Field & Stream Rods?

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

Has anyone owned or used a field & stream rod? I'm looking for a decent medium heavy spinning rod for around $40-60 and happened to stumble on these at my local Dick's Sporting Goods and the felt like an ok rod. Does anyone have any experience with these or have any suggestions for other rods?

[Felix77]

I bought an inferno (red ones) and one of the older Elite Flipping Sticks.  They are very light and seem to work ok.  Nothing to write home about IMO.  For the price I would rather an Abu Garcia Vengeance Rod at WalMart.  Just check the guides.  They don't take care of their rods.

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

I had looked into the vengeance for a spinning rod. I had wanted a shimano sellus but they seemed to have disappeared. I had looked at the f&s tec-spec because I believe they are about $65 right now

[MarkH024]

You want a Sellus?

 

Here you go  http://www.overstockbait.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=sellus&Search.x=-445&Search.y=-161

[ChiCityBasser]

I have the older model Field & Stream Tec Spec MH/F spinning rod but see they only have the Elite rods now but I believe it's basically the same version with some slight hardware upgrades. The rod I have is the rig & jig rod and imho it was a better rod than the mid tier Shimano Clarus and Compre models. It was more sensitive and a fraction of the cost with a discount coupon and being on sale at the time. I also have the 7'3" MH/F Elite casting rod and it was a great buy as well and again it was on sale with a $20 off coupon.

[Chance_Taker4]

you can get a sellus at bass pro in store or online. just a warning the tip of the Sellus is very thin and break easily

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

You want a Sellus?

 

Here you go  http://www.overstockbait.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=sellus&Search.x=-445&Search.y=-161

Would have never thought to check somewhere like overstock

 

I have the older model Field & Stream Tec Spec MH/F spinning rod but see they only have the Elite rods now but I believe it's basically the same version with some slight hardware upgrades. The rod I have is the rig & jig rod and imho it was a better rod than the mid tier Shimano Clarus and Compre models. It was more sensitive and a fraction of the cost with a discount coupon and being on sale at the time. I also have the 7'3" MH/F Elite casting rod and it was a great buy as well and again it was on sale with a $20 off coupon.

May have to compare the price to ship a sellus to buying one at Dick's

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

you can get a sellus at bass pro in store or online. just a warning the tip of the Sellus is very thin and break easily

my local bass pro has the sellus in stock but almost only casting models left

[new2BC4bass]

I have the older black model in a casting rod.  Never tried a bottom bait with it so can't say just how sensitive they may be.  There was a review on here when the original Tec Spec came out.  The poster felt it was the most sensitive rod in that price range.  I like the looks of the blue Elite model, but haven't purchased one yet.  They seem pretty light handling them in the store.

 

You will find that most people here are going to suggest a low end Shimano or Abu in that price range.  Just like when it comes to spinning reels the majority are going to suggest Shimano or Pflueger or in casting reels a Shimano or Lews.  Although I own both, I would choose my Daiwas if I had to keep only a couple reels.  Matter of preference.

 

You will find that not many on here use a F&S rod.  Fenwick is another brand mentioned by only a few of us.  Although the *** Black is a favorite rod in its price range on here, I prefer my Fenwick Smallmouth rods to my ***.  Again, a matter of preference.

 

Personally I wouldn't have a problem going with an Elite from Dick's.  Pretty sure you could take it back for a replacement if there were a factory problem with the rod.  As stated, check the guides before buying in case the rod got mishandled by a numskull.  However, the same problem exists at Wal-Mart as well.  Maybe even moreso as you are more apt to find a first time buyer there than as Dicks's.  Plus at my local Wal-Marts the rods get jammed into a small area whereas at Dick's they have individual slots to sit in.

 

Be sure to let us know which rod you decide on, and how you like it once you've been able to use it.

[ChiCityBasser]

I actually returned a Clarus and Compre rod after trying them against the F&S and felt it was a more sensitive bottom contact rod as I was using it for soft plastics. I've also used the rod for topwaters in a pinch and worked well with those also but it is primarily a bottom contact rod.

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

yeah that's pretty much what I am looking for, going to be my dropshot/shakey head/etc. rod but I was hoping to find one closer to $50. That was my attraction to the shimano.

[cddan]

I have two. A swimbait rod and an a rig rod.Very durable not the most sensitive but will last.

[Grantman83]

Honestly, I thought the first generation Tec-Spec rods were amazing rods for the money.  The 7ft Crankbait rod was a TRUE medium moderate and was great.  They were the first series of rods I bought.  They are on clearance by me for 29.97 with 25% off clearance right now.  That is a steal for anyone who wants a quality rod at a low price.  Their 7ftm spinning rod was also great for the price, it could do alittle of everything.

 

The newer red ones seem cheaper to me and most of them are two piece which I don't like.  The elites seem like a good deal.  If they are have as good as the original tec spec, then they are worth the money. 

[SirSnookalot]

My local DSG carries Calico Jacks for about $55, my med 7' 8/17 rod has been serving me well for about 3-4 years.  I use the rod for high banked canals both open water and Florida muck.  Being an all purpose rod I use it for all techniques and lure types, this is my heavy bass rod used with 15# braided line.  I have no desire to use any thing else, for the money I don't have to worry about babying it, but it's remained perfect catching thousands of pounds of bass, peacocks, and snakeheads.  Since I purchased mine they have come out with a mh 10/20 rod.

[Crankinstein]

I have a Tec Spec Elite that's probably the lightest rod I own. I only really break it out when I'm fishing jerk baits but its never let me down so I'd say there is some real value there. If your at Dicks I'd recommend also checking their St Croix selection, the one near me usually has some good ones. They have some great rods for the price as well.

[Diggy]

I have had many tech specs. The 6ft6 seems to outcast most of my other brand rods which are longer. Only thing I dislike is the hook keeper position.Rods are solid imo

[Bassfink86]

I have the tech spec elites(blue ones w/micro guides) in the 7' MH spinning, and the 7'3" MH casting and both of these rods are awesome, great feel and light weight, if you want a quality rod for some small change get one you wont be sorry

[SpinnerbaitSlinger]

My original goal was to not spend more than $50, but after ruling out those price rods based on what I read and heard I ended up going with a 7'  MH Abu Garcia vendetta since I was jumping up a price bracket. Went to try it out immediately after purchasing it. Unfortunately all I really have to fish right now is small ponds, biggest being 2 acres, so not much bottom or structure to feel and the winter weather has the fish all but shutdown. The little bit of bottom structure to hit it feels good so far. If I was able to purchase a new spinning reel for it would make the biggest difference. I have it currently paired to a very old shimano spinning reel that I would have to guess is about 10 years old, so it makes the rod feel on the heavier side, but is still very comfortable to fish. Overall a good rod so far and I am very happy with it.

[Bassassassin77]

Ive had a number of rods over the years, but these tec specs are the best you can find under$100 I tried a 6' with UL reel for worm fishing and the sensitivity was amazing with good backbone. Landed many bass around 3 to 5lb range on the 6' rod .. It outperforms my bucoo falcons that are $129.00 I was so impressed after the first few months I bought 3 more including a baitcast rod. I now have the 6' , the 6'6" and the 7' spinning rods plus the 7' casting rod.