Bps Graphite Series Vs. Berkley Lightning Rods

[BigBen77]

Who wins? Flipping/pitching, worming?

[Sonik]

BPS Tourney Specials are $29 right now, same as the Graphite Series. I would do that. I have a 7' MH and it works well for 3/8-1/2oz spinnerbaits and I've used it with Texas rigs with 3/4oz pegged weights. I would imagine the heavy models at 7' and the 7'6" would work better for 5/8oz and up for pitching. I do know they offer a telescopic handle model in the 7'6" if your rod locker is shorter or for transportation in a vehicle or whatever.

If I was on a budget and had limited funds, I'd look at the Tourney Specials for $29. And I really dislike BPS. But I know that is a good rod for the money.

[Bluebasser86]

BPS graphite series are a nightmare waiting to happen. I've never seen such a brittle rod, the spinning rods anyways. Lightning rods are a tested and proven rod that have been around for a long time that you hear very few complaints about. I had one for several years and was still going strong when I gave it to a friend. My dad still fishes with a lightning rod that's almost as old as I am. 

[WIGuide]

I don't have any experience with the graphite series, but I had a lightning rod for 5 years or so. It wasn't super sensitive, but in that price range I thought it was a pretty good rod. They've been around forever and have been proven through the years. 

[Master Bait'r]

I have a lightning amp rod right now- one piece blank, 6' spinning M rod- it's my bushwack stream beater. It's tough as nails, decent backbone, fast/moderate action that works for a lot of stuff and it just does everything I ask it to. It's no NRX but it gets the job done for far better than $30 would otherwise indicate. For how I use it, it is perfect. Two thumbs up.

[*Hootie]

Of the two you mention, Lightening rod, hands down. To take it one step farther, "Lightening Shock Rod".

 

Hootie

[scaleface]

I still have three of the original Lightning rods.. I still use them occasionally. 30 year old rods .

[BigBen77]

anyone have any experience with telescopic/collapsible handle rods(BPS tourney special?) vs. regular rods?

[OkobojiEagle]

Who wins? Flipping/pitching, worming?

 

A wise man once told me "it's the Indian, not the arrow".

 

 

oe

[*Hootie]

A wise man once told me "it's the Indian, not the arrow".

oe

That was me oe. It was wasn't it? #@&4"##

Hootleir

[ChrisD46]

BPS graphite series have been fine - I have had the new design and older design and neither of my boys have broken one yet ! ... However at a $30 price point I don't doubt that problems are certainly possible .

[Master Bait'r]

anyone have any experience with telescopic/collapsible handle rods(BPS tourney special?) vs. regular rods?

 

 

They almost always stink.  I mean, they'll get you by but if at all possible, just go with either a 2-piece, a full takedown rod like the Orochi Secret Service package, etc.  

 

I'd rather have an emmrod by a long shot if space was a massive concern to me.  It's actually small and light- the perfect backpacking small stream package.  They look funny but I'd rather have that than some telescoping jobber.  A little more expensive but hey- you get what you pay for.   

[Joedodge]

The berkley lightning rod shock series casting rod I have is well built nice finish and excellent action ad sensitivity. Great bang for the buck

[Senko lover]

BPS Tourney Specials are $29 right now, same as the Graphite Series. I would do that. I have a 7' MH and it works well for 3/8-1/2oz spinnerbaits and I've used it with Texas rigs with 3/4oz pegged weights. I would imagine the heavy models at 7' and the 7'6" would work better for 5/8oz and up for pitching. I do know they offer a telescopic handle model in the 7'6" if your rod locker is shorter or for transportation in a vehicle or whatever.

If I was on a budget and had limited funds, I'd look at the Tourney Specials for $29. And I really dislike BPS. But I know that is a good rod for the money.

 

Can't speak to the sensitivity to either the Graphite Series or the Tourney Special, but the in hand feeling/weight is pathetic IMO. Feels chunky. I would go with a Abu Garcia Vengeance. Picked one up on sale for $30.00 last year and love it. The Lightening also seems like a better option than those two.

[OkobojiEagle]

That was me oe. It was wasn't it? #@&4"##

Hootleir

 

Hootie,

 

That wise man surely was 50 years my senior... was that you???

 

 

oe

[ww2farmer]

I would be happy with nothing but Lightning Rods if I had to. The Lightning Rod Shocks make up a good bit of my arsenal for reaction baits as it is. Go pick up the epic dog turds that are the G. Loomis "frog rods" or the St Croix Mojo Frog rods, then fish a frog on a 7' MH LR Shock...........

[*Hootie]

Hootie,

That wise man surely was 50 years my senior... was that you???

oe

Let's see, 50 + 59..hmmmm. Nope, wasn't me. WHEW!!

Hootie

[Blues19]

I have a 6'6" MH Lightning Rod that I used for Frogs. Got a 7' MH Mojo Bass to replace it last seasons. Going back to the Lightning rod..  Its caught A LOT of fish and gone through a lot.

[TorqueConverter]

Lightning Rod.  The Graphite series are softer and have slower tapers than the Lightning Rod.  Stay away from the Shock unless you want a slow tip.  Those rods use a slower taper because they're supposedly superline (braid) rods.  They're moving bait sticks IMO.