stick that won't break the bank, the search begins right here

The NTS74MH-G is reminiscent of an old school cranking stick, but without the weight and clunkiness of those vintage glass blanks. With the versatility to support bladed jigs and cranks this refreshed Tharp rod casts well and provides a smooth and comfortable platform to work a wide variety of reaction baits.

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