Need 3 rod suggestions please

[NHBull]

Got a buddy that is looking to pick up 3 spinning set-up

1. His passion is poppers and small top waters

2.. His second set up would be for worm/ jig

3.  His third would be for waters in between, but no deep diving CB

He is looking to spend approximately 150.00 per rod.

......and he wants all spinning and fishes from a boat and kayak.

I am little help, since the only rods  I am comfortable with are Loomis.

Thanks, I am sure he will join here this week

Al

[Fishin' Fool]

That's tough to answer because rods 2 & 3 probably would be best suited as casting rods. I think for rod 1 you are looking for a short rod 6'6" to 6'10". I'd say ML to M power at most.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@NHBull:  As a kayak guy, I’ve found the Manley baitcaster rod to be the best thing since sliced bread!  (manleyrods.com)  I am in no position to speak of it’s sensitivity compared to all the big-name rods, but I found it to be a huge step up from the venerable UglyStik Rods with which I started. And for a kayak guy, the adjustable butt length is marvelous. The butt can be adjusted a distance of six inches so it’s no hassle in a kayak, but extends for my bank fishing. He may want to take a look at the MRK5GM17 spinning rod which extends from 7’ to 7’6” and is rated as M/F and suitable for lure weights from 3/16- to 5/8-ounce. It may be a tad heavier than other comparable rods, but that retractable butt is worth its weight in gold to me.  Anyway, the construction on mine seems flawless and the Gold Series was $150.00 shipped to my door in a PVC tube. Another biggie for me is Mr. Manley’s willingness to talk to even hacks like me who made a one-rod purchase ... so far.  Might be worth a look.

[new2BC4bass]

From what I have read it seems most kayakers prefer short rods.  I am a big fan of the original Tatula rods.  However, I don't own any spinning models.  Your friend might be interested in the 6'8" MF model.  Can be found for as low as $105 (check ebay)...a $150 rod.  It should fulfill #3 if the power is okay for his needs.  Love my casting models.

 

Someone like fishnkamp would have to comment on the Dobyns Fury line.  A Fury or Mojo (new model) should work great for #2.

 

I have no idea for #1.  It seems actions for those techniques can be all over the map depending on the user's preferences.

 

To be honest, I have stayed with baitcast gear since getting back into fishing in '09 (and learning there were such things as technique specific rods).  So take my answers with a big helping of salt.  I am basing my opinions on what I would choose for a casting rod.  This year I plan on fishing spinning gear a lot more often.

 

TT gave the Villain 2.0 6'10" MLF an Editor's Choice Award.  Rated for 1/8-1/2 oz., they were able to cast a drop shot setup with a 1/16 oz. weight.  Sensitivity was said to really shine.  It is a $200 rod.  I ordered one last night from OpticsPlanet for $138.49 with free shipping.  

 

EDIT: Does your friend need any new spinning reels to go with these new rods?  I also ordered a Daiwa BG 1500 from ABCD for a bit over $75.  It is a $100 reel, and gets excellent reviews.

[NHBull]

New2BC4bass,.....he does and will pass that along

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

What @new2BC4bass said about the Daiwa BG spinning reels! I grabbed a 2500 last fall and they are, in my opinion, a really good buy even at the full retail price of $100.00.  Much as I loved my old Pflueger President, I found the BG sits just a little closer to the ferrule which makes it easier for me to control feathering during my casts. (Unlike our president, I have rather short stubby fingers!) Also has a wider diameter spool which, in my opinion, means the line coils are not as small as on the Pflueger and seems to improve casting and line management. For me it balances well on a Lew’s TP1 6’8” ML/F rod for my finesse fishing but still slings a wacky rig, KVD 1.5 squarebill, or small Rapala X-Rap (1/4 ounce) as far as I need.

 

Edit: Probably could have gone with a smaller size reel, but I didn’t know if the smaller sizes have the wide-diameter spool and just like the way it balances the rod for me.

[new2BC4bass]

It would help for rod suggestions if we knew more about the lure weights and cover he fishes.  Whenever I consider a spinning rod I am looking at no more than a Medium power rod as I prefer baitcast reels for everything in that power and above.

[NHBull]

He mostly throws 3/8 poppers

 

3/8 jerks

 

5 " weightless senkos

 

Shallow CB.

 

All of which I see on a Med spinning rod......the action and flex is the sticking point.

 

As an example, he is looking at a M/Xf e6x for worm/jig.

And there are plenty of BC options for the others, but spinning, not so much

 

 

 

[Darren.]

If he goes with a St. Croix I'd think he could easily

go with a MLXF in whatever length he wants. Short

to me is under 6'6", and I'm a yakker who prefers

5'9"-6' primarily, but use as long as 6'6".

 

He'd have to look at the Premier series at Croix to

stay under $150. But there are so many great rods

in that price range. He's got plenty of choices. I'd

go with a MF or MLF for the CB.

[NHBull]

6 minutes ago, Darren. said:

If he goes with a St. Croix I'd think he could easily

go with a MLXF in whatever length he wants. Short

to me is under 6'6", and I'm a yakker who prefers

5'9"-6' primarily, but use as long as 6'6".

 

He'd have to look at the Premier series at Croix to

stay under $150. But there are so many great rods

in that price range. He's got plenty of choices. I'd

go with a MF or MLF for the CB.

I was hoping you would chime in as he reminds me of you...

[Darren.]

21 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I was hoping you would chime in as he reminds me of you...

I'd have responded sooner but I was finishing the trophy

presentation of the Australian Open! Roger Federer is a 

class act and amazing champ. I'm a huge tennis fan if you

can't tell. 

 

Really like my MLF Premier that I use for soft plastics.

It's a 6 footer that I shortened to 5'9" for close quarter

fishing (under low bridges, in the sticks, skipping, etc.),

but I use it in open water all the time, too.

 

That stick runs $120, PS60MLF. I like the Carbonlites, too,

but haven't tried the new ones which are $120 now. Probably

won't be going that route any more (the BPS rod) as I'd like

to either stay with the Premiers or give Fenwick a try some

day.

[WRB]

Just rods or combos for $150 each?

Finesse Major Craft Don Iovino spinning rod

General bass spinning rod,2 Dobyns FR 703.

Reels; Shimano Sharah F1 2500.

Tom

[NHBull]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Just rods or combos for $150 each?

Finesse Major Craft Don Iovino spinning rod

General bass spinning rod,2 Dobyns FR 703.

Reels; Shimano Sharah F1 2500.

Tom

Just rods Tom

[WRB]

20 hours ago, NHBull said:

Just rods Tom

I would start with 1 each of the above and add a 3rd after fishing with both. Dobyns rods you can upgrade by contacting Gary, Major Craft Don Iovino is currently out of stock at TW. I like Don's spinning rod it fishes above it's power rating yet excellent drop shot, slip shot and Senko rod.

Tom

PS, I went out and looked at the rod and need to correct the Major Craft rod, it's not the finesse rod it's NAS-WJ70MH, 7' jig & worm rod 3/16-5/8 oz- 8 -14 lb line I was thinking of.

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

I'd have responded sooner but I was finishing the trophy

presentation of the Australian Open! Roger Federer is a 

class act and amazing champ. I'm a huge tennis fan if you

can't tell. 

 

Really like my MLF Premier that I use for soft plastics.

It's a 6 footer that I shortened to 5'9" for close quarter

fishing (under low bridges, in the sticks, skipping, etc.),

but I use it in open water all the time, too.

 

That stick runs $120, PS60MLF. I like the Carbonlites, too,

but haven't tried the new ones which are $120 now. Probably

won't be going that route any more (the BPS rod) as I'd like

to either stay with the Premiers or give Fenwick a try some

day.

I've always felt I got very good value for my money with Fenwick.  I have HMG, Elite Tech, Elite Tech Smallmouth and Aetos models.

 

NHBull, the Aetos 6'6" MF is $156 at Glen's Army Navy.  A $44 savings.  Barely over his budget.  I've got a few Aetos...the originals...and will be using the 7' MF spinning rod rated 1/16-3/4 oz. and 6-14 lb. this summer.  The new ones don't have as wide a lure range.  Smalljaw67 has much more on the water experience with Aetos rods than I do.  Maybe he will chime in with an opinion or two.

[fluna]

I fish from a kayak and use Fenwick HMG 6' rods and St.Croix Premier 6' rod with Pfluger Supreme xt's and fish what your friend does plus buzz baits. I do quite well with these rods. Bass Pro Fishing Classic starts 02/16/18 if you live near one and they always offer a trade in credit for used rods/reels. Can be a cheap old rod or reel.

[ratherbfishin1]

11 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

That's tough to answer because rods 2 & 3 probably would be best suited as casting rods. I think for rod 1 you are looking for a short rod 6'6" to 6'10". I'd say ML to M power at most.

My thoughts exactly

 

for number two I would go m,mh at the most, bass pro carbonlite rod. imo it is an amazing rod

[CTBassin860]

13 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

From what I have read it seems most kayakers prefer short rods.  I am a big fan of the original Tatula rods.  However, I don't own any spinning models.  Your friend might be interested in the 6'8" MF model.  Can be found for as low as $105 (check ebay)...a $150 rod.  It should fulfill #3 if the power is okay for his needs.  Love my casting models.

 

Someone like fishnkamp would have to comment on the Dobyns Fury line.  A Fury or Mojo (new model) should work great for #2.

 

I have no idea for #1.  It seems actions for those techniques can be all over the map depending on the user's preferences.

 

To be honest, I have stayed with baitcast gear since getting back into fishing in '09 (and learning there were such things as technique specific rods).  So take my answers with a big helping of salt.  I am basing my opinions on what I would choose for a casting rod.  This year I plan on fishing spinning gear a lot more often.

 

TT gave the Villain 2.0 6'10" MLF an Editor's Choice Award.  Rated for 1/8-1/2 oz., they were able to cast a drop shot setup with a 1/16 oz. weight.  Sensitivity was said to really shine.  It is a $200 rod.  I ordered one last night from OpticsPlanet for $138.49 with free shipping.  

 

EDIT: Does your friend need any new spinning reels to go with these new rods?  I also ordered a Daiwa BG 1500 from ABCD for a bit over $75.  It is a $100 reel, and gets excellent reviews.

2nd on the 6'8" MF, but i'm going to say the St.Croix Mojo Bass wacky rod. I throw poppers,spooks,jerkbaits. Plus wacky and the rest of my worming needs. Very versatile rod. I'm not throwing a jig on anything but a baitcaster and 7-7'2" MHF rod. #3 I would be using a 7' MM and baitcaster out of preference. However my gf catches plenty of bass throwing a 1.5 on a 6' UL BPS rod. Also 2nd the 1500 Daiwa BG! Solid reel for the money.

[fishnkamp]

Here is my two cents for what it is worth.

Now my wife fishes nothing but spinning and I have had some challenges finding her the right rods for such techniques as jigs, frogs and popping perch, pop rs. etc.

 

Lets tackle the worm, jig rod. My wife loves her Irod Genesis II IRG 713S.  It is matched with a Pflueger Supreme.

I do not see why that would not also handle your poppers as well.

For smaller baits like drop shots, tubes, grubs, shakey heads, fluke style baits etc I would look at a Powell Inferno 6103 MEF.  That is a workhorse. 

Rod number 3 is where I am confused.  Does he want a heavier rod that can throw a frog and bigger walk the dog style baits? If so her heavier duty jig rod is a Dobyns Sierra SA 705 SF and it is a great frog- walk the dog, heavy jig rod.

If he would rather have a rod to throw wake baits, shallow to mid depth cranks( down to say 15 ft) rattle traps etc than he can save a bunch of money on this one and go with a Berkley Lightning Shock rod. My wife and I both fish with G Loomis rods, Powells, Irods, Dobyns etc and yet the Shock series handle traps and cranks for both of us. When the striper bite is on here in the fall, I need to have 3 or four different traps tied on at the same time. For bass, I have a great Falcon rod and a great Irod that I use for cranking most of the time. To save money and fulfill our needs in the fall, I load a couple of Lightning Rod Shocks onto the deck and they always perform well.  Her spinning version is a 6'6" medium power mod action. It is perfect and costs like $50. 

 

If he chooses this rod, then he could upgrade to a higher priced rod for #2. 

With the $100 savings, I would suggest a G Loomis GL3 series 6'6" rod, either a SJR782 or a SJR783. These rods run $210 and $240 from American Legacy.  You know the quality and sensitivity of the G Loomis stuff.

I love my SJR 722 ( that is the 6' version) for all kinds of plastics, and it fishes stuff like a Rapala minnow well too.  If I replaced my 721 and 722 rods today, I would go with the 6'6" versions. Those rods get used for everything from Ned rigs, tubes grubs and a ton more.

 

[roadwarrior]