Anglers are at all times in search of the subsequent smartest thing to assist them catch extra fish. Bass anglers are particularly inclined to fall prey to the most recent and best developments that will or could not have been confirmed on the water. After being burned one too many occasions, I’ve change into fairly skeptical once I hear in regards to the subsequent “recreation changer.”
Nonetheless, the Trika 6X has confirmed itself to be a really recreation altering rod, a minimum of for me. It’s all the things it promised to be: light-weight, sturdy, and delicate. Trika, a more recent 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 toes, 10 inches
- Energy/Motion: Medium Lite/Xtra Quick
- Rod Weight: 3.7 ounces
- Line Ranking: 4 to 10 kilos
- Lure Weight: 1/16 to ¼ ounce
I discovered this rod was good for Ned rigs and heavier drop photographs. The additional quick tip allowed the rod to be tremendous delicate for actually finesse bites, however the rod additionally affords an superior spine for once you set the hook and a giant bass makes a tough run.
- Size: 7 toes
- Energy/Motion: Medium/Quick
- Rod Weight: 3.8 ounces
- Line Ranking: 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 gentle baits, however made it a bit tougher to solid precisely for the reason that tip didn’t load a lot.
6X Casting Rods
- Size: 7 toes
- Energy/Motion: Medium Heavy/Quick
- Rod Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Line Ranking: 10 to twenty kilos
- Lure Weight: ⅜ to 1 ounce
For those who 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 acquired an superior spine for preventing fish away from cowl, but in addition a mushy sufficient tip to make sure they keep pegged all through the battle.
- Size: 7 toes, 3 inches
- Energy/Motion: Medium/Quick
- Rod Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Line Ranking: 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 effectively for shallow crankbaits or chatterbaits and settled on the 7-foot 3-inch, medium energy with a quick motion. Whereas it didn’t grow to be my favourite cranking rod, all through my testing I discovered this to be the proper 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 acquired 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 effectively 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 mild 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.
Derek Horner
The sensitivity within the 6X line comes from a design function known 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 totally 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 sometimes feels spongier because the lure hangs up and the road tightens, however a chew simply feels aggressive, even with finesse techniques. This was particularly useful when fishing deeper rock piles or submerged timber.
The shortage of EVA or cork on this line of rods can 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 the whole rod. The grip on the deal with can be effectively designed, with the underside of the deal with widening out to stop hand slippage in moist situations once you’re attempting to make lengthy casts. Total, the deal with and grip had been very effectively 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 Greatest
Trika
For those who can’t inform already, I completely loved utilizing these rods over the previous few months. They’re extremely light-weight, supply 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 staff at Trika has even run impartial checks on the 6X collection which have allowed them to assert 2X the sensitivity of their rivals.
Trika
Whereas I received’t be claiming these rods had 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 impartial testing additionally exhibits that the 6X line affords extra castability, which I did discover whereas on the water. Trika claims a 26 p.c enhance in casting distance over the rivals, which once more, I received’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 space I used to be in a position to obtain throughout a traditional casting cycle.
Derek Horner
Fishing is all about really feel, so placing actual percentages for sensitivity, castability, and sturdiness could be actually robust to know 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 actual 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 out there with the 6X line as effectively, 5 spinning rods and 7 casting rods. These choices cowl a variety of strategies you’ll be able to 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
Derek Horner
Whereas I do love fishing these rods, there’s at all times 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 an honest shallow crankbait rod, however the quick tip didn’t permit for the crankbaits to run with their full potential. Virtually the whole lineup affords quick or further quick ideas, which makes fishing transferring baits tougher. As this can be a newer lineup, I’m hopeful that average motion rods will likely be added sooner or later.
Ultimate Ideas on the Trika 6X Rods
Total, in the event you’re available in the market for a brand new rod, you received’t be disillusioned with any of the Trika 6X choices. The sturdiness these rods supply is tough to seek out with some competitor choices, and once you tack on the additional sensitivity the EkkoChamber affords, it’s a lethal mixture. Whereas the 6X will not be a finances possibility, it’s value each penny. At $299, the 6X collection is pretty priced based mostly on the supplies, design, and general fishability you’ll obtain. The sturdiness of those rods can’t be understated both, there’s nothing worse than paying high greenback for a rod and having it break once you boat flip a bass, with the 6X collection, I’m a lot much less involved that may occur.
I’m excited to proceed placing these rods by their paces all through the remainder of the summer time and fall, I’m certain they received’t let me down.