Acadia M Series Field Test-- RMS-601-MH --Tester: Troutrageous1

[troutrageous1]

The Acadia Sports 6' MH Spinning Rod arrived today. That's some really quick shipping considering the Memorial Day holiday weekend - Texas to Pennsylvania. I want to do these reviews correctly, and since I got home late today, my report on "initial impressions" will have to wait until tomorrow as I want to take some comparative pics, etc... Anyway, thanks again to Acadia Sports & WIF for this opportunity; this is gonna be fun.

[troutrageous1]

So finally have the time to make my first quote on my initial impressions. I was sent a RMS-601-MH 6' MH Spinning Rod. Being a trout guy, this is a little stiffer rod than I'm accustomed to using, but by the end of this test period, maybe I'll become a bass fisherman.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/2SampleCard.jpg

Shipping
As I mentioned in my previous post, the rod came quick. And I've got to say it came packaged in a "bulletproof" cardboard mailing tube. I've ordered some rods on the internet before, many coming loosely in an oversized cardboard box. Sure, they got there OK, but this packaging gives me no doubt that any rod would make in in one piece (or two if ordered that way:evilgrin0039:)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/1Packaging.jpg
Initial Shipping Grade: 5
(out of 5)

Appearance
Cosmetically, the rod has a gunmetal gray look throughout. The rod is a matte gray, and even the guides are a similar tone. It's not offensive, but I don't think it's really attractive either. The only markings are a small Acadia Sports decal above the handle. The rod blank under the right light also slightly reveals the texture of the graphite beneath. I hope this cosmetic is just for the prototype, and the final production model has a little more upscale look.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/6Guide.jpg
Initial Appearance Grade: 3

Components
Obviously, there's only so much you can tell about the components without fishing the rod, but everything looks pretty top rate. First off, this rod is LIGHT. Featherlight. I have a somewhat high end All Star rod, and the weight compares favorably, if not lighter.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/3Handle.jpg

The cork handle looks & feels comfortable my hand. The reel seat also appears to be made solidly. I've for the time being, I've paired the rod with a Daiwa (will probably go and buy an Acadia) spinning reel, and it fits well. Not too loose, and not overly snug where it had to be forced.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/5ReelSeat.jpg

There is a foam butt cap that screws off, I assume to accommodate a weight kit, that appears to extend the overall profile of the rod a bit beyond 6'. I've never used a rod with this option before, so I doubt I will in the testing either.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/4Butt.jpg

The rod blank is stiff, as to be expected from a MH rod almost all the way down to the tip. To say this rod has a backbone would be an understatement. The last guide on the rod tip seems maybe a little bit larger in diameter than normal - as I compared it side to side to another 6' rod I own (Quantum), and the 6'-6" All Star rod previously mentioned.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/7Tip.jpg

The only issue, upon initial inspection is the absence of a hook keeper. Not a huge deal if the rod performs great, but something you don't realize how much you'll miss until it's not there.

Initial Components Grade: 4

Conclusion
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj115/troutrageous1/Acadia%20Sports/8WReel.jpg
Initial Overall Grade: 4

[troutrageous1]

So after all the feedback from the other testers about problems with the butt ends, I decided to give mine a workout. I squeezed the cork, dropped the rod so it landed on the end, and smacked it against the wall a few times, and my butt cap is staying put - no cracks in the cork. I have a spinning model though, perhaps thats the kicker - I think Kevin & Fishaholic both have baitcasters. Don't know if that means anything, just pointing out the difference.

[Fishaholic]

You pics look no different then ours do, but yes were using the baitcasters

[troutrageous1]

No update on the rod, but I ordered an Acadia reel to go with the rod last night. Once it gets here I'll pair the two and - GAME ON!

[DaveIN]

Great testing guys and keep up the good work!

Looking forward to following the progress.........

[troutrageous1]

So I was pretty psyched this AM to take my rod and reel (ordered a ES-200 Spinning Reel) out for a good test. Like I mentioned before, this rod is a 6' MH, which is a little stiffer of a rod than I regularly use or am used to, but for the sake of this test, I'm obviously open to being a guinea pig.

Went to Green Lane Reservoir to target some bass with some topwater lures. Heard from one of my friends that they like to hit the topwater pretty hard from about 5 AM - 7AM. I got there around 6:30 and waded out about 10 feet from shore and started casting. On maybe my 3rd or 4th cast tossing a Heddon Zara Puppy, SNAP, the butt end broke off (pic attached). Nothing new to anybody who's been reading the reviews so far, but I may be the first one for that to happen on a spinning rod. Anyway, didn't have much luck testing the strength of this rod out with the "sardines" I ended up pulling in on the day, they barely made the rod bend. But I did have a few takeaways that may be of use.


I like the (lack of) weight of the rod, it's really light and in actual use that shines. I'm not one who casts out and just props my rod up on a stick and takes a nap. Working the topwaters was a breeze and I think the lightness of the rod prevented fatigue.
It is very sensitive. After not having much luck fishing topwater, I did switch to tossing some Senkos, and I have to say that I could feel every bump, rock, and crevice that Senko was dragged through - very similar to an All Star rod I own (& paid $99 for). It's definitely much more sensitive than some of my other, more inexpensive rods. Even though the butt end broke off, I didn't have any issues with the rod tip or the blank itself breaking.
One side note. I brought two 6' rods (the Acadia) and a Quantum 6' Shaw Grigsby M Action. Switched the same reel between the two, and the Quantum out-cast the Acadia by about 10-15 feet each time. The Quantum actually had more guides (which is counterintuitive, less friction longer casts, right?) 7 vs. 6. I know the Quantum rod has Fuji guides, I don't know the make on the Acadia. The guides were all I could think of for the difference - or perhaps it was the fact that the Acadia was stiffer, MH Acadia vs. M Quantum, but I wanted to try it head to head vs. another rod I own. Maybe there's to many differing variables between the two...

Anyway, this was my first shot at a test. I plan on going back to Green Lane at least one or two more times. I noticed a lot of Carp Fishing going on - and some nice size fish being pulled out - so I might try this rod on my next trip as a Carp rod. It's probably a bit short (these guys were using like 12 or 14 foot rods), but it would make for a good strength test nonetheless.

[gofish]

the casting distance difference is probably due to difference in action of the rods,the way they load up ect.

[troutrageous1]

Well today was officially the last day of testing for my Acadia RMS-601-MH Spinning Rod. She finally gave way (similar to some of the others) and snapped in a more or less clean break about 3/4 of the way up the rod.

I took the rod and my ES-200 reel (I'm am liking this reel more and more each time I take it out BTW) to the Perkiomen Creek, specifically the stretch between Hoy Park & the Indianhead Dam to go after some Smallmouth Bass. Well wasn't out for long before something SMASHED the Rattle Trap I was tossing. Bent the rod tip over quite violently actually. Most likely a Smallie, but there's also some catfish & carp in the creek. Unfortunately, don't know what it was, as that's when the rod snapped and my line broke as well. Broke the rod off about 1.5 or 2 feet from the tip, lost the lure, and the fish!!!! Oh, well... It was fun being a tester while it lasted, even though I only really got to use the rod about 3 or 4 times. If Acadia ever comes out with a trout rod, maybe I'll get another chance, I'd definitely relish the opportunity to wear that out.

So here's my overall recap of the rod (Lee, the official questionnaire should be coming back your way shortly)

PROS


Extremely Sensitive - Loved how you could feel everything. On par or better than the All Star rods I have used in the past.
Featherlight - seriously, no weight in this thing. Made repeated casting a breeze.
Comfortable Cork Grip which I thought was just the right size/length.
Solid Reel Seat, accommodated non-Acadia reel (Daiwa) perfectly


CONS


I personally wasn't a fan of the monotone gunmetal grey finish.
No Hook Keeper
Some Manufacturing Issues - Butt End Breakage, Metal ring that "finishes" top of cork grip came loose during a cast (poorly glued by factory?)
The one-piece rod became a two-piece rod (:icon_biggrin:) when it was hit aggressively by fish TBD.

In summary, knowing this was a prototype, I'm in no way turned off by Acadia's products. As a matter of fact I'm probably more interested than I was prior. The way Lee has been open and responsive to everyone's testing feedback has been refreshing to say the least, and the customer service & support appears to be top notch. Oh, and like I said prior, that ES-200 reel, is VERY NICE. I know I wasn't officially testing it, but it's a keeper, and clearly an example of the first rate product Acadia brings to market once all the bugs are worked out.