SPRO Slayer B74MH Product Review #sproslayerrods #sprorods

Rod Review

SPRO Enters the Value Rod Market With Their Slayer Series

Date:	2/13/24
Tackle Type:	Rod
Manufacturer:	SPRO
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.50 - GOOD

Introduction: For those anglers out there that like the idea of brand matching their combos, manufacturers are making it easier and easier to accomplish this task with many rod manufacturers now offering reels and vice versa. This past year, SPRO released both at the same time, but with really, very minimal information with regards to specifications on their new Slayer series of rods, I decided to procure one to pair with my Vortex-E and satisfy my own curiosity. Here's a look at SPRO's Slayer B74MH.

SPRO Slayer B74MH Casting Rod Specifications
Material	24 ton Toray Carbon Fiber
Length	7'-4"
Line Wt.	12-25lb
Lure Wt.	3/8-1oz
Pieces	One
Guides	9+tip (SeaGuide Atlas series - SS frame, aluminum oxide inserts)
Rear Handle Length	10"
Power Rating	Medium Heavy
Taper	Mod-Fast (visual assessment - no manufacturer specification)
Rod Weight	4.8oz
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$119.99

Introducing the Slayer B74MH

Impressions: When I say minimal specifications, I mean SPRO gives little information about the specifics that make up the B74MH. Other than to say it's graphite, has premium guides, and is medium heavy in power, really, the most specific the manufacturer gets is with the material used in the split rear grip - EVA. They don't even list the stick's taper, instead listing "MH" for the rod's action. Medium heavy is actually a term to describe the rod's power while action is typically used to describe taper.

The B74MH's specifications, note "Action" should refer to the rod's taper. "MH" describes the rod's Power

All this aside, I reached out to SPRO to ask about the specifics and they told us that the Slayer series is built on a blank made from 24ton Toray carbon fiber and the guides are the Atlas series from Seaguide. I didn't ask about taper as I could tell by flexing the rod's tip that the B74MH is kind of a moderate-fast tapered rod.

The very comfortable reel seat

Real World Tests: I paired the Slayer B74MH with one of my Vortex-E casting reels spooled with Sunline's new Siglon AMZ braided line in 50lb test. I then installed a leader of 8lb Sunline FC Leader securing the two lines together with an Alberto knot. Target applications were some vertical and horizontal bait techniques to get a sense of the rod's versatility.

Rear grip is EVA foam

Casting: With a lure weight range between three eighths of an ounce to one full ounce (3/8oz - 1oz), the Slayer B74MH sits right in the middle of what I refer to as the new medium heavy (MH). There was a time MH rods came with a rated range of one quarter to three quarters of an ounce (1/4oz - 3/4oz), but those days are long gone. Smaller, lighter guides, refined tapers, have all led to a wider, more diverse range and the B74MH

Metal accents to finish off the grip tie into the signature SPRO green

That having been said, I did a quick casting test attaching jigs of different weight classifications to the end of the line and I'd say the lure rating for the Slayer B74MH is spot on. However, on the cast, the B74MH loads a bit slower than I anticipated. Nothing to really be alarmed about, but it is something that takes a few casts in order to dial in.

Clean and attractive hood design

Sensitivity: In the sensitivity department, it's hard to really expect much from a stick in the B74MH's price range and I'd say its about average for the price point. Nothing really to write TackleTour about but also nothing about which to really be discouraged. For best results with this stick, if fishing vertical bait techniques, I'd just suggest straight fluoro, braid, or braid plus a fluoro leader as your line choice. That way, you're extracting the best possible performance for feeling that bite. With the line combo I chose, I was able to easily detect strikes fishing a Megabass Sleeper Craw on the bottom.

Next Section: Power on the cheap?