Thinking about getting a new rod. I need your help.

[apj]

I'm thinking of getting a rod in the future and not sure what type of rod to get. I was thinking of getting a Kistler Helium, a E6X, or a Avid X. What's your guy's opinion on this situation. Or possibly another rod suggestion other than those three.

[Oklahoma Mike]

AvidX would be my choice among those rods, and it wouldn't even be close for me. I don't like the guides on the E6X. I don't think you really get value from Loomis until you get into at least the IMX. As for Kistler, I am not a fan of their warranty. I also think the AvidX has the best sensitivity out of these choices. 

[NYBasser]

I'd go with a Kistler KLX or Helix if you are looking for sensitivity. If you are more interested with warranty, it's hard to beat a Dobyns. St. Croix makes good rods, but its hard to justify $200 for an AvidX when you can get the new Mojo Bass for $130, same blank.  

[timsford]

Any of those 3 would be a great rod. I'd choose the helium 3 personally because of the nfc blank. It just has that it factor for me. The avid or avid X are very nice rods as well though, and no slouch when it comes to sensitivity, and I've heard lots of people that really like the e6x so I'd say you can't go wrong with any of the ones you mentioned

What is your budget on the new rod? Casting or spinning? What techniques are you needing to get a rod to cover, or do you want an all around type rod. What species do you fish for? Where do you live and what type of water do you fish? I know that seems like a lot of questions, but it's hard to recommend anything without knowing a little more

[apj]

Around $200, Casting, Flipping Rod, LMB's, and Midwest. @timsford

[timsford]

The klx or helium 3 would both be great choices but they are a little over 200. Personally I'd get the 13 *** black on sale for 220 at tackle warehouse, but if you are wanting an American made rod, either of the kistlers would be great choices. I'd also look around and see what I could find used. I've seen good condition loomis glx bcr flipping rods go for around the same price, and if you are open to buying used, you can get some great deals. 

[NorcalBassin]

Avid or E6x. Could be partially brainwashed by those two companies, but I have a number of each of their rods and always enjoy fishing with them. 

[RichD913]

15 hours ago, NYBasser said:

I'd go with a Kistler KLX or Helix if you are looking for sensitivity. If you are more interested with warranty, it's hard to beat a Dobyns. St. Croix makes good rods, but its hard to justify $200 for an AvidX when you can get the new Mojo Bass for $130, same blank.  

How do you get that info? I would have never known that and probably went with the avid!

[NYBasser]

Says it on their website. Both use the SCIII Blank.

[apj]

Now I'm really considering a Mojo Bass for the price. I really like Dobyns Warranty though but, I want that Helium NFC Blank so bad for some reason. I have a lot of thinking to do.

[WPCfishing]

On 9/29/2016 at 8:21 PM, apj said:

Now I'm really considering a Mojo Bass for the price. I really like Dobyns Warranty though but, I want that Helium NFC Blank so bad for some reason. I have a lot of thinking to do.

It's not the same. It's a rod totally made in Mexico. It's not even close to the Avid.

look at an Abu Garcia Villian 2.0 they're outstanding rods.

[S. Sass]

16 minutes ago, WPCfishing said:

It's not the same. It's a rod totally made in Mexico. It's not even close to the Avid.

Whats different?

Where one is made vs another doesn't necessarily mean its not the same does it? BigMacs are made all over the world still a BigMac. 

Just reading on St Croix website comparing the features word for word they claim the same thing makes them kind a close.

Just asking for some clarification.   All this blank talk is confusing. I was considering the Mojo Bass Slop-N-Frog / Swim Jig rod. 

AvidX - "Featuring classic SCIII graphite blanks with IPC® tooling technology,"

Quote

Features:

Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.

Premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite.

Mojo Bass - "Now featuring SCIII graphite and IPC® tooling technology,"

Quote

Features:

Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) tooling technology.

Premium, high-modulus SCIII graphite.

 

[apj]

55 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

Whats different?

Where one is made vs another doesn't necessarily mean its not the same does it? BigMacs are made all over the world still a BigMac. 

Just reading on St Croix website comparing the features word for word they claim the same thing makes them kind a close.

Just asking for some clarification.   All this blank talk is confusing. I was considering the Mojo Bass Slop-N-Frog / Swim Jig rod. 

AvidX - "Featuring classic SCIII graphite blanks with IPC® tooling technology,"

Mojo Bass - "Now featuring SCIII graphite and IPC® tooling technology,"

 

Well said, I will have to agree with you. Same rod, different name.

[S. Sass]

9 minutes ago, apj said:

Well said, I will have to agree with you. Same rod, different name.

I'm not saying I am correct I am asking for clarification of what WPCfishing is stating. Because based on what St Croix is advertising it sure looks like its the same. I am no expert on any rod blanks I just read and try to from reliable sources like the manufacturer.

I was thinking maybe he was thinking of the older Mojo Bass rods?

[WPCfishing]

12 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

I'm not saying I am correct I am asking for clarification of what WPCfishing is stating. Because based on what St Croix is advertising it sure looks like its the same. I am no expert on any rod blanks I just read and try to from reliable sources like the manufacturer.

I was thinking maybe he was thinking of the older Mojo Bass rods?

No I wasn't thinking of the old rod. Why would a company sell the same two rods with different model names at a huge price difference. 

The claims they make are true but the materials that make up the rods are of different quality. 

Hold both rods.. you will know instantly they are not the same. 

 

[apj]

15 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

I'm not saying I am correct I am asking for clarification of what WPCfishing is stating. Because based on what St Croix is advertising it sure looks like its the same. I am no expert on any rod blanks I just read and try to from reliable sources like the manufacturer.

I was thinking maybe he was thinking of the older Mojo Bass rods?

I'm no expert myself but being a fantastic company like St. Croix I feel like we could trust that the blanks are the same, or they could just be telling us what we want to hear which is very possible. But, there has to be a catch.

Either way for the price of the St. Croix Mojo Bass it is a great deal for a rod.

[S. Sass]

4 minutes ago, WPCfishing said:

No I wasn't thinking of the old rod. Why would a company sell the same two rods with different model names at a huge price difference. 

The claims they make are true but the materials that make up the rods are of different quality. 

Hold both rods.. you will know instantly they are not the same. 

I dont know why, a lot of companies do a lot of the crazy pricing they do. I have seen some ludicrous pricing over the years on products that were identical other than the wrapper. I worked at the company and know first hand the packaging was the only difference. As long as people think they are getting something better they kept selling them that way.  

As far as the 2 rods I don't have them to hold so that part I cant compare. That is why manufacturers should be listing the features that will help sell the products and show where one is worthy of the higher price point.

As for if they are using the same SCIII blank unless the people making these rods have royally screwed up it states on their website right here on their BLANK MATERIALS GUIDE page SCIII - Featured in Avid Series®, Avid X, Avid Pearl, Mojo Bass, Avid Series® Inshore, Avid Series® Surf rods.  

Maybe they are considering the 10 more years of warranty on the AvidX along with this listed different from the Mojo Bass in the Features to justify the price?

Quote

Incredibly light, super sensitive and durable.

Slim-profile ferrules.

Kigan Z micro-guide platform reduces weight while maintaining proper stripper guide ring height for optimum line flow efficiency. Z guides feature slim, strong aluminum-oxide rings with gunsmoke frames.

 

18 minutes ago, apj said:

I'm no expert myself but being a fantastic company like St. Croix I feel like we could trust that the blanks are the same, or they could just be telling us what we want to hear which is very possible. But, there has to be a catch.

Either way for the price of the St. Croix Mojo Bass it is a great deal for a rod.

I dont know about a catch but I agree the reviews of the new Mojo rods are pretty good across the board from what I have read. 

[WPCfishing]

2 hours ago, S. Sass said:

I dont know why, a lot of companies do a lot of the crazy pricing they do. I have seen some ludicrous pricing over the years on products that were identical other than the wrapper. I worked at the company and know first hand the packaging was the only difference. As long as people think they are getting something better they kept selling them that way.  

As far as the 2 rods I don't have them to hold so that part I cant compare. That is why manufacturers should be listing the features that will help sell the products and show where one is worthy of the higher price point.

As for if they are using the same SCIII blank unless the people making these rods have royally screwed up it states on their website right here on their BLANK MATERIALS GUIDE page SCIII - Featured in Avid Series®, Avid X, Avid Pearl, Mojo Bass, Avid Series® Inshore, Avid Series® Surf rods.  

Maybe they are considering the 10 more years of warranty on the AvidX along with this listed different from the Mojo Bass in the Features to justify the price?

 

I dont know about a catch but I agree the reviews of the new Mojo rods are pretty good across the board from what I have read. 

I'm sure the folks who buy them like them but, they're not the same rod as the Avid.

In fact I'd put my money in a Premier before a Mojo. 

I've held the Avid, Premier and Mojo. The Mojo was heavier, not as well balanced or finished as nicely as the other two. Personally I would not buy any of them. 

 

[apj]

7 hours ago, WPCfishing said:

I'm sure the folks who buy them like them but, they're not the same rod as the Avid.

In fact I'd put my money in a Premier before a Mojo. 

I've held the Avid, Premier and Mojo. The Mojo was heavier, not as well balanced or finished as nicely as the other two. Personally I would not buy any of them. 

 

What would you buy then?

[RichD913]

I can only speak for st croix, I own a Rage and my new Premier Crankbait, my brother has the mojo bass. There is something about the mojo bass I don't like. I wish it weren't the case because it's so affordable!

[Catt]

iRod

[fvogel67]

My current Spinning rod lineup:

Gen 2 Mojo 6'8'MXF  

Gen 2 Mojo 6'10' MLXF 

G Loomis E6X  7'1" 852S JWR  

Gen 1 Abu Villian 6'9" ML

Premier 6'6' MF Split Grip

The new Mojos in my opinion are lights out,Great rods for the price.WPCfishing is right though,Hold the Avid or the Avid X and there is a difference.

My G Loomis is also awesome,I really enjoy fishing with it.Light,Responsive and for $144 at Field and Stream a no brainer

The Abu Villian is probably my favorite stick.Paired with a Stradic FJ 2500,It's well balanced and ultra sensitive.

My Premier is the St Croix/Cabelas exclusive that I bought last year.Well balanced,well built and just a fantastic rod.

You really can't go wrong with any of the above rods,It's up to you and your wallet and the deals you can find.

 

[fvogel67]

Small fish I know ,But just a pic of the Stradic and the Villian

[Hulkster]

i'll put in another vote for the Loomis E6X. I have one (baitcast version) but I think it is amazing for the money. light well balanced and sensitive.

[Airman4754]

I vote for Phenix Recon 2.