Budget Spinning Rods < $50

[HeavyDluxe]

Hi, all.

Here's the question, then the background: In the $50 and under price range, what would you think are the two or three best performing rods?

I'm a relatively low-budget angler, and have made it through the last couple seasons with just one rod for my bass angling exploits (a 6'6M, paired with a Pflueger President). I'm in the process of buying a fishing kayak, so what extra $$ I have is being thrown over into the boat. However, I'd like to try to slowly put together a couple other rod/reels so I can have a little more umph and not have to break off, tie on every time I want to present a different bait.

Ideally, I'd like to be at three setups by next year - a UL/L setup for catching small fish (getting the skunk off), another M combo, and a MH or H setup for fishing in heavier cover.

I'm really pleased with the President reels, so I'll be sticking with those... That way, when funds allow for an upgrade I still think I'll have a good reel to put on an even better rod. What I don't know, however, is which rods in that range are ok and which should be avoided. I know people on here speak highly of the Berkley Shock/Lightning rods, but I was unsure how they might compare to other brands - particularly some of 'store brands' of some major outfitters (BPS, etc).

If I know what I ought to think about, I can watch for sales and the like now as the season is fading away.

Thanks!

[flyfisher]

If i was limiting myself to a few set ups i don't think that i would go with an UL/L set up, just a little to limited for chasing largemouth in my opinion. I have used one of the berkely lightning rods in the $50 range and it was definitely a nice set up so you may want to look into those. I also prefer the 7' models for fishing from a kayak. I currently carry 4 rods, 2 spinning and 2 baitcasters. The spinning set ups are both MF 7' rods and the baitcasters are 6'8" MXF and 7' MF. THese setups allow me to pretty much throw anything from light baits to heavier jigs and small swim baits.

Good luck in your decision makign process and if possible go check out the rods before you buy as some rods, no matter the price, i know didn't feel good to me even though the price tag would say that they should

[kylek]

I have the lightning shock rod in 7' M action and love it. I think you would be very pleased with it.

[Curved]

IMO, the best deal is whatever's on sale. At that price range, I'd be looking for some kind of carbon rod (doesn't really matter as long as its the right size/action) and a 6-10 BB reel.

Just did this deal myself and couldn't ask for a better combo at that price: http://amzn.com/B00498225U

By the way, I've been impressed with the Quantum Triax combos which are MSRP $70 but you can find them everywhere for $30-50.

[webertime]

6'6" MH Abu Garcia Vendetta's are about $50 right now. 6'6" is nice on a kayak, my buddy has that rod and a Shimano Sonora 2500 and goes paddling all over NW Vermont and loves it. (his other combo is a medium 6'6" Shimano Sahara/Convergence).

[EvanT123]

Shimano sellus are nice rods right at the 50 dollar mark.

[dam0007]

Guys don't crucify me for this.

My go to Trout rod comes in Ultra light, light and medium. I own it in 5' ultra light. Berkely Cherrywood! You could prob get it for $20 at a Walmart. The rod is rock solid I've owned and used mine for roughly 7 years now. They no longer come with the cork grip wrap around the reel seat but still have a good feeling cork. My buddy has one 6' in medium and uses it occasionally for bass using rubber worms.

That's the only under $80 pole I own but I love the d**n thing!

[The Rooster]

If you like the President reels then why not get the President combo spinning rod at Walmart for $80. The reel is $60 alone. The rod is decent, so for the extra $20 you'll have the rod and reel together. I think it's only available as a medium but it would fill one combo out for you. Cabela's offers it in UL and L also, so there are a few more options.

[SirSnookalot]

Rooster has a good point, however most Pflueger combos I've seen come with a 2 piece rod, just not my favorite way to go. I use 2 rods close to $50 for freshwater, a clarus 6'6 6/12 and a calico jack( $55) 7' 8/17, both have been wonderful performers.

[TNBassin']

Check out the Okuma Tarvos rod. Very nice for around $30.

[HeavyDluxe]

First off, thanks to everyone for the replies... I really appreciate it.

If you like the President reels then why not get the President combo spinning rod at Walmart for $80. The reel is $60 alone. The rod is decent, so for the extra $20 you'll have the rod and reel together. I think it's only available as a medium but it would fill one combo out for you. Cabela's offers it in UL and L also, so there are a few more options.

Actually, the rod and reel I have are that exact combo (I love it, btw). I'd like two more like it, except that they don't make anything more than a M-powered rod. And, I can't find anywhere that has the 1-piece UL combos in stock. I can order them from Pflueger, but I'd like to slide in under MSRP if I could.

Rooster has a good point, however most Pflueger combos I've seen come with a 2 piece rod, just not my favorite way to go.

Actually, they do make one-piece rod combos, and the one I grabbed (6'6M w/ 6535 reel) is one. Here's the link to the available combos on their site:

http://www.pfluegerf...oducts.php?p=45

If they made a one-piece, MH combo, I don't think I'd be posting here. As it is, I'm hoping the M's which are still in stock at a local Wally World will go on sale. If they do, I'll buy them out.

Thank you for the other rod suggestions, by the way.

6'6" MH Abu Garcia Vendetta's are about $50 right now. 6'6" is nice on a kayak, my buddy has that rod and a Shimano Sonora 2500 and goes paddling all over NW Vermont and loves it.

Thanks for that... 6'6 seems to be about the right length to me, as well.

A local person strongly recommended waiting until either the BPS Graphite or Tournament Special rods ($40/$50 respectively) go on sale. Any thoughts there?

Again - I'm just trying to compile a bit of a narrowed list so I can be watching for deals. I feel like I'd like to keep all my equipment as close to the same as possible.

[Jake P]

First off, thanks to everyone for the replies... I really appreciate it.

Actually, the rod and reel I have are that exact combo (I love it, btw). I'd like two more like it, except that they don't make anything more than a M-powered rod. And, I can't find anywhere that has the 1-piece UL combos in stock. I can order them from Pflueger, but I'd like to slide in under MSRP if I could.

Actually, they do make one-piece rod combos, and the one I grabbed (6'6M w/ 6535 reel) is one. Here's the link to the available combos on their site:

http://www.pfluegerf...oducts.php?p=45

If they made a one-piece, MH combo, I don't think I'd be posting here. As it is, I'm hoping the M's which are still in stock at a local Wally World will go on sale. If they do, I'll buy them out.

Thank you for the other rod suggestions, by the way.

Thanks for that... 6'6 seems to be about the right length to me, as well.

A local person strongly recommended waiting until either the BPS Graphite or Tournament Special rods ($40/$50 respectively) go on sale. Any thoughts there?

Again - I'm just trying to compile a bit of a narrowed list so I can be watching for deals. I feel like I'd like to keep all my equipment as close to the same as possible.

I have a 6'6" MH/F BPS Graphite Series spinning rod paired up with a Sedona that I USED to use for skipping jigs. I am making the transition to skipping with a baitcaster so I dont really use it much anymore but I have no regrets about buying it and would buy another if I needed too. I think you would be very happy with it. If you are looking for another President BPS has a combo right now on sale that is a Pflueger President and BPS Graphite Series rod for 70$. Good luck!

-JP

[HeavyDluxe]

Thanks, JP. I had seen those combos before, but had no idea whether the rod was even worth that markup. Sounds like you get what you pay for (positively stated).

[moguy1973]

My current spinning combo consists of an Abu Cardinal 102i reel and a Berkley Amp 6'6" M rod and I think they work pretty well together. The rod was only $30 after the Berkley Cherrywood rod that came with the reel snapped on half on me. My only complaint with the rod is its a 2-piece (I require that since 1-piece rods don't fit in my car) and it comes apart sometimes when I cast. Not a big deal and I just have to remember to push the sections together better when I start.

[Jake...]

Dicks sporting goods has a decent combo for sale, Abu Garcia Cardinal/ Vengeance rod for $80, plus there is a $20 rebate attached to the rod, so $60 total. You can probably find a $10 off $50 coupon on the internet somewhere to bring the total down to $50.

[deep]

If the Berkley Lightning casting rod I have is any indication, then the Lightning spinning rods should serve you well.

I used to have a BPS Bionic Blade that I owned for quite a long time. That was a pretty decent rod too!