Absolute Most Sensitive Rods $150 Or Less?

[SmallTownTexasAngler]

I need some SERIOUS sensitve rods for my new setup as I am wanting to get into tourney fishing as a co-angler (no boat yet). I have a Mojo Bass and a Falcon Jason Christie and the Falcon feels like the handle is wrapped in some thick foam as far as sensitivity goes. The Mojo is WAAAAYYYY more sensitive. So should i get more Mojos or should i get something else? Looking for about 5 more rods, 4 casting and 1 spinning. the 4 casting rods will be used for flipping/punching, topwaters/jerkbaits/fukes, crankbaits all depths, and texas/cal rigs/jigs/swimbaits. As for the spinning rod I am looking at a Shimano Compre 6'8" Medium Extra Fast but am not sure how sensitve it is.

[MCS]

Cashion CRT series best bang for buck. Very simple and plain rods but the blank and feel for fishing is outstanding for the price range in both their series.

[JeziHogg]

As far as jerkbaits/topwaters/crankbaits you don't need a super sensitive rod. I'd spend less money on the rods you're thinking about using for those techniques (Mojo's would be just fine) and save a few bucks and use that towards the rods you're going to TRig, CRig etc.. with. That being said the Avid or Avid X series are beautiful rods for that price category.

[FryDog62]

I am a big fan of St. Croix but the only Rod in their line up I don't like is the Mojo because it lacks sensitivity IMO. It felt "numb" to me. I sold it and bought a new AvidX and it is night and day to me... Just my .02 cents...

[RyanFishing]

St. Croix just redid their Mojo rods and upgraded the graphite in them. They now are made with the same material as the Avid series (SCIII graphite) and are much more sensitive as well as stronger than they were before. Price only went up $10-20 but it is very much worth the upgrade.

[Josh Smith]

I have sensitive graphite rods, blended rods, glass rods. Using each for its proper technique(s), I've not caught more on the most sensitive. In fact, I think the danged Cherrywood HD (the cheap rod I shouldn't prefer but do anyway!) has accounted for more bass caught by me than any other. It's my preferred jig and plastics rod.

Dad has caught more bass on his (now my) '70s Lew's Speed Stick. Techniques were less sensitivity based back then from what I can tell; baits were usually moving. Since that Lew's he's gone through a few Fenwick rods and now has a nice BPS rod, but that old Lew's netted him more than the others.

By the way: That Cherrywood HD I have has a cork handle. That cork handle is wrapped in tennis raquet padded handle tape, wrapped in friction tape, covered in shrink wrap. The handle is comfortable but not sensitive. The sensitivity comes through the braided line and into the reel and reel seat.

Josh

[poisonokie]

Daiwa Tatula for sure. Lightweight, easy casting, powerful, sensitive, and built to last.

[Mike L]

Sensativity is very suggestive.

There are many rods, by many well known manufacturers in your price range that

should be considered.

After all the suggestions come in let me give you something else to consider..

Think about finding a used Fenwick Techna AV or an older model (black) Shimano Cumara.

IMHO, nothing you can buy new in that range for bottom contact sensativity, will be better than either of those 2.

But that's just me.

Mike

[Raul]

My old Berkley Lightning Rods are lucky that I don´t scratch a mark on them for every fish I´ve caught with them for the past 35 years, they still do in a much more reduced manner since now they are mostly relegated to perform the least glamorous chores of bass fishing, but hey I can still catch a truckload of fish where you supposedly need much more "sensitive" rods than them.

[jhc1]

It's interesting seeing the Lightning Rods being mentioned so frequently. Perhaps it's because they are THE "low-end" rod to buy?

[rippin-lips]

Your best bet is buying a used $250 rod. They can easily be had for $150 and 90% of the time will be better than a new $150 rod. If only buying new is your preference then they're a handful of rods in that price range to suite you.

[WRB]

If I was looking for rods today Aaron's Edge Enigma series would be on top of the list if my budget was limited. Check them out! $170 price point you get state of the art rods, good quality and limited lifetime warranty.

Tom

[BassTravis]

You seriously should get your hands on a Kistler Magnesium.  I have a 7' Crank, Rattle, and Roll and I can feel everything my crankbaits are doing.  Unreal

[illinifan4152]

You seriously should get your hands on a Kistler Magnesium. I have a 7' Crank, Rattle, and Roll and I can feel everything my crankbaits are doing. Unreal

X2 I have the same rod and it's awesome, especially for the price now on TW. That's a steal!

[MidwestF1sh]

I'd you can get your hands on a used Powell endurance or the new max 3d on labor day sale is 160. I have tried a few brand but for under $200 I couldn't find one that comes close to Powell.

[J Francho]

Look for sales, clearance, and the used market. You can get a heck of a rod for $150 that way.

[mattk22]

If I was looking for rods today Aaron's Edge Enigma series would be on top of the list if my budget was limited. Check them out! $170 price point you get state of the art rods, good quality and limited lifetime warranty.

Tom

I will be honest, I own three of these now and I am thinking of selling some of my Megabass to get more. These rods are killer. The purple and yellow color isn't the best on the grey blank, but looks don't catch fish. They are more sensitive then my Orochi XX rods and the microwave guides are the real deal. I can throw a bait 15-25% further with these. I just can't believe I like a Rod this much that u can buy right now for $120!

[rippin-lips]

I will be honest, I own three of these now and I am thinking of selling some of my Megabass to get more. These rods are killer. The purple and yellow color isn't the best on the grey blank, but looks don't catch fish. They are more sensitive then my Orochi XX rods and the microwave guides are the real deal. I can throw a bait 15-25% further with these. I just can't believe I like a Rod this much that u can buy right now for $120!

Message me with what xx rods you have if you're serious about selling them. I'm in the market for a couple of them right now.

[kickerfish1]

To the OP the *** would be my choice.

Rippin-maybe try shooting a message Gary's way. From time to time Thetackletrap will have rep samples of these rods. If he doesn't have any in stock he may know when a few more will show up. You would get warranty support should you need it. Another option would be to hold out a bit longer for the Levante series for $100 less. I am going to purchase one to compare it to my Orichi XX rods.

[rippin-lips]

To the OP the *** would be my choice.

Rippin-maybe try shooting a message Gary's way. From time to time Thetackletrap will have rep samples of these rods. If he doesn't have any in stock he may know when a few more will show up. You would get warranty support should you need it. Another option would be to hold out a bit longer for the Levante series for $100 less. I am going to purchase one to compare it to my Orichi XX rods.

I'll check into the rep samples. I missed the last batch. Also what I'm looking for wasn't on the list. I was on the list for pre order on the Levante, but changed my mind. I've been dead set on trying out an xx for awhile now. So I figured why settle for the Levante.

[ClackerBuzz]

lotta great rods mentioned. for that money just make sure you get a lifetime guarantee.

i went thru endless rods and settled with Powell. unfortunately it's a journey you have to take. hold as many rods in stores and on the water as you can.  also take ur favorite reel into the store to test how they balance

[THE_Vue's]

Ugly stix elite are nice and sensitive.  No love for the ugly stix

[Poolshark]

A lot of great rods were mentioned above. As an added suggestion... The bps carbonlites and Jm signatures are other options to consider in that price range. I bought them on sale as back ups and find them to be sensitive and under the 150 dollar mark. I own both and they are as sensitive as some of my other more expensive rods.