Skeet Reese Rods (Your Thoughts)

[TheBig1]

After having searched and read through many threads for answers as well as having searched reviews I have some questions for some of you bassers.

 

Lets keep in mind that I am a family man who cannot afford the $150 and up rods that I've seen suggested on here to others.  My arsenal consists of several Wal-Mart level Fenwick's as well as some Berkley Cherrywood's which have both served me quite well.  The reels I've accompanied them to are some Cabela's Prodigy's, Bass Pro Extremes and Quantum Accurist's which have also served me quite well although I'm looking to try out some Lew's reels on my next reel purchase.  So go ahead and get the chuckling out of the way so we can move on with some objective discussion.  With that being said, after having read many threads on here I am beginning to realize that some of my rod/reel setups are not as they should be and need to be fixed.  This could quite possibly explain why I lost the biggest fish I've ever seen on the end of my line right at the boat because the chatterbait that I caught it on was being fished on a crankbait rod, so thank you for that tidbit. 

 

So now onto my question about this line of rods.  I've seen them around at Dick's and a local tackle shop, not having paid too much attention to them.  Our immediately local Wal-Mart's do not carry such fishing tackle but just last night at a Wal-Mart 15 miles away I saw them and they were on sale for $70 which is $20 off from what Dick's wants.  Now given the fact that I need to reconfigure some of my setups anyway and possibly purchase a few new rods, I thought that I might step up my game from the $30-$40 rods and purchase something such as the Skeet Reese line of rods.  Given my budgetary constraints, what are your thoughts on this line of rods, if any?

[frogflogger]

The rods are fine - they'll serve you well -

[Tywithay]

I think you can do better for the money, but they're good enough, and they'll catch fish.

[TheBig1]

I think you can do better for the money, but they're good enough, and they'll catch fish.

 

 

Please allow me to clarify also, I am open to other suggestions given that I am able to stay under $100 for the rods.

 

I understand that this is a difficult question given the fact that this involves an opinion of the best of the bottom of the barrel rods as opposed to a medium grade or upper echelon rod.  So again, any input would be greatly appreciated.

[*Hootie]

As always, the lightning rod is probably one of the best budget rods around. Under $50.00

Hootie

[ThatZX14Fella]

Check out H2O rods at Sports Acadamy. They seem really nice for the price. I'm considering picking one up for myself.

[gulfcaptain]

Check out H2O rods at Sports Acadamy. They seem really nice for the price. I'm considering picking one up for myself.

The H20 line from Acadamy is less expensive and IMO a better rod the the Skeet Reese line up.  Fished both, buddy has a Skeet Reese, do not like it at all. All around good rod, H20 7' MH, great all purpose rod for $59.99. Call go with the Micro's which is $79.99 and have the 6'10" MH and use it for jerks, flukes, and topwaters.  Both rods are light, sensitive, and well balanced. These were the rods I stepped up to from the cheaper $30-$40 rods.  Have a Vendetta and honestly think the H20's are lighter and more sensitive.  

[ThatZX14Fella]

The H20 line from Acadamy is less expensive and IMO a better rod the the Skeet Reese line up.  Fished both, buddy has a Skeet Reese, do not like it at all. All around good rod, H20 7' MH, great all purpose rod for $59.99. Call go with the Micro's which is $79.99 and have the 6'10" MH and use it for jerks, flukes, and topwaters.  Both rods are light, sensitive, and well balanced. These were the rods I stepped up to from the cheaper $30-$40 rods.  Have a Vendetta and honestly think the H20's are lighter and more sensitive.  

 

Funny thing, I actually have a Vendetta I'm trying to sell to buy an H2O. Lol

[OroBass]

Duckett ghost for right at 99.99

[Cgrinder]

If you can afford $100 rods, buy *** Omens. You said you wanted to stay under $100; they're available during sales for $85. If you can swing it, they're very good rods for the money.

 

To directly answer your question, I have a Skeet Reese glass crankbait rod from that line. It works and catches fish. 

[FSUMF333]

Right now at dicks sporting goods you can get a Abu veritas for$70 & with a $10 off $50 or more coupon it would $59.99 they have the link for the coupon on every receipt. So if you buy something for a couple bucks get yourself a coupon. That's what I did and when they rang it up it was actually $10 cheaper than marked so all said and done I payed like $47. They're going quick near me but worth it love mine.

[gulfcaptain]

The Black *** is also a great rod if you don't mind spending another $20.  Also Falcon's line of Bucco Rods are right at $100 and have 6 of those.  When from the H20's to Falcon's and also have a Black ***.  Looking to get a Green *** as well.  And can't forget BPS line of rods either.  You can find lots of choices there for under a $100 in almost any length and power you're wanting.

[TheBig1]

The Black *** is also a great rod if you don't mind spending another $20.  Also Falcon's line of Bucco Rods are right at $100 and have 6 of those.  When from the H20's to Falcon's and also have a Black ***.  Looking to get a Green *** as well.  And can't forget BPS line of rods either.  You can find lots of choices there for under a $100 in almost any length and power you're wanting.

 

 

I really want to thank all who've replied.  Apparently there are other quality choices out there for under or right around $100 without having to go slightly over.  I guess there for a moment I got a case of tunnel vision so I appreciate you bringing some of these brands to my attention.  I don't think rods between $50-$100 are discussed and compared enough.  I am not versed enough on brand names to recognize the price of a rod by it's name.

 

Again, I thank you.  I'll be checking out the H2O's as well as the other rods mentioned.  Also, I can't believe that I forgot about BPS, but I'm glad that I made someone validate them first.  I love BPS for my fishing gear.

[gulfcaptain]

I really want to thank all who've replied.  Apparently there are other quality choices out there for under or right around $100 without having to go slightly over.  I guess there for a moment I got a case of tunnel vision so I appreciate you bringing some of these brands to my attention.  I don't think rods between $50-$100 are discussed and compared enough.  I am not versed enough on brand names to recognize the price of a rod by it's name.

 

Again, I thank you.  I'll be checking out the H2O's as well as the other rods mentioned.  Also, I can't believe that I forgot about BPS, but I'm glad that I made someone validate them first.  I love BPS for my fishing gear.

I have quite the arsenal of rods and tackle and to be honest my two most expensive rods top out at $150.00, 1 Bucco Micro 7'3" and a Quantum Tour Tactical 7'11" Hack Attack.  Other then that they all run between $60 to $130.  So you have lots of options without breaking the bank and finding quality rods to fish with.  

[TheBig1]

I have quite the arsenal of rods and tackle and to be honest my two most expensive rods top out at $150.00, 1 Bucco Micro 7'3" and a Quantum Tour Tactical 7'11" Hack Attack.  Other then that they all run between $60 to $130.  So you have lots of options without breaking the bank and finding quality rods to fish with.  

 

It's actually comforting to know that.  I compare it much like the first time I looked through some quality binoculars as opposed to some cheap Wal-Mart binos.  The difference in quality and sensitivity was a true lesson in the difference of what a quality product can be.  Of course I'm terrified to learn this lesson with fishing rods because of their price.

 

Again, the "quality" rods that I have were bought when Wal-Mart sold off their line of Fenwick's and had a clearance sale on them for stupid low prices.  I went in there and picked up a few rods which was nice at the time.  Just looking to up the quality of my equipment since I'm going to buy a new rod or two anyway.

[Montanaro]

Team daiwa rods are excellent

[gulfcaptain]

It's actually comforting to know that.  I compare it much like the first time I looked through some quality binoculars as opposed to some cheap Wal-Mart binos.  The difference in quality and sensitivity was a true lesson in the difference of what a quality product can be.  

Being I used to run a charter boat, one thing I wouldn't ever go cheap on would be a quality set of Binos.  To me $750 for a set o Fugee's would be a steal considering Ziess's run about $2000. But there quality def matters.

[TheBig1]

Being I used to run a charter boat, one thing I wouldn't ever go cheap on would be a quality set of Binos.  To me $750 for a set o Fugee's would be a steal considering Ziess's run about $2000. But there quality def matters.

 

 

I told the guy I had a budget at the time of $500 and he steered me toward the $250 pair of Bushnell Legends.  They're the greatest set I've ever looked through.

 

Now I'm trying to learn the same concept as far as quality and budgetary restraints to our, mine and my wife's, fishing gear.

[wngan9447]

Dicks have the Crucials on clearance right now. I just picked up one for 55 after the survey coupon.

[kikstand454]

There are lots of great rods out there for <100. Lots.

That said, my pa-in law loves the skeet Reese rods and has one many many tournements with them. Lol. He has a litteral boat full.

I'm not a huge fan or them personally and mainly only had shimano Clarus, convergence, and crucial rods until recently when I picked up 4 Abu Garcia veritas rods at dicks on stupid sale. I'm really digging them.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Black and yellow color. Micro eyes. Skeet Reese crank bait rod. Medium heavy. 7ft. Walmart. $80.

I have a $150 Johnny Morris reel on mine with 11 bearing. My favorite set up. Rod is golden. Snaps a hook set like a dream. Enough said. ;-)

[Jay Ell Gee]

I'm not sure if this helps (probably doesn't) but don't look past combo setups as well.

If you are ever in the market for reels as well, any bass pro can put together a Pro Qualifier on a Carbonlite rod for 159.98 with an in store warranty. That's 40 off retail for an excellent setup by anybody's taste.

Just a thought. Good luck with the search!

P.S. Tackle Warehouse has some nice Carrot Stix on clearance right now.

[timsford]

I have only owned the cranking versions of the skeet rods but thought they were darn good for the 65 each i paid for them on sale at tackle warehouse. I had the 6'6" & 7'10" mag cranking rods. The shorter one handled any crank up to 10 ft deep divers great and i only took the big one on 1 trip but it would sling a dd22 as far as i wanted to throw it. They were both a little tip heavy but thats most fiberglass rods ive tried. I sold them because i got a great deal on some seeker rods but they are quite a bit more expensive at retail prices. Id look around and feel some rods in yoir price range in person but the skeet rods i had were great for the price if yoh can get over the bright yellow color lol. I still own some other good rods in the 100 dollar and under range though that are definitely worth taking a look at. The *** black rods are super sensitive for the price. (around 100). They would be my first choice. I also have a team daiwa t rod that is awesome for the 60 dollar or so sale price right now at tackle warehouse but not quite as sensitive as the *** black. It was 40 bucks less though and has a 5 year warranty. The shimano clarus is only 5-10 bucks more on there than the daiwa and is a very good rod for the price but only has a 1 year warranty now. I also own a powell deisel spinning rod i got for under 60 bucks off there but it carries no warranty. I have only broke a couple rods my whole life and i fell on them so it doesnt matter to me but it does to some people. Its very sensitive and has good guides for the price. I also bought a berkley lightning rod shock at walmart to fish for stripers at night with braid and i can horse in a 20 lb fjsh no problem but jts tip heavy. I use it for wakebaits so i hold it with the tip down anyway so ita no big deal to me. Sorry i wrote a book but i too mostly buy cheaper rods and wanted to let you know my experiences with them. Bps rods are very good in my experience but the nearest bass pro to me is 2 hours away and by the time i pay for gas and pay sales tax i could buy a lot more or better rod online imo

[tomustang]

For $70 they still work but there's better out there, the veritas is right around there and has different types of actions/tapers.

So you know, you're not going to be able to look into H2o rods unless you drive hundreds of miles to one of their southern stores. They are nice but have a lot of qc issues like crooked guides, sloppy glue, etc so if you order one be forewarned.

[TheBig1]

Thanks again to everyone for your input.  It's hard to tell by reading most of the threads contained in this forum but apparently there are others who use the lower end quality equipment.  I appreciate all of the great ideas and product names that were thrown out there.  Now it's just time for me to do a little more research on all of them as well as put them in my hands and educate myself on such quality rod feel.

 

Now I think I should start a similar thread addressing quality reels up to and under $100 to be paired with these great rods.