Looking To Get My First High End Baitcasting Rod.

[Weld's Largemouth]

After learning to use baitcasting gear and becoming confident in it, I am now looking to upgrade to a rod that will last into the future. With my summer job, I've earned enough to purchase a nice rod for myself.

 

I'm looking for a rod to throw jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater, texas rigs and more. I used a very nice baitcasting rod on a guided trip and it was rated 1/4 oz to 1oz and I really liked the way it handled with that lure rating. 

I'm stuck between a few rods:

 

Shimano Expride

Gloomis IMX worm & jig 

Dobyns Champion Extreme

Castaway Invicta HG40 < I really like the handle on this one.

These rods are all around the same price point.

 

I am also open to suggestions

 

If any of you have experience with any of these rods please provide your insight. 

 

Thanks

Welds.

[SenkoGuru]

 Are those the only ones you're looking at getting? I would tell you to look into the Megabass Orochi XX line of rods too, They are great. Also the Duckett White Ice series is a very sensitive rod line if you like micro guides.

 

 Out of the ones you listed though it would be

 

1. G.Loomis

2. Shimnao

3. castaway

 

4. anything

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100. Dobyn's...mostly buying the name and there are many cheaper rods that are much improved over the dobyn's older rods. Although I will say the Fury is a good rod at the $100 price line.

 

 

 This is just my opion and I'm sure other can also give you theirs.

[Weld's Largemouth]

 Are those the only ones you're looking at getting? I would tell you to look into the Megabass Orochi XX line of rods too, They are great. Also the Duckett White Ice series is a very sensitive rod line if you like micro guides.

 

 Out of the ones you listed though it would be

 

1. G.Loomis

2. Shimnao

3. castaway

 

4. anything

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100. Dobyn's...mostly buying the name and there are many cheaper rods that are much improved over the dobyn's older rods. Although I will say the Fury is a good rod at the $100 price line.

 

 

 This is just my opion and I'm sure other can also give you theirs.

I am open to suggestions. Thanks for the info. I will check out the megabass.

[MasonV]

I haven't personally used any of those but from hear say with friends, if you're willing to spend the money, it doesn't get any better than G. Loomis.

[Turkey sandwich]

Go to a store where you can actually check them out and feel them for yourself. Any $300+ Rod is going to be a great rod. It really just becomes a matter of taste.

Do you like micro guides? Cork/foam/other? What do you currently own (manufacturer)?

[Weld's Largemouth]

Go to a store where you can actually check them out and feel them for yourself. Any $300+ Rod is going to be a great rod. It really just becomes a matter of taste.

Do you like micro guides? Cork/foam/other? What do you currently own (manufacturer)?

There are no stores that carry such rods around me. I currently own a *** *** black which I dislike. I really like the Winn grips on the castaway invicta but i have not seen many review for the rod. Cork is nice too but that winn grip is really nice. Microguides are definitely a plus as well, but most baitcasters seem to not have them.

[kickerfish1]

If $300ish is your budget and after reading another post of yours I would not look at any of the rods you listed. Maybe the champion extreme but outside of being one the best looking USDM rods and we'll balanced with a great warranty it won't wow you with feel IMO (I have 2 Extremes and probably wouldn't add a third). The Megabass Orichi XX rods offer better feel in my hands and have pretty awesome blanks and build quality.

I would also consider a custom build for that price point. (DVT maybe?)

Older lightly used classic GLX rods not the new ones ($200-350 used)

You may be able to find a used NRX for around $350 or less. It would blow the other rods away just on feel and IMO casting distance.

With Black Friday and the closure of the fishing season a few months away for some folks, you will likely see an influx of rods for sale.

Research your options extensively but also consider warranty and the "what if" should something happen to your big investment after one week, one year, 5 years, or 10 years...

[Weld's Largemouth]

If $300ish is your budget and after reading another post of yours I would not look at any of the rods you listed. Maybe the champion extreme but outside of being one the best looking USDM rods and we'll balanced with a great warranty it won't wow you with feel IMO (I have 2 Extremes and probably wouldn't add a third). The Megabass Orichi XX rods offer better feel in my hands and have pretty awesome blanks and build quality.

I would also consider a custom build for that price point. (DVT maybe?)

Older lightly used classic GLX rods not the new ones ($200-350 used)

You may be able to find a used NRX for around $350 or less. It would blow the other rods away just on feel and IMO casting distance.

With Black Friday and the closure of the fishing season a few months away for some folks, you will likely see an influx of rods for sale.

Research your options extensively but also consider warranty and the "what if" should something happen to your big investment after one week, one year, 5 years, or 10 years...

Thanks for all the info. I will continue to research and watch sales. I will check out to see what DVT has to offer too. Thank you.

[kickerfish1]

Sure, the rods I listed would all offer exceptional feel. It seems like aside from price that is your main concern. Have had several other guys ask a similar question before. Watched them go from $100-$300 rods to mainly NRX rods. If they had to do it over again they said they would have gotten the NRX rods sooner. On the flipside there are always people that start higher with GLX and NRX rods before settling on less expensive offerings. I have owned probably 50 rods from $80-$550 NRX rods. I can tell you my next rods ordered will be custom, NRX, GLX, and Megabass rods when purchasing a rod for feel techniques.

[Turkey sandwich]

If $300 ish is your budget...

The above post on the Loomis rods is a good start. Those are great rods, and if you can find them used, even better.

I'm a St Croix guy, and everything I've handled or fished with an SCIII blank or better is super responsive. At that price point, Legend Elites are great rods.

Someone who's a Daiwa guy, will tell you to look at the Steez.

It's all preference. Learn what you like.

[Cgrinder]

Megabass Orochi XX Diablo Spec R is what I like @ $300.

 

However, the Shimano Zodias is a lot of rod @ $200.

[deep]

Helium3, in addition to the suggestions above. A lot of rod for the money.

 

Also, braid + recoil guides maybe a little noisy (NRX).

 

 

EDIT: I haven't fished a Champion Extreme, but I have nothing but good things to say about my Champion (it's an 867). Braid for me is a liability for bottom bouncing baits. With a good copoly or fluoro, you should be able to feel everything you need to feel. A clean rocky bottom feels different from sand or mud. Wood transmits differently than a boulder. Even a clean brush should feel different from a brush covered with algae.

[John G]

I agree with kickerfish that you can buy a nice barely used Loomic MBR GLX with your budget or for a little more, an NRX.

[timsford]

If i had 300 ti spend id look at megabass, kistler helium 3, used g loomis glx/nrx, or st croix legend elite. You can probably get a very nice custom made on a st croix blank for that price and choose your own handle and guides. I plan on having dvt do one and he quoted me a very good price on a st croix build.

[masterbass]

If i had 300 ti spend id look at megabass, kistler helium 3, used g loomis glx/nrx, or st croix legend elite. You can probably get a very nice custom made on a st croix blank for that price and choose your own handle and guides. I plan on having dvt do one and he quoted me a very good price on a st croix build.

I agree.

[Big Bait Fishing]

After learning to use baitcasting gear and becoming confident in it, I am now looking to upgrade to a rod that will last into the future. With my summer job, I've earned enough to purchase a nice rod for myself.

 

I'm looking for a rod to throw jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater, texas rigs and more. I used a very nice baitcasting rod on a guided trip and it was rated 1/4 oz to 1oz and I really liked the way it handled with that lure rating. 

I'm stuck between a few rods:

 

Shimano Expride

Gloomis IMX worm & jig 

Dobyns Champion Extreme

Castaway Invicta HG40 < I really like the handle on this one.

These rods are all around the same price point.

 

I am also open to suggestions

 

If any of you have experience with any of these rods please provide your insight. 

 

Thanks

Welds.

wait until you get your first custom rod , things will never be the same !!!!   

[kschultz76]

In your price range I'd look at the Megabass Orochi XX - EMTF or Diablo Spec R depending your preference on length, St Croix Legend Elite (update being released this year so you find a good deal at some point), or a Kistler Helium. I have 4 Orochis in the stable and they are mostly my favorite rods, and I have a bunch of St Croixs including Avid, LTB, and Legend Xtreme all great rods, but the feel of the Xtremes is fantastic. I recently got a KLX and am pretty impressed with the build quality and really enjoy the blank, it's one of the crankbait models. I've not had the pleasure of trying an NRX or any of the other recent Loomis updates. I've got some hands on experience with Dobyns and am underwhelmed.

The MB Orochis might be more attractive bc of their versatility. With the Diablo you can throw everything you mentioned plus chatterbaits, swimjigs, lipless, squarebills, horny toads...but it might be a tad long for poppers and walkers.

Good luck

[FinCulture]

There are many nice rods out there for your price range. St. Croix rods are some of the best on the market. I own an $150 St. Croix Rage. I kid you not when I say it feels like a $250 rod in construction and handling. Definitely look into the Legend series.

[kschultz76]

There are many nice rods out there for your price range. St. Croix rods are some of the best on the market. I own an $150 St. Croix Rage. I kid you not when I say it feels like a $250 rod in construction and handling. Definitely look into the Legend series.

Might be helpful to the OP if you share what $250 rods or above you've owned and are comparing with the Rage. I'm a big St Croix fan and in my hands on experience there is definitely a step up from the Avid, to the LTB, to the Legend Xtreme/Elites. I've not fished a Rage, but I've held them and scrutinized them in the store and my experience says the Avid/Avid X is worth the premium, and I wouldn't compare them to anything above the Avid. The leap from Avid to LTB is not as significant as the step up from the LTB to Xtreme/Elite.

[Raul]

If i had 300 ti spend id look at megabass, kistler helium 3, used g loomis glx/nrx, or st croix legend elite. You can probably get a very nice custom made on a st croix blank for that price and choose your own handle and guides. I plan on having dvt do one and he quoted me a very good price on a st croix build.

 

The only Megabass rod you can purchase with 300 is an Orochi.

[rippin-lips]

The only Megabass rod you can purchase with 300 is an Orochi.

Orochi x4 used $250-$400

Orochi xx new

Hyuga new

Leviathan new released in Nov.

[Logan S]

I know it's not one you listed, but I'm jumping in with a few of the others and recommending a St. Croix Legend-series or MB Orochi XX.

 

Most of my rods are St Croix LTB's with a few Elites and an Extreme...Any model in any of the Legend series is well worth the price tag.  The LTB series is nice in particular because they have so many options, you can cover any technique and stay on the same platform.  Don't be locked into the technique printed on the rod either, just go by power/action when making the decision (I deviate from the 'technique-specific' label quite a bit ).  From what you described, the 7'1" MH/F would probably be the ideal choice for you...I have a couple of them, it's a good all-purpose stick - It will do everything you mentioned plus some.  

 

I also recently picked up an Orochi EMTF and so far it has really impressed me....I'd put it on par with the Legend Elite.  Comparing their price tags, it makes the MB a good bargain.  The only disclaimer I'll put on my opinion is that my sample size so far is limited to that one rod, but it is very impressive and I am probably going to add at least one more eventually.  I don't think they will replace St Croix as my primary rods but I can definitely see them filling in the gaps of St. Croix's line up.  

[Jon G]

Pretty easy to find a new Champion Extreme in the $290 range. A DX 744 sounds perfect for what you want

[BassinLou]

Another option that no one has mentioned yet is the custom route. You are looking for a rod that will handle various techniques. You have a healthy budget to start with. Batson is one of the site sponsors and they have reputable line of blanks and other rod materials that are great products. It wouldn't hurt to talk to those guys and see what they can do for you. They might even come under budget and you will have extra $$ to spend... 

[Weld's Largemouth]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

I have a question about rod blanks.

When comparing the Shimano Zodias or the Expride and its "Advanced Hi-Power X constructed" blanks to the 40 ton carbon fiber of the Castaway Invicta HG 40's blank what is the real difference? Does the technology in the shimano really make a huge difference or is it more of a marketing scheme?