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Rod Review


 

Baitsanity and Leviathan Rods Collab to Create a "Tuggin" rod for Glidebaits

 

Date: 10/17/24
Tackle Type: Rod
Manufacturer: Baitsanity X Leviathan
Reviewer: Cal and Zander






Total Score: 8.00 - GREAT

Introduction: Collaborations, or "collabs," as they are affectionately called are becoming increasingly popular in the swimbait world. Swimbait manufacturers often join forces with painters and rod builders to introduce custom products. Last season one such product was the Leviathan X Baitsanity Tuggin rod which was designed specifically for the Baitsanity Antidote TUG, but proved to be a versatile swimbait stick. This rod was produced in limited numbers and sold out in days. Demand was so high for this stick that the two company's have produced additional batches this season.

 

Baitsanity and Leviathan Rods TUGGIN/Glide Pitching Rod Specifications

Material USA Carbon Blank
Length 7'-3"
Line Wt. 12-25lb (50 - 100lb braid)
Lure Wt. 1-4oz
Pieces One
Guides 9+tip (SS/Alconite)
Rear Handle Length 13.75"
Power Rating Medium Heavy
Taper Moderate Fast
Rod Weight 7.2oz
Origin Made in USA
MSRP $499.99

Impressions: This custom rod is built by Leviathan Rods for Baitsanity as a specialized tool for the latter's innovative topwater glide bait, the Antidote TUG, appropriately named, the Tuggin. The Tuggin' is a seven foot, three inch (7'-3") stick made from a blank rolled with an unspecified blend of graphite. It is a US made blank, but beyond that, Leviathan is being a little elusive with information so as to protect their investment. With the proliferation of entities borrowing ideas from one another in this industry, who can blame them?


Introducing the collaboration between Leviathan Rods and Baitsanity - the Tuggin

The Tuggin blank features a moderate-fast taper and is rated up to four ounces in lure weight. It is outfitted with Fuji guides built with stainless steel frames and Alconite inserts. Pretty standard fare for a mid-tier stick built with performance in mind. Complimenting the stick's shorter overall length, is a rear handle that can be considered short for big baits.

 


Leviathan sourced a brand new, US made blank for this collab rolled with a mysterious blend of graphite

 

It measures thirteen and three quarters of an inch (13.75") from the butt end to the back of the reel seat - just under the fourteen inch (14") minimum threshold I typically seek on a stick for big baits. This length, in theory provides better ergonomics when working big topwater baits, but also, with a 7'-3" overall length, you really don't have that much room to spare for the handle. The Tuggin is a little unconventional, to say the least, at least as far as US designed big bait sticks go.


The Tuggin's raison d'être Baitsanity's Antidote TUG

Real World Tests: Cal leaned into the rod's unconventional vibe by paring it with an unconventional big bait reel - Abu Garcia's Zenon MG-X in an 8.3:1 gear ratio. This reel's line capacity is similar to a Shimano 150 reel, and given his hollow braid to leader line strategy on big bait combos, he could get plenty of line on this reel for big bait duty. Specifically, he spooled the reel with Seaguar's Threadlock Hollow Braid and a leader of 20lb Gold Label FC.


The Baitsanity TUG wasn't the only glide we fished with this rod. While it was designed with wakes and topwaters in mind it is a strong all round mid sized glide rod. Zander liked fishing all the new UFO Space Invaders with the Tuggin rod

Zander preferred to fish the rod with wakes and topwater swimbaits, including the Antidote Tug with straight braid to maximize inputs and responding action on the surface style baits. His favorite reels of choice included the Shimano Japan Antares MD reels outfitted with DRT Varial handles. The reels were spooled with Sunline FX2 or Daiwa J-Braid lines.


The rod features a carbon weave reel seat that looks great in the sunlight

Casting: We began tests with the Baitsanity's Antidote TUG, the very bait that this rod was designed and named for. The TUG is a nine inch (9") bait weighing a factory specified four ounces (4oz) - right at the Tuggin's max.


This shorter swimbait rod is designed for accurate casts and "pitches" with glides

Cal would have preferred the Tuggin rod came with a build and rating capable of handling up to six ounces (6oz) in lure weight so the Antidote TUG were in the middle of its rating instead of at the max. Fortunately, the Tuggin can handle casting duties with this lure weight without feeling too overburdened and that's all that really matters.


Leviathan makes use of their signature handle material

Next Section: Designed for Glide Pitching? 

 

   

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