Real World Test:  The iRod accompanied me to several small lakes in south Florida.  The rod was used with reels from Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia spooled with a range of lines from 14lb mono to 30lb braid.  To thoroughly test the versatility, bottom contact, mid range, and topwater baits were all used.

Casting:  Casting the Genesis II IRG744C-MH is not only done with ease, but it's a lot of fun too!  The solid fast action and good balance combine for a very satisfying experience.  Something that I immediately noticed while both casting and fishing was the crispness of the blank.  Granted, this blank doesn't have the crispness of a premium stick like an NRX, but it has a nice bit of pop to it.  It really helps the blank to react and dampens quickly during a casting motion.

Perhaps it's due to my 6'3” stature, but I love longer rods.  7'0” is about a minimum for me, with my preferred range of multi purpose sticks being from 7'2” to 7'6”.   As far as casting goes, the extra inches really count when it comes to distance and line control.  A shorter rod may be better for close range pinpoint target casting, but after you fish a longer stick for awhile you become accustomed to it and accuracy can match that of the shorter sticks.  This rod is accurate at all distances for me, and I really have a lot of fun casting it.

The rated lure range of 1/4-3/4 ounces is pretty much spot on for what I feel the rod is capable with.  As a paddle tail swimbait junkie, I loved it for throwing the small Berkley, Basstrix, and Keitech baits on 1/4 ounce weighted swimbait hooks.  It also makes a stellar 1/2 ounce jig rod, and the extra length is really a key here in keeping excess line off the water and aiding in long distance hook sets in deeper depths.  I did max it out once with some 3/4 ounce jigs and large trailers, and while it did fine, just like the ratings indicate I wouldn't eagerly push it too far past that mark.  Baits right around the 1/2 ounce zone are really in the sweet spot for me.

Sensitivity:  The sensitivity of the Genesis II feels a bit above average.  The 30 ton graphite is quite responsive, and the fact that a coat of epoxy isn't slathered on the blank keeps the sensitivity at a maximum.  I was never left wishing for more feel, especially when taking into consideration the modest price point.  This is a very satisfying rod in terms of sensitivity whether your choice is monofilament or braid!

Power:  I feel this rod doesn't lack power one bit.  It's perfectly in line with it's ratings, and possesses ample power throughout the blank.  The butt section is plenty strong and provides needed moving power if you really lean into it.

Application, Price, Warranty:  This rod is definitely one of the more versatile models you can have on your rack.  With a longer length and medium heavy power rating, it lends itself well to an array of techniques.  Jigs, Senkos, open water frogs, paddle tail swimbaits, and light Carolina rigs are just a few that pop into mind.

With a bunch of manufacturers all bunched into the mid to upper $100 range, picking out a stick can be a bit challenging.  With grin-inducing performance and a pleasing build quality,  at an MSRP of $149.99 the Genesis II IRG744C-MH is a solid value.

Genesis II rods carry a lifetime warranty.  If the rod breaks due to a manufacturing defect, it will be replaced at no charge.  If the rod breaks for any other reason, a no questions asked $50 fee will apply, plus the cost of shipping.

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Pluses and Minuses:

Conclusion:  The IRG744C-MH has proven itself a worthy competitor in the mid range price category.  I've said it before....it's a crowded price point, and if your stick doesn't have an edge it will quickly be lost in the mix.  While the Genesis II doesn't have a super unique appearance, the fact that it performs above average helps set it apart.

Matt Newman and the team at iRod certainly produce a winning stick that can be appreciated by a hardcore tournament angler or a tackle junkie like myself.  If you are seeking a strong value in your next casting rod and don't require much bling associated with it, without a doubt this one should be considered.  It's a simple rod that simply performs!

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