Bigsig Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 I have been fishing for some time but still consider myself a novice and hope you can help me. I have done searches and somewhat narrowed down some choices but hope for some reassurance because I don't have a lot of expendable money. Recently for the upcoming fishing season here in Ohio (not a big bass state) I have decided to upgrade some of my equipment. I already have a nicer spinning combo I plan to use for finesse bass fishing (pflueger president/fenwick hmx) but wanted a upgrade from the lower end baitcasting equipment I have been using. I have already purchased the reel which is a diawa tatula hd 6:3:1. I purchased this gear ratio for compromise in ability to use in multiple applications as again I say I don't have a ton of extra money but want equipment that is quality and will last and preform well. Now I need your feed back in helping to chose a rod. I feel a medium heavy fast action rod in the 7' range will suit me best for throwing jigs small cranks and spinners. What are your opinions on best buys I frequently shop on ebay and have seen the new but discontinued fenwick smallmouth series around 110-120 as well as the st croix mojo bass for the same price point. I paid 136.00 for the reel and hope.to match the price on a decent quality rod give or take 40.00 or so. I really appreciate any help you are able to give me this is my first post. Quote
JaxBasser Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Daiwa Tatula rods can be had on eBay for under msrp and are nice rods. *** *** Black rods are fantastic around the $100 price point. A lot of great options in that price range. I would agree that a 7' mhf would be your best all purpose option. 1 Quote
raoka Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 you can probably find the tatula rod for around 100 on amazon and the *** 13 can be had for 50-60 bucks after the rebates at gander mountain. i think those are 2 solid rods for you to consider:) Quote
Fishinthefish Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 G loomis just came out with the e6x series between 160-200 dollars. Rave reviews so far. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 I don't remember if the Smallmouth series had a 7' MHF. I have the 6'9" MHF and 2 of their Medium power rods. If you can locate one of this series in the length you want, that would be my first choice. These rods were deliberately under-priced. Love mine. Haven't had much chance to use my Tatula rods, but I think from the little I have used them that a couple are going to be among my favorites in that price range. I paid less than $100 with tax through Walmart website (free delivery to nearby store).  I love my *** Black except for the too thin handle. Doesn't keep me from using it, tho.  At the top of your budget (list price) I would consider an Aetos. Beautiful rod and quite sensitive for its price.  Plenty of others in that range that would no doubt be satisfactory as well, but I would only be passing along opinions I have read from others. I feel I have always gotten a lot of value for any Fenwick product. I own a rod (or more) from several of their lines. No Elite Tech Bass, but that would also be a line I would look at. The Phenix M1 and Kistler KLX are 2 other rods I have no experience with, but they are getting good reviews from a lot of people. Don't know if you could find a KLX in your budget range. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Okuma might have just what you are looking for:  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/tournament-rod-reel-okuma.html  http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/okuma-tcs-rod.html Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 I would check out the following: St. Croix Premier St Croix avid Shimano Crucial Dobyns savy Quote
moguy1973 Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Falcon BuCoo BCC-5-17 $109 great all around rod Quote
thehooligan Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 *** for the lower end of your budget, new shimano zodias if you can do $190 Quote
MDBowHunter Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 I have a St. Croix Mojo spinnerbait rod that I bought a few years back and it's been a great rod, it was only like $110 and does everything your asking for extremely well. TW has them in stock as does BPS, Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Look into St Croix Avids and Kistler KLXs Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 *** for the lower end of your budget, new shimano zodias if you can do $190 ^^ This. I am considering adding a Zodias. On a paper the rod should be a good under $200 rod with great styling and components. Reminds me of a new Cumulus without the price tag. 1 Quote
Penguino Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Another vote for Okuma. Go with the Okum C3-40X. You can get it for 60$ off list price on amazon (100$). Quote
Super User FishTank Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 St. Croix Avid would be my favorite.  You mentioned the Fenwick Smallmouth rods.  I have one and it is not bad but I think I would avoid buying one on ebay.  I also have have a Fenwick Walleye rod.  This rod seems to just slightly better made than the Smallmouth rod.   As far as a comparison between the two, the St.Croix avid is a better, more sensitive rod.  IMHO, the Avid is one of the best bang for the buck. Quote
VtSmallmouth Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Also take a look at the abu garcia vendetta, only $80 I have one 7' mh and love it. It's light, sensitive and durable. Great rod all around. Quote
Big C Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 I know I'm opening up a can of worms, but Carrot Stix are hard to beat. Super lightweight. Price is resonable. And the sensitivity is unbelievable. Orange not your color? Get the saltwater version, they're green. The company has been bought out, and hopefully their name isn't too tarnished. I have owned one for five years, and two more for the past season. No problems (beside some minor wear). The medium or medium heavy would be perfect for that reel, depending on what you want to use it for.  Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted March 1, 2015 Super User Posted March 1, 2015 Since nobody addressed this I'll try and help. Any rod in your price range is going to be good but you have a decision to make, a 7'MH-F is an all-purpose rod but you aren't going to throw crankbaits with it and have them rum correctly or land many fish with it. The rod is too stiff for treble hook baits, your best bet is to get the 7'MH-F all purpose set up and then look for a value based cranking rod, an ugly stick is heavy but is good for cranking because it has a moderate action which you need for cranks. Technique specific isn't necessary but I do believe in a moderate rod for crankbaits as the action of the bait is better and so are the landing percentages. Quote
Bigsig Posted March 2, 2015 Author Posted March 2, 2015 Thank you all for the help everyone. Small jaw k didn't realize I couldn't throw some small cranks on the mh fast rod. Quote
Bigsig Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 I would like to ask one more opinion. I was really thinking about getting the tatula rod but can't really seem to find one under 150 for 7' MHf. The g loomis e6x is only like 30 bucks more. If I step it up and get one is the e6x magbass 7' mhf a good choice for all purpose (- crankbaits) ? Quote
SenkoGuru Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 The 7'0 MH-F is going to be the best all around rod you can get, meaning it will throw the most types of lures but it is simply not a good cranking rod, the fast action and MH power can throw crankbaits but it isn't going to do it as good as a more mod action rod would, I throw most of my cranks on a medium action moderate taper rod. The MH-F is more a jack of all trades and a master of none kind of rod. Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 If you're still in the market, I would like to suggest something different than everyone else. Take a look at Bull Bay Rods Tactical AR-15 series of rods available in both spinning and casting. These rods are phenomenal and the only brand I trust anymore. I've had all the traditional off the shelf consumer rods (Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Duckett, Shimano, St. Croix and a couple hi end Daiwas and Powells), and I sold them all and now use BBR exclusively. I am not sponsored by them nor do I receive any compensation or discounts for any referrals or sales I generate. I'm actually ordering another one in the same specs you are looking at - a 7'0"-7'2" MH/Fast casting rod with Microwave microguides. $165 with a lifetime warranty! Hand made right here in the good old USA - Deland, FL.  Give them a look! Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted March 3, 2015 Super User Posted March 3, 2015 If you're still in the market, I would like to suggest something different than everyone else. Take a look at Bull Bay Rods Tactical AR-15 series of rods available in both spinning and casting. These rods are phenomenal and the only brand I trust anymore. I've had all the traditional off the shelf consumer rods (Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Duckett, Shimano, St. Croix and a couple hi end Daiwas and Powells), and I sold them all and now use BBR exclusively. I am not sponsored by them nor do I receive any compensation or discounts for any referrals or sales I generate. I'm actually ordering another one in the same specs you are looking at - a 7'0"-7'2" MH/Fast casting rod with Microwave microguides. $165 with a lifetime warranty! Hand made right here in the good old USA - Deland, FL.  Give them a look!  What kind or blanks are they using or where are they getting them from? That is a great price for that kind of rod but a rod is only as good as the blank and there are some cheap blanks out there. Quote
Hanover_Yakker Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 What kind or blanks are they using or where are they getting them from? That is a great price for that kind of rod but a rod is only as good as the blank and there are some cheap blanks out there.  Good question - the rods are proprietary composite handmade blanks made in California. The blank itself is an intermediate modulus blank with a base layer of glass for added flexibility when placed under high pressure. Quote
Bigsig Posted March 7, 2015 Author Posted March 7, 2015 So this my was first post I thought I'd just update / finish it. I ended up ordering the g. Loomis E6X 843C (mag bass) 7' mhf rod to pair w my tatula HD 6:3:1. I plan to focus on using it for chatterbaits , spinner baits and jigs. I already stated i have a spinning rig (pflueger president/fenwick hmx m xf) for weightless senko, shakeyhead, and drop shot. From your input I realize the mh f is not ideal for crank baits which I use the least. However I would like the option to throw them I found the daiwa lexa mh moderate 7'7 LEXA771MRB (kinda long rod even though I have 7'6 and 8' musky rod ) at gander mountain. Would this be a good crankbait rod for the cheap (50.00) http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=761014 As I said in my first post I am a novice bass fisher and hope to step up my game more this year with some more specific and higher quality gear. The lake we have cabin at here in Ohio is #1 in musky #s and this and other species like crappie, cats and saugeye have been my target but I want to get into bass fishing there and and some other local lakes. Thank you all for your input and help it is truly appreciated!!! BTW I ordered the g. loomis from tackle warehouse 189.00 free shipping, no tax and was in stock. I also found a coupon code type in TFoster for 10% off. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.