Berkeley lightning rod

[Buffdaddy54]

Any thoughts on the Berkley Lightning Rod. I have the BPS Tourney model ( which I have never used) and am thinking of getting a lightning rod. Now remember, I am new to this whole baitcasting thing, is there enough of a difference between the two or should I just stay with what I have and learn on that?

Once again DARN YOU BAIT MONKEY, YOUR EVIL AND MUST BE STOPPED! ??

 

[the reel ess]

I have two BC Lightning Rods and one spinning. They're good for what they are in that price range. I have a couple $100+ rods that put them to shame but they should for that price. But once upon a time, I would have considered even a $40 rod a needless expense.I still use all these LR's though.

I have a MH 6'6" that I use for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and a backup topwater rod if I want more than one topwater hardbait tied on. It's spooled with 12# mono for use with trebles if I need it.

I have a M 6'6" that I use for lipless cranks and topwaters with trebles. It's spooled with 15# mono. This rod action is almost perfect for this application. It casts a mile and has just the right flex to not rip out bigger trebles. But it's short enough to allow me to walk the dog on a topwater and allow the fish to take the bait before setting the hook.

The spinning rod is 7' M and I use it for wacky rigs and smaller treble baits like Rapala Minnows. It's spooled with 20# braid. The tip is great for casting lighter lures and good for trebles as well. This could double as a crappie rod in a pinch, but I've caught some big bass on it.

None of these presentations require a lot of sensitivity. I use those higher dollar rods for that.I would add that after some years of use, the cork foregrip is coming apart on the BC models. No big deal really. If i had it to do over, I'd probably spend a little more on the Ethos rods from Academy.

[the reel ess]

Here they are. Notice the cork coming apart. You can tell the one I use the most. Also notice I'm breaking my rule and using the M spinning for a single hook application. But sometimes you gotta use what you brought.

[Caliyak]

Two other great Berkley rods; Cherrrywood and, of course, the Shock. 

[*Hootie]

Everyone on here knows I have nrx, glx's, and imx rods. Also Shimano Core's, Chronarchs, Curado's Calcutta's and Scorpion reels. Yet this season I have been using almost exclusively Berkley lightning rods and Citicas, yes, the dreaded "G" series Citicas. My fishing success has not suffered one iota. Neither in numbers or quality. The lightning rod has decent sensitivity and is light enough. Nothing at all wrong with a lightning rod. You don't have to have an $800 dollar rig to fish. It's really nice,  but definitely not a necessity. 

Hootie

[CarolinaBoy4Life]

I got a buddy who uses them about 70% of the time he is fishing. My buddy wears em out. Like hootie said you don't have to have the highest end equipment to fish. Remember back in the day the pro's were using rod's we now consider junk and were wearing them out. 

[buzzed bait]

for the money, i can't find a rod that beats the lightning shock series.  i still have 2 of them that get used on the river.

[the reel ess]

6 hours ago, CarolinaBoy4Life said:

I got a buddy who uses them about 70% of the time he is fishing. My buddy wears em out. Like hootie said you don't have to have the highest end equipment to fish. Remember back in the day the pro's were using rod's we now consider junk and were wearing them out. 

Yeah, I have a buddy that doesn't think you NEED to spend more than $25 on a rod. And he's right but he catches a lot of fish and some pretty big ones, I might add. We spend a lot on tackle because we want to. However, there are some fish I would have missed had I not bought some good rods. But they're only fish, right?...Right?

[Darren.]

I've got one BL rod, a 6' MH spinning setup
I was using for smaller swimbaits. It works
just fine! I think it is a great rod for the money.

[the reel ess]

You ever get the feeling people ask a question and never return for the answers?

[Darren.]

2 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

You ever get the feeling people ask a question and never return for the answers?

Sometimes yes. But his avatar indicates his last
visit was 17 hours ago. Guess we'll see  

[Hurricane]

I have a couple ... Great rod for the money...

[Airman4754]

I have two that I bank fish reaction baits with and they work fine. 

[Senko lover]

My spinning rod is the Lightning Shock, which I like better than the basic Lightning. I have 0 complaints with it and see no need to replace it atm. I'm slowly upgrading all my stuff, but I think that one will be last on the list. 

[DCales84]

If your going to buy one buy a shock series rod. They are well worth the $40 at your local Wal-Mart. I have several and fish them more often than my more expensive rods. They are comfortable and if I happen to lose one overboard from my kayak I won't be to torn up about it.

[bowhunter63]

Have 2 Lighting Rods and the work fine,Old Hank Parker used them back in the day.They were good then and good now.

[buzzed bait]

20 hours ago, the reel ess said:

You ever get the feeling people ask a question and never return for the answers?

more and more here lately!

[Buffdaddy54]

Thanks all, I appreciate the feed back. I will probably be purchasing one in the very near future. 

Again thanks, I know I ask a lot of simplistic questions but I am a firm believer that the only dumb question is the one never asked. 

 

[IndianaFinesse]

8 minutes ago, Buffdaddy54 said:

Thanks all, I appreciate the feed back. I will probably be purchasing one in the very near future. 

Again thanks, I know I ask a lot of simplistic questions but I am a firm believer that the only dumb question is the one never asked. 

 

On 5/26/2016 at 0:15 PM, buzzed bait said:

more and more here lately!

On 5/25/2016 at 3:54 PM, the reel ess said:

You ever get the feeling people ask a question and never return for the answers?

See, he came back!   

I own a lightning shock series rod and use use the m/mod as my cranking rod.  It isn't the most sensitive rod, but it doesn't need to be for crankbaits and for that price range I haven't found anything better.