Berkley Lightning Rod Im6 Flipping

[deep]

Specs: 7'6", H - F, 5/8-1 1/2 oz, 12-25 lb line

I'm interested in this rod as a punching stick. My jig rod- the Powell Max- tops out at 1 oz, and I think I could use a heavier rod; instead of damaging my treasured Powell. I got another reservoir that I can punch mats in, and it has some big fish.

A few questions:

I can get this rod for $25 shipped through my college bass club membership. Is it worth 25 bucks? (I know retail is more.) I don't see myself doing a lot of flipping/ punching anyway, so that's what I can spare.

I'm used to $150 rods; and I'm wondering if it'd be a culture shock trying to feel a bite with a value-priced rod! I'm going to use 55 lb braid on this (my jig reel- reels aren't that cheap lol). If that is the case, I'd save my 25 bucks, and use my small swimbait rod..

Thanks..

[LgMouthGambler]

Ive never used that Shock rod, but have used M and MH Lightning Shocks, and they are really good rods. One of the best bang for thr buck rods Ive ever used. I keep them now as backups just in case I break a Sellus during a tourney.

[deep]

Ive never used that Shock rod, but have used M and MH Lightning Shocks, and they are really good rods. One of the best bang for thr buck rods Ive ever used. I keep them now as backups just in case I break a Sellus during a tourney.

LMG, it's not a Shock. It's the regular Lightning.

[tholmes]

I've never used the flippin' rod, but I have a 6' MH and a 7' MH Lightning Rods and I like them a lot. Like LMG said, best rod for the money out there.

If you can snag one for 25 bucks, I don't see how you can go wrong.

Tom

[Diggy]

LMG, it's not a Shock. It's the regular Lightning.

I have an older LR and it is pretty tough. I think I asked about the guides holding up to braid and people said they use braid on it and no problems. I paid around the same for it and I like the rod. The newer ones(darker color) def feel lighter too. Id buy one at that price as I may buy another for the same reason as you/frogging. I have used my 7ft mh for a multitude of things, including bottom contact baits and it feels really sensitive IMO and I have more expensive rods. I actually like the feel when casting it the best of all my rods because its a full cork grip...when I do decide to use it.

I also think the rod you want is telescopic

[Dave P]

It's the best rod in that price range period and better than some that are more expensive.

[ww2farmer]

Never had an issue with Lightning rods. I used to fish them exclusivly up till about 2005. Between then and now, I have yet to find any better bang for the buck, and many rods that cost as much as $100 more have not been as good. I use a couple of the Shock series of Lightning Rods for reactions baits, and find them perfectly acceptable, in fact I would rather fish frogs, swimjigs, spinnerbaits, and big square bills on my 7' MH LR Shock, than any of the St Croix Legend Tournament's I own, rediculous as that sounds, it's true.

[LgMouthGambler]

LMG, it's not a Shock. It's the regular Lightning.

my mistake, either way they are some great rods regular or shock.

[Highhawk1948]

I have one 6'6" and two 7" , all MH, Berkley Lightning Rods. They are my main pitching and flipping rods for Texas Worm Fishing. I yanked that 7 pounder you see in my avaitar out the middle of a grass line with one of the 7 footers. And for 25 bucks, you can't go wrong, if you don't like it sell it.

[jj'sbassinforfun]

I have been fishing a 7' Berkley lighnin IM6 since the late 90's(my first BC) and it still performs as new. I have only changed a guide and a tip because I dropped it. I also have a Power pole(spinning) since the late 80's. Pretty decent stuff for the money.

[deep]

Sounds good!

Thanks guys.

[Diggy]

I used my LR today and hooked a nice 6-7 lb snakehead that fought into the weeds, pulled it out with slop on the line. It actually seemed to outcast my veritas due to the tip with the same reel and line. Caught a nice bass also on the frog with it. You should be happy.

[deep]

To all those who recommended the rod; thanks a lot. It worked out great today. I hooked every fish I set the hook on, and landed everyone of them too. I was scared to set the hook real hard with my Powell Max; the Lightning I won't mind (a lot) if it breaks. In any case, I can get a few replacements through the Pure Fishing sponsorship program if I break it.

Rod seems plenty powerful for my needs, light, and balances well with a Cabelas Prodigy A reel (used the Citica D today), and although sensitivity isn't really an issue with straight braid, it doesn't lack much in that department either. I also like how the taper is more of a moderate-fast nature than a true fast. Bub Tosh seems to like moderate action rods for punching.

My only concern is how the guides will hold up to braid, but I use Samurai which is smoother than some other brands; and in any case if I damage the rod, I can get another one.

Here's the first of the six tiny fish I caught this evening.