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The Search For One... Rapala Canada's R-Type
| Date: |
4/18/12 |
| Tackle type: |
Rod |
| Manufacturer: |
Rapala Canada |
| Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score: 8.17 - BEST VALUE AWARD!
Introduction:
In June of 2010, we brought you a look into Rapala Canada’s top end, “CDM” (Canadian Domestic Market) offering, the Shift baitcasting rod. The shift series retails for right around $179 Canadian and features guides with stainless steel frames and SiC
inserts, quite the value! Yet, the workhorse of the Rapala
Canada lineup and even more of a value is an entirely different series, the R Type. We had one of these rods with us on our recent trip to the Amazon in search of peacock bass and today we bring you our review of Rapala Canada’s R-Type RT45TR72MH2, 2 piece casting rod.
|
Rapala Canada R-Type RT45TR72MH2
Specifications |
|
Material |
HM-55 Graphite
|
|
Length |
7'-2" |
|
Line Wt. |
10-20lb |
|
Lure Wt. |
3/8 - 1 oz |
|
Pieces |
2 |
|
Guides |
9 + Tip (Fuji Alconite) |
|
Power Rating |
Medium Heavy
|
|
Taper |
Extra Fast |
|
Rod Weight |
7 ounces |
| Origin |
Made in China |
|
MSRP |
$98 (Canadian) |
Impressions: Rapala Canada doesn't miss a beat with their R-Type sticks. These rods rival the Shift series for enthusiast appeal yet retail for roughly $82 Canadian less than the Shift series! That's right, the RT45TR72MH2 retails for $98 Canadian and features Fuji Alconite guides. Most sticks from other brands in this price range feature Fuji Hardloys or something comparable.
Introducing Rapala Canada's two piece, 7'-2" R-Type Medium Heavy Powered stick.
Of course, the appeal of the RT45TR72MH2 specifically, is the fact this is a 2 piece stick. As most readers of our site know, there is a serious lack of quality multi-piece stick options out there, so I was particularly interested in testing out this rod on a couple of our planned trips during 2010. Granted, when we travel, we're generally taking along a rod tube because all our other sticks are one piece, but portability aside, I wanted to see how this stick would perform.
Fig 1: This chart illustrates the deflection characteristics of the RT45TR72MH2 (orange curve) and the RT45TR611MH1 (yellow curve) as compared to our Search For One baseline rod, the GLX2000. Though all three sticks are rated as "medium heavy" there are differences in they behave under load.
The Lab: First stop for the RT45TR72MH2 was an appointment with our RoD WRACK. Here, we were able to determine this stick is about a half to one full step above our Search For One baseline stick, the MBR783C GLX2000 from G. Loomis. In fact, the RT45TR72MH2's little brother, the RT45TR611MH1, a one piece stick with similar ratings, tested out a little more closely to that of the baseline rod.
Lab Results for Rapala Canada R-Type RT45TR72MH2 |
Model |
Avg RoD (2-32 oz) |
Taper |
Measured Weight (oz) |
Balance Point (inches) |
Balancing Torque (ftlbs) |
| Rapala Canada R-Type RT45TR72MH2 |
1.44 |
X-Fast |
7 |
4.5 |
0.15 |
| MBR783C GLX2000 |
1.72 |
Fast |
4.8 |
5 |
|
| TSFO 26 Rod Avg |
1.69 |
-- |
4.92 |
7.65 |
|
The Shimano Aldebaran was one of the many reels we used with the RT45R72MH2.
Field Tests: Knowing the RT45TR72MH2 behaved more like a heavy powered rod than a medium heavy, it seemed destined to join us on two of our big trips in 2010. First to Falcon Lake, Texas, then to the Amazon in Brazil.
A look at the RT45R72MH2's sibling, the RT45TR611MH1's spec's.
Casting: At Falcon Lake, I matched this stick up with a Shimano Aldebaran of JDM fame. Casting and pitching performance with this combo was excellent with the bait of choice being primarily a half ounce spinnerbait. The RT45TR72MH2 makes an excellent spinnerbait stick for heavy cover situations because it has good power to help direct angry bass away from cover and towards your position at the boat, yet the stick’s tip is responsive enough for accurate casts with a half ounce spinnerbait.
The RT45R72MH2 was very well suited for Falcon Lake, Texas!
In the Amazon, the RT45TR72MH2 was tasked with presenting large jerkbaits, topwater baits, and half ounce jigs. It did just that paired with both an Abu Garcia Toro and a Shimano Calcutta 201DC.
Rigged and ready to go in the Amazon with Evergreen International's bait
of the same name.
Next Section: Is sensitivity an issue in this 2pc.
stick? |
