Tips and Reviews

Rod Review: Maximus Rods - Workhorse BF Spinning

If you are looking for a quality fishing rod that will get the job done, you may want to check the Workhorse line out at Maximus Rods. Basstrail was introduced to the Maximus Rods line up last Fall and were asked to provide a real world review of their product. Because we wanted to feel the quality and sensitivity, we went with a finesse style 7’ Medium Fast action rod.

The makeup of the rod consists of IMF composite material with SIC guides with tangle free frames. The reel seat is made from plastic molded material with foam and metal coverings and accents. This model was a 2 piece model which I generally shy away from but this was the only option at the time as the single piece rods were stuck in the middle of the supply chain crisis.

First Impression

Taking the rod out of the shipping tube which was packed very well and arrived unscathed after literally traveling half way around the world from St. Petersburg, Russia. The immediate feel of the rod is that materials and finish were high end. The rod seat was solid, unlike some other mid-range class rods which can feel rather cheap and flimsy in comparison.

The rod blank itself showed a quality look, and a transition from standard finish to the textured finish of the top two thirds of the rod which added interest and a feel of quality.

The rod guides were all aimed properly in line, well spaced, with an aesthetically pleasing wrap that also appeared to be durable.

Setting in a Pflueger President XT reel fell secure and solid with no wiggle or shake present while feeling very balanced.

Setup and Uses

For this rod I went with a finesse stick bait set up for the springtime. I would also like to use this rod with a drop shot that should work well with the sensitivity and length but Spring time testing had the majority of the fishing shallow. Stick baits used were both weightless Texas rigged as well as wacky rig on some occasions, around shallow grass and light cover.

The line used was 20lb high-vis Power Pro braid to 4-5 feet, 8-10lb Seagar fluorocarbon leader depending on the conditions at the testing times with about 32-40 trips.

On a trip to the beach I opted to let my grandson use this rod for its ease of casting and figured it would be a great action for any smaller fish he would end up catching. I wasn’t wrong. He was able to fish for a couple hours casting far out and able to fight a small toothy critter to shore with a constant grin on his face!

Performance

The rod casting was very good with the length and action for this set up. I can cast a stick baits a country mile, and enough backbone in the medium action with the braid I could set the hook confidently on a long cast.

Fighting fish was effortless with the medium fast action performance keeping the bass pinned with a constant amount of pressure. Having the slightly lighter rod kept the hook sets with the braid from being too violent and enough to drive the hook with leverage from the length of the rod.

As a finesse rod I would have no problem continuing to use this in competition or when fishing for fun. The only issue I had with the rod was the hook keeper location which was about mid way between the reel and bottom guide. It was put at an angle, which I believe helped a little however the braid would wrap around the rod and get grabbed by the keeper when reeling in for another cast. A very minor issue but frustrating when fishing in competition. The keeper could use to be put closer to the reel seat to prevent this.

Durability

I didn't abuse the rod, but I didn't baby it either. This rod I did not have a rod sleeve for and it was put into my travel rod tubes without any protections after every trip. With all the banging around while going down roads across the Southeastern U.S., the rod shows no wear or damage.  

Numerous times the rod was put into heavy loads - generally from snags where I would pull my kayak over to the log and to free the hook - and no signs of stress or damage noticeable.

https://maximus-rods.com/

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Eric Nelson
Professional Kayak Bass Angler

Biography

I was born in Southeastern Massachusetts, where I began fishing for bass when I was in my early teenage years, graduating to competitive bass tournaments in my late 20’s. I moved to North Carolina in 2015 and found the passion for bass fishing from a kayak, and quickly became involved in both the local and national kayak bass tournament scenes. My fishing skills have allowed me to qualify for almost every major event since joining the clubs, be it at a club, state and even national level.

Being a professional in the online web development and design field for publications, I have always used my skills to help promote the clubs and the sport as a whole in my spare time.  I have been a part of the club directors for Cape Cod Bass, and now for Carolina Kayak Anglers, one of the larger kayak clubs in the country. I am also a part of the national KBF tournament advisory board.

The Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) format has allowed me to travel across the United States, fishing against the best fisherman in the country. Now with the KBF Pro format, and the merging with the FLW organization, I am looking forward to where this adventure takes me in the future.

Highlights

Total Career Earnings - $3,250

Competition Highlights
Inaugural FLW / KBF Cup Championship Qualified 2019 - Hot Springs, AK
KBF National Championship Qualified 2020 - Lake Guntersville, AL
KBF Challenge Championship 2018 - Toledo Bend, LA
2019 KBF National Championship - 57th overall out of 462 anglers - Shreveport, LA
KBF Regional Trail Championship Qualified 2019 - Lake Wheeler, AL
KBF National Trail Championship Qualified 2019 - La Crosse, WI
2nd Place 2018 KBF National Trail - High Rock Lake, NC
2nd Place 2019 - Plastic Pirates - Randleman Lake, NC
11th Place - 2019 KBF Southeastern Region Trail - Santee Cooper Lakes, SC
13th Place - 2019 KBF Southeastern Region Trail - Chickamauga Lake, TN
46th Place 2019 FLW / KBF Cup Qualifier - Nickajack Lake, TN
2nd Place - Plastic Pirates - Randleman Lake 2019
1st Place - Cape Cod Bass,  2002 - Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
1st Place - Cape Cod Bass, 2008 - Glenn Charlie Pond, MA