Spinning Rod Help at the $200 Price Point

[PatrickKnight]

So I just got a Stradic 3000 FK and I am looking for a rod to pair it with. My price point is right about the 200 dollar range the ones I am considering are the Megabass Lavante 7 foot Shakey Head Rod, St. Croix Avid 7 foot medium power, Shimano Zodias 7 foot medium power, and the Kistler KLX 7 foot medium power. I do 95% of my fishing with a spinning rod because the rivers and creeks that I fish are best fished with small jigs and light weight lures so this rod will be my main set up. Also the only rod of the four listed that is available locally for me to mess with is the Megabass which felt nice but its so new that I haven't been able to find many reviews. So I am hoping you guys might be able to give me your opinions on these four rods. Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

http://www.okumafishing.com/product/view/rods/tournament-bass/helios-1

[smalljaw67]

What weights are you going to fish and what techniques do you plan to use and line type and strength? It may sound strange but all of those will play a part, for example, if you use braid with a fluorocarbon or mono leader then you won't want a rod that has micro guides. If you plan of drop shot fishing most of the time the Avid, Zodias, and KLX are out in a medium power because they are too stiff in the tip section for that technique. So depending on the specifics it is possible to eliminate certain rods based on their specific characteristics and properties.

[PatrickKnight]

Most of the time its a jig with some type of plastic trailer normally a 1/8 - 1/4 oz head. I also use braid with a leader (10lb power pro to 10 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid). I do a have a 6'9" ML Fenwick HMG I can sub in if I go to jigs or drop shots with really light wire hooks. Also incase it helps most times I am targeting smallmouth with a rocky bottom I don't fish a lot of timber just because its not very common in the areas I fish.

[Darren.]

Patrick, the Avid will be a tad heavier in M power
than you might expect, somewhere between M-MH.
I bought a MXF Avid and wished I had bought a
MLXF. Since then I've actually upgraded to a MLXF
Legend Tournament and it's a fantastic rod. I use
10# PP + various leaders on it for drop shot, wacky,
and so on.

I also thought the Avid to be a bit more tip-heavy
which I do not like as much. I can't speak for the 
other rods you mention.

That said, you probably can't go wrong with any
of the rods in your selection. If the Megabass rod
feels good and balances with your reel of choice,
that's probably a solid choice.

[Turkey sandwich]

If you're looking at the Avid, also check out the Avid X.  The grips and microguides change the feel of the rod quite a bit.  I have one in MLXF and love it for drop shots, <1/4 oz soft plastics, and light poppers.  As Darren mentioned, it might be good to handle both weights to see what fits your purpose better.

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

What weights are you going to fish and what techniques do you plan to use and line type and strength? It may sound strange but all of those will play a part, for example, if you use braid with a fluorocarbon or mono leader then you won't want a rod that has micro guides. If you plan of drop shot fishing most of the time the Avid, Zodias, and KLX are out in a medium power because they are too stiff in the tip section for that technique. So depending on the specifics it is possible to eliminate certain rods based on their specific characteristics and properties.

Patrick, pay attention to Dan.  He won't steer you wrong.  I've always found his advice to be spot on.

[Fishin' Fool]

Check out Monster Fishing Tackle too. You can put yourself into an IMX for under $200 with their current discounts. 

[smalljaw67]

6 hours ago, PatrickKnight said:

Most of the time its a jig with some type of plastic trailer normally a 1/8 - 1/4 oz head. I also use braid with a leader (10lb power pro to 10 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid). I do a have a 6'9" ML Fenwick HMG I can sub in if I go to jigs or drop shots with really light wire hooks. Also incase it helps most times I am targeting smallmouth with a rocky bottom I don't fish a lot of timber just because its not very common in the areas I fish.

Based on what you are using the rod for I actually thing the Avid would be a good choice, I prefer the X but not with a leader. Another one to consider at that price point is the Falcon Cara T7 in a 7' Medium power, fast action, those are two I'd look at as they are going to have a little more power than other spinning rods in the same class which will allow you to get good hook sets on jigs with hooks of a larger wire diameter but it won't over power like a MH would.

[Turkey sandwich]

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Based on what you are using the rod for I actually thing the Avid would be a good choice, I prefer the X but not with a leader. Another one to consider at that price point is the Falcon Cara T7 in a 7' Medium power, fast action, those are two I'd look at as they are going to have a little more power than other spinning rods in the same class which will allow you to get good hook sets on jigs with hooks of a larger wire diameter but it won't over power like a MH would.

I was actually surprised with my Avid X.  Even with the tiny guides, it doesn't really have problems with leader knots.   

 

[Missourifishin]

I have the Avid M/F. I love it!! But, as others have pointed out, it does fish a little heavier. So ML might be something to consider.

[smr913]

I just bought my first avid, although it was a casting rod. I'm loving it so much my next rod which will either be a M or ML will be an avid as well.

[PatrickKnight]

Thank you very much for all the reply's! I was at my local Field and Stream store messing with the Megabass today (my Stradic balances great on the Megabass) and just so happened to end up at the Fenwick rack. I already have an HMG that I like and I started to mess with the 7 foot medium Elite Tech and the 7 foot Medium Aetos rods (I really liked the lure rating on this one 1/16 to 3/4). For those of you who have fished these higher end Fenwick rods how do they stack up against the other rods I am looking at? Also my Stradic balances very well on both of the Fenwicks as well.