Derrick Parker Posted June 21, 2017 Posted June 21, 2017 I'm looking at buying a flipping setup and upgrading my rods at the same time. I'm wanting to stay around $200 a rod. If you were buying one certain rod in different weights and lengths. What would you buy ? So far I've looked at the Dawia zillion, okuma tcs and Helios, and the lews pro speed stick. Anyone have opinions on these rods or any other recommended rods ? Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted June 21, 2017 Super User Posted June 21, 2017 Given your price point, I'd suggest looking at the St. Croix Avid X line of rods. Great rod right at your price point. Also, if you're willing to wait a little bit, the St. Croix Legend Tournament rods have been given a redesign and should be making an appearance at Icast this year. The current generation will be discounted to make room for new at a lot of retailers putting those in your price range as well. 1 Quote
SFL BassHunter Posted June 21, 2017 Posted June 21, 2017 The Daiwa Tatula rods and they are under 200 a piece. Other than that I would say Dobyns Sierra line. I have an Avid X spinning rod. Haven't really used it enough yet to make a determination on that. Quote
kstephes033 Posted June 21, 2017 Posted June 21, 2017 I would get a mix of the Daiwa Tatula Elite, Cronos, and original tatula rods. They are all very nice, light weight, good balance, great sensitivity, and comfortable to fish with. The AGS series in the tat elites are nice as i do have a few, but not sure if the warrant the additional cost on top of the regular elites or the other 2 mentioned. All rods mentioned other than the AGS version of elites can be had for under $200. 2 Quote
Derrick Parker Posted June 21, 2017 Author Posted June 21, 2017 Anyone compare the differences in the zillion and tatula rods ? Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted June 21, 2017 Super User Posted June 21, 2017 43 minutes ago, Derrick Parker said: Anyone compare the differences in the zillion and tatula rods ? This isn't first hand knowledge, but I recall reading in several places that folks can't tell the difference, that the blanks were the same and only the grips and guides somewhat different. Summary was that the Zillion wasn't worth the higher price. In your price range, I'd suggest you look at St Croix Avids/Avid X or Kistler KLX. Quote
Derrick Parker Posted June 21, 2017 Author Posted June 21, 2017 8 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said: This isn't first hand knowledge, but I recall reading in several places that folks can't tell the difference, that the blanks were the same and only the grips and guides somewhat different. Summary was that the Zillion wasn't worth the higher price. In your price range, I'd suggest you look at St Croix Avids/Avid X or Kistler KLX. Ahh okay. Thanks man! I have a legend tournament now but I got it for 50% off. I like that rod and I've thought about sticking with them but they're $250+. I'll have to check out the kistler klx. Quote
Super User Further North Posted June 21, 2017 Super User Posted June 21, 2017 2 hours ago, WIGuide said: Given your price point, I'd suggest looking at the St. Croix Avid X line of rods. Great rod right at your price point. Also, if you're willing to wait a little bit, the St. Croix Legend Tournament rods have been given a redesign and should be making an appearance at Icast this year. The current generation will be discounted to make room for new at a lot of retailers putting those in your price range as well. Spot on, IMO. Quote
Rich in Co Posted June 21, 2017 Posted June 21, 2017 I would look at ALX also they asre very nice rods for the price point Quote
Derrick Parker Posted June 21, 2017 Author Posted June 21, 2017 If I jumped up to the $250 price point per rod. What rod would you guys recommend ? Quote
fishindad Posted June 21, 2017 Posted June 21, 2017 I have fished a lot of different rods over the years and would highly recommend you check out Falcon Cara rods. Their ST Finesse Jig rod and Amistad are two rods I'll never be without. I don't flip at all so I don't know about their flipping sticks. My next suggestion would be Dobyns Champions as I have heard their 765 Flippin rod is a special stick and they have an excellent line of bass rods also. Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 21, 2017 Super User Posted June 21, 2017 Dobyns Champion DX series offers an excellent quality and wide range of casting rods plus you can talk to the owner Gary Dobyns with any questions regarding his rods, great customer service. Price point averages $250. Take a look at the line up. ALX Zolo series would also be a good choice, Alex makes my custom rods. Price point is approx $225. Tom Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted June 22, 2017 Super User Posted June 22, 2017 I have come to really like the Dobyns Sierras ($170 ish) and Dobyns Champions XPs (DC... for $230-$290) Irod Genesis II rods for around $150 and Powell Max 3D rods for $160. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted June 22, 2017 Super User Posted June 22, 2017 I don't own any high end rods but right now if I could replace all of mine with one series, I'd go Diawa Tatula (haven't tried the elites but I;m sure if we're just trying to stay under 200 a rod I'd go with those, can't see them being any worse than the regular ones). 1 Quote
jtesch Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 Another vote for the Tatula, I'm not sure if it's the same blank as the Zillion but the actions are identical. Another rod that is right at your upper end is the Abu Villain 2.0. It's really close to a JDM rod and pretty special to fish with. Blows away a Croix legend tourney in my opinion Quote
mwh33 Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 At $250, I would take a look at Dobyns XP series. Their flipping rods are great. I have a 765 flip I use for flipping, pitching, and throwing heavier moving baits (excluding crankbaits and jerkbaits). Quote
mllrtm79 Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 at the $250 per rod price point I would go custom, have someone build out exactly what you want in each rod. something like this... 1 Quote
PAbasser927 Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 I am really liking the tatulas as well. I have one of the original bass rods that I use as a "do everything" rod while I build up my collection. I also just picked up an elite model for finesse. They both fish above their price range, IMO. Considering you can pick up the originals for about $100, I will probably look back to them for my next rod when I pick up something beefier for fishing jigs. 1 Quote
RichF Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 Another vote for St Croix and Kistler. I'm also a huge fan of the Shimano Zodias line. Getting custom rods would be nice but they don't come with replacement warranty programs like most brands do. I'd kick myself if I spent $250 on a custom build and had it break. Quote
jimf Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 I have gone through a period of upgrading over 3 years now, as I have gone back to more conventional fishing after mostly fly fishing for ~20 years. My current lineup is almost all St. Croix: Mojo Bass Crankbait Rod (older generation, my least favorite rod of the bunch). I use it for crankbaits. Mojo Bass Frog Rod - 7'2" H/F. I use it for frogs. Avid 7' MH/F. Multi-use rod, but lately it's mostly had a jig tied to it. LTB 6'8" MH/F. Worm rod. Avid spinning - 6'6" M/F. Shaky-heads, Walleye jigging. Avid X - 6'6" MH/F. Spinnerbaits Triumph spinning - 6'6" ML/F. Finesse Daiwa Lexa - 6'6" M/XF. Was my spinnerbait rod but I just replaced it, probably topwater stuff. St. Croix Panfish model - 6' UL. Panfish. I really liked the St. Croix fly rods that I had purchased over the years, and naturally looked at those when I started beefing up my conventional lineup. Once I bought an Avid I was sold for good. Quote
XpressJeff Posted June 22, 2017 Posted June 22, 2017 I would love to be able to do that! Good luck. Quote
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