Cherrywood Hd Casting Rod???

[Josh Smith]

Hi Folks,

 

I mentioned here that my BPS rod up and snapped on me.  I'm still not 100% sure what happened; I certainly did nothing with it that I haven't done to all my other rods.

 

To get the new reel back fishing, I pulled the modified Abu 5000 off my old Bill Dance (Daiwa) Spinnerbait rod.

 

Well, that didn't fly.  There's always been a red reel on that rod, I mean, always, and I wasn't going to bench my old 5000.

 

So, I ran to Walmart for a stopgap rod.  I was looking at Berkely Lightning Rods, the Shock models.  I have a regular Lightning Rod mounting my 5600 Mag, and while it's a bit long and heavy, it's also not really made for my everyday bass excursions.

 

I remembered an old rod Grandpa gave me.  It was called a Cherrywood and it's mounting an old spincast reel.  It's a ML fiberglass job.

 

I started looking for the Berkely Cherrywood as I seemed to recall they were still made.

 

Sure enough, I found one.  Short handle (though not pistol grip), MH, looks like medium-fast or fast action, and the dang thing is really sensitive.

 

Price?  A little under $25.

 

In looking at it, I see how Berkely managed to build a decent, basic rod at a really good price.  The guides, for example, are regular ol' stainless steel.  I don't have a problem with that.  It's sensitive because it's stiff and relatively light; lighter, anyway, than the rods I generally prefer.  It's well balanced.

 

Still, I'm a little edgy about it.  I've never heard of a quality rod for under $25.  I"m sitting here looking it over trying to find the weak spot(s).

 

Does anyone have opinions about these rods born from firsthand experience?  I'm not out a lot if this thing busts, but it just doesn't look like it's going to.

 

I stopped by to talk to Dad (retired GM engineer who still gets up at 4am).  He said they're not bad rods.  They're not the best, but they're not bad at all.

 

This is my initial impression as well.  This is at least as sensitive as my '90s Daiwa "Bill Dance" spinnerbait rod that's been with me for more bass (and even catfish, when I couldn't afford a dedicated rod) than I can count.

 

What should I be watching for on this thing?  Anything in particular?

 

Thank you,

 

Josh

[Catch and Grease]

I like the cherry wood rods, I use the M/F a lot for cranks... Pretty sturdy for 25$ too.

My papa slammed his in the door then the next day it snapped while casting, I've had no problems with it from normal use. Its worth the 25$

[Brian6428]

I had two cherrywoods (not sure if they were hd but they cost $25) that both broke reeling in fish. Hope you have better luck than I did.

[bass raider]

I have a cherrywood its the 7ft med.i use it as my crank/rat-l-trap rod and it has held up perfectly.caught a 8.75lb on it the other day&multiple 2s,3s&4lbs. since then.

[Josh Smith]

Thank you folks.

 

I just got in from five hours of fishing.  Caught friggin' nothing and that never happens to me!  I'll make another thread for that.

 

Anyway, I really like this rod.  Cheap or not, it works. 

 

The action is slightly slower.  I was able to turn off one of my brakes on my 5500c3 and use almost no tension.  That was an experience!

 

Trying to get something to bite, I was burning deep running lures and hitting the bottom at around 20' and shallower trying to make enough racket to tick off a bass.  (I'd exhausted everything else at this point.)  The rod held up admirably, as did the reel and the 65lb Suffix 832 I tried on recommendation.  I'd tossed the leader long ago at this point.

 

The rod held up fine.

 

I hope it continues to hold up.  I talked to BPS and they're replacing that rod, which is excellent.  I might put the 5600 Mag on the replacement.  This Cherrywood HD and 5500c3 combo is just too excellent to not use. 

 

Cons?  I'm not sure.  The Cherrywood feels slightly less sensitive when fishing than some others I've used, but that slightly slower action is probably a large part of it and is an acceptable tradeoff. 

 

It just seems strange to me that I'm finding a cheap rod to be among my favorites.  I've used other cheap rods before and they were utter junk.  The Cherrywood doesn't feel like junk.  It doesn't exactly feel high-end, but it feels about the same as a $50 or $75 rod, just maybe a little heavier, but a little heavier is OK with me.

 

Josh

[new2BC4bass]

I've got rods I paid $71 for (MSRP $129.99) that I enjoy as much or more than rods than cost me a lot more.  If you have a DSG store near you, take a look at the Quantum Escalade HD rods.   These run $99.99, but man are they light.  Haven't fished one yet, but only because I can't find one on sale.  I hate paying full price. Salesman said they never go on sale at that store because they sell well at full price.   May have to break down & pay full price.  Of course you could always pick one up first and give a review on it. 

 

EDIT:  Oh yeah.  Thanks for the mini review.  The Cherrywood has been suggested before to those wanting a decent rod for the minimal amount of money.  I handle a couple at DSG, but was leery about buying a rod at that price.

[Josh Smith]

EDIT:  Oh yeah.  Thanks for the mini review.  The Cherrywood has been suggested before to those wanting a decent rod for the minimal amount of money.  I handle a couple at DSG, but was leery about buying a rod at that price.

 

It almost feels wrong to like a rod that's this inexpensive!

_____________________________________________

 

Does anyone know if it's part fiberglass?  It says it's a hybrid design; not sure what that entails.  I can't find an explanation for what they mean by this.  I've always assumed hybrid was always glass and graphite, but I'm not all that sure.

 

It says

 

"Hybrid Design construction for un-matched sensitivity with the security of blank-through handle construction."

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

[bass raider]

that's my cranking combo too! 5500c3&a cherrywood.  

[new2BC4bass]

that's my cranking combo too! 5500c3&a cherrywood.  

 

Well........heck.....I have a Black Max 1600C looking for a home.  That and a Medium Cherrywood would make a very cheap combo.  I'd call it a beater combo but I avoid mistreating any of my gear if at all possible.  I did take a fall at the river last time I was there, but luckily my rod didn't wind up in 3 pieces like the last time I took an unexpected trip to Mother Earth.  Nor did my body wind up nearly as damaged. 

 

It would be a cheap combo, but not as cheap as my $47 Lightning / Procaster.  Brand new too, not used. 

[cottny27]

Grew up using Berkley rods and had no issues with them.  Had a Cherrywood in the 6'6" model more recently.  They are the best $30 rods imo you can buy.  I'm going to buy the Berkley E-Motion rods when i can find them in store somewhere.  Not sure when that is.

[cottny27]

These look too nice:

 

http://www.***.com/Berkley_E-Motion_Performance_Series_Casting_Rods/descpage-EMC.html

[FunkJishing]

berkley makes good products. bottom line. i have both a medium heavy 7 foot casting lightning rod and cherrywood HD. both GREAT rods for ther 20-40$ price range. heck they feel a lot better than some of the 75$ rods i've used.