MB-1102-TR | Afterstorm SWELL Special Baitcasting Rod – Flathead Sea Bass Dedicated
Overview: The 3rd generation MB-1102 Bait represents a major leap in surf baitcasting performance. Compared to the 2nd generation:
Titanium-frame SiC guide weight reduced from 6.3g → 3.8g (40% lighter)
Total rod weight reduced from 240g → 212.4g (11.5% lighter)
All achievable weight reductions were implemented while maintaining moment and exceeding the original’s performance.
The “SWELL SPECIAL” retains its core concept but features a new bait-specific blank design. While sharing the mandrel with the spinning version, the bending points are entirely optimized for baitcasting: the tip is slightly stiffer, and the butt bends more readily, creating a crisp medium-fast action.
Despite being a medium-fast rod, it is reinforced with 40t carbon in the tip and 46t in the butt, delivering stiffness without compromise. When casting 26g–28g lures, the load transitions seamlessly from tip to butt, ensuring full power transfer, responsive bend, and explosive recoil. Every piece of tactile feedback—lure, line, rod, reel, and knob—is transmitted directly to the angler’s hand, providing precision and control unattainable with spinning rods. Once mastered, this baitcasting rod allows lever-brake-level control, virtually eliminating lost fish.
Performance:
Target Species: Flathead sea bass (Hirabass), capable of handling surf and rocky point applications
Rod Action: Medium-fast, high-elasticity, crisp but forgiving for loading and holding fish
Lure Range: 10–35g comfortable; optimal 16–28g for minnow and vibration plug plucking
Heavy Lure Capability: Full casts with 40g jigs for long-range flat-area coverage
The rod is designed for wind speeds up to 8m/s and low-pressure swell conditions, providing sensitive tip control for small lures (10–12cm, ~10g) while handling 6kg+ class fish confidently.
Recommended Knot & Leader:
Use friction-style knots without creating a leader knot.
Leader length: 1.0–1.5m, with the knot positioned outside the top guide. Avoid excessively long leaders.
Features:
G-CRAFT Original Carbon Reel Seat:
Black anti-slip coating with carbon sleeve; ultra-lightweight duralumin lock nut.
Titanium Guides:
Fuji Torzite rings with all-titanium guides for smooth line flow.
G-CRAFT Original Spigot Joint:
Reinforced with plain-weave carbon to preserve action and sensitivity.
Grip Design:
High-density EVA with ultra-lightweight G-CRAFT carbon reel seat.
Summary: The MB-1102-TR Afterstorm SWELL Special is a high-performance, lightweight baitcasting rod designed for flathead sea bass and other surf-target species. Its crisp tip-to-butt action, reduced weight, and precision feel make it ideal for long-range casts, sensitive lure manipulation, and confident control of large fish in variable swell conditions.
