Help broke college student find the best suiting rod for under $120

[chance4est]

I just recently started getting into bass fishing. Its become an addiction. It started with a cheaper Abu Garcia rod and reel (black max) combo for about $90, then I bought a few lures, and now Im hooked..... No pun intended. My rod tip recently broke about 6" off the top. It still casts, so I thought itd work fine. I was still catching fish, but trying to work a frog and other topwater lures was impossible. Its time for a new rod. Im a college student, and Im broke. Im not looking to spend over $120 for a fishing rod. 

I mainly fish topwater ( spinner/buzz bait, or a hollow body frog) and the occasional Texas rig. What is the best rod I can get for this style of fishing that is under $120? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Cyacnba]

I would recommend the Daiwa Tatula 6'10" MH casting rod. Very light (less than 4oz), sensitive, and great as an all around rod. You can find them for around $100 or less.

[JigMaster4]

I recommend a *** black. I have a 7'1" m/h and it is a great rod. I can throw a little bit of everything with it, but right now it is serving as my jig rod because I have one tied on 100% of the time.

[racedad]

Dobyns Fury 734c. $109 or less. Great for all the baits you mentioned, but I use mine primarily for worm.

[roadwarrior]

 

[Yudo1]

The tatula or the one we don't mention would be great choices imo.

[Evan K]

Agreed on the one we can't mention. No experience with the Tatula but I've heard it's good.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

If you have a Bass Pro, Cabelas, or Gander
Mountain near you, take your reel in and 
put it on several different rods to get a good
feel for how it balances.

House brand rods can be a great value here.
I really like Bass Pro's Carbonlite series, and
they fall right at $99. They are often on sale
as well...

Just something to think about...

[Yudo1]

The bps carbonlite was one of my first casting rods and I still use it.  It's a great choice, but I have one of the original ones and don't have any experience with the new model.

[the reel ess]

Wow! When I was "college poor" I was a $20 rod guy. I worked at WalMart and my buddy was in the outdoors/automotive dept. He would tell me what was going on clearance and I'd hide them until payday, at which time I'd also use my employee discount.

But there are so many good rods in your range you should have no problem getting a good one. My BEST rod only retails for $129. It's an older Falcon LowRider that I bought used from a guy for $50. I also have a Cabela's Tourney ZX that retails for $100. You won't go wrong with the Cabela's or BPS rods in the $100 range.

[SMITTY0045]

I'll add another vote for the Tatula. I would check Walmart.com, they seem to have the best prices on new Tatulas. I'd also look at Amazon

[Raul]

There´s tons of really good rods for under $120, if it were me I would jump on a Shimano Compre or a Daiwa S with that kind of money.

[bigbassin']

I'm not sure if any are still available, but when St. Croix changed the Mojo bass rod this year they put the old models for sale on their website for $90, and it was a $130 rod. I've got the 7 foot medium-heavy spinnerbait model, and I've got no issue throwing frogs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and t-rigs on it. 

[JustinU1X]

Selling a micro magic pro for $100. Otherwise another vote for the tatula

[Flywatersmallie]

11 hours ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

If you have a Bass Pro, Cabelas, or Gander
Mountain near you, take your reel in and 
put it on several different rods to get a good
feel for how it balances.

House brand rods can be a great value here.
I really like Bass Pro's Carbonlite series, and
they fall right at $99. They are often on sale
as well...

Just something to think about...

I would agree with that, The Gander Mountain Tournament rods are a solid series too and retail at I think $80 but frequently go on sale for less. I run them almost exclusively in my kayak. In the event I lose one over the side or something, I won't cry too hard, Plus Gander will replace it if you break it for a year I believe. 

[Angry John]

Used is not the popular answer but if you can find a medium 66mf avid its one heck of a versatile rod.  Great for jerkbaits 1.5 squarebills and smaller top water.

[Further North]

10 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

I'm not sure if any are still available, but when St. Croix changed the Mojo bass rod this year they put the old models for sale on their website for $90, and it was a $130 rod. I've got the 7 foot medium-heavy spinnerbait model, and I've got no issue throwing frogs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and t-rigs on it. 

Last time I looked on the site, St. Croix also had the Rage series on sale at $89 as well.  Cabela's was also selling them at this price.  Most retailed for around $150.

[new2BC4bass]

59 minutes ago, Angry John said:

Used is not the popular answer but if you can find a medium 66mf avid its one heck of a versatile rod.  Great for jerkbaits 1.5 squarebills and smaller top water.

Maybe not popular with some, but I'm guessing 2/3rds or more of my rods were purchased used.  Tatula 7' MR is suppose to arrive Tuesday.....another used rod.

[Further North]

Dunno why used isn't popular.  I've saved thousands of dollars in fishing gear going used, particularly with fly-fishing gear.

[Fishes in trees]

You're in college - you're addicted to fishing - and you don't know any professors who are addicted to fishing?

Shame on you.  My advice would be to find out which professors in your school are addicted to fishing and make friends with them.  Believe me when I tell you that many professors are on the look out for students who fish.  You might have to do some work, from time to time but it is worth it.  When I was in school - as a meat fishing bush hippie - I found several other professors who liked to fish.  They taught me how to fish out of a boat.   One guy who I'm still in contact with, ( I'm 63, he's 70 something now)  taught me to use a bait caster.  I frequently borrowed his gear - even when he went on sabbatical he left gear at my house for over a year a couple of different times.

Anyway, that would be my advice, i.e. get to know some professors at your school who are into fishing, help them out and they will help you out.  College tournament fishing wasn't a thing then.  I met the first couple of guys through a Communiversity fishing class and another guy who was the back yard neighbor of a hippie friend of mine who lived across town.