Need rod recommendations to pair with Shimano Sahara

[Fir3hawk]

Hey all,

 

Got a boat last year so I want to pick up another rod/reel to have as a backup and loan out to any friends/family that may come out on my boat. My current rod/reel setup is a Pflueger President spinner combo. President 7' MF 1 piece rod. I plan on using the Pflueger with my new rod/reel as well but the new one will be my primary rod/reel.

 

I fish freshwater lakes in the Kansas City area. I will be fishing from a TX-17 Bass Tracker, Ascend FS10 Kayak as well as off the shore. I typically fish for largemouth bass and crappie. A little bit of river fishing as well. I'd like to get into Walleye fishing at some point but Bass is what I like/want to catch. 

 

I've been looking at rods and reels and like the Shimano Saraha. I see they have a new model out for 2017.

 

Here's a few rods I've been looking at. I like the split cork handles btw.

Bass Pro Crankin’ Stick - $59 - Don't know much about this one but price is pretty good. 

Abu Garcia Vertias 2.0 - $79 - Seems to be a popular rod. Not sure I can put a Shimano reel on an Abu rod.  

Shimano Clarus - $79 - Like this one but seems like it may be over priced?

Shimano Compre $89 - Held this one at my local shop and really liked it. Lots of people say they are top-heavy. Wish it had a split cork grip.

St. Croix Bass-X $99 - This looks to be a very nice rod but at the very top of my price range.

Phenix Maxim $99 - Liked this one a lot as well. Again at the top of my price range.

 

I'm leaning towards a 6'6"-7' MF for rod type. 6-8' Probably looking at 6-8# Monofilament line.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Sahara is a fine reel. I'm a Stradic guy, myself.

I would suggest you try your reel on each rod,

if you can - in store - and see how they balance

out in your hands.

 

You may find some are too tip heavy, or just 

don't feel right.

 

They're all good rods, and BPS is having a sale

soon. Oh, the Crankin' stick is a casting rod, not

a spinning rod. Replace it with the Bionic Blade, 

and maybe add a BPS Carbonlite to the mix. I 

have several and they're great rods.

[Preytorien]

I've used my Saharas on both the Clarus and Compre rods and hands down the Compre was better, really that compre is one of my favorite rods period.

Like Darren said I would take the time to pair it with your options for rods and see what you like best.

[HigginsFishingMO]

Where are you located in the KC area? I'm a local as well.

[Chrisran99]

I'm a fan of Shimano spinning reels so I think the Sahara is a good choice. My wife only uses spinning reels and has 3 Sahara's. A 2500 on a Clarus 6'6" medium medium fast for Creeks, 6'8" Compre with a 3000 for bass and a 4000 on a 7' Falcon XG for anything bigger. Her favorite is the Compre setup she'll grab it before anything else and says there's no need to learn how to use a baitcaster, her spinning reels work just fine. I can't wait to see how the new model preforms.

[Fir3hawk]

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

Sahara is a fine reel. I'm a Stradic guy, myself.

I would suggest you try your reel on each rod,

if you can - in store - and see how they balance

out in your hands.

 

You may find some are too tip heavy, or just 

don't feel right.

 

They're all good rods, and BPS is having a sale

soon. Oh, the Crankin' stick is a casting rod, not

a spinning rod. Replace it with the Bionic Blade, 

and maybe add a BPS Carbonlite to the mix. I 

have several and they're great rods.

 

I actually looked at the Saraha when I bought my Pflueger 4 years ago and loved it I just couldn't beat the 59-79 deal they had running on the President at the time. Good catch on the Crankin stick, I actually just saw that on the weekly add that came in the mail and hadn't looked at it in person yet.

 

51 minutes ago, Preytorien said:

I've used my Saharas on both the Clarus and Compre rods and hands down the Compre was better, really that compre is one of my favorite rods period.

Like Darren said I would take the time to pair it with your options for rods and see what you like best.

 

Compre seems to be a heck of a rod I'm just bummed it doesn't come in cork and the comments about it being top heavy but I guess we'll see when I put a reel on it. It's also at the tip of my price point.

 

40 minutes ago, HigginsFishingMO said:

Where are you located in the KC area? I'm a local as well.

 

I'm located in Lenexa, usually fish smaller lakes around Joco but planning on hitting the bigger lakes (Hillsdale, Smithville, etc.) this year now that I'm starting to get comfortable with my boat I bought last spring. I'm also planning on trying to do a Beaver Lake or Table Rock/LOZ trip this summer.

 

Also, thoughts on the St. Croix Triumph? I'm hoping to go look at that one tomorrow. A little cheaper than the Bass-X

[HigginsFishingMO]

1 hour ago, Fir3hawk said:

 

I actually looked at the Saraha when I bought my Pflueger 4 years ago and loved it I just couldn't beat the 59-79 deal they had running on the President at the time. Good catch on the Crankin stick, I actually just saw that on the weekly add that came in the mail and hadn't looked at it in person yet.

 

 

Compre seems to be a heck of a rod I'm just bummed it doesn't come in cork and the comments about it being top heavy but I guess we'll see when I put a reel on it. It's also at the tip of my price point.

 

 

I'm located in Lenexa, usually fish smaller lakes around Joco but planning on hitting the bigger lakes (Hillsdale, Smithville, etc.) this year now that I'm starting to get comfortable with my boat I bought last spring. I'm also planning on trying to do a Beaver Lake or Table Rock/LOZ trip this summer.

 

Also, thoughts on the St. Croix Triumph? I'm hoping to go look at that one tomorrow. A little cheaper than the Bass-X

That's sweet man, I live about 20 minutes from KCI. As far as the rods go, you cannot go wrong with St. Croix. I'd pull the trigger if you're getting a good price 

[fishnkamp]

I would add a rod to your list. Look at a Powell Inferno 6103. It is a really nice rod. It is 6'10" a medium power rod with an extra fast tip. DO not worry it loads nice. Handles 1/8 to 1/2 ounce baits. I do not have this one but fish other Powell's. They make a great rod. The price is $99 I think it would be a good match with what you have already.

[roadwarrior]

[NYWayfarer]

9 hours ago, Fir3hawk said:

Also, thoughts on the St. Croix Triumph? I'm hoping to go look at that one tomorrow. A little cheaper than the Bass-X

 

Can't go wrong with a Triumph. I have one and it has performed flawlessly for years. The cork on the handles is some of the best I have ever felt.

 

Its amazing that this line is St. Croix's "value" line. If it's all you ever used you would think their high end rods can catch fish all by themselves.

[Fir3hawk]

Went to Cabelas on my lunch and was unimpressed. Abu Garcia Vertias didn't impress me much. Not a horrible but rather have the Phenix Maxim for $20 more. I couldn't find a shimanno rod to save my life, went up and down each isle twice. I know they had a few Compre when I was there a few weeks ago.

 

They had a ton of the St. Croix Bass-X which I believe is a new rod and I liked it a lot. Top of my price range though. Tried out the Triump as well and wasn't very impressed. The handle felt cheap to me. Bass-X was a bunch nicer for not much more money IMO.

 

Right now I'm between these models I believe:

Shimano Clarus

Shimano Compre

Phenix Maxim

St. Croix Bass-X

 

They are all in the $89-109 range. Any recommendations in the $59-79 range? Would like to get a better deal if possible. 

 

Also, Cabelas only had the old model of Sahara and wanted $79 or $89 for it so that was pretty disappointing as well.

 

Bass Pro or Dicks trip in my future I suppose.

[Fir3hawk]

Alright folks I believe I've got it narrowed down to 2 reels and 3 rods.

 

Reels:

Shimano Sahara SH3000FE - Last years model $45.08 on clearance (SH2500FE is $59.98)

Shimano Sahara SH2500FE - 2017 model. $79.99

 

The new model is lighter, they removed the reverse lock, and its a 5# more drag (15 vs 20) and added a bearing (4 vs 5). The handle is also a bit bigger and t-shapped.

 

Rods:

Shimano Crucial CRS-70MB - $79.98 clearance. Feels pretty similar to the compre however no split grip and it's cork.

Shimano Compre CPS68MC - $84.99 clearance

St. Croix Bass-X - BXS71MF - $99.99 with a free shirt.  This is a new rod

 

I like the split grips a lot, and the bass-x is cork so I think that's the one I'd want the most. Again, top of my price range and it's a new rod so the only place I've found it (locally) is Cabelas. That with a 2017 Sahara is $180 plus line and tax puts me over $200. I may be able to find a coupon or buy online to save tax.

 

[Darren.]

19 minutes ago, Fir3hawk said:

Alright folks I believe I've got it narrowed down to 2 reels and 3 rods.

 

Reels:

Shimano Sahara SH3000FE - Last years model $45.08 on clearance (SH2500FE is $59.98)

Shimano Sahara SH2500FE - 2017 model. $79.99

 

The new model is lighter, they removed the reverse lock, and its a 5# more drag (15 vs 20) and added a bearing (4 vs 5). The handle is also a bit bigger and t-shapped.

 

Rods:

Shimano Crucial CRS-70MB - $79.98 clearance. Feels pretty similar to the compre however no split grip and it's cork.

Shimano Compre CPS68MC - $84.99 clearance

St. Croix Bass-X - BXS71MF - $99.99 with a free shirt.  This is a new rod

 

I like the split grips a lot, and the bass-x is cork so I think that's the one I'd want the most. Again, top of my price range and it's a new rod so the only place I've found it (locally) is Cabelas. That with a 2017 Sahara is $180 plus line and tax puts me over $200. I may be able to find a coupon or buy online to save tax.

 

 

Those are great rods you have selected, and you really can't go

wrong with the prices. If you like the Croix, grab it, but personally,

the Crucial is a steal. I'd take either split or full cork. But if u like 

split/cork more, go for the Croix.

 

And as for the reels, if money isn't an issue grab the 2017, there's

new Shimano tech in it which is a good thing.

[jbw252]

You can't go wrong with a St Croix rod.  Pair it with a Stradic & you'll be in fishing heaven.  Beware of being too economical (cheap), you get what you pay for.  You can pick up some great used fishing gear in the Fishing Flea Market forum.  

[MDRookie]

Hi.. where can the crucial be found for $80? Thanks..

[Fir3hawk]

1 hour ago, MDRookie said:

Hi.. where can the crucial be found for $80? Thanks..

Academy has them on clearance by me.

 

[Oklahoma Mike]

Out of the ones you listed, the Bass-X would be my first choice and the Phenix would be my second.

[GreenGhostMan]

I picked up a sahara 2500 on sale from Dicks a couple weeks ago for $59.  I don't finesse fish as much so I go pretty cheap on my spinning setups.  Paired it with a Berkley lightning 6'6" medium.  Nothing fancy, but takes care of my occasional shakey head fishing.

[Fir3hawk]

Well I went ahead and ordered what I wanted. Came out to be a bit more than I really wanted to spend but I figure they'll last me a really long time and if I don't buy what I want then I'll just want to upgrade sooner.

 

Ordered a St. Croix Bass-X 7' Medium Fast (BXS71MF) along with the Shimano Sahara 2500 (SH2500FI). Gonna pair that with Berkley Triline XL Monofilament 10# line.

 

Bought it online because I had a coupon code and it won't be here until March 9th. Hoping it'll be sooner than that though.