purdue92 Posted November 29, 2015 Posted November 29, 2015 looking at upgrading all my bait casting rods what type of rod lineup are the best under 200 going to pick up a spinner bait rod 2 cranking rods and a jig rod are the avids the way to go ? Quote
MidwestF1sh Posted November 29, 2015 Posted November 29, 2015 For under $200 I think it'd be very hard to beat Powell's max 3d rod for $160. They're light and balance decent. Very sensitive rod with the xf/f actions. I just got 2 dobyns champions and really like them but those are $250. 1 Quote
thirtysixit Posted November 29, 2015 Posted November 29, 2015 Falcon Cara series are amazing. The Deep Runner and Composite Cranker are incredible for deep divers and lipless cranks respectively. The Head turner is great for jigs and frogs. I've also got the Amistad which I love for top waters and jigs. cara-t7.pdf Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted November 29, 2015 Super User Posted November 29, 2015 Besides the ones mentioned, look at the Fenwick Aetos line. Zero experience with the Pinnacle Perfecta DHC5 rods, but want to try one. Reviews by bassresource are very favorable. Quote
PennBass Posted November 29, 2015 Posted November 29, 2015 I own a St. Croix Avid (Medium Fast) Spinning Rod, and I can say that it's worth every dollar. It's sensitive, lightweight, and with the microguides, casts extremely well. Haven't used any other rods besides St. Croix, though, so not sure how it would compare to other brands. PennBass Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 I own a St. Croix Avid (Medium Fast) Spinning Rod, and I can say that it's worth every dollar. It's sensitive, lightweight, and with the microguides, casts extremely well. Haven't used any other rods besides St. Croix, though, so not sure how it would compare to other brands. PennBass I don't understand it. Obviously I was doing something wrong. Seems like everyone likes micro guides on their spinning rods but me. I've only tried one rod with micro guides, but tried 3 different reels on it....2 with 8# mono and one with 10# braid. I hated it. I felt the micro guides were really hurting my casing distance. Quote
Bass2124 Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 The best rod and reel that I own under $200 bucks is the Skeete Reese S-Glass Cranking Rod paired up with a Tatula. Never understood the fuss about glass rods until after owning one. My hook-up ratio went through the roof especially where I use braid with flouro leaders. The flexibility of the glass really gives the bass time to take the lure. You will not find a better glass rod for the price. If you're diligent you can find them for around $50 bucks at times at Dicks. The Tatula is just an awesome bang for the buck reel that casts a mile. I picked up another 25-30 feet with this setup over my other rods that I used for cranking. Quote
sprint61 Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Kistler klx north fork composites blank what compares? Quote
PitchinJigz Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Kistler klx north fork composites blank what compares? G. Loomis E6X Quote
Robert Riley Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Heard great things about the Powell rods. I really like the Dobyn's Savvys, they're light, well balanced and have nice actions. I wouldn't recommend them for a jig/plastics rods, I'd upgrade to the Champion rod. For a cranking rod, I really like the Veritas rods, which are around $100, so under your margin. I've always felt the best quality rod you own should be your bottom contact rod. Unless of course you crank 90% of the time or whatever. Quote
Super User MIbassyaker Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Heard great things about the Powell rods. I really like the Dobyn's Savvys, they're light, well balanced and have nice actions. I wouldn't recommend them for a jig/plastics rods, I'd upgrade to the Champion rod. For a cranking rod, I really like the Veritas rods, which are around $100, so under your margin. I've always felt the best quality rod you own should be your bottom contact rod. Unless of course you crank 90% of the time or whatever. This has been my understanding too, insofar as an increase in "quality" tends to correspond to improved sensitivity. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Kistler klx north fork composites blank what compares? Apparently nothing else in your eyes. The blank is only part of the equation. While they are nice there are still many companies offering very nice rod lines around $200. MB Levante, Dobyns Champion when on sale, Phenix Recon, Avids and the list goes on. When you say complete rod lines how many rods are you looking for? You only mention about 4 rods but when I see "complete rod lines" I think of many more techniques. The Dobyns Champion line has everything covered from punching, to swimbaits, to finesse. You won't find that kind of diversity in the KLX series. 1 Quote
Cgrinder Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 If we're sticking to one rod lineup, the Levante series looks promising. The XX rods are killer so I (and others) have high hopes. The Zodias rods from Shimano are exceptional but they're all fast action. Probably not ideal for cranking. Quote
offsidewing Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 I've fished both the Avid X and Loomis E6X in similar specs and prefer the Avid X. 7' MF Avid X is what I use for heavier plastics. No hate for the Loomis. It's also worth mentioning that St Croix customer service is excellent to deal with should you ever have an issue with a rod. Quote
Zach Dunham Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 I would go with the Kistler Magnesium 2 series that just came out. Quote
Carterjig68 Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 I'd go with the Dobyns savvy. Gary Dobyns managed to get put plenty of strength and sensitivity into a light and balanced rod that is fairly easy on the wallet. Plus they have a good amount of models and they would work well with the techniques you have listed. Quote
OntarioFishingGuy Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 Avids are my favorite in that price range, although I haven't tried many others. Quote
Chance_Taker4 Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 I usually don't spend more than $100 on rods so my list is Abu Veritas, Denali Kovert or Lithium, Dobyns Fury, ***, BPS Carbonlite 1 Quote
k3bass Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 Avids are my choice, although the falcon bucoo rods are awesome for 100 bucks!! Quote
RyanFishing Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 I would say avids are the best rod for what you pay in that price range. Plus the normal Avids have a lifetime warranty which is also a bonus. Quote
bigfruits Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 ill recommend avids for the moving baits and GLX or NRX for the jig/worm rod. check out the Loomis expeditor service ($100 replaces broken rod), similar to St. Croix's. Quote
k3bass Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 ill recommend avids for the moving baits and GLX or NRX for the jig/worm rod. check out the Loomis expeditor service ($100 replaces broken rod), similar to St. Croix's. You're not getting a nrx or glx under 200 bucks. Quote
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