Survey. Best Rod In The 150-179 Range.

[Teal]

I was at a News years eve party with a few of my bass fishing buddy and this was the topic of a very heated debate. In y'all's opinion, what is the best rod for less than 180. I couldn't speak for dobbyns as I have never used one but I thought that the castaway skeleton rods and powell were pretty,much it. What do y'all think. Love the skeletons btw

[J Francho]

Saint Croix Avid.  I have a dozen or more of them, and they just take a beating, are light and sensitive.  They come in every length, taper, and power under the sun.

[WdyCrankbait]

I have some Powell rods, and they are AWESOME!  (I cant speak for the other rods, so, I am not going to down play them.)

[roadwarrior]

Pinnacle Perfecta:  http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/p-119-perfecta-dhc5.aspx#page=page-1

 

St. Croix Avid Series (3 for sale in the Flea Market right now!)

 

 

 

 

[esoxangler]

St.Croix Avid.

[central.PA.bass]

Powell Endurance. You will not find a better rod for the money. I have converted 3 of my fishing buddies over to Powell from both st.croix and kistler

[Teal]

I have a split between daiwa L&T and Powells and castaway skeleton. I have slowly phasing themlightmand toughs out. I'll say the light and tough series is an great set of rods for the buck

[Teal]

Powell Endurance. You will not find a better rod for the money. I have converted 3 of my fishing buddies over to Powell from both st.croix and kistler

I agree. I'm half way there.. Just my two cents

[Chris at Tech]

Avids are hard to beat

Then again, waiting for a Tackle Warehouse 20% off sale opens up some additional options

[38 Super Fan]

Look at the Phenix Recons and M1s as well.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

My Quantum Smoke rod at the low price of your range holds its own against my Croix rods. My 7M/F is 3.4oz , well balanced with light reels (5.9oz), handles 3/4oz lures. Its microguides though arent for everyone.

[Basseditor]

You might want to check these out:

http://www.kistlerrods.com/c/fishing-rod/Mic-KLX-Fishing-Rods/

[*Hootie]

In this price range, I'll take the Dobyns Savvy.

Hootie

[skeletor6]

My vote goes for the Phenix Recon's and M1's. It's hard to say though the Endurances & Avids are great rods as well. 

[JCiurej34]

Savvy's and Endurance's are great rods, but I prefer the St. Croix Avid series.

[kickerfish1]

Well it might depend on casting or spinning and the intended use for the rod. Assuming we are talking about a 7 MH casting rod give or take you can't go wrong with most of the rod manufacturers listed above. The dobyns savy series is well balanced and a very sharp looking rod. The Powell endurance rods are also nice looking and pretty sensitive. The avid rods are light and sensitive in more of a classic styling feel. The phenix recon is the lightest and most sensitive of the rods in this price range from my experience. They also look like a JDM rod but without the price tag. For bottom contact applications I would pick the recon every time.

[BASSclary]

For me, Its gotta be the Powell Endurance or the St.Croix Avid rods. However, anything over a 7' MH in St.Croix's avid is just way too tip heavy for me, and i'd opt for the Powell. Under that power and length, I decide based on whether I want a full grip or split grip, and which companies power/taper I want for the given technique.

[Teal]

Good responses. To clarify to a few folks, I'm not in the market for a rod. I have plenty right now...until tw has more of the stuff on clearance.

[Bass Junkie]

Of those in this range I have used, it's an easy choice: Duckett Micro Magic .

[RyneB]

Phenix Recons get my vote.

[WRB]

ALX Zolo-B series falls in that price range. ALXis a small custom rod maker that is offering a line of off the shelf rods, American made, lifetime warranty, top quality components , check them out.

Alex made a set of jig rods for me that are equal to Loomis NRX for less than 1/2 the price.

Dobyn's rods would be my second choice today, Gary uses some of the same components as Alex, however his rods are made off shore. Gary supports bass fishing and has great customer service.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

NRX is a proprietary blank. What brand of blank is comparable?

[Bankbeater]

I only have one in that price range and it's a St. Croix Avid.

[Gatorbassman]

I believe that all of the best rods fall into that price range. You get the best quality for the money at that price from many different companies. I prefer Dobyns and Duckett Rods at that price.

[WRB]

NRX is a proprietary blank. What brand of blank is comparable?

Hydra NG blanks are compatible to NRX, I have fished with both. The big difference is a custom rod with a comparable blank for a lot less $$, ,give Alex a call!

Tom