Cheap Rod recommendation

[cmoberly]

I have a 7' MH Abu Garcia Veritas 1.0 that I really like and I'm going to get 2 more rods before tournaments start in August. I am in high school so I don't have a ton of money to spend. What are some good rods I can get for a reasonable price? Nothing over $100

[roadwarrior]

[fishnkamp]

I believe you were asking about $100 for just the rod. If so here are my thoughts.  You also did not say what other rods you have, like a spinning rod.  The Veritas are good rods and I fish two of them. They do run sorta on the heavy side of their rating. My two are original Veritas. One is a 7 ft MH which I use for throwing frogs and the other is a 7' HVY for big jigs in deep water. The 7 ft Medium is great for traps and cranks so you could consider one of those. Your rod is perfect for bottom contact baits like jigs,carolina rigs, all of your texas rigs like worms and creature baits etc.  But here are some other ideas in that price range.

 This is going to sound cheap but the rod works really well. Look at WalMart for a  Berkley Lightning  Shock rod in the 6'6" Medium. It throws cranks, traps, spinnerbaits and other baits well and has a soft enough tip for treble baits while still having plenty of backbone. I use it for bass, cats and big stripers.  From Walmart it runs around $40.  If it is not in your local WalMart check on their website. Lews has some nice rods from $60 to 75. Lews has a new Mach 1 combo which seems like a good deal. It comes with the Mach1 Speed Spool which cost $119 separately, They sell that reel and an IM8 rod for $150 together. Not a bad price.

For just rods to consider look at the Powell Inferno at $79.00.  The Falcon Buccoo rods retail for $110 but often can be found for around $50 online or at Walmart. Look at Cabelas they have a bunch of rods in that $50 to $80 price range.

Since you have a heavier action rod I would think about getting a rod Like the Falcon Buccoo 7 ft Medium moderate rod called the TrapMaster or the Berkley Lightning Shock. If you match that up with a decent reel it would cover a lot of baits between those two rods.  My next rod would be ( assuming you do not own a rod like this) a really good spinning rod to throw lightweight baits like Senkos shakeyheads,drop shots, floating weightless worms and Ned rgs. If you have not thrown a Ned Rig add this 3 inch bait made by ZMan to you tackle box. Just research "TRD THe Real Deal"  Ned rig. It will be needed in your arsenal.  I would look at spending a little more on a rod here.  Look at the Dobyns Fury 703. Or possibly a Powell 6103. Then match it up with your favorite reel. Right now Dick Sporting goods has the Pflueger President on sale for $50 after mail in rebate,  Those three rods, your Veritas, a medium moderate rod like the Buccoo or Lightning Shock and a real good spinning rod, would do really well as a base of equipment.  

[Caliyak]

On 7/19/2016 at 8:33 AM, cmoberly said:

I have a 7' MH Abu Garcia Veritas 1.0 that I really like and I'm going to get 2 more rods before tournaments start in August. I am in high school so I don't have a ton of money to spend. What are some good rods I can get for a reasonable price? Nothing over $100

Simple, go with the Berkley Shock MH 7 for both. At my Walmart, $40 each. Two for one. 

[Bluebasser86]

The Ethos rods from Academy are the best rods under $100 IMO. I have several that I use in my starting lineup. 

[blckshirt98]

TriumphX rods on sale at St. Croix for $60 with free shipping!

[Josh Smith]

Cherrywood HD for one of them.

Josh