Ldc workshop WHITE LABEL
The lowdown customs workshop. It’s my hands down favorite series for my own and other treble hook hardbaits. I’ve been using LDCs since the first run of “production” models came out and while all were excellent rods, I have always leaned towards the production bare bones models and blanks with a more moderate taper. I had multiple tapers and lengths on deck from fast action 7’6” to 8’6” parabolic XXHs. All that changed when I switched over and tried the Workshop series. I always believed the longer rods with soft tips helped keep the fish pinned better and applied steady pressure easier and more consistently then a short rod (under 8’). Thats the main concerns for me when fishing big treble hardbaits, keeping the fish on until it gets into the boat. Well the 7’9” MH changed my mind on that theory. The fish stick to that thing like Velcro. No soft tip and less than 8’, best small treble rod I’ve used, who woulda thunk it?!
I’m no expert on rods and the technical side of the build or design. Actually, I have no clue what the heck is going on with that. I do know how to swing them around the deck of the boat though and occasionally I get to bend on a few fish. For treble hooked hardbaits 1-4ozs the MH rod is incredible. The length to handle ratio, the feeling in hand, and the most important part, how it handles fish and puts them into the boat are all on point. I know there’s a ton of opinions out there and I’m sure a lot of great rods are available. The LDC Workshop is amongst the top choices regardless brand preference or bias. Coming from a guy who’s thrown trebled hardbaits pretty much exclusively for almost a decade, this rod is not lacking. I didn’t even want to order the MH because of the length, then I got one and what a mistake. I should have known since the H performs the exact same way with larger baits.
I could go on a ramble about details, what graphite is used, spiral wrap or not, handle length, but I won’t. No one wants to read that here. I’m just giving the cold truths. While LDC rods may be hard to attain, you cannot go wrong with the Workshop series rods for your swimbaiting needs. While I feel the workshop blanks excel for treble hooked baits I have also used the Workshop 8’ H on many occasions for soft baits such as the 7” battles shad and large hollowbellys. It’s performs perfectly. Just because the taper is more of a moderate bend doesn’t mean it won’t handle your soft bait duties. I honestly am just not a soft bait sage or expert so I don’t want to push that issue hard, but the Workshops have worked just fine for me all the way around. Check above and below for some cast to catch to see the blank in action and some fish caught on the Low Down Customs Workshop series. It won’t be hard to see that just because LDC was at the forefront of bringing custom style swimbait rods to the masses doesn’t mean they aren’t STILL one of the best choices on the market. Pick one up and give it a whirl, thank me later.
