WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – Designed in collaboration with the JDM Tackle shop LUCK Tackle, the Huerco XTL Series XLT511-5c is the ultimate hard bait rod for bass anglers on the go. A versatile rod designed to cover a wide range of moving baits, it features a deep bending curve that loads evenly and keeps fish pinned, reminiscent in action to classic rods from decades past. The deep loading blank allows long casting of lures from 1/8oz to 1/2oz in weight, using up to 16lb line class.
The rod’s description and details below are Google translated from Japanese (with some modifications for clarity) and were written by Muku-Chan, the rod’s designer and owner of LUCK Tackle shop.
This is the ultimate rod that allows you to enjoy using lures and interacting with fish.
A standard bait rod that is faithful to the basics
It has a good balance for easy handling.
As you can see from the rod model, it is the baitcasting version of the 511 series. However, it is not a spinning rod with a bait specification, but a rod that has been set up with a solid concept.
After searching for a rod that is easy to use with my favorite Lucky Craft NW99, Sammy, and Sam Lures Fat Sam Jr., I ended up with a rod that is easy to use with hard baits in general (around 3/8 oz. hard baits, up to the mid-range), and that has made me realize many things.
The focus is on the cast and operation of hard baits, and this setup will allow you to get bites that you couldn’t get before.
I will explain each part separately.
① Guide setting
A setting that makes it easy to handle hard baits and makes it difficult for fish to knock off their bites.
When I talk to people in the store who know me about rods, we often get into deep conversations about “that rod back then” or “the settings back then…”
With that thought in mind, we have recreated the setting incorporating various elements, bringing the atmosphere of the past to the present day.
The 511 blank makes certain things possible, and we have taken advantage of this with the guide settings.
As you can see from the guide, there are many large guides lined up.
By doing so, you can create slack in the line, making it easier for anyone to add action to the lure.
This is an important point, as it broadens the lure’s range of action while making it harder for the fish to knock it away when it bites.
Also, the guides are large, so it’s very easy to pass the line through them.
[We deliberately lowered the sensitivity] to achieve a sense of balance.
Saying that the sensitivity has been reduced may sound negative, but I think you’ll actually find that it’s not that bad(the spinning XTL511-5S was set to increase sensitivity). I wanted to express how it would be better if you mainly use plugs for bait casting.
②Grip:
It has a semi-double length that is easy to handle (200mm from the reel seat). It is balanced so that it is easy to cast with one hand when using a finesse reel to cast lightweight lures.
The rear grip is shaped to improve casting accuracy.
When casting something a little heavier, hold it with one hand.
The placement balance of the high cork is also essential. It is designed to increase the grip strength of the parts that come into contact with the fingers when casting and creating action.
The weight balance of the high-cork is also important and contributes to operability.
③Reel seat
We have adopted a TCS reel seat with a slightly voluminous feel, and have pursued a balance that allows you to “grip” it even when using a low-profile reel.
The increased contact area between your fingers increases the sense of stability when using the device.
④Main lure used
Basically, it is set up so that all hard baits are easy to use.
● All top water rods
It is easy to add action by taking advantage of the rod’s characteristics.
*The effect of the guide size comes into play here.
The rod balance has also been adjusted to make it easy to point the rod downward.
Tip section that can handle sudden bites.
Butt power that can withstand violent thrusts.
Enjoy top water games with peace of mind.
● The grip is shaped to prevent it from hitting your arm, so that you can operate it downwards to create a “slippery” action rather than a sharp action like when using a minnow.
When reeling, you can pull the line while keeping it slack so that you can catch unexpected bites.
● The 0m to 1.8m range, which is often used for crankbaits, is just right for easy use.
When I mainly fish with crankbaits, I cast quite a lot.
I set it up so that I can cast accurately to the target (grip and overall rod balance).
It is also compatible with lipless crankbaits.
●Shad
It is easy to handle with both winding shad and stopping shad, and it is easy to create slack, so it is easy to hook even with a touching bite.
Even with a strong twitch, it does not fly left and right much, but it can make a dart with a good delay.
●Other settings make it easy to use hard baits in the 1/8oz~1/2oz class.
●The rod balance makes it easy to cast repeatedly without getting tired.
●It is easy to make a downward action, so poppers are also very good.
Worms can be used, but they are not suitable for a decisive hooking, so they are sometimes good for fishing where you have to land the bait (Grubbin Buzz is best for use in open water).
The most important thing is a rod that can “catch fish.” A long time ago, a mentor of mine told me that there is such a thing as a rod that can catch fish.
At the time, I was inexperienced and didn’t understand what it meant, but as I used and handled various rods, I realized
“Oh, so that’s it…”
That’s something that’s hard to express in words, but I tried to incorporate that into this rod.
As for the reel to be paired with it,
A standard reel is best (one that can reel in about 80m to 100m of 12lb).
A standard gear ratio reel is best (low gear reels also work well).
*If the gear ratio is high, it won’t be easy to achieve the ideal action due to the balance with the tip convergence speed.
I personally love using a 1001mg Scorpion lure spooled with 10lb nylon, because it’s super nostalgic.
As for the line, combining it with nylon line will significantly expand the range of action.
If you want to lower the range a little, try combining it with a fluorocarbon line.
●The target fish is a wide range of fish, mainly large fish such as largemouth bass and area trout.
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