One $200+ Rod, Or Two $100 Rods?

[Chris186]

Last season I bought 2 rods, one for texas rigs and one for jigs. I used them a bit, didnt really care for them too much because of the XF tip. I couldnt get fast tips because they didnt make them that way. Anyway, im going to buy something new, and im wondering if I should buy two good $100 rods, or buy one really good rod for texas rigs, which I throw most often. I dont throw jigs a ton, but I do have a rod that I can use for jigs if I go the more expensive route. So , which do you think the better way to go would be? Thanks in advance

[aavery2]

What was it that you disliked about the XF action?

[travis23]

I'd recommend buying the best rod you can buy. I wish I would have went that route to begin with, because now I'm selling off to get what I really want (Robyn's). Especially for bottom contact fishing. That extra sensitivity in a good blank is well worth the extra bread. With all that said, my Veritas rods, to me, are pretty sensitive. I think a lot of other people would agree. Do you have any rods in mind?

[Tywithay]

Go with the better rod. There's no reason a "texas rig" rod can't handle jigs too, if you want to. I never see much need for two t-rig rods, because you're not going to have to set the rod down and retie a lot, you can usually just change plastics.

[HoosierHawgs]

Go with the better rod. There's no reason a "texas rig" rod can't handle jigs too, if you want to. I never see much need for two t-rig rods, because you're not going to have to set the rod down and retie a lot, you can usually just change plastics.

X2. I use one rod for both T Rigs and Jigs in the 6 combo system.

[ABW]

If you're going to be using texas rigs, it will be nice to have a very sensitive rod. Go with the more expensive one. It doesn't have to be in the 200+ dollar range, either.

[Chris186]

What was it that you disliked about the XF action?

 

 

I'd recommend buying the best rod you can buy. I wish I would have went that route to begin with, because now I'm selling off to get what I really want (Robyn's). Especially for bottom contact fishing. That extra sensitivity in a good blank is well worth the extra bread. With all that said, my Veritas rods, to me, are pretty sensitive. I think a lot of other people would agree. Do you have any rods in mind?

With the XF action I felt like I was pulling the bait away from the fish, I missed quite a few. I was looking at the Dobyns Champion which everyone seems to love, ST Croix LTB, and the new St Croix Avid X looks nice. As far as the cheaper rods, I have a Carbonlite that I like, so I would look at them as well.

[Dwight Hottle]

Asked and answered. Spend the money and buy one good rod for bottom contact baits.

[aavery2]

With the XF action I felt like I was pulling the bait away from the fish, I missed quite a few. I was looking at the Dobyns Champion which everyone seems to love, ST Croix LTB, and the new St Croix Avid X looks nice. As far as the cheaper rods, I have a Carbonlite that I like, so I would look at them as well.

You have to fish what you have confidence in. You might loose just a tad bit of sensitivity going to the slower action, but may not be noticeable. The rods you have listed will all work well, and I own a few of each. The LTB is my choice for sensitivity, with the Dobyns and Avid being very close I just think the LTB is a little crisper. In terms of balance the Dobyns wins that easily, the Avid and LTB both can seem just a bit heavy in the tip when you get into some of the longer rods.

For me when you talk contact baits, sensitivity is king, and for that reason alone, I would choose the LTB over the other two, but not by much. Between the Dobyns and the Avid, I choose the Dobyns, I think the sensitivity between the two is too close to call and may be model specific, but with the better balance going to the Dobyns that would be my order of preference.

LTB, Champion, Avid

[lmbfisherman]

Last season I bought 2 rods, one for texas rigs and one for jigs. I used them a bit, didnt really care for them too much because of the XF tip. I couldnt get fast tips because they didnt make them that way. Anyway, im going to buy something new, and im wondering if I should buy two good $100 rods, or buy one really good rod for texas rigs, which I throw most often. I dont throw jigs a ton, but I do have a rod that I can use for jigs if I go the more expensive route. So , which do you think the better way to go would be? Thanks in advance

Sounds like to me the rod is stiffer than you'd like.  All manufacturers have different interpretation.  For instance:

 

I like my Veritas MH/F but compared to my Shimano Cumara MH/F or my Shimano Crucial MH/XF it's like a broom stick.  This could be the main reason you don't like how it fishes, it might not be your preference.  Just so you know the St. Croix Avid felt the same to me and the LTB. 

 

For bottom contact I went for the highest I could afford...Cumara, Cumulus and GLX.  I got them all below retail so that helps.  There is a big difference between the Veritas and GLX.  Not only the sensitivity but I love how the Loomis and Shimano rods fish for me.  I find them true to what I look for in Power/Action.  However, I don't think you "need or require" to go over 200 to find a rod sensitive enough.  I just splurged and enjoy fishing with them, as I found the Veritas sensitive enough though for my needs in reality.

 

So my recommendation, spend on one rod and before you make that purchase look for the power action you prefer. 

[Lucky Craft Man]

How about buy a $300 to $350 retail rod at a good deal of $200 (with a little shopping around, of course). That's what I would do (though, I guess this falls in line with the guys who said buy the best rod that you can).

[SenkoGuru]

I would agree always buy the best you can afford. You will be much happier with that one great rod than you would be with two good rods.

[Poolshark]

I own and like the ltb worm and jig rod. I enjoy fishing my mhf carbinlites just as much though. As far as performance is concerned. The carbonlites are really not any worse or any better. They both are light and sensitive. Some of the rods out there in the 120!to 150 range can really give a great level of performance. So why not two? You can keep a few baits rigged and ready to go. Depends on what your style.

[fisherrw]

If get one good one vs 2 ok ones.

[OK Bass Hunter]

Always do the $200 rod if it's a quality rod. It'll keep you out of the upgrade cycle and save you money in the long run.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Id pick 2 Quantum Smoke rods over one LTB. I fish them side by side prefer the Smoke.

[FishTank]

Invest in the best rod you can afford unless you must purchase two to fulfill a gap in some technique specific presentations.

[Tywithay]

Don't know why everything is being compared to the LTB. It's quite a bit over $200 for most models, and it's hardly the best rod for the money.

[lmbfisherman]

Don't know why everything is being compared to the LTB. It's quite a bit over $200 for most models, and it's hardly the best rod for the money.

I was commenting more on his issue with the XF tip, that a St. Croix rod is pretty stiff to me since it was one of his choices.  I wanted to have him look at other brands to see if they have the tip he's looking for.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

"One $200+ Rod, Or Two $100 Rods?"

 

With the XF action I felt like I was pulling the bait away from the fish, I missed quite a few. I was looking at the Dobyns Champion which everyone seems to love, ST Croix LTB, and the new St Croix Avid X looks nice. As far as the cheaper rods, I have a Carbonlite that I like, so I would look at them as well.

 

 

Don't know why everything is being compared to the LTB. It's quite a bit over $200 for most models, and it's hardly the best rod for the money.

 

Well I mentioned it because he mentioned he was looking at LTB for 200+ rod. I havent used the Champ or X so didnt compare to them.

[rippin-lips]

Take the $200 and buy a used rod that retails for much more. I grabbed a Dobyns champ Dx for $205 to my door. $340 rod if bought new.

[Bassfink86]

you could always go the custom route and potentially get more quality rods for less money

[Robert Riley]

I'd go with the one good rod for bottom contact. I have a DX745 for jigs and heavier T-rigs, it's excellent all round for both.

[Tywithay]

I was commenting more on his issue with the XF tip, that a St. Croix rod is pretty stiff to me since it was one of his choices. I wanted to have him look at other brands to see if they have the tip he's looking for.

Extra fast and stiff aren't always synonymous. You can buy an ultralight power rod with an extra fast tip.

[mjseverson24]

Well it would seem I am in the minority on this one big time, but I would get 2 100 dollar rods over one 200 dollar rod. For sensitivity a Daiwa Tatula or a *** black are great rods and are at the 100 dollar range. I also like the Falcon Bucoo micro, shimano compre and the skeet reese micro rods. Personally I feel like a rod that is specifically set up for one presentation and is optimized for it will perform much better than a rod set up to do multiple techniques... Personally I run 14 jig/trig setups... 7 for jig and 7 for t-rig, and each has a time and place where they are optimized(line, length, action, power)... This system allows me to quickly fine tune my presentations and also allows me to continue to catch fish when the bite changes slightly... 

 

Mitch