$150 Bottom Contact Rod

[JDUB]

So I have $150 to spend give or take on a new jig/trig rod. I'm looking for the most sensitive, well balanced rod I can get, I've been looking at a ***, Denali kovert, Kistler klx and daiwa tatula. I got a tatula type r reel to mount on what I get. Please lemme know your opinions on what I should get! Pros cons ect. Thanks!

[Brian Needham]

get those rods used and perhaps step up a class

 

you could even get a duckett, used about 110-120.

 

then take the extra coin to supertune that reel.

 

$150 well spent and you got more than you wanted.

[Tywithay]

KLX is the most sensitive rod under $200, period. You can use a coupon code to save 15% as well.

[kschultz76]

Wait for a sale at TW and consider a St Croix Avid in appropriate length and taper. Depending on the weights you're looking to throw I'd suggest the M/F and MH/F. Croix's usually feel and fish about a half power or bit more heavier then others.

[lmbfisherman]

Fenwick Aetos or Fenwick Smallmouth Elite Tech would be what I would recommend in that price range.  Both can be found well below your budget. 

[mjseverson24]

I like the shimano Crucial for that price range especially for bottom contact, the IM 10 graphite is very sensitive, and is pretty balanced especially with a reel like the tatula type r. other good options are the duckett micro magic, the falcon bucoo micro rod is very light and sensitive as well.

 

Mitch

[bass1980]

Mind as well match your tatula reel with a tatula rod at valley tackle. They sell that $150 rod for $110. I have no idea why Daiwa added gold accents to the rod when they are advertising it to be paired with the reel though. Well that's just me, I like color combos lol.

[Tywithay]

Mind as well match your tatula reel with a tatula rod at valley tackle. They sell that $150 rod for $110. I have no idea why Daiwa added gold accents to the rod when they are advertising it to be paired with the reel though. Well that's just me, I like color combos lol.

The Tatula 100H has a gold magnetic dial, maybe that's why? I agree it doesn't match all that well though.

[new2BC4bass]

KLX is the most sensitive rod under $200, period. You can use a coupon code to save 15% as well.

 

Rather positive statement to make.  Have you fished every bottom contact rod below the $200 mark?  I could say the same thing about one of my rods, but it would only be true for the few rods I have used.  Not saying the KLX isn't an excellent rod.   I have read several reviews on the KLX and everyone seems to agree they are super rods for the money.  I want to try one.  I will say that I personally feel my Fenwick rods fish way above their price point.  If I found myself feeling the same way about the KLX rods as I do about my Fenwicks, my pocketbook would be very thin. 

 

I'd be interested in knowing if you have fished a bottom contact Aetos rod for comparison.  Recently bought my first one, but snow is too deep and temps too cold for me to hike to the river only to find it frozen over.   

[smalljaw67]

Fenwick Aetos or Fenwick Smallmouth Elite Tech would be what I would recommend in that price range.  Both can be found well below your budget. 

 

I'd go with a Fenwick Aetos myself, I have a 7'2" MH-XF casting that is my new pitching rod and I really, really find it hard to believe what I paid for it every time I fish with it, big power but sensitivity in spades, even with a 5/16oz Eakins style  jig I can distinguish rock from wood and I can tell whether I'm in soft bottom muck or grass and I don't use braid on it.

[Tywithay]

Rather positive statement to make.  Have you fished every bottom contact rod below the $200 mark?  I could say the same thing about one of my rods, but it would only be true for the few rods I have used.  Not saying the KLX isn't an excellent rod.   I have read several reviews on the KLX and everyone seems to agree they are super rods for the money.  I want to try one.  I will say that I personally feel my Fenwick rods fish way above their price point.  If I found myself feeling the same way about the KLX rods as I do about my Fenwicks, my pocketbook would be very thin. 

 

I'd be interested in knowing if you have fished a bottom contact Aetos rod for comparison.  Recently bought my first one, but snow is too deep and temps too cold for me to hike to the river only to find it frozen over.   

I've been around the <$200 block a few times. I'm sure I don't remember all of them, but off the top of my head: Elite Tech, HMG, Aetos, KLX, Tatula, Micro Magic, ***, Recon2, M1, Avid, Premier, Mojo, Bucoo, Lowrider XG, Cara T7, GSX Titanium, GSX Elite, Platinum ZX, Carbonlite, Gold Carrot Stik, Crucial, Max, Endurance, Savvy....I think there may be a couple others, but that's about it.

 

They all have their pros and cons, but the KLX has less cons than any other rod at the price point. I liked my KLX more than my *** and Champion, even though it costs nearly $100 less.

 

I liked the Aetos, but it has some fatal flaws for my personal preferences. The first was the guides. They're noisy and cheap feeling, especially when using braided line. That's just something that bugs me when I am out on the water. It's not as bad with mono or fluoro, but definitely more noticeable than a rod that features guides with ceramic inserts. The other thing I didn't care for was the SK2 seat. That's not just an Aetos thing though, I've hated that seat on every rod. Of all the Fenwicks I have used, I actually felt the Aetos was the least bang for your buck. It fishes about like it should for a $180 rod. I kind of liked my Elite Tech better, to be honest.

[Hogsticker]

I have a KLX, Aetos, Cumara, and Zillion. The difference in bottom contact qualities are not night and day. All these rods offer more than needed feel. The KLX is the best balanced of the bunch, and I don't see the Tatula fishing any better than the Zillion. The KLX can also handle more techniques IMO when needed in a pinch. Get the rod build you like the best. Can't really go wrong with any of them.

[00 mod]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/perfecta-optimus-review.html

 

Jeff

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/perfecta-optimus-review.html

 

Jeff

 

I have been VERY impressed with Pinnacle, too!

[new2BC4bass]

I've been around the <$200 block a few times. I'm sure I don't remember all of them, but off the top of my head: Elite Tech, HMG, Aetos, KLX, Tatula, Micro Magic, ***, Recon2, M1, Avid, Premier, Mojo, Bucoo, Lowrider XG, Cara T7, GSX Titanium, GSX Elite, Platinum ZX, Carbonlite, Gold Carrot Stik, Crucial, Max, Endurance, Savvy....I think there may be a couple others, but that's about it.

 

They all have their pros and cons, but the KLX has less cons than any other rod at the price point. I liked my KLX more than my *** and Champion, even though it costs nearly $100 less.

 

I liked the Aetos, but it has some fatal flaws for my personal preferences. The first was the guides. They're noisy and cheap feeling, especially when using braided line. That's just something that bugs me when I am out on the water. It's not as bad with mono or fluoro, but definitely more noticeable than a rod that features guides with ceramic inserts. The other thing I didn't care for was the SK2 seat. That's not just an Aetos thing though, I've hated that seat on every rod. Of all the Fenwicks I have used, I actually felt the Aetos was the least bang for your buck. It fishes about like it should for a $180 rod. I kind of liked my Elite Tech better, to be honest.

 

I'm impressed!!  You've tried more brands than I have.  Knowing that adds a lot of weight to your opinion.  Makes me even more determined to own a KLX.  Thanks for the reply.  I heard the M1 is a very good rod.  I sure hope I don't have the same impression of my Aetos.  Can't say as I've ever noticed a particular style of seat bothering me.  I've fished Airrus Ultra XL, Lightning, Tour Edition, Superlite, Smallmouth, HMG, Falcon Original, Cara and Experts, V.I.P. Smallmouth, Zillion, Tec Spec, Prodigy, Carbonlite, Cumara, Compre, ***, Platinum XMLTi (2 different year models and seats), 2 customs, Techna AVs, Villain, Jupiter....think that is about it.  None cost me $200.  Some don't care for the Zillion seat.  I like it.  Some have complained about the *** trigger.  Hasn't bothered me yet.  However, I am not fond of the thin handle.  I will say that the only rods I have fished for hours at a time are the Smallmouth, Cumara, Jupiter, Experts and Originals.  Normally I switch combos throughout the day.  Nor do I bottom fish for very long before switching to a different lure.

 

I trust roadwarrior's opinion, and so would like to try a Pinnacle as well.  To bad my money tree burned down. 

[smalljaw67]

I've been around the <$200 block a few times. I'm sure I don't remember all of them, but off the top of my head: Elite Tech, HMG, Aetos, KLX, Tatula, Micro Magic, ***, Recon2, M1, Avid, Premier, Mojo, Bucoo, Lowrider XG, Cara T7, GSX Titanium, GSX Elite, Platinum ZX, Carbonlite, Gold Carrot Stik, Crucial, Max, Endurance, Savvy....I think there may be a couple others, but that's about it.

 

They all have their pros and cons, but the KLX has less cons than any other rod at the price point. I liked my KLX more than my *** and Champion, even though it costs nearly $100 less.

 

I liked the Aetos, but it has some fatal flaws for my personal preferences. The first was the guides. They're noisy and cheap feeling, especially when using braided line. That's just something that bugs me when I am out on the water. It's not as bad with mono or fluoro, but definitely more noticeable than a rod that features guides with ceramic inserts. The other thing I didn't care for was the SK2 seat. That's not just an Aetos thing though, I've hated that seat on every rod. Of all the Fenwicks I have used, I actually felt the Aetos was the least bang for your buck. It fishes about like it should for a $180 rod. I kind of liked my Elite Tech better, to be honest.

 

I'm the exact opposite, the titanium inserts on the guides on the Aetos rods I feel make for a smoother cast, I can pitch better with that rod than any other but I don't use braid. Kistler lost me a long time ago and a guy in our bass club has one and I still don't know what is so special, the build is nice and clean and the weight is average, not really light but far from heavy but if you like the ECS reel seat then it will make a huge difference and the ECS is the least favorite, I loved the ACS and the new SK2 is even better but the ECS has that big trigger and it just makes for sore, swollen hands after the trigger is rolling between my fingers all day. I think that reel seat comfort is a bit thing with sensitivity, if you are fighting pain of discomfort then you aren't focused enough to pick up light bites even on a $500 dollar rod , one the things with the Elite Tech Smallmouth rods is that reel seat is so comfortable I can fish it all day.

[Tywithay]

I'm the exact opposite, the titanium inserts on the guides on the Aetos rods I feel make for a smoother cast, I can pitch better with that rod than any other but I don't use braid. Kistler lost me a long time ago and a guy in our bass club has one and I still don't know what is so special, the build is nice and clean and the weight is average, not really light but far from heavy but if you like the ECS reel seat then it will make a huge difference and the ECS is the least favorite, I loved the ACS and the new SK2 is even better but the ECS has that big trigger and it just makes for sore, swollen hands after the trigger is rolling between my fingers all day. I think that reel seat comfort is a bit thing with sensitivity, if you are fighting pain of discomfort then you aren't focused enough to pick up light bites even on a $500 dollar rod , one the things with the Elite Tech Smallmouth rods is that reel seat is so comfortable I can fish it all day.

Was that Kistler your club member had a KLX? To me, the newer Kistler's built on NFC blanks are far and away beyond anything ever to come out of that company before. I've had a handful and every build has been immaculate and the Loomis blanks are among the best on the market. As far as lightweight, the 7'0" MH weighs 3.7oz. By comparison, an NRX 843 weighs 3.6oz. The only Aetos I weighed was a 6'8" MH and it weighed 4.2oz.

[aavery2]

There are a bunch of rods that are good in the price range that you are looking at, but in my opinion none of them are enough different from one another to really stand out and separate themselves from the herd. Bottom contact rods are where paying for a top quality product pays off. Save your money, use what you have now to get by until you can afford a true high performance rod. NRX, ZBone, Legend Extreme, Megabass, spend the money for one top quality rod and you will see what all the fuss is about.

[SGT Rico]

I've used Shimano's, Abu's, Falcon's, and a few St Criox's, none of these rods have been "budget rods", I would suggest you look IRod Genesis gen II. They are very sensitive, and action is true. Did I mention how light they are, you get a lot of rod for your money.

[SenkoGuru]

The KLX is a nice rod but Kistler has one of the worst warranty in the rod business. it is only a one year warranty and to me that is bad when you can get a rod just as good with a 20-year or even life time warranty on it. If the warranty is important to you, stay far, far away from kistler rods, if the warranty doesn't matter then this is the right rod for you.

[Jay Ell Gee]

Mind as well match your tatula reel with a tatula rod at valley tackle. They sell that $150 rod for $110. I have no idea why Daiwa added gold accents to the rod when they are advertising it to be paired with the reel though. Well that's just me, I like color combos lol.

This would be my choice. While the Recon2 would also be an option, the Tatula rod will be balanced PERFECTLY with your Type R Tarula reel, making the reel feel like half it's weight. Very nice combo, especially from our sponsor selling them around 110.

[Mike L]

I like a lot of fellas have fished many brands and we all have our favorites...

That being said, IMHO the Phenix M1 line of rods are one of the lightest, strongest and sensitive rods you can buy.

 

But to me the best of them all is the Fenwick Techna AV.

If you can find one of those, brother you got something to keep!!

 

 

 

Mike

[JDUB]

I ended up going with an ***, couldn't pass on the tw sale. I used the extra money on some 16lb shooter, a storm arashi, Rapala scatter rap, some trash fish Hitch swimbaits and some owner beast hooks lol. I do thank and appreciate you all for the input. Rod should be here tomorrow or the next day, I'll let u guys know what I think later this week when I get a chance to fish it.

[JigMe]

TW has Rep example GL2 for 25% off, you can get a Jig/Worm rod 6'8 M for $150. you can't beat that. 

[Tywithay]

TW has Rep example GL2 for 25% off, you can get a Jig/Worm rod 6'8 M for $150. you can't beat that.

You can get an *** for $75 and have a more sensitive rod than the GL2. Or buy a Tatula rod for full price and still beat it. I wouldn't pay more than $100 for another GL2.