Best Casting Rod for Under $60?

[pjd412]

Hi, to preface this I would like to say that this is my first post and I have been reading these forums since before I began fishing in 2015 and I'm looking for advice.

I'm planning to pick up a second casting rod for this upcoming season (I currently have spinning gear and a BPS Crankin' Stick 6'6" M), and I'm not quite sure what is the best rod for my money. I don't want to spend any more than $60. I plan to use the rod as an all purpose (jigs, t-rigs, worms, light frogging, maybe swim jigs/chatterbaits, and anything else that I can't throw on the Crankin' Stick or Spinning Gear), and I will be pairing it with a BPS PQ 6.4:1 reel with 50lb Power Pro braid.

Specifically, I want a MH/F rod that's between 6'6" and 7'0", I could stretch for a 7'3" but I'd prefer to keep it in the 6'6"-7'0" range as I will mostly be fishing from shore and anything larger can be quite unwieldy, especially as it is hard for me to fish a longer rod at 5'6" myself and long handles are uncomfortable for me. Ideally, I would like to be able to throw 1/4oz lures but this isn't absolutely necessary.

I have been looking at the Berkley Lightning Shock Rod and the Abu Garcia Vengeance (I can get both of these from Walmart for $40), but I am slightly on edge as I hear Abu's can be stiff and tip heavy but I have yet to handle one myself. I have been looking at the Abu Garcia Veritas and Vendetta, hoping one goes on sale during the BPS Spring Classic, but I'm not holding my breath and again I hear they can be stiff and tip heavy. I also am interested in the Okuma Reflexion, Shimano Sellus, and Shimano Convergence, but I don't know very much about them. Which of these rods would you recommend or are there others that you prefer and why?

Thanks,

PJ

[roadwarrior]

 

[Allen Der]

Fenwick Silverhawk when they go on sale at cabelas for $50 or $60; way better quality guides and cork than a lightning rod shock. 

[SMITTY0045]

1 hour ago, Allen Der said:

Fenwick Silverhawk when they go on sale at cabelas for $50 or $60; way better quality guides and cork than a lightning rod shock. 

I agree, these rods really do fish like $100, but they seem to always be on sale

[A fisher]

Silver hawk or h2o ethos(non micro guide) can't go wrong with either

[Fishinthefish]

Silver hawk.

[DogBone_384]

4 minutes ago, Fishinthefish said:

Silver hawk.

X2

[pjd412]

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll keep my eye on the silver hawk to see if it goes on sale any time soon.

I also like the look of the H2O Ethos, but I am very reluctant to order rods online and unfortunately the nearest academy to me is over 150 miles away.

[Fishinthefish]

Spring sale, end of February through March depending on location. I spoke with the people and Cabelas, GM, Dicks, and BPS. They all told me the same thing, all of the spring stuff will be on the shelves by March 15th at the latest, the goal is March 1st.

[new2BC4bass]

57 minutes ago, Fishinthefish said:

Spring sale, end of February through March depending on location. I spoke with the people and Cabelas, GM, Dicks, and BPS. They all told me the same thing, all of the spring stuff will be on the shelves by March 15th at the latest, the goal is March 1st.

 

Looks like I need to save some money.  I'd like to catch some really good deals.  Seems like good deals and me having money never jive. 

[the reel ess]

19 hours ago, pjd412 said:

 

I have been looking at the Berkley Lightning Shock Rod

Thanks,

PJ

I have two plain older BC Lightning Rods that I bought when I was lower on funds than I am now. I use a 6'6" MH  for single hook reaction baits and a 6'6" M for treble reaction baits and topwaters. Obviously, for $40, they're not the highest quality rods on the market. That's why I use them for applications where sensitivity isn't crucial. They have been durable and they're both still in my 6 combo arsenal. I think the integral lack of sensitivity is helpful in these situations because it keeps you from setting the hook before fish have fully taken the bait, especially with topwaters. This rods is great for TW baits. I have used the MH a few times for T rigs. If I pay close enough attention I can still feel bites.

I liked the older LR's enough that I bought a 7' M spinning rod about a year ago for smaller treble lures like jerkbaits. So now I have 3. I do get the need for sensitivity with other presentations, but there is no call for a $100 for these applications.

[Bluebasser86]

I have 8 or 9 Ethos rods, you can't beat them for the money.

[ww2farmer]

Shock and Vengeance are both good. Pick the Vengeance if your going to be fishing plastics/jigs/etc...and the Shock for moving baits.

[Brayberry]

I just picked up another Abu Garcia Veritas from Bass Pro yesterday for $60.  

[Racerx]

Been eyeing up the Veritas lately, but now the BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlite has popped up.  Anybody have personal experience with both in about a 7' M or MH?

[FloridaFishinFool]

Berkley shock. Can't beat it for the price!

[KDW96]

Those shock rods are a nice rod! Id also look for a regular lighting rod. But the new ones(2015), have a crappy forgrip that cracks very easy when you tighten it down on reel. Atleast mine did. Find a older one,and your good.

[ChrisD46]

On ‎1‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 7:52 PM, pjd412 said:

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll keep my eye on the silver hawk to see if it goes on sale any time soon.

I also like the look of the H2O Ethos, but I am very reluctant to order rods online and unfortunately the nearest academy to me is over 150 miles away.

Do NOT order Academy rods on line to ship to your home !!!! ...They shipped to me in a rectangular flemsy box  twice with minimal random padding and arrived with broken  .* Unless it's TW , BPS who ship in heavy duty crush proof cylinders - I steer clear of buying on line rods !

[ChrisD46]

DSG will have store sales where you can get a Veritas for below $50 .

The Fenwick Silver Hawk on sale at Cabela's would be interesting although some of their bend profile of modified fast and modified seem a little funky  . Based on other replies of the Silver Hawk feeling about one flex stiffer - I would opt for a 7' M Fast or a 6'6" M Fast for all - around purpose unless I wanted a frog rod or flipping cabbage rod  - then I would opt for a MH rated Silverhawk .

* How many would rather wait for a $100 rod from TW (such as a *** 2) to go on sale  when TW offers a 15% discount down to $85 ? Would you rather have a *** 2 at $85 or a Fenwick Silver Hawk at $60 ?

[pjd412]

Ok so it looks like it's down to the Vengeance, Silver hawk, and Vendetta depending what goes on sale. I'll consider a Lightning Shock later for a Chatterbait/Swim Jig/Spinnerbaits Rod as I hear it has a slower action. Of course I won't get a Rod without holding it first, but thans for your help everyone!!!

[smalljaw67]

It is no secret that I'm a fan of Fenwick but that isn't why I'm going with the others and recommending the Silver Hawk too. Fenwick is owned by pure fishing and if you hold a Silver Hawk and a Vendetta side by side, you're likely to notice a very similar feel. I believe the 30 ton blank the Vendetta is built on is the same used for the Silver Hawk since that too is built on a 30 ton blank. The Vendetta isn't a bad rod at all at the price point, but the Silver Hawk uses better grips and guides by far, you get Fuji alconite guides on a rod that goes on sale for $60 with regularity. Wait for a sale at Cabelas and grab a Silver Hawk, it is basically an upgraded Vendetta that is less expensive when on sale.

[robster80]

wait for cabelas sale on the tournament zx rods.  they usually go on sale for $69 here and there 

[31Kilo]

I've had a few Shimano Sellus rods I thought were a great value at 59.95

[Wurming67]

I hate the reel seat on those sellus  good sensitivity though for the price

[NYWayfarer]

My vote is for the Abu Garcia Vengeance. Medium action is a great all around rod.