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

[lmbfisherman]

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

Yeah understood, but I'm sure he's not using an Ultralight XF rod for jig fishing.    But my point to him more is that a MH/F from one brand differs from another brand's MH/F.  He may just need to find the right brand with the right tip he prefers.

[F14A-B]

Well buying expensive doesnt always workout, I bought 2 LTB's and at full retail on initial release a few years back and was fairly displeased. Not a bad rod, just not worth the price to me... There's always that risk whatever the price..

[lmbfisherman]

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

That is good logic and it isn't wrong either. 

[aavery2]

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.

 

 

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.

These are the rods the OP said he was looking at.  Best is subjective.

[new2BC4bass]

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

 

 

Lots of good rods in the $200 range.  I seldom think "custom", but have to agree this is an excellent option.  Personally I'd like to try this route.  Bought a couple used customs 2 years ago, and like them an awful lot.

[Diggy]

There are many variables in the question and some good answers already posted. There are a few 100 dollar rods I choose over a "GL2" for instance. Check around tho, places like Dicks Sporting Goods always has stupid prices clearance sales. Red Cumaras, were $80.00 and Crucials were $40...other rods were way below retail also. Can't go wrong in those situations. 

[Tywithay]

There are many variables in the question and some good answers already posted. There are a few 100 dollar rods I choose over a "GL2" for instance. Check around tho, places like Dicks Sporting Goods always has stupid prices clearance sales. Red Cumaras, were $80.00 and Crucials were $40...other rods were way below retail also. Can't go wrong in those situations.

Mine carries Field and Stream, Ugly Stiks, and Triumphs. I apparently live by the wrong dicks.

[new2BC4bass]

Mine carries Field and Stream, Ugly Stiks, and Triumphs. I apparently live by the wrong dicks.

 

X2.  I do find sales occasionally on lures that I take advantage of.  Dick's near me does carry a few Avids, but have never seen them on sale.

[jacob95]

Personally I'd buy a $200 rod like the rest of the guys. You should be able to snag a Champion for that or like someone mentioned shop around and get a more expensive rod for around $200 on sale or something.

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-dhc7-producer-lte.html

 

Shop around for the Pinnacle DHC7. This series has been on sale for as little $228.88.

 

 

[Senko lover]

I would get two 200 dollar rods. 

[smalljaw67]

Go with a really good jig and worm rod and you won't have to worry about another one like you are now. I don't care for the reel seats or the company but the Kistler KLX and in the higher end range, the Helium 3 are hard to beat for sensitivity in there respective price ranges and even beyond. Everyone has a favorite, it all depends on what you are looking for when it comes to looks and components. I don't like the Kistler rods because they use the Fuji ECS reel seat, a lot of guys love them but I much prefer the new skeleton seats like the Fuji SK2 or the Pac Bay Minima and comfort will make a big difference when it comes to jig fishing. For myself, I only use braid on my flipping stick and my frog rod and other than that the rest is copolymer monofilament so I like stiffer actions for my jig and worm rods. Now you mentioned you would rather have a rod that is fast because extra fast rods are a bit too stiff, that made me think of a rod that you may like, a G.Loomis GL3 MBR 844C, it is rated 1/4oz - 1oz and has the wonderful mag bass taper which is a fast action but it has a little bit more flex than the BCR rods that Loomis is famous for. These aren't modern at all but they are still light and very well balanced with great sensitivity and I always considered the GL3 a better value than the IMX simply because the differences are, at least to me, very small and I have both a GL3 and an IMX and if I was doing it all over I'd go with the GL3. My other advise is to take your time, get exactly the rod you want, and go by what you like and take our opinions and reviews with a grain of salt as we all have our favorites but this will be your rod, you need to be happy with the look, feel, and performance of the rod and if one of those is missing, you'll end up questioning it and eventually regretting your purchase. Good luck. 

[scbassin]

I don't see the need for a rod for worm fishing & another for jigs when you can do both on one rod. Now if you are wanting to have 2 rods on deck 1 with a worm & the other with a jig I would go with 2 .Shimano Compre rods. They have a worm & jig rod for $100. Get a M/H & a heavy & a spool of Seaguar Abrazx Fluorocarbon. By using backing you will have enough to spool 2 reels. Those rods have exposed reel seats & by laying  the line over your finger you should have no problem feeling the bottom.  I have just spent $220 for you, order from Tackle Warehouse & they will ship for free

[Darren.]

I guess it really depends. Some would argue there 

are excellent-sensitivity rods in the $100 range now

such that you don't need to spend the higher dollar.

 

Totally subjective, I realize. For me, I have an Avid, 

at $170, but I'm really not sold on its superiority over

say, the BPS Carbonlite. Sure, components are better

on the Avid, and the blank is, but to my hands, it never

was an order of magnitude more sensitive.

 

So for me and my hands, the Carbonlite is just fine for 

the jobs I assign them to. Wacky, TX, Mojo, Jika, Jigs, 

etc.

 

I'm not saying a $200 rod is NOT more sensitive, but 

neither is it an absolute that it IS more sensitive. YOU 

are the final arbiter of what you feel when holding the 

rod.

[aavery2]

YOU 

are the final arbiter of what you feel when holding the 

rod.

[tomustang]

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

I throw same size jig and trigs on one rod, since you don't throw jigs much getting one rod that cost more sounds better.

Perhaps you can sell you're two XF rods you don't like and get two $200+ rods

[Chris186]

I guess it really depends. Some would argue there 

are excellent-sensitivity rods in the $100 range now

such that you don't need to spend the higher dollar.

 

Totally subjective, I realize. For me, I have an Avid, 

at $170, but I'm really not sold on its superiority over

say, the BPS Carbonlite. Sure, components are better

on the Avid, and the blank is, but to my hands, it never

was an order of magnitude more sensitive.

 

So for me and my hands, the Carbonlite is just fine for 

the jobs I assign them to. Wacky, TX, Mojo, Jika, Jigs, 

etc.

 

I'm not saying a $200 rod is NOT more sensitive, but 

neither is it an absolute that it IS more sensitive. YOU 

are the final arbiter of what you feel when holding the 

rod.

This is one of the things im concerned about. Never owning a rod that costs that much money, I dont want to buy one and say to myself, I dont see a difference. Then wonder why I spent so much on a rod that I dont see a difference in, fishability wise. Right now im leaning towards a Champion 734c, but Im also looking at the Cashion rods as well. They seem to get pretty good reviews. As far as St Croix goes, I have only fished with a Mojo. I didnt like how it fished, felt tip heavy to me.

[SenkoGuru]

  http://www.alxrods.com/

 

 You're welcome

[roadwarrior]

As far as St Croix goes, I have only fished with a Mojo. I didnt like how it fished, felt tip heavy to me.

 

I think the St. Croix line excels once you get to the Avid series. I also think this applies

to G.Loomis starting with the IMX series.

 

 

[lmbfisherman]

This is one of the things im concerned about. Never owning a rod that costs that much money, I dont want to buy one and say to myself, I dont see a difference. Then wonder why I spent so much on a rod that I dont see a difference in, fishability wise. Right now im leaning towards a Champion 734c, but Im also looking at the Cashion rods as well. They seem to get pretty good reviews. As far as St Croix goes, I have only fished with a Mojo. I didnt like how it fished, felt tip heavy to me.

if you didnt like the mojo you wont like the oldAvid at least. Felt the same, same to me for the ltb. Not saying they are bad. It wasnt my style.

[rippin-lips]

I'll give a +1 for Cashion rods. It was my first rod that I purchased that was considered a 'expensive' rod to me. They're super light and the sensitivity was great. The carbon grips are very nice and don't get slick when wet. Only warning I'll give is if you fish a leader. Those guides are tiny and a leader knot might be an issue on it.

Edit - I just scored a new champion 733 off that auction site for $129.95 with free shipping. Keep your eyes open for good deals and you can really get yourself a nice rod for less than retail.

[*Hootie]

I use four jig and worm rods.

1: jig

2: worm

3: beaver

4: tube

Hootie

[Chris186]

Well I have decided to go with the Dobyns. Right now I can get a good deal on either a DX703c or a DX744c. Im going to make this rod a dedicated T-rig rod up to 3/8, fishing mostly vegitation and rocks. Will the 744 work for this, or should I go with the 703?

[rippin-lips]

The 4 power is said to be more versatile than the 3 power when you ask most people what they prefer. That would be my choice.

[zachb34]

Well buying expensive doesnt always workout, I bought 2 LTB's and at full retail on initial release a few years back and was fairly displeased. Not a bad rod, just not worth the price to me... There's always that risk whatever the price..

I also bought two and felt the same about them. On the other hand a majority of people love these rods.