Opinions On Rod Wanted

[Greenstealth]

One of my compartments slammed shut on my worm rod and snapped it. It was a bps carbonlite 7'0 mh f and it treated me great while I had it. I need to replace this rod and I think I have it narrowed down to a few choices.

Kistler helium lta

Another bps carbonlite

Maybe a croix lt

All opinions are welcome. Thanks for your time.

[Jrob78]

I don't have experience with any of the rods you listed.   In general though, I think worm rods are one place where you should buy the best rod you can afford.  Soft plastic rods really benefit from added sensitivity. 

[Darren.]

Agree with J-rob for soft plastics. I've got Shimano Compre spinning rods which I really like, but want to upgrade my baitcasting setups (rods) for the same thing since soft plastics is my primary M.O.

 

I can comment on the carbonlite as I owned/fished one for a short while (before upping to the Compres). I liked it, but not enough to keep it.

 

A Croix Legend Tournament is a thing of beauty. Never fished one, but if I could afford one, that'd be my pick of the three.

[Sam]

Green, you had a great rod from BPS,

 

Please check with your BPS store and you may be able to have it replaced.

 

In the meantime, look at that rod and write down its specifications.

 

Then determine if you want an "all around" rod like the BPS one you broke or a "specific technique" rod designed for one or two specific purposes, like shaky head, drop shot, Senkos, jigs/worms, etc. You can also base your replacement rod on your broken BPS rod's specifications or an entirely new rod with different specs.

 

Know your price range. A BPS rod can cost as low as $60 when they go on sale this February or you can pay the $100 retail cost.

 

If possible, wait for the BPS February sale and then go shopping for your replaclement rod.

 

And take along your baitcaster or spinning reel to attach to the rods you are considering while in the store to note how they feel.

 

You can go to Tackle Warehouse or G. Loomis or other manufacturers' web sites and read what they have to say about different rods that may interest you.

 

Check with Pinnacle and DVC and get their input.

 

When you read what the pros say about rods just remember they are hawking the ones they get paid to hawk. However, with that said the pros want to support good tackle so you can't go wrong with what VanDam, Duckett, Reese, Clunn, Ike, Jones, G-Man all have to offer.

 

Most of us use a 7-foot medium heavy fast action tip rod with some guys going as short as 6-10 and others as long as 7-2, etc. Just depends on how you fish and what you have confidence.

 

Stay within your budget or go over it during the February sales and I am sure you will find that one rod that has your name on it!

 

Good luck.

[Greenstealth]

I have three legend tournament musky rods, I have an xtreme m f bass rod but its a little too light for my preference. I have no experience with the kistler other than it's easy on the eyes. The review on tackle tour doesnt reveal much about the specs. The croix is a 62,000,000 modulus blank vs the 85,000,000 for the carbonlite. In the end I don't know what that all means.

[Greenstealth]

Sam,

Thanks for the advice. Cost is not a factor. I like nice stuff, I'm a bit of a tackle junky for musky stuff but there are just so many more options out there for bass stuff. I have quite a few combos that are very nice. The rod I broke was the one I used most and was probably the cheapest one I have. I really did like the carbonlite, maybe I will use some of my stock piled gift cards for the annual spring blow out.

[Sam]

I have three legend tournament musky rods, I have an xtreme m f bass rod but its a little too light for my preference. I have no experience with the kistler other than it's easy on the eyes. The review on tackle tour doesnt reveal much about the specs. The croix is a 62,000,000 modulus blank vs the 85,000,000 for the carbonlite. In the end I don't know what that all means.

 

Supposedly the more modulus you have the more sensitive the rod.

 

Only problem is that there are no industry guidelines so if the manufacturer says a specific number of modules in their rod does not compute with the new IM-10's that are out or the different chemical mixes that are used to create specific rods like Kistler, G. Loomis, Megabass, etc.

[Greenstealth]

Thats just it, how do you make sense of all the jargon? I don't mind paying $ for something advanced and high quality but I also don't want to spend the extra money for something that isn't what it is billed to be. I'm trying to do as much homework on it as I can to make the most informed purchase that I can enjoy instead of cursing myself. That kistler boasts a "secret resin"and thats about it. How can I spend hundreds on stuff that seems to be more like witch craft than anything else.

[Bluebasser86]

If you like a full handle try a St. Croix Avid, if you like split grips try the Legend Tournament Bass. Most all of my bass rods are LTB rods and I've never been happier with a rod. If I was going to get a BPS rod for bass fishing it would be the Carbonlite though. They're very nice and light rods for the money. 

[Greenstealth]

I think I've ruled the triumph/premier/mojo/avid out. I think I would go elite with the full grip oddly enough I didn't care for the 7m f elite, they didn't have a mh though.

[Crappiebasser]

I have always been a loyal St Croix fan but the 2012 LTB's are not as good as the previous ones to me. The 3 I have seem too tip heavy and a little less sensitive than the older ones. I have the Cumara A 72MXF and 72 MHF. I think they are better rods at the same price point.

[Jrob78]

If cost is not a factor and you want the best, get a Loomis NRX.  They are ridiculously expensive but set the benchmark for sensitivity.  I don't think you will find another rod that comes close in the sensitivity department.  I have a couple of St. Croix Legend Extremes, they are very sensitive but don't balance as well as the NRX.  Another rod that I've been hearing great things about is the new Lamiglas Infinity, the handle is weird but transfers vibrations very well.  I hear the rod is very light and very sensitive.  I plan to build on one the blanks soon.  Also, you should consider the Phenix Ultra MBX line up.  They are really nice rods at a decent price.

[bmlum415]

Dobyns champion or the champ extreme is my rod of choice. Also you could try a phenix m1 or recon gen 2, those rods all are super sensitive and light, never tried the ltb but I did almost buy one before I got into using dobyns

[Arv]

Of the rods you listed, I'd get a St. Croix LT. But, like mentioned before, get the highest quality rod you can afford for bottom contact presentations. If cost is no factor I'd be looking for something far beyond a Carbonlite. Check out what G. Loomis and Dobyns have to offer as well.

[LgMouthGambler]

If your trying to stick to the same price range, then the Carbonlite or a Compre are the best choices. I love my Compres, soo sensative I have to wait for a second tap to verify that its a fish, otherwise I would be setting the hook on water current, lol.

[new2BC4bass]

Or you could talk to the sponsor of this forum, Delaware Valley Tackle, and get a rod built to your specifications.  Mike is very helpful.  When you start talking the prices of some of these rods like the NRX and Dobyns Extremes, it probably is just as cheap (or cheaper) to go the custom route.

[DeadEyeDavey]

My favorite rod is my 1950's Shakespere Wonder rod. It's simply, tough, and a good practical pole (exept it breaks into a one foot and five foot sections).

[tubeman]

Check-out http://www.bobsmadeinamericafishingrods.com