Anglers are all the time searching for the subsequent smartest thing to assist them catch extra fish. Bass anglers are particularly vulnerable to fall prey to the most recent and best tendencies that will or might not have been confirmed on the water. After being burned one too many occasions, I’ve grow to be fairly skeptical after I hear in regards to the subsequent “recreation changer.”
Nevertheless, the Trika 6X has confirmed itself to be a very recreation altering rod, not less than for me. It’s every part it promised to be: light-weight, sturdy, and delicate. Trika, a more moderen firm, spent the previous 4 years designing, developing, and rigorously testing rods to realize outcomes that talk for themselves. I’ve been fishing the next 4 rods all spring and summer time, focusing particularly on the strategies every rod is designed for. Let’s dive into my testing.
Trika 6X Specs and Key Options
6X Spinning Rods
- Size: 6 ft, 10 inches
- Energy/Motion: Medium Lite/Xtra Quick
- Rod Weight: 3.7 ounces
- Line Score: 4 to 10 kilos
- Lure Weight: 1/16 to ¼ ounce
I discovered this rod was excellent for Ned rigs and heavier drop shots. The additional quick tip allowed the rod to be tremendous delicate for actually finesse bites, however the rod additionally gives an superior spine for whenever you set the hook and a giant bass makes a tough run.
- Size: 7 ft
- Energy/Motion: Medium/Quick
- Rod Weight: 3.8 ounces
- Line Score: 6 to 12 kilos
- Lure Weight: ⅛ to 1/2 ounce
This rod was nice for wacky rigs, however the quick tip was stiffer than I anticipated. It was nice for lengthy casts and skipping docks with mild baits, however made it a bit tougher to solid precisely because the tip didn’t load a lot.
6X Casting Rods
- Size: 7 ft
- Energy/Motion: Medium Heavy/Quick
- Rod Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Line Score: 10 to twenty kilos
- Lure Weight: ⅜ to 1 ounce
In the event you like throwing jigs or heavy Texas rigs, that is the rod for you. I fell in love with the 7-foot, medium-heavy all through my months of testing. It’s bought an superior spine for preventing fish away from cowl, but additionally a gentle sufficient tip to make sure they keep pegged all through the combat.
- Size: 7 ft, 3 inches
- Energy/Motion: Medium/Quick
- Rod Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Line Score: 8 to 17 kilos
- Lure Weight: ¼ to three/4 ounce
This rod was far more experimental for me from the get-go. I wished a rod that may work properly for shallow crankbaits or chatterbaits and settled on the 7-foot 3-inch, medium energy with a quick motion. Whereas it didn’t become my favourite cranking rod, all through my testing I discovered this to be the right spinnerbait rod. It allowed me to make lengthy, correct casts and really feel the blades thumping as I introduced it again to the boat.
Testing the Trika’s 6X Rods on the Water
In late April, I bought my arms on 4 rods from Trika’s 6X line. I made a decision to go along with two spinning rods and two casting rods that will work properly for a few of my favourite strategies. Since then, each time I hit the water I’ve had a Trika rod in my hand.
As a match bass angler, I’ll admit that I’m not light with my gear, rods particularly. After months of casting, catching, and dropping them on the deck of my boat, these rods have held as much as the torture I put them by way of.
The sensitivity within the 6X line comes from a design function referred to as the EkkoChamber which amplifies vibrations within the rod. The EkkoChamber could be seen proper the place the reel attaches to the rod, and is completely different from different rods as a result of the clean goes into the deal with farther. This elevated sensitivity actually helped me dial in what was a chew and what was simply underwater construction. With the 6X, every chew is unmistakable, it feels just like the bass are hitting the lure with a baseball bat. Underwater construction usually feels spongier because the lure hangs up and the road tightens, however a chew simply feels aggressive, even with finesse ways. This was particularly useful when fishing deeper rock piles or submerged timber.
The shortage of EVA or cork on this line of rods can also be distinctive. The carbon weave deal with is bonded to the rod clean which provides you much more sensitivity. Cork or EVA could cause you to overlook refined bites, however the carbon weave deal with permits for elevated sensitivity all through your complete rod. The grip on the deal with can also be properly designed, with the underside of the deal with widening out to stop hand slippage in moist circumstances whenever you’re attempting to make lengthy casts. General, the deal with and grip have been very properly thought out and the fishing expertise was higher than I’ve had with conventional cork or EVA deal with rods.
What the Trika 6X Does Finest
In the event you can’t inform already, I completely loved utilizing these rods over the previous few months. They’re extremely light-weight, provide nice sensitivity, and allowed me to make some impressively lengthy casts, even with light-weight rigs. The EkkoChamber paired with the carbon Axial Weave actually units the 6X lineup aside. The crew at Trika has even run unbiased assessments on the 6X sequence which have allowed them to say 2X the sensitivity of their opponents.
Whereas I gained’t be claiming these rods have been clearly two occasions extra delicate than different rods I’ve on my boat deck, I can admit the sensitivity in these rods in comparison with others was palpable.
Their unbiased testing additionally reveals that the 6X line gives extra castability, which I did discover whereas on the water. Trika claims a 26 p.c enhance in casting distance over the opponents, which once more, I gained’t be confirming or denying, however I’ll admit that in my on the water testing, there was a noticeable distinction in castability and the gap I used to be capable of obtain throughout a traditional casting cycle.
Fishing is all about really feel, so placing precise percentages for sensitivity, castability, and sturdiness could be actually robust to grasp as an angler. What I can let you know is that I observed a real distinction when on the water, whether or not that’s to their precise measurements or not. I used to be very impressed that the 6X line actually did really feel lighter, extra delicate, and allowed me to make longer casts.
There are many rods accessible with the 6X line as properly, 5 spinning rods and 7 casting rods. These choices cowl a variety of strategies you possibly can fish with them, and I plan so as to add extra to my lineup earlier than the summer time ends.
What the Trika 6X Can Enhance
Whereas I do love fishing these rods, there’s all the time one thing that may be improved upon. Frankly, I’d like to see extra rods added to their choices. I used to be hopeful that the 7-foot 3-inch casting rod could be a good shallow crankbait rod, however the quick tip didn’t enable for the crankbaits to run with their full potential. Virtually your complete lineup gives quick or further quick suggestions, which makes fishing transferring baits tougher. As it is a newer lineup, I’m hopeful that average motion rods might be added sooner or later.
Last Ideas on the Trika 6X Rods
General, for those who’re available in the market for a brand new rod, you gained’t be disillusioned with any of the Trika 6X choices. The sturdiness these rods provide is difficult to seek out with some competitor choices, and whenever you tack on the additional sensitivity the EkkoChamber gives, it’s a lethal mixture. Whereas the 6X might not be a price range choice, it’s value each penny. At $299, the 6X sequence is pretty priced based mostly on the supplies, design, and total fishability you’ll obtain. The sturdiness of those rods can’t be understated both, there’s nothing worse than paying prime greenback for a rod and having it break whenever you boat flip a bass, with the 6X sequence, I’m a lot much less involved that may occur.
I’m excited to proceed placing these rods by way of their paces all through the remainder of the summer time and fall, I’m positive they gained’t let me down.