Dat_Bass Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 Alright so, I just got my first bait caster and it's time to select a rod. I'm planning on doin a wide variety of things varying from throwing a weighted Texas rig to buzz baits to frogs to square bills and I need a nice overall rod. It's not gonna be my money I'm spendin but I wanna keep it under $200 for sure and try keeping it under $160. Anything helps! Thanks! Quote
MidwestF1sh Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 Check out Powell at $160. Or a handful of company's make good $100 rods. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted December 2, 2015 Super User Posted December 2, 2015 Any specific brands or types? I'm a fan of Fenwick. I have rods on both sides of the Elite Tech Bass series. If this series is anything like the Aetos or Smallmouth series then it is a very good rod for the money. Regardless of brand, a MHF is probably going to be your best bet for an all-around rod. There are quite a few good to excellent rods in the $100-$160 price range. My Aetos is a beautiful rod that is also quite sensitive. Would have to be used or on sale to get it for less than $160. The Okuma Helios is a $180 rod at most places. Can get the 7' MH at Amazon for $136.46. Don't know if shipping is free. Think it depends on the seller. I bought a rod that was less than $100 off Amazon that was sold by Reds Gear and shipping was free from that seller. Tackletour did a review of the Helios 7' M and gave it a "Great" rating. 2 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted December 2, 2015 Super User Posted December 2, 2015 I just picked up a MH/XF Kistler on sale from T** W*** that's rated as an all purpose rod that'll throw 1/8 - 3/4 oz. I've tried it with Con**** A and Shimano reels and put it right up there with my 14-1 and MH/F Veritas rods, which are my two long time favorites. There are so many great rods at your price point, you can't really go wrong. Best of luck choosing your 1st (of many, hopefully) BC rod. Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted December 2, 2015 Super User Posted December 2, 2015 My best all around rod that i have is a daiwa tatula 6'10" Medium Heavy - Fast Action it can and will do everything you listed Quote
MIbassangler30 Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 Do yourself a favor, throw down a few more bucks and just get a Dobyn's champion 734 1 Quote
Chrisfisherman Posted March 16, 2021 Posted March 16, 2021 Im looking for the same thing except im trying to spend less namely because i remember back 15-16 years ago i had a sort of “budget” rod reel combo from Bass Pro that was the last selection and lowest priced selection for the catalogue that year. I dont remeber the model name but it was dark green and the rod in that combo for $80-100 was supposed to be like 55 million modulus and was very sensitive. Atthe time they listed all their rods in the million modulus rating except for the composites. The premiere JM rod was like 65-70 million modulus i believe Quote
Eric 26 Posted March 23, 2021 Posted March 23, 2021 On 3/16/2021 at 12:37 AM, Chrisfisherman said: Im looking for the same thing except im trying to spend less namely because i remember back 15-16 years ago i had a sort of “budget” rod reel combo from Bass Pro that was the last selection and lowest priced selection for the catalogue that year. I dont remeber the model name but it was dark green and the rod in that combo for $80-100 was supposed to be like 55 million modulus and was very sensitive. Atthe time they listed all their rods in the million modulus rating except for the composites. The premiere JM rod was like 65-70 million modulus i believe I believe that series was the extreme. I bought the bionic blades just one level below on the modulus rating, still use the 2 I bought to this day. I purchased a carbonlite 2.0 combo and can honestly say it’s well worth the $120.00 price tag and it’s on sale now during the spring classic. PS the rod alone is $120.00 but I got the combo the first year for that price. Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted March 23, 2021 Super User Posted March 23, 2021 Frogs and square bills and HM 53 Gazillion modulus in the same thread.... BINGO! 1 Quote
RDB Posted March 23, 2021 Posted March 23, 2021 Another option is the used market. You can get a lot more rod for a lot less money. The Texas forum has 3 like new Shimano Zodias rods for $130 each. If you want to learn more about different rods, Tackle Tour does good reviews and you can check the comments on Tackle Warehouse. Quote
Manifestgtr Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 On 3/23/2021 at 3:07 PM, RDB said: Another option is the used market. You can get a lot more rod for a lot less money. The Texas forum has 3 like new Shimano Zodias rods for $130 each. If you want to learn more about different rods, Tackle Tour does good reviews and you can check the comments on Tackle Warehouse. I agree...I typically buy my rods new but I’ve gotten some killer deals on used rods over the years. Got a barely used 744c conquest for under $400 and it’s still my go to jig rod. One of my NRX was used too but I don’t remember exactly what I paid...still alive and kicking though, after several years. Some guys shy away from the used market and I understand why. Warranties tend to be limited and you never know who owned/maintained it previously. So you *have to* be willing to take that risk. If you aren’t though, plenty of manufacturers make great rods in that price range. My favorites are St Croix’s mojo bass (the victory is nice supposedly...I just haven’t used one yet) but Daiwa’s tatulas, pretty much anything Dobyns and basically any $100-200 Shimano will all be great. Rod manufacturing has grown LEAPS in the last ten years. You definitely don’t have to spend $400 to get a great rod anymore... Regardless of model, I recommend a 6’8”-7’2” MH for all around use. That length/weight will throw most baits at least reasonably well. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 25, 2021 Super User Posted March 25, 2021 Sure hope the OP has his rod by now. 2 Quote
RDB Posted March 25, 2021 Posted March 25, 2021 20 minutes ago, Manifestgtr said: I agree...I typically buy my rods new but I’ve gotten some killer deals on used rods over the years. Got a barely used 744c conquest for under $400 and it’s still my go to jig rod. I very much agree. I bought a Conquest 842 for $375 and it was in perfect condition. The nice thing about higher end used stuff is most of the people that spend that kind of money tend to take very good care of it. I know I treat my Conquest and NRX rods like they are Koby beef ?. 1 Quote
redux Posted March 26, 2021 Posted March 26, 2021 The 7'3" Jason Christie rod by Falcon is $99 and very versatile. It has a lot of tip due to the moderate-fast action and has a ton of backbone for hooksets. 1 Quote
Super User ATA Posted March 26, 2021 Super User Posted March 26, 2021 G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod 7'1" MH 853C JWR or Shimano Curado Casting Rod (Split Grip Or Full Cork) 7' MH Quote
Super User FishTank Posted March 26, 2021 Super User Posted March 26, 2021 A little over the budget but ...... St. Croix avid 7' mh fast. 1 Quote
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