New Baitcasting Rod--Help Needed

[Balshy Fishing]

I currently have a Daiwa MA15LG baitcasting reel and am looking to buy my first casting rod. I'm considering the Duckett Ghost because it's cheaper and apparently is worth the money. Would it be smart to go with a very cheap rod so I can learn baitcasting better and then upgrade in time or what?

 

I'm looking for a medium heavy rod for frogging and what not. 

[masterbass]

For about the same money look at the *** black.  I didn't like the guides on the ghost personally.  The *** is my favorite rod in that class and it fishes above it's price.  It would be a rod you never outgrow.  I also have dobyns dx and megabass rods and I still use my *** every trip.

[new2BC4bass]

Depends on whether or not you plan on getting serious with baitcasting gear.  Like most will tell you, buy the best you can and keep it for life.  Or buy cheap now, use it a year or two, and then buy the good rod later when you realize how much you like using a baitcast reel.  Then either take a beating when you sell the cheap rod, or let it sit unused or give it away. 

 

The above is a little unusual for me as I don't normally suggest spending any more than you want to....or can afford.  Personally I wouldn't mind a $500 rod, but that is about 3 times more than I can afford so I make do with less.

 

I don't know how heavy a frog you will be using or in what kind of cover.  I can suggest a couple rods on sale at ohya.....both Quantums.  The Superlite is a $230 rod selling for $125.  The Tour Edition is a $200 rod selling for $118.  Look at the 7' MH in either line.  Rating is for 1/4- 1 1/2 oz.  Don't know how accurate that rating is as they list the 6' 10" HF from 1/4-5/8 which is way off.  However, these are well built rods well worth the money.  Depending on cover, you might be interested in the 7'4" Hvy Flippin Tour Edition.

 

Never used a Duckett.  A good cheap rod is the Berkley Lightning if you have to keep the cost low.  Fenwick makes some very good rods for the money.  Take a look at the HMX or HMG lines.

[DaBassMasta]

Well since you are considering the Ghost am I incorrect in assuming that your budget is around $100?

 

Tight Lines,

MSA

[DaBassMasta]

Depends on whether or not you plan on getting serious with baitcasting gear.  Like most will tell you, buy the best you can and keep it for life.  Or buy cheap now, use it a year or two, and then buy the good rod later when you realize how much you like using a baitcast reel.  Then either take a beating when you sell the cheap rod, or let it sit unused or give it away. 

 

The above is a little unusual for me as I don't normally suggest spending any more than you want to....or can afford.  Personally I wouldn't mind a $500 rod, but that is about 3 times more than I can afford so I make do with less.

 

I don't know how heavy a frog you will be using or in what kind of cover.  I can suggest a couple rods on sale at ohya.....both Quantums.  The Superlite is a $230 rod selling for $125.  The Tour Edition is a $200 rod selling for $118.  Look at the 7' MH in either line.  Rating is for 1/4- 1 1/2 oz.  Don't know how accurate that rating is as they list the 6' 10" HF from 1/4-5/8 which is way off.  However, these are well built rods well worth the money.  Depending on cover, you might be interested in the 7'4" Hvy Flippin Tour Edition.

 

Never used a Duckett.  A good cheap rod is the Berkley Lightning if you have to keep the cost low.  Fenwick makes some very good rods for the money.  Take a look at the HMX or HMG lines.

[Balshy Fishing]

Yeah, I'm trying to spend around that. I'm keeping the reel I found at my grandpas[haha], no clue if it's still any good. If I throw a frog it'll be a spro, zoom or horny toad and the Dahlberg Diving Frog. I have a Medium Fast rod so I'm looking for a Medium Heavy one for the frogging. 

[smalljaw67]

If you go with $99.00 you can grab a Fenwick HMG, with a lifetime warranty and while most rods in that price range will be decent I think the build quality on the HMG is outstanding. If I needed a rod in that range it would be between the HMG and the *** Black but I really like the HMG I have and the lifetime warranty is a plus.

[Oregon Native]

I just purchased a LEXA from Daiwa a couple weeks ago and am pretty impressed.  Got it as Bass Pro and it was under a $100 and it's light and fast action with a lot of beef to it.  Haven't bought a rod in years but wanted a Carolina/flipping/do all around heavy rod since moving to Tennessee. I believe it's 7'7".....would go look but just had a double hernia fixed and I'm sore and don't want to walk out to boat.

Good luck

Have Lamiglas, Shimano,Fenwicks, Loomis....they all make great rods.

[new2BC4bass]

DaBassMasta: I am a little confused by your highlighting my quote.  Care to explain?