Best Baitcaster Rods For $100

[TeachMeHowToFish]

Need suggestions. Was looking at Carbonlite rods, or an extreme rod. But wasn't sure

Decided to come to you guys for suggestions before I purchase.

 

I'm pairing it with a BP pro qualifier with a 6.4 retrieve.

 

Any suggestions

[Fishwhittler]

If this is going to be a general-purpose rod, I would recommend a 7' MH/F graphite rod.  The Daiwa Ballistic rods are on closeout at Tackle Warehouse for $65.  I just got one of the cranking rods, the 7'11" model, and it's a very nice stick.  The Ballistic rods didn't go over well for one reason or another, which is why they're being discontinued, but I really love mine.  For $65 it's a steal.

[coak]

*** ***. Great rod for the money hands down. Light, balance is crisp, and IMPO the 'power' ratings are pretty dead on. No need to worry about figuring out a method like with the Bucoo or Abu rods. I have a 6'7" M/F I use to throw topwaters and spinnerbaits and feel that this rod should def be @ the least a $125-150 rod. Hope this helps.

P.S.-I'm not on the bandwagon, it's the only *** I own. I do feel the company/line does live up to the hype on this rod though.

-Coak

[MrSwimJig]

*** *** Black in my opinion is the best rod in the $100.00 price range.

They are light, sensitive, plenty of backbone, true to there ratings and a pleasure to fish all day.

I have several of their rods and have not had a problem nor do I have a complaint about them either.

Have caught plenty on my 7' 3M/F fishing a swim jig over 3lbs with no problems at all.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Denali Jadewood or ***.

[aqualkinbush]

I really love my Abu Garcia Veritas casting rod, so much so that I'm planning on getting a spinning rod in that line as well. You can get them on sale right now at http://www.another site.com/ they are 20% off which puts them at roughly $80.

[rippin-lips]

*** black if $100-120 was the budget and nothing better was on sale. That being said. www.thefishranger.com has Powell's on sale for $109 with an over the counter lifetime warranty. It's a better rod on sale for the same price as the *** retail. I own an *** and will eventually get another. Would of been my last purchase but the Powell's can't be beat at $109 so I bought it.

[dddyfz27]

I was in the same boat not to long ago and decided to go with the *** and I LOVE IT.  Ive got a 7'1 MD that i use for mainly weightless soft plastics and it has been a fantastic rod so far.

[TeachMeHowToFish]

Wow thanks guys. Was pretty deadset on the carbonlite for a couple hours but I guess I'll go ahead and try out the ***

[Stratos92]

I have a couple of the carbonlite rods and really like them. The rods are very lightweight and sensitive and you can get them on sale occasionally for $79. Also, if you live near a Bass Pro Shops you cannot beat the warranty. I just got one for fathers day and one of the inserts came out of an eyelet and they exchanged it no questions asked without a receipt. I was in and out with a new rod in 5 minutes.

[Diggy]

Did you use the pq already or has it been bought? If you buy the pq and carbonlite as a combo you'd save some coin. If not  proceed with other options that you choose.

[ww2farmer]

I have a ton of $80 - $100 rods. St Croix, Shimano, Abu, etc......They are all nice rods, but my favorite of the bunch is the Abu Vendetta. It used to be the Mojo, but after grabbing a couple Vendetta's, and using them for a little bit now, I like them much better.

[TeachMeHowToFish]

Did you use the pq already or has it been bought? If you buy the pq and carbonlite as a combo you'd save some coin. If not  proceed with other options that you choose.

No I haven't purchased it, but am pretty deadset on purchasing. I was planning on buying the combo but everyone is suggesting the *** 13, so I might have changed my mind

[lmbfisherman]

Wow thanks guys. Was pretty deadset on the carbonlite for a couple hours but I guess I'll go ahead and try out the ***

IMHO, the *** maybe a good rod, but I feel much more comfortable with a rod that has a superb warranty and especially lifetime warranty.  That is just my preference, they are a nice rod and well built though, but when I checked the warranty with the only dealer I could find.  He informed me it was only 5 years, was a deal breaker for me. 

 

Not sure what the Carbonlite's warranty is, but I hear BPS is very good at honoring or fixing any issues with their own rod lines.  Shimano and Fenwick is what I primarilly use in that price range.  (Compre and Smallmouth Elite Tech)  I did buy a Veritas and like it too..however I haven't bought more as this was on clearance for 49.99..also doesn't have a lifetime warranty.  Just something to think about. 

[Diggy]

No I haven't purchased it, but am pretty deadset on purchasing. I was planning on buying the combo but everyone is suggesting the *** 13, so I might have changed my mind

Since you are in Miami, you may have a local place selling the Omens, Gander in west palm sells them but thats a bit far from you. Shipping is free and faster than ordering from Tackle Warehouse but youd pay tax since Gander is in Fl.

 

I have an *** and a carbonlite, the *** is nice and sensitive, but IMO the carbonline handle is more comfortable overall and has a longer handle. Im 6ft3 so maybe its due to my handsize. I get some irritation after a while from the *** so its my Jig rod now since I wont be making 1000000 casts frog fishing for snakehead. You have basspro near by so its easy access for you to get a combo and customer service is pain free.

 

Id suggest seeing if a local shop sells an *** and then seeing if you like the feel of it. Id probably get the combo just because of ease, the rod is nice and customer service is issue free.

[lmbfisherman]

No I haven't purchased it, but am pretty deadset on purchasing. I was planning on buying the combo but everyone is suggesting the *** 13, so I might have changed my mind

This could be a big mistake, before making a decision on a rod, I WILL ALWAYS CHECK ONE IN STORE.  Just because it feels awesome in someone else's hands, you might not like the feel.  Why I don't "buy" online blindlly. I have to hold them and check them before I will pull the trigger.  Try and find a place that carries them first before moving forward.

[TeachMeHowToFish]

Since you are in Miami, you may have a local place selling the Omens, Gander in west palm sells them but thats a bit far from you. Shipping is free and faster than ordering from Tackle Warehouse but youd pay tax since Gander is in Fl.

 

I have an *** and a carbonlite, the *** is nice and sensitive, but IMO the carbonline handle is more comfortable overall and has a longer handle. Im 6ft3 so maybe its due to my handsize. I get some irritation after a while from the *** so its my Jig rod now since I wont be making 1000000 casts frog fishing for snakehead. You have basspro near by so its easy access for you to get a combo and customer service is pain free.

 

Id suggest seeing if a local shop sells an *** and then seeing if you like the feel of it. Id probably get the combo just because of ease, the rod is nice and customer service is issue free.

You know what, I hear lots of great things about both rods and I don't think that I will be dissapointed in either rod. I think I'm just gonna go to basspro and feel the carnoblite and if it feels good then I'm just gonna purchase it. It will be more of a hassle looking for a local shop selling omens.

 

My friend went into BassPro today and I told him to go look at the carbonlite and feel it for me so he could give me some feedback. He said that the guy working at Bass Pro told him that there was no combo for the BP qualifier and carbonlite, even online there is one. Do you know if the combo is an online deal or maybe just the guy was misinformed?

[TNBassin']

For $100 you CANNOT beat the *** *** Black. Hell, it's better than some rods that are double that price.

[lmbfisherman]

You know what, I hear lots of great things about both rods and I don't think that I will be dissapointed in either rod. I think I'm just gonna go to basspro and feel the carnoblite and if it feels good then I'm just gonna purchase it. It will be more of a hassle looking for a local shop selling omens.

 

My friend went into BassPro today and I told him to go look at the carbonlite and feel it for me so he could give me some feedback. He said that the guy working at Bass Pro told him that there was no combo for the BP qualifier and carbonlite, even online there is one. Do you know if the combo is an online deal or maybe just the guy was misinformed?

I believe how it works, if I'm not mistaken.  You ask for the combo at the register and they will honor the combo price.  Meaning go to the fishing area and show them in the "catalog" if you have too.  Hopefully you won't have to go that far, as they should be knowledgeable enough.  If you want to ensure it is ok, I'd call again and speak to the manager of the fishing department and explain. 

[TeachMeHowToFish]

I believe how it works, if I'm not mistaken.  You ask for the combo at the register and they will honor the combo price.  Meaning go to the fishing area and show them in the "catalog" if you have too.  Hopefully you won't have to go that far, as they should be knowledgeable enough.  If you want to ensure it is ok, I'd call again and speak to the manager of the fishing department and explain. 

Thanks a lot. I'll be sure to call the store before I go

[Diggy]

You know what, I hear lots of great things about both rods and I don't think that I will be dissapointed in either rod. I think I'm just gonna go to basspro and feel the carnoblite and if it feels good then I'm just gonna purchase it. It will be more of a hassle looking for a local shop selling omens.

 

My friend went into BassPro today and I told him to go look at the carbonlite and feel it for me so he could give me some feedback. He said that the guy working at Bass Pro told him that there was no combo for the BP qualifier and carbonlite, even online there is one. Do you know if the combo is an online deal or maybe just the guy was misinformed?

He is misinformed. You can print the page and bring it to the service desk and they can get it sorted out. I bought a combo from there once and the guy went into the catalog to get the correct sku to ring it up at the regular fw fishing desk.

[cbass12]

If you really want a Pro Qualifier I would seriously look into the carbonlite/PQ combo. Saves you about $40. The carbonlites are great rods, I've got 4 casting and 1 spinning and I am very happy with all of them.

[Airborne Bass]

If you have a Gander Mountain near by, I would get the *** rod through them and then buy their warranty for the rod. If anything happens to your rod in the first 30 days, you just have to go to the store and get and exchange. After 30 days, call their 1-800 number and file a claim and within a week(if its approved) they will send out a gift card for the amount of the rod plus the amount for the warranty. That being said, I love my ***. It's my weightless plastic rod and just feel so nice and crisp. I have the 7'1" MF. I'm pretty harsh with gear and its held up pretty well.

AB

[new2BC4bass]

I have no experience with the PQ b/c or Carbonlite rods.  I have read many posts praising them.  Saving an extra $40 sounds like a good way to go.  I do have an *** Black 7'3" Medium Fast casting rod.  It looks well built.  Sensitivity is still to be determined.  So far I have only used a spinnerbait on it in the river.  Never been one to fish moving water, so I need to get some time on a lake with it.  I will say that so far I like my Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'10" Medium Fast better.

 

Very few of my rods were handled before being purchased.  I have had to rely on the opinions of others.  Must be nice to live where you can handle a rod before buying.  So far I have been disappointed in only one rod.  However, I haven't given it a fair shake yet, so that opinion may change.

 

I vote for the PQ/Carbonlite given your situation.

[Chris186]

I am a Big fan of the BPS Carbonlite rods.  I use to use the BPS extreme rods, but have been slowly switching over to Carbonlites. Its my favorite rod besides my Crucial.