G-CRAFT Seven-Sense Monster Plugger AR MPB-783-AR

With the launch of the new brand SEVENSENSE AR, the Monster Plugger series will be transferred to this new lineup. While maintaining its original concept and blank design, the updated version features a redesigned grip and upgraded guide specifications. The previous model, MPB-782-TR, will continue to have spare parts available for the next five years (until 2029). We appreciate your understanding.
Note: The concept details listed below are the same as those from the TR series.

The Monster Plugger is a new seabass category specialized for comfortable handling of large plugs. The first model, the Big Bait 78-3 Special, designed with a 7.8 ft blank and a lure max of 3 oz, finally entered production in fall 2021.
Developing this blank proved to be quite challenging—mainly because of the strong rebound power characteristic of the TR series’ 46t prepreg. This high-elastic material, while lightweight and highly responsive, can be difficult to tune for big baits.
When designing a rod that is both light and stiff enough to operate heavy lures comfortably, the “bend” and “load-holding” ability during fights tends to be sacrificed. Yet abandoning the 46t prepreg—the core of the TR series—was never an option.

As a result, extensive fine-tuning was required to break the common belief that “high-elastic big bait rods don’t bend.”
Fishing tackle comfort is directly tied to human perception—a principle true for the entire TR series. When casting heavy big baits, even a slight sense of fear regarding blank strength prevents anglers from making full-power casts, meaning the rod cannot perform as intended. Eliminating that fear while maintaining responsiveness was a key challenge.

Taking these factors into account, the 78-3 Special was tuned for excellent operability from 20 g class minnows to 48 g big minnows from shore, stable long-range castability with full-power casts, smooth control of 30–60 g S-shaped joint minnows, and effortless panic action or dog-walk action with 30–80 g topwater baits.
Thus, the 7.8 ft / 3 oz max model was completed—lightweight, strong, and safe to cast without hesitation, suitable for both shore and offshore big bait applications.

Although this rod is designed to bend properly, it will initially feel “stiff.” Keep in mind that it is engineered for long-term performance over the next five years. We recommend catching around fifty fish of 80 cm / ~4 kg class—totaling approximately 200 kg—to fully “break in” the rod and appreciate its true usability.
With the 78-3 Special, go after late-autumn ayu chasers, konoshiro feeders, or large seabass with big minnows and big baits—take on true lunker-class fish with confidence.

Testing Overview

Field Tests:
Conducted across large, medium, and small rivers, as well as open water areas, focusing on large seabass.
Comfortable lure range:

• Minnows: 19–53 g
• Sinking pencils: 19–60 g
• Vibration baits: 25–45 g
• Jointed minnows: 39–60 g
• Topwater: 42–80 g
• Dive/pencil (swimbaits): up to 80 g
  Minimum workable lures:
• Vibration: 15 g
• Minnow: 16 g
• Sinking pencil: 19 g

Blank is tuned for seabass-specific strength with a lightweight, balanced feel, optimized for both shore and offshore big bait applications.

Test Reel & Line Setup

For ayu-run seabass:

• ’18 Antares DC MD XG
• ’17 Z2020SH BLACK LTD
• Line: PE 2.5 + leader 30 lb (1.5 m)

For konoshiro-run seabass:

• ’21 TATULA TW300XH
• ’21 Scorpion MD300XGLH
• Line: PE 3.0 + leader 40 lb (1.5 m)

Use a friction-type knot that does not create a bump at the leader connection.
Recommended leader length: 1.0–1.5 m.
Cast with the knot positioned outside the top guide. Long leaders are not recommended.

Lures Used During Testing

(Representative lures with high usage frequency and best results)

• Bluegill 190F/SS, Jointed Claw 178, Riser Jack, Davinci 190, Konoshiro Swimmer, Big Bandit, Timber Flash Jr, BT Force
• Stream Demon 160/170J/180, Gustave 160F, Wakey Boo 112/137, Spank Walker 133F, Grand Soldier 190F
• Silent Assassin 140F/S, Kagerou 155F, Frankie 145, TKLM 140G, K2F162, Amazon, D-Bonito 180
• Switch Hitter DH97S, Monster Hitter 156F, Monster Shot 95/110/125

Recommended hooks:
SP-MH #3+, RB-MH #3+, STX-45 #3+, FUNGS62UA #3 / 63UA #4+.

Features

GCRAFT Original Reel Seat

• Equipped with Fuji’s Flat Back Casting Seat (FBCS) with lightweight, corrosion-resistant T2 titanium color finish.
• Hybrid construction of titanium and carbon-reinforced resin.
• Barrier-free system eliminates the step between the seat body and hood nut.

Titanium Guide System

• Equipped with Fuji ultra-lightweight SiC-S guides.
• Full titanium K-guide layout.

Grip Design

• GCRAFT original laser-engraved anodized ring.
• High-density EVA split-grip configuration.