6' Casting Rod Recommendations Sub $300

[archeryman20]

Hello,

 

I'm looking to replace my "truck" rod (an old 6'6" 2-piece Shimano Clarus). I mostly fish from the shore, and have to deal with lots of trees, so sub 6"6" is a must. I mostly use 1/8-3/16 oz jigs or tubes (for smallies, or largemouth), so prefer L-M power (depending on the manufacturer). 

The G.Loomis 721 is what I'm leaning towards now; curious what others are using in this application as well. 

 

Regards,

 

One Frozen Hooiser

 

[LAO162]

I have an SJR 723 for close spinning work.  I've used it for weightless senkos, but the 3 power would be too much for your L-M work.  2  power is closer to M power, so 721 sounds about right if light is more important to you than M or MH.  

[Drew03cmc]

Depending where you live, I have a sub 6' rod you'd enjoy and could save some $$ with. It's a Lew's TP1 5'9" "MH" but it's rated to 1/2oz, more of a M. It's a killer rod. 

[fishwizzard]

I have a Loomis 721 and honeslty am not in love with it.   While it will cast a 3/16 (total weight) Ned rig, it's not that great at it and I dont like it at all for lighter stuff. 

 

If you are throwing a 1/8-3/16 jighead plus a tube then it should handle it fine, the rod's sweet spot seems to be around 5/16 to 3/8oz.  I had picked it up for poppers, jerks, and tubes but I am not loving it for any of those lures.  It seems much better for small spinnerbaits and little cranks.  

 

I just picked up a St Croix Avid 6'2" M/XF to replace it with.  I am liking the Avid more for the poppers/jerks/tubes, but I have yet to give the rods a proper side-by-side test. 

 

[fishnkamp]

Now see I love my G Loomis 721,and 722s. I use mine for lost of baits including the neds and have done so for decades.  My first model of that rod for myself and my wife were im6, then GL2 and GL# and I upgraded mine to a IM version. N problem here with them. We have fished small grubs on 1/16 or 1/8 ball headed jigs for river smallies since the 80's. We spent an entire week on Dale Hollow force feeding lock jawed post spawn smallies up to 7 pounds using those rods. It is all personal preference I guess.  

[fishwizzard]

I do at times feel like there's some defect in my character that is keeping me from loving the 721. I've never read a single word against it, but for some reason it just doesn't do it for me.   I think if it had just a little bit faster taper I would like it more.  

[archeryman20]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll probably stick with the 721, then. 

[LAO162]

13 minutes ago, archeryman20 said:

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll probably stick with the 721, then. 

If you're not married to a BC rod, then you may find a wider selection of sub 6'6" spinning rods.  After an hour of comparing it to an SJR 722, I picked up a St Croix LTW 6'3" on closeout.  It had a lighter tip and seemed more sensitive (on carpet).  Not saying that's the way you should go, but you will find more 6 ft options if you can go the spinning route.

 

I don't use BC reels under trees any more.  Quite the birds nest when the lures suddenly stop less than 10 ft from the start of a cast.  

[archeryman20]

I have that exact spinning rod already (and about a dozen others ranging from 5' to 6'6")  BC's are easier to keep in the truck. Lower profile, and the guides are smaller as well. 

[LAO162]

50 minutes ago, archeryman20 said:

I have that exact spinning rod already (and about a dozen others ranging from 5' to 6'6")  BC's are easier to keep in the truck. Lower profile, and the guides are smaller as well. 

I have a 5'9" Cabelas XML casting rod.  I think the XMLs were a great value.  I don't see it currently listed, but if you are patient you may find a similar one on the auction site.

[J Francho]

Avid AVC62MXF.

[LAO162]

6 hours ago, archeryman20 said:

I have that exact spinning rod already (and about a dozen others ranging from 5' to 6'6")  BC's are easier to keep in the truck. Lower profile, and the guides are smaller as well. 

A bit off topic...what do you think of the LTWS63MLXF.  I plan to use it as an aĺl purpose rod for quantity over quality.  I can still return it to Cabelas if it is not practicaĺ.  Thanks!

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, LAO162 said:

A bit off topic...what do you think of the LTWS63MLXF.  I plan to use it as an aĺl purpose rod for quantity over quality.  I can still return it to Cabelas if it is not practicaĺ.  Thanks!

That rod I would use from a boat for vertical fishing.  Drop shot or blade baits maybe a spoon.  Might be good in tight conditions, limited space but not my first choice for an all around rod.

[fishwizzard]

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

Avid AVC62MXF.

I picked mine up partially based on your enthusiasm for it as a jerkbait rod.  I'm really digging it as a shallow-water tube and finesse jig rod as well, it's way more sensitive than I was expecting it to be.  I would love a Light power casting rod with it's action. 

[J Francho]

14 hours ago, LAO162 said:

A bit off topic...what do you think of the LTWS63MLXF.

I use the same taper in the Avid line for drop shot.  In fact, I have two.  Love them for that.

[LAO162]

15 hours ago, Angry John said:

Might be good in tight conditions, limited space but not my first choice for an all around rod.

Does brush scratchin' your butt, a tree branch trying to knock your hat off, and steep, loose dirt for footing - all at the same time - constitute tight conditions & limited space  

 

I'm not confident enough in my BC skills to rely solely on a casting rod/reel in these conditions.  Kudos to OP and those who can

[archeryman20]

23 hours ago, LAO162 said:

A bit off topic...what do you think of the LTWS63MLXF.  I plan to use it as an aĺl purpose rod for quantity over quality.  I can still return it to Cabelas if it is not practicaĺ.  Thanks!

I use mine for tubes mostly, though it throws weightless worms/lizards pretty well. I would be hard-pressed to make it my only spinning rod, though. I tend to gravitate to the SJR 720 for most of my spinning needs. I'd probably grab a 721 if I could only have one, or maybe a 6' Avid in medium power. The slightly heavier taper would theoretically handle a wider range of fish/lures.

[LAO162]

Thanks, for tight spaces the LTW will compliment an SJR723.  For open spaces Ì have a 7' MH Kistler Helium 2 LTX and a 7'2" Cumara ML drop shot rod.  Eventually, I hope to upgrade my moving bait spinning rod.