Help me pick...

[cwl000cc]

Hello all,

 

I would like some help and *** on what rods to pick from. I have a list made up of casting and spinning rods that are less than $60. As of now I only fish from bank on small little ponds and lakes. I currently am using a 6’6” GX2 combo. That is what got me back into bass fishing. However, I feel that I am missing a lot of sensitivity with this rod and just overall enjoyment. I am looking for a quality rod that will give me better sensitivity and an overall better experience. I currently fish everything with the GX2 from shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, t rigs, weightless plastics. I am wanting to pick up one casting rod and one spinning rod for finesse applications. I have an upcoming wedding and would love to spend more. But I just can’t. The rods I’m looking at are:

Berkley Lightning Shock Rod, Berkley Amp, Berkley E-Motion,

Daiwa Arid X, All Star Nano (on sale at local Academy), Quantum Escalade, Abu Veritas, Abu Vendetta, H2O Xpress Nano, Quantum Escalade, Fenwick Eagle, Bass Pro Rods, Cabellas Rods, and Kastking Perigee 2. 

If you could give me thoughts on the ones listed or if I’m missing something that falls in the price range I’m looking. Thank you for your help. 

[flatcreek]

Lightning shock rod for the money will do the trick.You can upgrade later when you feel the need.

[TylerT123]

I have a Scheel’s Outfitters Rod and I really like it, the lure rating is 3/16 to 5/8 oz which is perfect to me. It was $40.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

I agree, Lightning Rod Shock is a great rod for the $. 

Will work well for you.

[fishnkamp]

I fish with lots of much more expensive rods (9 out of my 12 baitcasting rods cost over $150, with some over $250) but two of them are Berkley Lightning Shock rods and the other is a Quantum Escalade rod. 

The Quantum Escalade I own is a 7 foot MH power- fast action rod.  It reminds me a lot of my Falcon Buccoo Trap Caster in feel. It handles lures weighing between 1/4 and 1 1/4 ounces. Mine sees use for throwing big crankbaits, larger heavier spinnerbaits and as a second texas rigged plastics rod. It will handle some carolina rig duty as well.  For the money it fishes well and I like it.  I have it matched with a Bass Pro Extreme left handed reel in the 6.4 ratio.

 

I also fish with a Quantum Escalade 6'6 spinning rod. it is a good all around spinning rod capable of fishing any tube, shakey head, texas rigged plastics or even smaller floater diver minnow style bait you want to throw. Heck it will handle a Pop R or even a small crank like a crawfish imitation.  Just a good all around rod. 

 

My wife and I both fish with  Berkley Lightning Shock rods.  Mine are 6'6" medium moderate models. In the fall, I need to fish with 4 rods rigged up with rattle trap style baits to chase large stripers.  These are my backup combos for that duty. They handle small to mid sized crankbaits, jerkbaits and even some spinnerbait duty as well. I have them matched with a pair of right handed Bass Pro Extreme 6.4-1 ratio reels.  Linda's is a spinning rod version. It is also a 6'6" medium moderate action rod with a nice Pflueger President reel on it.  She uses it for all her small swimbaits, crankbaits, traps and spinnerbaits.  These rods come in other sizes and powers so you need to decide what baits you want to fish with and choose the rod model accordingly.  There is a big difference between the 6'6" medium rod I use and the 6'6" MH fast rod they offer. My rod has a lot of give further down the blank, which makes it a great rod to fish treble hook baits. The MH fast model is a faster action so less of the rod will bend. This action is better for fishing texas rigs, jigs, carolina rigs, even a hollow bodied frog occasionally. They offer a similar 7ft mh fast as well as a 7'6" heavy that handles baits from 3/4 to 2 1/2  ounce baits. I bet that would handle Alabama rigs or even punching duties. 

 

I hope this explains not only my opinion of these rods, but gives you a better understanding of what each model of these rods are best used for. Think about which techniques you want to start with upgrading first.  I definitely think you will like the Escalade 6'6" spinning rod for an all around rod.  As for a better bottom contact rod the sensitivity on the Escalade baitcaster is real good.  My Shock rod holds its own when compared to much more expensive crankbait rods.

I have had three veritas rods in the past. I only kept one. It is a 7 foot heavy I use for punching.

Be aware Abu rods run stiffer than they say. Good rods but I like the other options better.

 

 

[rcg703]

The Lightning Rod Shocks are nice rods but I recently found a diamond in the rough. I found that Walmart has a Lew's Hank Parker Signature Series Speed Stick for $40. It's a graphite IM8 blank and is very light and very sensitive. They have technique specific ones and I ended up buying a jig/worm rod, crankbait rod, and a shaky head/finesse spinning rod. Definitely worth the money and rival some of the $100 rods I've felt. I'd compare them to a Veritas but not quite as stiff.

[optimator]

Would that Lightning shock casting rod be a decent frog rod?

[cknute0812]

What does HD stand for on the Quantum Escalade casting rod?

[Born 2 fish]

On 3/1/2018 at 10:44 PM, optimator said:

Would that Lightning shock casting rod be a decent frog rod?

No the new version of the shock rod with the plastic reel seat are garbage and a wast of money. 

[jeffo21]

I would also look at Diawa Arid X I think its 49.00 at Academy, also Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick at Wal Mart its 39.99

[Bassinislife]

Good list 

i only have 2 of the rods on your list that I can comment on I have 2 fenwick eagle spinning rods a 6’ trout rod and a 6’ 6” medium spinning rod and I have a 7’ quantum Escalade I bought in a pinch after a rod broke (my fault) and it’s been great ever since and I’ve had one of my fenwick eagles for 2 years and the other for about a month and there great rods,

all the rods are your list should work well just pick what feels best to you.

[new2BC4bass]

I hope for the sport of fishing that the OP bought his rods a couple years ago.  However, your input on rods seldom mentioned is appreciated.  I bought an Escalade when they were at half price as a gift for a sister-in-law.  Naturally I had to put the reel on it that I planned on giving her to see how the combo handled.  I went back to Dick's and bought another Escalade for myself.