Best Rod Under 220

[stk44]

I am so undecided on a new rod that I will use for 1/2" oz and bigger Jigs, 5-6+ inch worms and 3/8+ T-rigged soft plastics.

 

What is the best rod as far as lightweight and sensitivity in a MH or preferably a Heavy action that is under $220? I was looking at Avid X, E6x, and Duckett rods, but I'm sure there are more out there.

 

I don't have many stores near me that have all of the rods I've been looking at, otherwise I would test them all out.

 

Thanks

[thehooligan]

If you look around you can find an mb orochi xx in that range. Or 13 ***.

[rippin-lips]

If you aren't against buying used rods you can get a lot more rod for the money. You can get rods that sell new for $300 +/- when people sell things over winter for around $200 +/- Winter is a great time to buy fishing gear. People sell things off to fund new purchases for the upcoming season, and at good prices too.

[WIGuide]

The Avid X would be a great choice. Depending on how heavy of jigs you're going to be throwing, I'd probably stick with the MH vs the heavy as they run a little on the heavy side of the rating scale. 

[fishballer06]

Avid or Dobyns Champion

[Stapsy]

A MH 13 *** would be my choice. If you can get them on sale it is within your budget.

[buzzed bait]

love my avid rod for what you're describing....

[rangerjockey]

Although it pushes your budget a bit. I think the cara Amistad is one of the best 1/2 oz.+ jig and T-rig rods going... light ,plenty sensitive and a bunch of power..

Also might want to look at the Kistler KLX.

[BassThumb]

Dobyns Champion 735c on a Black Friday sale will run you $200 or so.

It's a terrific, versatile rod that would match up very well with the techniques you mentioned. It's also a first-rate frogging rod. I own two.

If you don't like it, you could very easily sell it in the flea market for a minimal loss.

[poisonokie]

Man, it's $230 and I can't find them for any less than msrp, but the new zillion is a lighter, suped up tatula with sic k guides. The tatulas are already very light and get nothing but love from people for the most part, so if I was going that route, that's where I'd start.

[sprint61]

Klx, built on a northfork composites blank and the cleanest build I have ever seen. The blank should be reason enough.

[desmobob]

Another vote for the Kistler KLX...

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[MDBowHunter]

St Croix Avid all the way. if you need a reason check out bluebassers post about their customer service...

[kickerfish1]

When Kistler has their website sales they often discount the Helium 3 rods 25%. You can get one for about $210 shipped.

[sprint61]

When Kistler has their website sales they often discount the Helium 3 rods 25%. You can get one for about $210 shipped.

Just got a 7'6" heavy xfast today. Got it for $197 including the sale and point I had built up.

[stk44]

I fish primarily out of a kayak, do you think a 7 foot rod would suit me a bit better. Maybe, a Dobyns champion heavy 704C???

[sprint61]

I fish primarily out of a kayak, do you think a 7 foot rod would suit me a bit better. Maybe, a Dobyns champion heavy 704C???

Never fished out of a kayak but I assume longer rods could be harder to fish with maybe. 7' is probably the most commonly used length rod I think you would be happy with that. I've heard nothing but good things out of dobyns but have never fished one. My vote still goes to the KLX, awesome rods.

[stk44]

Never fished out of a kayak but I assume longer rods could be harder to fish with maybe. 7' is probably the most commonly used length rod I think you would be happy with that. I've heard nothing but good things out of dobyns but have never fished one. My vote still goes to the KLX, awesome rods.

I wish everyone would just say the same rod and make this easy for me. I guess that's what also makes this exciting lol. I have never even heard of the KLX, I'll have to do some research. thanks

[clh121787]

Falcon cara st amistad. Own it love it. I also own a megabass perfect pitch, emtf,and an nrx 873 ccr to compare. That all work for jigs in the 1/2 oz range. The falcon amistad cara st is outstanding for its intended purpose. That be my pick. No brainer

[Stapsy]

I wish everyone would just say the same rod and make this easy for me. I guess that's what also makes this exciting lol. I have never even heard of the KLX, I'll have to do some research. thanks

 

It is unlikely that many people have tried all the rods in this price range.  You will mostly just get people telling you what they use. After you look into some of the suggestions come back with a couple specific rods you are interested in and you will be able to get some more detailed responses.

 

Good luck in your search.

[ogbfishing]

I personally have the Duckett MicroMagic Pro, great rod, never had any problems with it breaking or having to get the eyelets re-wrapped. My buddy dropped his bag on his MicroMagic's eyelet and bent it. He sent it in and they sent him a brand new 2015 model. The only thing is the warranty is weak.

[stk44]

I personally have the Duckett MicroMagic Pro, great rod, never had any problems with it breaking or having to get the eyelets re-wrapped. My buddy dropped his bag on his MicroMagic's eyelet and bent it. He sent it in and they sent him a brand new 2015 model. The only thing is the warranty is weak.

 

Don't they have a 20 year warranty?

[smalljaw67]

I have fished the Avid X spinning rods and I've handled the casting rods,  a 7' MH-F would be great for you out of a Kayak but that would be the longest I'd go with. By using a split grip with the small guides, it really made the blank come to life.  Good luck on whatever you choose.

[smallies24/7]

The rods I have fished around the 220 mark give or take are the ***, klx, avid, champion, endurance (discontinued), orochi xx, max 3D, Irod air, and Lews hm85, and of all those I would recommend the ***. These are all great rods, but the *** is as close to perfect as I have found so far. The KLX feels great, but I have the 6'9 MHF jig rod and t isn't fast enough for me. It doesn't get to the backbone quickly, so I feel I lose too much power with that rod. It's now a spinnerbait rod for me. I like the Dobyns, but feel you are paying a lot for the name and could get a better rod for the price imo.

If I had to rank my top 3 of this list, it would go:

1. ***

2. Megabass Orochi XX

3. Endurance

Those are just my personal opinions from the experiences I have had so far. Hope that helps.

[ogbfishing]

Don't they have a 20 year warranty?

The White Ice (also a very good rod) has a 20 year, the MicroMagic Pro is only 5, which, IMO, is weak, if a company has confidence in a product they have life warranties, like Orvis fly rods.