G-Rods International BA 73MH 1C Casting Rod Crankbait Rod Product Review

Rod Review

Our First Look at G-Rods International! (continued)

Features: Each G-Rods BA series stick comes with a nice, custom rod sleeve reminiscent of the JDM Brands. This sleeve is excellent for long term storage of the rod and can be used in your rod locker too, but will prove a bit bulky if you get too many rods stacked in your locker all at once. The BA73MH-1C does have a Fuji hook keeper, but it is installed behind the reelseat on the underside of the rod right at the top of the rod's butt end. This is a nice location to keep the rod keeper out of the way of loose line coming off your reel, but it's an awkward location to store treble hooked baits. I ended up using the frame on the first guide or the top bar of my reel instead.

Features Ratings for G-Rods BA73MH-1C
Grip (1-5)	Guides (1-5)	Reel Seat (1-5)	Hook Keeper (1-5)	Rod Sleeve (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	5	4	2	3	18	25	7.2

Each rod series carries its own species motif drawn by the owners.

Design/Ergonomics: The BA73MH-1C's grip is very comfortable to grasp and hold through a full day of fishing and the rod's color and graphics are very classic - just your basic black and silver color motif. The rod's weight at 5.5 ounces is ok for a rod of this length, but the balance is off. This rod is pretty tip heavy - typical of what you'd expect from a rod of this length.

Lab Results for G-Rods BA73MH-1C
Model	Avg RoD (2-32 oz)	Taper	Measured Weight (oz)	Balance Point (inches)	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
G-Rods BA73MH-1C	2.3	Mod-Fast	5.5	9	0.31
Shallow Crank Avg	3.00	--	4.8	5	0.17
Medium Crank Avg	2.30	--	5.2	8.5	0.21
Deep Crank Avg	1.90	--	4.9	8.75	0.23

Fuji's ACS reel seat is standard.

Design & Ergonomics Ratings for G-Rods BA73MH-1C
Grip (1-5)	Colors / Graphics (1-5)	Balance (1-5)	Weight (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	3	3	14	20	7

We're expecting great things from G-Rods International.

Application: The BA73MH-1C is designed for moving bait applications, but thanks to its graphite construction, it can really be used for any number of things including fishing soft plastics in a pinch. As long as the angler keeps in mind this rod's taper is a little slower than usual, hooksets with jig style hooks should not prove to be an issue.

Bass Rod Application Ratings for G-Rods BA73MH-1C
Rip/Jerk (1-5)	Steady (1-5)	Lift & Drop (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Twitch (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	4	4	4	22	25	8.8

Ratings:

G-Rods BA73MH-1C Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	Quality control is evident in this build	9.47
Performance	Solid performer!	9.2
Price	+$300 is a lot for a cranking stick, but considering this stick's components and unique blank, it's still a "fair" price.	6.5
Features	Rod comes with a solid rod sleeve	7.2
Design (Ergonomics)	Could be a bit lighter	7
Application	Not just a stick for moving baits.. this stick can do a lot more	8.8
Total Score		8.03
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Good sensitivity	- Difficult to find as the manufacturer works to build distribution
+ More useful than just a crankbait stick	- Is the graphene really a factor?
+ Top end components

Conclusion: This stick has a really nice power curve for fishing a variety of techniques other than just moving baits, but is that a product of a nicely designed blank or does the graphene somehow extend the blank's utility? Having experienced this same thing with other graphite cranking sticks, I'm a believer of the former rather than the latter, but the good news is, this stick doesn't cost any more than a typical high and rod with top end components. That means the graphene, if truly a benefit in the rod's long term viability, is a bonus and not something I really something for which I had to pay extra.

Just a taste of what's to come from G-Rods International.

My guess is, we'll see a greater benefit with the more general purpose bass rods and the spinning stick. I know there's a benefit somewhere because I felt it in the surf rods. Cranking sticks are less refined by nature and require less scrutiny to decipher. Nevertheless, our curiosity remains piqued and we look forward to continuing our look into these new sticks by G-Rods International.