Megabass Destroyer P5 Spinning Rods Review

Continuing the storied legacy of revolutionizing the bass rod market with each generation the Megabass Destroyer P5 Spinning Rods are the latest edition to the series that has served as the gold standard for cutting edge rod development. With innovations such as the new 5-D Graphite System of blank ...construction and the implementation of custom built one-of-a-kind reel seats and handle systems the Destroyer P5 once again greatly surpasses the standards set forth by its predecessors. With each model having its own unique highly technique-specific blueprint the Destroyer P5 takes engineered bass fishing performance to entirely new levels.In 1995 Yuki Ito prototyped the Destroyer of traditional bass rods unleashing an unrivaled fusion of craft and technological innovation upon the Japanese bass market. Each subsequent generation of Destroyer reached beyond the standards and conventions of their time to establish a new benchmark. A quarter-century later "Project Living Legend" was established to ensure that each cycle of destruction and creation through innovation preserved Megabass rich DNA bringing anglers ever-closer to the ideal.Guided by this spirit the LAIHA program gave birth to a limited concept rod series in 2019 developed to test and refine standard-destroying technologies to push innovation past present limits. From this tireless effort the 5-D Graphite System was born. Representing a paradigm shift in the blank construction process 5-D enables a more perfect realization of the Destroyer through a new method of patterning and layering unlocking untold potential. Thus with each generation all change—especially destructive—is embraced in the technological pursuit of the angling ideal. Out of this cycle Destroyer rises anew to challenge anglers to new heights. MBCS Spinning Reel Seat Drawing strength from the robust structure of the Megane-bashi in Nagasaki known as Japan’s oldest arched stone bridge Yuki Ito channeled time-tested design into the development of the MBCS spinning reel seat. Featuring a curved shape that is a marriage of structural integrity and human form MBCS rises from the blank to fit perfectly into the palm. This ergonomic fit not only increases grip and leverage for rod work and fighting fish it transmits feedback by maximizing contact points between angler and equipment. Further the palming grip encouraged by the MBCS is an anchor against torsional force enabling greater control. The exquisite contours of the MBCS are reinforced by an internal structure that ensures maximum strength and rigidity with minimal weight allowing the full benefits of the reel seat’s arched shape to be realized without excess material. Exposed blank section palming contact and next-level control deliver the kind of intuitive feel required by finesse fishing in the toughest tournaments carrying angling awareness into the depths.Zaldain 3D Dynamics Performance GripInspired by Chris Zaldains fight in the top echelons of the worlds oldest and toughest bass fishing circuit the B.A.S.S. Elite Series Zaldain 3D Dynamics strives towards a more perfect union of angler and equipment. Each hand-formed carbon fiber handle takes shape as if custom made for each anglers hands providing comfortable contours for enhanced grip and the superior vibration transmission properties of carbon material. Destroyer 3D EmblemIf you look closely the brand-new Destroyer logo has been renewed. Once again the new logo was painted by Yuki Ito with his brush refreshing the core philosophy of the series. The new emblem is crafted from a three-dimensional solid plate with artwork overlaid on each blank to reflect the depth of Destroyer history. Destroyer Original Tight Threading Fuji Titanium Frame Sic-S Guide To further reduce unnecessary weight and improve performance the Destroyer utilizes a smaller-diameter thread made of special fiber which allows for tighter more effective guide wraps. This not only minimizes the wrap area and associated epoxy to reduce weight—it minimizes any negative impact that hard epoxy guide wraps can have on the natural bend-curve of the blank. The result is a smoother more intuitive blank with minimalistic threading for maximum strength and performance.End BalancerWeight-saving improvements in blank construction thread wrapping method reel seat and head locker design result in a lighter rod which allows for lighter counterweights to achieve the ideal “Takumi” balance for each application. Even the F6-69X which is balanced for a tip-up posture for heavy-cover applications utilizes a mere 8g counterweight contained in the End Balancers machined metal form. To reflect this achievement the shining gold end cap emblem of previous generations has been updated to an understated "Bronze Meteo" finish. 5D Graphite SystemThe blank technology newly developed through the experimental LAIHA project is the 5-D Graphite System. As the name implies this blank construction methodology leverages five prepreg patterns to best address five elements—vertical axis horizontal axis oblique axis elongation and elasticity—and combine each in a painstaking puzzle matrix to maximize the application-specific performance of every blank. The cohesiveness of each completed puzzle enables a fusion of disparate parts reducing the unnecessary prepreg overlap of traditional patterning and layering. This not only reduces material waste; it allows for a more precisely smooth taper and seamless load transition for truly intuitive performance. Destroyer Head Locking System 3Based on the machined-aluminum head-locking structure developed in the LAIHA concept project the new Destroyer Head Locking System 3 is optimized for production status. The structure is the lightest of all Destroyer series to-date minimizing any potential interference in blank resonance and vibration transmission through the reel in addition to highlighting the purpose-built elegance of each rod model.