Need Another Rod, Suggestions Please!

[skeletor6]

I have three rods and I am looking for a fourth. I need help on deciding what rod to buy next. Here is what I have already.

1.) Berkley Lightning Shock Rod 7' MH (gets miscellaneous use for crankbaits and what not)

2.) Powell Max 683c (been using it for lighter jigs and my weightless plastics or light plastics)

3.) St. Croix LTBC70MHXF (heavier plastics and jigs and frogging if I feel like it)

I am looking to add one more rod to my collection. I am not looking for a crankbait rod as I feel I can get away cranking without one for now. I really would like to buy another St. Croix from the bargain room and the rods they have there, but I do not know what one to choose. The main reason is because those seem like the best deals going on right now.

I want something that I can add to what I already have and will allow more versatility to just the three that I already own. Right now, I am mainly looking at the LTB series, due to price, but if the extremes are really that much better I may be willing to go there.

So what rod should I add to what I already own that will really improve what I can do. Mainly I am looking for improvement on the lighter baits as I am having a terrible time with sensitivity on those. Sensitivity is my #1 goal with the purchase of this next rod and I will be buying a reel that will compliment the rod purchase.

I am open to all suggestions. Please if you give me a recommendation will you explain what the advantages that the rod offers and why it compliments what I already own. Thanks in advance for the help!

P.S. I would really like something that is equal to or better than the performance I get from my St. Croix LTB, I am not looking to spend more than $260 I would like to spend $150, I am open to other rods besides St. Croix I just mentioned the Bargain Room since it seems that is where the best deals are right now.

[kickerfish1]

I can't speak for any of the St. Croix rods but can help with other rods.

From the sounds of things it appears you are looking at sort of an all around rod that could excel at throwing lighter baits between $150-$260 in price.

I will give you a few suggestions that I think are solid all around rods that fit the bill:

1. Shimano cumara 7'2" Medium fast or extra fast action . This may be a bit much legnth or power. If it is the 6'8" medium fast action would work as well. Sensitive, light, and proven. They can be had for right around $200 if you do a Google search. You may also find a good deal on a used one if you are open to buying used.

2. Dobyns champion extreme. Look at either the 703 or 733. Both are very well built and sensitive and some of the best balanced rods out there. They can throw shakey head worms, weightless baits and even lighter jigs and t-rigs very well. Some of my favorite and most versatile rods I own. Throw a shimano curado 50e or similar reel on there and it will match the rod and balance well plus handle lighter baits well. If you look at place like bass tackle depot right now during the holiday sale it can be had for $260 with free shipping.

3. Phenix recon 714. This rod really fishes more like a 3 or 3.5 power rod. It is a great rod and the sensitivity is close to the other two I mentioned. It has a soft tip but plenty of power as well. It is a very light rod but not as balanced as a dobyns. They can be had for about $140 during the holiday sales and like the cumara it pairs well any reel being as how it is a fairly neutral colored blank and handle.

I would suggest the dobyns 733 as my top choice if budget allowed. The other two are no slouches either.

Send me a pm if you want to discuss any of these further...

[skeletor6]

Thank you for your response, it seems that you think that I should go with a Medium powered rod with a Fast or XFast. Are those good for lightweight baits and light jigs? I am probably looking to pair the rod with a Curado 50e, Lews Tournament Pro, or a Daiwa SOL

How does the Dobyn's Champion extreme compare against the St. Croix Legend Xtreme?

Is the Cumara or Recon much better than a powell max?

[kickerfish1]

If you got a cumara I think medium would be perfect. I really like the versatility of the 7'2" medium action rod. It seems closer to most companies medium heavy. Their medium heavy rods are pretty stout and I wouldn't dip much below a 3/8oz rig with that rod.

I have handled a few St. Croix rods in the store and didn't care for them. These were the mojo and rage rods. I havent handled any avids or legend rods yet. It was more a style and rod weight thing not a performance thing. Sorry I can't compare them to the dobyns extremes. Maybe another person on here can offer that comparison?

As far as Powell goes I have an 6'9" endurance rod I used for small square bills and jerkbaits. I like the rod but wish it had a longer handle. As to weather either is better than a cumara or recon it may boil down to personal preference and whether or not you want cork or foam handles. They are all good rods.

If it was me I would look at 7 foot to 7'3" rod, something in a 3 power or so, and medium to medium heavy.

I am not sure what weight of lures you plan on using nor the amount of cover you will be fishing. I have used my 3 power dobyns for shakey heads, flick shakes, senkos, flukes, t-rigs and jigs up to 3/8 with no trouble. I have curado 50e on the 7 footer and a Daiwa alphas 103 Ito (similar to the sol) on the 7'3". I prefer the curado slightly although the custom alpha is better looking on there after a new paint job and cf handle.

If you get the recon get the 714 or 744. They will be the closest to the other rods I mentioned. This will also be your least expensive unless you choose to buy another Powell or another brand of rod. Take advantage of the TW and thehookuptackle for the labor day sale. At 15-20% off and free shipping you can come out good!

They are all sensitive, cool looking, and lifetime warranty rods. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

[NitroZ9]

I use a 7' MH fast action for 1/8 oz. texas rigs, senkos, jigs, etc., and have done so for years. I'm using a Denali Rosewood 7' MH Worm/Jig rod. I started using this rod late last year and have been extremely impressed with the action and sensitivity. This spring, I was skipping wacky rigged Senkos through small openings and way up under docks with it. It seems to have the perfect action for skipping, which I do a lot of. I had previously been using Loomis IMX rods and I think the Denali Rosewoods are every bit as sensitive. This rod sells for $199.

[skeletor6]

If you got a cumara I think medium would be perfect. I really like the versatility of the 7'2" medium action rod. It seems closer to most companies medium heavy. Their medium heavy rods are pretty stout and I wouldn't dip much below a 3/8oz rig with that rod.

I have handled a few St. Croix rods in the store and didn't care for them. These were the mojo and rage rods. I havent handled any avids or legend rods yet. It was more a style and rod weight thing not a performance thing. Sorry I can't compare them to the dobyns extremes. Maybe another person on here can offer that comparison?

As far as Powell goes I have an 6'9" endurance rod I used for small square bills and jerkbaits. I like the rod but wish it had a longer handle. As to weather either is better than a cumara or recon it may boil down to personal preference and whether or not you want cork or foam handles. They are all good rods.

If it was me I would look at 7 foot to 7'3" rod, something in a 3 power or so, and medium to medium heavy.

I am not sure what weight of lures you plan on using nor the amount of cover you will be fishing. I have used my 3 power dobyns for shakey heads, flick shakes, senkos, flukes, t-rigs and jigs up to 3/8 with no trouble. I have curado 50e on the 7 footer and a Daiwa alphas 103 Ito (similar to the sol) on the 7'3". I prefer the curado slightly although the custom alpha is better looking on there after a new paint job and cf handle.

If you get the recon get the 714 or 744. They will be the closest to the other rods I mentioned. This will also be your least expensive unless you choose to buy another Powell or another brand of rod. Take advantage of the TW, basstackledepot, and thehookuptackle for the labor day sale. At 15-20% off and free shipping you can come out good!

They are all sensitive, cool looking, and lifetime warranty rods. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

The TW sale is over.

I agree with you on the mojo, but that is not the class of rods that I am looking at.

I want something equal to or better than a St. Croix LTB, that will be able to work well with lighter baits, as I will be using it specifically for light jigging and weightless plastics. I own a powell max, but I found that the St. Croix to be a much better Rod.

So should I go with a M/F 7' St. Croix Legend LTB/Xtreme series for these applications? Or is the Cumara or Denali a better rod?

From the bargain room what rods would be good to use with light weight jigs (1/4oz) and weightless plastics http://www.stcroixrods.com/shop/catalog/Freshwater-23-1.html ?

[roadwarrior]

I broke an original LES70MF in transport to this years BR Roadtrip.

(100% my faultm but I'll blame Long Mike!) Anyhow, sent it to St.Croix

for replacement: $75 = $10 for shipping = $85 for a brand spanking

new, 2013 LES70MF http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/freshwater-legend-elite

This might be the finest spinning rod I have EVER owned! I use it almost

exclusively for weightless soft plastics.

If this rod is available on sale in your price range, I STRONGLY recommend

picking it up!

[fishking247]

I broke an original LES70MF in transport to this years BR Roadtrip.

(100% my faultm but I'll blame Long Mike!) Anyhow, sent it to St.Croix

for replacement: $75 = $10 for shipping = $85 for a brand spanking

new, 2013 LES70MF http://www.stcroixro...er-legend-elite

This might be the finest spinning rod I have EVER owned! I use it almost

exclusively for weightless soft plastics.

If this rod is available on sale in your price range, I STRONGLY recommend

picking it up!

i might pull the trigger on one of these bad boys next season.

[kickerfish1]

I wouldn't be the one to ask if you decide to go with a St. Croix rod.

Sorry the sales are over. This would probably rule the dobyns extreme series out. Given the price point the recon or cumara would be good picks. Since you mentioned weightless plastics or lighter jigs I would get the cumara in the 7'2' medium action model. Do a Google search and a few should show up. If not the recon would be good. I would go with the 744 or 714 models.

If you want a true finesse rod for fishing lighter cover look at either the 7 foot medium action i-rod air or the recon 714. These rods wouldn't have the power of the other rods but will be more fun to fish with lighter baits. These are not good all around rods though.

[greatone1210]

Got myself a very nice Falcon Bucoo 7'0 MH/Med-Fast with Micro Guides. Cost about $130 and for the money, it is amazing. Extremely light and can fling a bait between 1/4 to 3/4 pretty darn far. I have it paired up with a Lew's TP and could not be any happier. Actually had to dial up my mag brakes a bit because of how well this particular set up throws a lure. I would definitely buy another Falcon.