Best Baitcast Rod

[Fishin Hard]

I decided on Lews speed spool for reel and now I'm looking for a rod. What rod do you think would go good for me ? I only really fish on weekends and occasionally weekdays. Not looking to spend more than 100-120$. Looking for a mh rod too.

[JunkYard814]

St. Croix Mojo, Shimano Compre, *** *** seem to all be the recommended rods in that price range. 

[lmbfisherman]

I would also add - Bass Pro Shops Carbonlite and Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth. All great rods for the money. 

[Bluebasser86]

BPS Carbonlite is a great buy when they go on sale. 

[Fishin Hard]

What about st croix preimer ? I was really wanting a Abu Garcia varitas but the bad reviews i have read has me wondering.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

St croix Preimer  =   

 

Abu Garcia varitas| =    

[Bluebasser86]

What about st croix preimer ? I was really wanting a Abu Garcia varitas but the bad reviews i have read has me wondering.

The premiers are workhorse rods. They aren't the lightest or most sensitive but they are built very solid and will stand up to abuse. I bought my first Premier 10 years ago as my first nice baitcasting rod. I used it for everything and have caught thousands of fish on it and didn't use to treat my gear real great. It's stood up through all of it and is still going strong today. 

[Arv]

Powell Endurance or Max on sale at the fish ranger

[new2BC4bass]

My choice of the suggested rods would be the Fenwick Smallmouth only because I have no experience with Powell.  A recent thread suggested the Med-Fast (or was it Moderate-Fast?) as the best all-around rod.  His reasoning sounded good to me.  I have always used my Fast action rods for all-around.  Do not have a Moderate-Fast or Med-Fast rod (unless my Falcon Cara fits the bill).  You could ask "smalljaw" about his Fenwick 6'10" Med-Fast rod.  He loves it.  In fact he is enamored with the whole Smallmouth series.  I've been using my Smalmouth MF as one of my all-around rods.

 

If you want to keep cost down even more, then look at the Shimano Clarus or Sellus and the Berkley Lightning...either the Lightning Shock or the Lightning.  There are a couple posts on here about the Shimanos.  Seem to be well received.  I have a Lightning, and have to agree with others that it is a good rod for the money.

 

I have one of the Field & Stream Tec Spec (black one), and think it is another good rod for the money.  There is also an Elite Tec Spec model for another $20.  Don't have one of those, but thinking about buying one just because I like their looks. 

 

Daiwa makes a rod for Walmart called the Jupiter.  I bought one after reading a review on here.  I like mine as well.  It is the 7' MH.  It gets used for all types of lures.

 

The problem today is that you have so many choices it is hard to narrow it down to 1 or 2 rods.  Of the 3 St. Croix rods mentioned, I much prefer the looks of the Premier.  I have only handled them at DSG, never fished any of them.  It is all personal preference.  Something about the Triumph and Mojo just turns me off.  Others have nothing but praise for the Mojo.  Triumph never seems to get mentioned.

[BrettD]

Powell endurance on sale or a falcon bucoo are couple others to look at.

[Felix77]

For the price the Abu Vengenace (sold in WalMart) are pretty good if you don't want to spend a lot of money.  I was going to upgrade to Veritas until I read all the horrible reviews on this forum.  I also was lucky enough to try them out and they felt too stiff for me.  Meaning their Medium felt stiffer than other mediums I have tried.  I recently discovered Rhapsody Rods and love them.

[baluga]

With the budget of $120.. I would recommend to check the fleabay and look for a used Phenix UMBX 6'6" Medium or Heavy / Fast  action.    In my experience it would be closed to having a GLX MBR 783.

 

It's a good all around rod.

[Capt.Bob]

I would go with the Premier, and remember with St. Croix you get what you pay for!!! I learned that 20 years ago,,,,with that in mind once you try a Premier just try and imagine what the Legend Tourny is like, but believe me you can't even imagine what the Legend Elite or Extreme is like,,,,,Simply Amazing!!!! The Premier is a very addictive rod and unbeatable at that price range!!

[MichBassMan]

If you like a nice traditional all cork handle then the Premier is a very good choice. If you like the new look and feel of a split grip handle then I'd buy an *** black rod. They are both very good rods and both feel and fish nice.

[jtesch]

Just to confuse you even more Ebay has Kistler Helium LTA's for $114 and Magnesium's for $84   I can tell you the Magnesium is a great rod for that price. I have Mojo's, Premiers, Veritas, Endurance, and Compre's. Endurance is a nice rod, as is the Compre. Mojo's are heavy and not very sensitive. Premiers are a good workhorse rod, I just feel like they are not very ( bass specific ) if you no what I mean. I can't speak for the *** but have read only great things about them. The Magnesium just feels like an expensive rod to me, sensitive, fairly light and well made. Never used the helium but it was a $240 dollar rod

[Revival]

I been researching the same topic the past couple days and I am going with the st croix Premier. I have a Premier spinning rod and I love it. I don't have the experience like a lot of people on here but I just think you can't go wrong with the Premier.

[jtharris3]

I recently picked up a speed spool (the $99 model) and paired it up with a All Star Classic 7' rod. It makes a nice combo!