Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Megabass US Destroyer P5 F7-75X BMG against the historical averages of medium, medium heavy, and heavy powered bass rods we've tested over the past twenty plus years

I'm not certain the exact reason, but I've noticed it from time to time with different sticks. The oddity here is the lure ratings are totally accurate for the BMG, so while it behaves like a heavy powered rod in one respect (lure presentation), it also behaves like a medium heavy in others (fighting fish).

Checking out that tip

One might suspect what I'm experiencing is that dual or progressive taper deal Megabass is known for, but if that were the case, the rod's deflection chart should start off in the heavy powered curve and then shift to the medium heavy curve as more load is applied. That is not the case. It literally charts and fishes like a medium heavy powered rod while being perfectly capable of handling baits up to about an ounce and a half, maybe even two, without blinking.

I might have enjoyed the BMG more as a stick for swim jigs like the Uoze Swimmer

So then, the next natural assumption would be you need to swing a little harder than usual when setting the hook yet that too, was not the case with the BMG. Perhaps the rod's length has something to do with it, but I was plenty effective with an abnormal number of flailing sets due to those telepathic strike detections - an experience that again, lends itself back to a stick that's more in the heavy powered spectrum. The more I fished the BMG, the less I felt I could pin down its character.

That distinctive P5 lock nut

Design & Ergonomics: Megabass's US Destroyer P5 F7-75X shares the same fit, finish, and components as the previously reviewed US Destroyer P5 F7.5-76X Mark-56. I was a little disappointed Megabass of America didn't put a little different spin on the US P5s but I'm sure they were more concerned with getting the lineup to market than tweaking their appearance to deliver a more distinct USDM vs JDM look. Challenges with the supply chain in recent years have impacted every industry and their impact on product design and availability should not be overlooked.

Diving into ergonomics, at 7'-5", the BMG's overall weight of 4.5 ounces is somewhat impressive. However, as one might suspect, at that length and weight, its balance point is further up along the handle than average resulting in a higher than average balancing torque. In other words, the BMG is a bit tip heavy.

Funny thing is, I hardly noticed it while fishing this stick, so add that to the list of items that don't match up with this stick in terms of measurables and performance.

Split rear grip of cork

Price & Applications: Retail for Megabass of America's US Destroyer P5 F7-75X BMG is $499. It is a stick touted for bottom contact presentations like jigs, Carolina rigs, and the like. However, I also fished it with moving baits like Megabass's own Uoze Swimmer and of course, the afore mentioned ClickBait Customs Ice Sonar. Other possibilities for this stick? paddletail swimbaits, buzzbaits, soft plastic stick baits, swim jigs, vibrating jigs, the list goes on. It is a stick that belies its own description and specifications as if it had a secret yearning to do more.

Conclusion: Megabass of America's US Destroyer P5 F7-75X BMG is touted as one of those sticks ideal for bottom contact presentations. I'm here to say to limit this stick to that role would be a travesty. It is actually capable of so much more, presenting baits from the top of the water column to the bottom and everywhere in between. Though its exact power specification is strangely, a bit ambiguous, it can really handle baits within its rated range and a bit beyond. It has the backbone to drive home jig style hooks yet the flexibility to fish with treble hooked baits - exactly what I was seeking as a stick ideal for the California Delta. It is an excellent compliment to the previously reviewed US Destroyer P5 F7.5-76X Mark-56, so perhaps it is less about these sticks individually and more about Megabass's design of their 5-D Graphite System Blank at the soul of each. Perhaps this revelation speaks to the need to look at even more models in the lineup, but where to next?

My journey with the F7-75X may be at an end, but that begs the question... which US Destroyer P5 shall I sample next?

One thing is for sure, were it not for the fact I awarded the Mark-56 with this Editor's Choice Award, recency bias would have me preferring the BMG over that. Suffice it to say, these US Destroyer P5 sticks have impressed me not from a crisp and precise performance perspective, but from their ability to connect you to whatever is happening at the end of the line so you can up your own game. It's difficult to explain, but in the span of their tests, I just seem to catch more fish with these sticks, comparatively speaking, than other rods I'm testing at the same time. So that begs back to the question, which US Destroyer P5 shall I sample next?

Looking for a Megabass US Destroyer P5 F7-75X BMG?

Try TackleWarehouse