Finally checked this off my bucket list, hopefully I visit more places with smallmouth. This was on the Buffalo River TN. Using the Biutifu Traveler XUL, Miravel 2000, 4lb Berkley Forward with floro leader.
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Nice! How do you like that rod?
It's a bit meh. I got the 2.1m and it's not an xul rod, that is apparently just the name "Traveler XUL". It's just a UL pack rod. It is pretty noodley too so it's not good for jigging which is why I use it primarily to throw spinners. It's really slow action and really hard to set a hook, it responds very late. Really an unfortunate purchase, but it was cheap (I think ~$25) and quite portable so I feel less reserved in using it in risky situations like I did here on a river canoeing risking tipping and getting lost or some tight spots where it could have caught up on brush and maybe snap a tip.
I say it's meh, because I'm kinda comparing it to some other travel rods I have like the Major Craft Benkei, Daiwa Mobile Pack, Prox Mobatra and Daiwa Presso Pack rod. I think it would make a close replacement for the Presso, but not any of the other rods.
Thanks for the details! I appreciate it. I've been thinking about an XUL.
The Mifine microbite is a great rod. It's been getting more and more expensive tho since it's gotten too much attention. My first one was the UL travel 1.98m for $19. So I got a second one later, the 2pc 1.8m XUL but that cost $43, and the price is still creeping up.
Thanks! I noticed that about some of the Handing and FishingFans rods, too.
The Taigek/Fishing Fans Orca/Scar feels like a Shakespeare Micro 4'6" UL. It's ok. It's biggest flaw is that the first guide (at least on the 1.8m) is tiny and the rod needs the absolute tiniest reel and even then some of the cast distance is wasted on the line friction on the first guide. The plastic butt is also huge, the rod won't fit into my diy pvc rod holders that are big enough to hold an Ugly Stik Elite.
It doesn't feel like anything exceptional in use. It feels like a slightly longer Shakespeare Micro and I paid $27 which makes it about the same as a Shakespeare Micro. At least it can jig unlike the Biutifu.
Very nice smallie!