Most Sensitive Bottom Contact Rods Under $150

[ColdSVT]

While the blank is important the finger is the real indicator of sensitivity..line also plays a role

[Catt]

In my hands a Shimano Crucial is as sensitive as any.

[tomustang]

On the high end, Shimano Crucial is hard to beat, it's also at the high end. A good middle ground is the Veritas and ***.

 

You body's own sensitivity will play a huge part on how you manage the feeling from the rod.

 

The line you choose also makes a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of their stuff is ok but reels like the curado are just hype. You have basically proved my point by your post. People like yourselves used one a long time ago and just stuck with them. There are better offerings imo.

 

This would seem legit if you didn't have a sponsor shirt with daiwa on it

[rippin-lips]

This would seem legit if you didn't have a sponsor shirt with daiwa on it

#1 Did I say anything about Daiwa? No I didn't.

#2 It's a jersey I paid to have made out of my pocket. I'm not sponsored by anyone. I like daiwa reels so it's on there.

[Preytorien]

I have a Crucial sitting under the Christmas tree......this thread is making me VERY ready for warm weather

 

I already have a Clarus matched with my Sahara, and that's a great finesse rig, I'm excited to use this new one out as well

[aceman387]

I love my crucial.I feel its every bit as sensitive as my way more expensive legend elite.

[Virtuoso]

Some of their stuff is ok but reels like the curado are just hype.

Have you even used a curado? It doesn't sound like you have. Speculation does not equal knowledge.

The crucial is nice. The spinning rod with full cork is better for spinning.

Sensitivity is very subjective. In depends so much on the user that nobody ccan answer this. Go with what feels the best on your reel at the store.

Fwiw If I had to chose one that's in this range msrp. Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth. Theres a few rods they manufacture well.

If u buy used, you open yourself up to a Dobyns champion, legend tournament, cumara A, imx, recon 1 or 2, etc. Used will get you the best rod but screws up this debate.

[rippin-lips]

^^^ just remember that speculation doesn't equal knowledge.

[Loop_Dad]

Alright guys, some of you convinced me. I've got me a deal on Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth. I'll be able to see (feel) it for myself. This would be my first Fenwick in very very long time. Thanks for all the responses!

[iabass8]

Some of their stuff is ok but reels like the curado are just hype.

Unless you're strictly referring to the G series this is just a silly statement.

[Virtuoso]

^^^ just remember that speculation doesn't equal knowledge.

Exactly.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Some of their stuff is ok but reels like the curado are just hype. You have basically proved my point by your post. People like yourselves used one a long time ago and just stuck with them. There are better offerings imo.

I agree with you on the fact that there is a lot of hype about Shimano reels, but the curado is not just an OK reel. At least not the B, D, and E series! The G is below average quality for its price range.. Shimano is NOT my favorite reel maker, and I am not a shimano "fanboy", but I will stand behind the curado. I would consider it one of the best series of reels ever made. Very durable, priced fairly, reliable, very solid feeling are all terms that fit the curado perfectly.

 

Also, If shimano reels were just hype, people would not continue to use them. They'd buy it and say it is below expectations and sell it off. Shimano didn't grow such a huge fanbase by making shoddy reels.

[Virtuoso]

Alright guys, some of you convinced me. I've got me a deal on Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth. I'll be able to see (feel) it for myself. This would be my first Fenwick in very very long time. Thanks for all the responses!

Good choice! Make sure you don't forget to make a review on it. What model did you grab?

[Loop_Dad]

Good choice! Make sure you don't forget to make a review on it. What model did you grab?

 

I got 6'9" MHF. The lure rating was 3/8 to 1 oz and I thought it was bit high, but someone said power rating is pretty close to Shimano, so this should do it for me.

[Virtuoso]

I got 6'9" MHF. The lure rating was 3/8 to 1 oz and I thought it was bit high, but someone said power rating is pretty close to Shimano, so this should do it for me.

Very cool. I don't own that specific model. Really curious to hear your impressions of it.

[rippin-lips]

I agree with you on the fact that there is a lot of hype about Shimano reels, but the curado is not just an OK reel. At least not the B, D, and E series! The G is below average quality for its price range.. Shimano is NOT my favorite reel maker, and I am not a shimano "fanboy", but I will stand behind the curado. I would consider it one of the best series of reels ever made. Very durable, priced fairly, reliable, very solid feeling are all terms that fit the curado perfectly.

Also, If shimano reels were just hype, people would not continue to use them. They'd buy it and say it is below expectations and sell it off. Shimano didn't grow such a huge fanbase by making shoddy reels.

I agree and disagree but I'm not here to start debates. All I said is there are better offerings then the curado and I'll stand by that too. One quick example is the Lews TP. $135 new it's lighter,cosmetically better,smoother, and better casting. I had a curado E. Bought it based off what I read on here and other places. Sold it about a month later after using various other reels that friends owned and purchased a Lews. Fishes way above it's price point and even has converted plenty of shimano guys. I've even heard a few times it's as good as a chronarch. I've never fished one more then 5 minutes so it's unfair to say anything about it. Yes they have a great rep built up. The problem is some people buy them after hearing all the die hard shimano fans talk about them. They never try out other brands and then argue till their blue in the face that they're the greatest reel ever. It is a proven reel that takes a beating and has been around for a long time. I won't argue that at all. On the flip side there is a lot of hype that's been built up and I feel the reel is overrated.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

I agree and disagree but I'm not here to start debates. All I said is there are better offerings then the curado and I'll stand by that too. One quick example is the Lews TP. $135 new it's lighter,cosmetically better,smoother, and better casting. I had a curado E. Bought it based off what I read on here and other places. Sold it about a month later after using various other reels that friends owned and purchased a Lews. Fishes way above it's price point and even has converted plenty of shimano guys. I've even heard a few times it's as good as a chronarch. I've never fished one more then 5 minutes so it's unfair to say anything about it. Yes they have a great rep built up. The problem is some people buy them after hearing all the die hard shimano fans talk about them. They never try out other brands and then argue till their blue in the face that they're the greatest reel ever.

I am going to have to politely disagree about the Lew's, but it is purely personal preference. I find Lew's to be very finicky, and the Shimano's are all "set and forget". I do agree with your last statement though. A lot of people use 1 brand (most of the time it is quantum because quantum reels seem to be designed to catch fisherman rather than fish) and never branch off to other brands. I have seen this a lot with shimano as well. I personally like to have a bit of variety..

[*Hootie]

Unless you're strictly referring to the G series this is just a silly statement.

Still waiting for my G series Curados to explode, meltdown, dissentegrate, or whatever it is they're supposed to do.....NOT YET!!

Hootie

[thehooligan]

I agree and disagree but I'm not here to start debates. All I said is there are better offerings then the curado and I'll stand by that too. One quick example is the Lews TP. $135 new it's lighter,cosmetically better,smoother, and better casting. I had a curado E. Bought it based off what I read on here and other places. Sold it about a month later after using various other reels that friends owned and purchased a Lews. Fishes way above it's price point and even has converted plenty of shimano guys. I've even heard a few times it's as good as a chronarch. I've never fished one more then 5 minutes so it's unfair to say anything about it. Yes they have a great rep built up. The problem is some people buy them after hearing all the die hard shimano fans talk about them. They never try out other brands and then argue till their blue in the face that they're the greatest reel ever. It is a proven reel that takes a beating and has been around for a long time. I won't argue that at all. On the flip side there is a lot of hype that's been built up and I feel the reel is overrated.

 

 

A korean made pure fishing reel vs a high quality japanese made reel is not even a fair comparison man. 

[THE_Vue's]

shimano rods are made in china so does that make them high quality?  Guess not cause its not made in japan.... 

[iabass8]

Still waiting for my G series Curados to explode, meltdown, dissentegrate, or whatever it is they're supposed to do.....NOT YET!!

Hootie

I'm not sure what that has to do with anything but I didn't say they were going to explode, meltdown, etc. the reels clearly didn't live up to the "hype" like its successors. they aren't bad reels and i didnt  say they are. while others do like them and that's great, it's a fact they were a let down vs prior offerings. 

[Loop_Dad]

shimano rods are made in china so does that make them high quality?  Guess not cause its not made in japan.... 

 

Personally, I think how it was designed and how the quality control was performed are more important than which factory it came out from.

 

(I've got a Curado G)

[Smallmouth Hunter]

The g series curado isn't a bad reel by any means, but it is below average for the price. The main reason it didn't live up to the hype is that people thought the reel was going to be better than the E series curado, and also cost less at the same time. It does cost less, but it is not as nicely made as the curado e. Comparing the E series curado to the G series curado is like comparing a citica to a curado. Similar build, but not made as nicely and not as much quality materials.

[tomustang]

Shimano hate burns another thread. How about back on topic.

[DogBone_384]

This is a great thread! I spent almost twenty years in the high-end car audio industry and have to add that these types of threads are the same as the old argument of what speaker sounds best. It was easy to quantify which electronics were better by design, but speaker quality is 100% subjective, just as rod sensitivity is here.

I find my Carbonlite & Veritas are the two most sensitive rods I own. My Fenwick Silver Hawk is a close 3rd, and it was $50.

Great kitchen table talk, keep it coming.

Add: threads like these also make me want to buy more gear 'to try out' which makes my wife roll her eyes and ask why she married a kid !