Core Series MB873 | The Long-Range Workhorse 7'3" | MH | Fast | 10–17 lb | 1/4–3/4 oz | Casting The Reach Advantage The MB873 takes everything you love about the MB843 and extends the playing field. Built on a 45-Million Modulus Toray High-Modulus Carbon Fiber blank with a Nano-Resin matrix system — optimized for impact resistance and high toughness to eliminate the brittleness associated with high-modulus graphite — three extra inches of blank length creates a larger casting arc, launching lures further with less effort while giving you superior line management once the bait hits the water. When your fishing demands long-distance casts across grass flats, open flats, or deep-water ledges — this is your rod. Better Sets. Better Control. Length equals leverage. When a fish strikes at the end of a long cast, you need to move a lot of line to drive the hook home. The MB873 picks up that slack instantly. Once pinned, the 7'3" frame gives you more swing to lead a fish away from bridge pilings, thick grass, or timber. The MB873 is for the angler who wants the versatility of a Medium Heavy but needs the distance and hook-setting leverage that only a 7'3" blank can provide. Primary Techniques Deep Texas Rigs & Jigs — increased sensitivity and hook-setting power at depth Carolina Rigs — ideal length for casting long leaders and maintaining bottom contact Spinnerbaits (Open Water & Clear Lakes) — the 7'3" MH Fast taper delivers the sensitivity to feel blade changes, subtle swipes, and any deviation in the bait's action at distance; when fish are keyed on blades along bluff walls or open flats, this blank tells you everything happening at the end of the line before you ever see the fish Swim Jigs — cover massive amounts of water and check the bait with ease Schooling Bass Topwaters (Poppers / Schooling Fish) — the 7'3" length gives you the casting distance to reach schooling fish blowing up on baitfish; the MH Fast action delivers the sharp, deliberate tip movement poppers demand without wearing you out over a long morning of active bait work; pair with monofilament to provide shock absorption on explosive surface strikes and protect light-wire treble hooks What Else This Rod Can Do MB873 — 7'3" MH Fast Casting. The "Long-Range" Power Tool. Freshwater Techniques Black Bass: Deep-water Carolina Rigs or bombing a swimbait across a grass flat. Largemouth/Smallmouth: Sweeping hooksets on long-distance Texas Rigs. Striped & Hybrid Bass: Bombing medium swimbaits, 1/2–3/4 oz jigging or casting spoons, and topwaters into open-water surface schools. The 7'3" length maximizes casting distance to reach a surface blitz without spooking the school, while the MH power provides superior line management in heavy current. Steelhead (Casting): Throwing spoons or spinners in large river systems where you need distance and leverage. Pair this crisp Fast blank with a long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to act as a shock absorber against violent, aerial surges on light-wire hooks. Inshore Saltwater Techniques Open-Flats Redfish & Trout: The 7'3" length maximizes casting distance to bomb paddletails or gold spoons across expansive shallow grass flats without spooking fish. The MH backbone drives the hook home at distance and controls the fight in open water. Borderline & Conditional Techniques Full-Sized Topwater Walking Baits & Big Pencil Poppers: A Fast action MH blank will walk these baits, but it is not the industry-preferred tool for this technique. The crisp 45M modulus tip snaps the bait too aggressively, increasing the risk of the front treble catching the line and pulling hooks on explosive surface strikes. If you fish walking baits on this rod, use monofilament — never braid — to provide the surface flotation and shock absorption the Fast action blank cannot. Full-Sized Topwater Walking Baits (Oversized Models): Keep lure weight within the 1/4–3/4 oz window — large saltwater-grade walking baits and heavy pencil poppers exceeding 3/4 oz will overload the blank and compromise casting performance. Redfish (Bull Reds): Slot reds on open flats are well within this rod's capability, but true bull redfish pushing 20–40 lbs will test the upper limits of the 10–17 lb line class. Step up to the L904-S for dedicated bull red applications with heavier line. Lipless Crankbaits in Grass: Great for snapping grass and triggering reaction strikes, but the 45M high-modulus carbon is crisp on the hookset — use fluorocarbon line to add stretch and prevent pulling treble hooks out of the fish's mouth. Channel Catfish (Bank Fishing) — the baitcaster platform and 7'3" length provide excellent line management when sweeping fish up from a distance, but total terminal tackle payloads must remain strictly within the 1/4–3/4 oz engineering limit; standard 1–2 oz pyramid or egg sinkers used from shore will completely overstress and collapse this high-modulus blank. Build Specs Blank: 45-Million Modulus Toray High-Modulus Carbon Fiber with Nano-Resin matrix system — optimized for impact resistance and high toughness to eliminate the brittleness associated with high-modulus graphite Guides: American Tackle TiForge Air — premium, marine-grade 316 Stainless Steel frames featuring an insertless, hardened stainless-steel ring design to maximize sensitivity, eliminate ceramic ring blowout, and minimize tip weight Grips: Dense EVA split grips — tackier feel when wet, built for long days Reel Seat: Ergonomic design for all-day comfort during high-repetition casting Built in small batches. In stock ships immediately. Reserved builds ship in 3–5 weeks.
