As some one who has fished dozens of rods, from multiple price points over the last 5 years, I thought I would take some time to offer my real, unbiased opinions on each rod. I am only going to talk about rods I have fished, maybe this will help some one out there decide whats the best rod for them in there price range.
St Croix: Legend Tournament, I currently own 3 LT's, all casting, the 7' MF "teaser", 6'6" MF "jerkbait", and the 7'6" MHMF "pitching". Each rod excels at what it's labled for, and as a plus they are versitile beyond there ratings. Light, strong, durable, and super sensitive. I can't think of any thing wrong with any of these rods, and can't wait to add more to my line up, in short the best rods I have ever used......yet.
Avids: I own 6 Avids, and in all honesty, I cant not detect much difference in performance and sensitivity between the Avid and LT, I will buy more, IMHO they are they best bang for the buck in MY rod collection.
Premiers: I at one time owned a few Premiers, not impressed totaly, and actualy a bit dissapointed. One thing IMHO that would make the Premiers a better value would be better guides. I felt they were a well made rod, put carried a bit of a high price for there performance. I probably will not buy another.
Triumph: I also owned several Triumphs, and frankly liked them better than the Premiers, but not enough to keep them around, senstivity is just OK, they felt a bit heavy, and they also could use better guides, and at $70 they are probably a bit of a reach $50 would be more like it. I will not buy another.
Next up, Fenwick:
Techna AV, I own 1, as sensitive as my St Croix LT's, well made, light, and priced about right. I would buy another, in fact I might add one of these before another St Croix LT, as I do not care for the split grips on the 08' LT's, and the Techna AV's are in the same price range and use a more tradtional grip.
HMG, I own 3, very very close to the St Croix Avid for a little less $$, I will buy more, but only in casting, I do not like the spinning reel seat/grip arrangment they use.
HMX, I own 6 better than the the St Croix Premier, for less $$, in fact, as with the HMG I feel they are very close to the Avid, and can't feel a world of difference between the Avid, HMG,and HMX. Some people may be turned off by the reel seats, and stainless steel rod guides, but I have grown to be very VERY fond of the reel seats, and the SS304 guides have treated me very well. They are a fantastic buy at there price point, and if all I could ever afforn was HMX's I would be happy with them. I will buy more, just cause I like them, I had a few for sale a few weeks ago when I had the chance to pick up a few new St Croix Legend Elites, but the deal for the LE's fell through so I kept the HMX's and am not unhappy about it.
Eagle GT: owned 2, this is probably the only Fenwick I did not like. Price was fair for what they were, and the rods didn't lake for quality, but they just seemed heavy, and poorly balanced. I did not like the spinning reel seat at all, and the casting rods all felt tip heavy and took a big reel to balance them............not the way I wanted to go. They were pretty senstive for a $50 rod, about on par with the St Croix Triumph, but actually I liked the Triumph better. I wouldn't buy another.
Venture, I liked these better than the Eagle, and owned quite few of them, they are no longer made, but IMHO Fenwick made a mistake by dropping them, and at $50 seemed like a good value.
Now for Shimano: Crucial, fell in love with this line of rods, so far I own 1, very light, very sensitive, and very well made. As good as the Avids, planning to buy more.
Compre: Also love this line of of rods, and next to the Fenwick HMX, are the best sub $100 rods made, I own 2 and plan on adding more.
Next......Bass Pro Shops: Extreme, owned several, When this was my "best rod" I thought the world of them. In fact, they are a good rod, but thats it , just a good rod. Not worth the $99 full price, and probably not much of a deal at there "sale price" of $65. The are not light, but they are actually pretty senstive for a heavier rod, and very tough and well made. I still have 1, but don't plan on getting any more.I place them below the Fenwick HMX, and St Croix Triumph, but better then the Fenwick Eagle GT.
Bionic Blade, I owned several of these as well. I don't think they were sensitive at all, well made and heavy, but lacked for sensitivity. Over priced at $80, much better rods in that price range, like the Fenwick HMX and Shimano Compre. I would not buy another.
Cranking Stick: I owned 2, and am kinda missing the 7' M I had, for $50 it was a great rod, not light, nor very sensitive, but it's really the only "entry" level cranking rod that is a good value, and performs well. IF i needed a cranking rod in a pinch I would buy one, but now that I use higher end rods, I don't think I could go back to one on a full time basis.
Tournament Special: Hated this rod from the first cast, waste of $$, no sensitvity, heavy, and reel seat seemed cheap.
Kistler: Magnisum TS, rods felt great in the store, bought 2, after breifly fishing with them they are gone, real seats SUCKED with a capital "S", for $180 I expect a rod with a reel seat that holds my reel firm, not that sloppy POS. Weight was not and issue, but sensitivty was not what I expected, seemed over priced, and used lower grade componants than other rods in there price range. Will not buy another.
Graphite series, again reel seat issues, and at $130 the senstivity left alot to be desired, no where near the Fewncik HMX which is the same price.Will not buy another.
Lastly Lowly Berkley: Lightning Rod, I can not find one thing wrong with this rod . Senstivity OK, a tad heavy, but well made, and versitle. What more could you ask for in a $35 rod. I would buy one if I had to, in fact I still have plenty of them that I use for bank/pond fishing, and they don't ever dissapoint, no they are not Avids, or Crucials, but heck find me a better "cheap" rod.
