Aaron Martens Enigma Rods
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| Aaron's Edge Series Rods |
It came as a shock to many, when before the 2015 season, Martens ended his long standing agreement with Megabass and set out to get more involved with the design process of the products he was using. Aligning with new tackle company Enigma Fishing, Martens designed a series of bass rods titled the Enigma Fishing Aaron Martens Aaron's Edge Rods, his first endeavor was quite ambitious. By now many are familiar with this change in sponsorship and have at least heard of these new rods, but anytime a new company comes onto the scene it is tough to fully get an idea of their products without some serious research and feedback. While many anglers are still getting comfortable with their Enigma Rods, Martens has fished them enough to now understand their intricacies and characteristics as they pertain to lure selection and fishability. Here he breaks down each model explaining their best uses.
Aarons Edge Casting Rod Breakdown
If you look closely at the model numbers, you can see they have some differences that determine their general function including the following designations: MB (Mag Bass), LS (Light Saltwater), CB (Crankbait) and FS (Flipping Stick). In addition, each rod has it's own ideal lure and line rating that will dictate how they should be used.EAM7MB-M
A 7' medium power casting rod designed for light soft plastics and jigs. This rod is a good choice for pitching a drop shot or fishing a light hair jig, but also serves as a great topwater and fluke rod. Long rods have become more popular in recent times, but many anglers feel they are overpowered by these 7'6" and longer models. This rod provides perfect control for any angler.EAM7MB-MH
The other 7' casting model, this rod displays many of the same characteristics of the medium power, but with a bit more backbone to it. Look to this model when fishing your lighter jigs and weightless soft plastics. This rod also makes a great chatterbait rod because of the fast tip and lighter power that allows bass to load up and remain hooked throughout the fight.EAM73MB-M
Adding a bit more length, this 7'3" medium power rod is suited for the same applications as the 7' version, but with the extra length you can deliver longer casts and pick up more line upon hook sets.EAM73MB-MH
Medium-heavy power, 7'3" casting rod - this is the most versatile rod in the lineup and Martens uses it for everything including pitching light jigs and plastics, bed fishing and throwing swim jigs.EAM73MB-H
The first "heavy" rod in the series - another 7'3" model. This rod is your all purpose heavy stick for bigger jigs, worms, swimbaits and pitching. Anytime your jig or plastic worm weight exceeds 5/8oz, this is a good choice. So strong, yet fast action tip - very "tippy" so casting is easy and controlled.EAM611MB-H - Frog
Yep! This is the frog rod, a 6'11" stick with a heavy power rating. Martens loves throwing frogs. He often gets associated with the drop shot technique, which by the way he says he hates, but his true passion is flipping and frogging. When designing this rod, Martens wanted it to be shorter than 7' because he believes control is the most important feature of any good topwater rod, especially a frog rod. When you get into the jungle and need to skip your frog back under trees or laydowns, the sub-7' length is going to prove essential. This rod is strong with a fast action and remarkably lightweight.Aaron's Edge Crankbait Rods
Four models of crankbait rods that cover the entire spectrum of reaction bait fishing including jerkbaits and ripbaits, shallow runners and deep divers.EAM72CB-M - Crankbait
A good ripbait and jerkbait rod, this model measures 7'2" in length with a medium power rating. It was designed to fish light line commonly employed when fishing jerkbaits. The rod is slow action, but not quite as much as the remaining crankbait rod models.EAM72CB-MH - Crankbait
Here is your all-around crankbait rod. It can do it all. From shallow running crankbaits to medium and deep divers, this crankbait rod can handle it. The only exception would be the ultra-deep styles that have become increasingly popular since the release of the Strike King 10XD.EAM78CB-MH - Crankbait
This crankbait rod offers a little extra length for launching out the 20 foot range plugs that are a staple of any bass fisherman's deep water arsenal. DD22's, Spro Little Johns, Megabass Deep-Six and any other crankbait which needs to be cast great distances and dive deep.EAM710CB-MH - Crankbait
At 7'10", this medium heavy crankbait rod was specifically crafted for fishing the new phenomenon of ultra-deep divers which are designed to exceed the 20 foot threshold. We're talking big, heavy plugs. This rod doesn't exclusively need to be used for deep divers - it will perform very well with the magnum shallow runners as well.Aaron's Edge Flipping Sticks
EAM78FS-H - Flipping Stick
Aaron's sole flipping stick in the lineup is the EAM78FS-H which is 7'8" in length and designed for lure weights from 3/8oz - 2oz, essentially covering all of your flipping and punching needs. Martens relied heavily upon this rod during his 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series victory on Lake Havasu where he probed matted tule fields some 30 feet from the water's edge. He would flip the bait back into the fields of reeds and listen for a splash. Once bit he not only had to muster a solid hookset, but also pull the 4lbers all the way back to the boat through the air. It was a sight to see and proved just how solid his Aaron's Edge Flipping Stick was.Aaron's Edge Spinning Rods
Consisting of four models, the spinning rods in the Aaron's Edge series are designed to the specifications of Martens, one of the world's foremost authorities on finesse techniques. While he admittedly hates the drop shot technique, he has spent decades learning the finer points of the application and now is commonly associated with it among fellow professionals and fans alike.
EAM67SJ-L-S
This 6'7" spinning rod possesses a light power designation which makes it the ideal choice for a wide variety of finesse applications. Good choice for light nail weighted worms, drop shots and skipped wacky rigs. Martens uses this model for a variety of techniques.
EAM610SJ-L-S
Finally, Aaron Martens drop shot rod. This is it, this rod was made exactly to Martens' specifications for all-around drop shot applications. Martens designed this spinning rod to be suitable for all weights and hook styles commonly employed for the drop shot - open hook rigging or Texas rigged using the Roboworm Rebarb Hook. You'll find this rod to provide the ideal balance, tip and backbone for pulling on bass from shallow to deep water.
EAM611SJ-ML-S
An excellent spinning rod for fishing shakey heads and Texas rigs. Martens gave this rod a little more power than the designated drop shot model, but that doesn't mean it can't also be a good rod for the technique. If you do happen to be fishing a little heavier cover or heavier plastic, this rod might just be the rod for you.
EAM72CB-M-S
Somewhat unique among bass fishing rods, this 7'2" spinning rod is designed for crankbaits. Many anglers like a spinning rod for lighter crankbaits and Martens is no exception. When using the ultra-light crankbaits or jerkbaits, Martens turns to this medium power crankbait spinning rod. Great choice for fishing Rapala Glass Shad Raps and similar lures.
