Looking for a good all-around spinning rod for lighter lures

[NorthernBasser]

Sorry for posting this topic, since I'm sure it's been discussed numerous times. I found a few threads people started asking about specific spinning rods, but I didn't wanna hijack their threads.

 

I mainly use casting rods/baitcasters, but I'd like to get 2 spinning setups this year to throw lighter stuff (TRDs, weightless plastics, finesse baits in general).

 

For the rod I'd like to stick to around $100-$120.

 

So far, these are the 3 I've been looking at. But I'd love to hear any other recommendations.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Falcon_BuCoo_SR_Spinning_Rods/descpage-FSR0.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Fury_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DFFS.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Bass_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-TSX.html

 

Kind of wish the first 2 came in 6'10". Also, not sure if I should go medium or medium light. Fast tip? Extra fast? 

 

Also looking for reels. I hear good things about the President? Not sure what size tho. The regular President only comes in 5.2:1 ratio whereas the President XT is 6.2:1. Anybody use either of these? 

 

Thanks all!

[OCdockskipper]

I have used a pair of BPS Carbonlite rods for the past 4 years and just picked up a 3rd one at the Spring Classic.  I use them for lighter bottom bumping baits and Ned rigs and have been really happy with them.  I went 6'6" Medium on the first 2 and 6'6"ML on the new one because it will be exclusively used for Ned rigs.  I am old school and don't enjoy using rods over 7 ft.  One minor feature that stands out for me on the new rod is the Winn grips, I just really like the feel,  I believe these rods go for $119.

 

I paired mine up with Shimano Spirex 2500 reels, both RG & FG, but from what I read, The Presidents are great reels.  I choose the Spirex because they are the only spinning reels I found that have dual handles, Quikfire line pickup and and only stop at top dead center.  Again, old school, not necessarily what others want.

 

Also, plan on using braid or a super line.  I use Nanofil, but I know there are a lot of other good lines out there as well.  It will increase your casting distance and make wind knots non-existant.

[PatrickKnight]

A Fury 702 and 703 paired with 25 size XTs should cover you pretty well.

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, OCdockskipper said:

I have used a pair of BPS Carbonlite rods for the past 4 years and just picked up a 3rd one at the Spring Classic.  I use them for lighter bottom bumping baits and Ned rigs and have been really happy with them.  I went 6'6" Medium on the first 2 and 6'6"ML on the new one because i will be exclusively used for Ned rigs.  I am old school and don't enjoy using rods over 7 ft.  One minor feature that stands out for me on the new rod is the Winn grips, I just really like the feel,  I believe these rods go for $119.

 

I paired mine up with Shimano Spirex 2500 reels, both RG & FG, but from what I read, The Presidents are great reels.  I choose the Spirex because they are the only spinning reels I found that have dual handles, Quikfire line pickup and and only stop at top dead center.  Again, old school, not necessarily what others want.

 

Also, plan on using braid or a super line.  I use Nanofil, but I know there are a lot of other good lines out there as well.  It will increase your casting distance and make wind knots non-existant.

Thanks.

 

It's been years since I had a BPS rod. I do remember liking the one I had. How's the handle on those carbonlites? They seem a tad short in the pics I've seen. 

1 hour ago, PatrickKnight said:

A Fury 702 and 703 paired with 25 size XTs should cover you pretty well.

Hmm..I don't see Fury's coming in 7'2" and 7'3" lengths. 

[OCdockskipper]

2 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Thanks.

 

It's been years since I had a BPS rod. I do remember liking the one I had. How's the handle on those carbonlites? They seem a tad short in the pics I've seen. 

Hmm..I don't see Fury's coming in 7'2" and 7'3" lengths. 

I am probably the wrong person to ask about handle length, I like them short.  My favorite casting rods for crankbaits & spinnerbaits are pistol grips , again old school.  I like casting with one hand with most baits, if I do use a second hand, it isn't for a full-on grip so a shorter grip is my preference.

[Patrickcatalano]

For those kinds of baits, I use a 6’6” fenwick Eagle. It’s not the most flashiest set up and by no means a high end rod but I got it for $60 and I’ve had it for 3 years and I’ve used it from throwing Blue Fox spinners for trout and pike to throwing Hula stickZ for bass and it’s held up a lot. With your budget you can easily get a much better rod but here’s a cheaper and reliable option.

[fishnkamp]

PatrickNight suggested the Dobyns 702 or 703. They are both 7 foot rods.  The last number dictates the power. For an all around versatile rod I would go with the Fury FR 703SF.  That will handle most of all your small plastic needs from sencos, to drop shotting to shakey heads, and texas rigs.  Now the 702 might be a better drop shot rod but it will not be as versatile with all the other baits.

 

Other good options would be a Powell Inferno 6103 That is a 6 foot 10 inch 3 power rod. It will handle light baits like a drop shot all the way to a 1/2 ounce bait like say 1/4 ounce jig head and a tube or crawfish imitation.  Again very versatile like the FR 703SF.  This rod runs $100.

I will make another suggestion  Powell had a batch of Inferno rods made and the color of the blanks came in "off color"  That is the only defect with the rod. Functionally it is fine.  SO Powell is selling them as factory mistakes and at a discount.  If you buy one it costs $79. If you buy a second, third etc each extra one costs $33 each. If you decide to go this way consider getting a 683CEF baitcasting rod. I own an original Max series 683 CEF and that rod is the most versatile baitcasting rod I own ( I carry 14 baitcasters normally in my rod box).  For right around $112 you could add both rods to your arsenal.

[MIbassyaker]

11 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

 

Also looking for reels. I hear good things about the President? Not sure what size tho. The regular President only comes in 5.2:1 ratio whereas the President XT is 6.2:1. Anybody use either of these? 

 

Look at retrieve rate, or inches per turn (IPT).  You'll get more IPT with higher gear ratios, but it depends on spool size. Consider the following comparisons of weight, line capacity, Gear ratio, and retrieve rate from the Pflueger site:

 

President:

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spinning-reels/pflueger-president-spinning-reel/1430660.html

Size 25:  7.2oz, 6#/90 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 22,4" per turn

Size 30:  8.3oz, 8#130 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 28.5" per turn

 

President XT:

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spinning-reels/pflueger-president--xt-spinning-reel/1405300.html

Size 25: 6.6oz, 6#/90 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 22.4" per turn

Size 30: 7.6oz, 8#/130 yards, 6.2:1 ratio, 31" per turn

 

Now, I have and use the regular President in sizes 25, 30 and 35. But given the options here, it would be an easy choice for me: I'd go with a size 30 President XT. It's almost as light as a size 25 President, and you gain over 8 more inches per turn than the size 25 President XT. If you value light weight more than a faster retrieve rate, go with the size 25 XT.

 

 

[Patrickcatalano]

8 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

Look at retrieve rate, or inches per turn (IPT).  You'll get more IPT with higher gear ratios, but it depends on spool size. Consider the following comparisons of weight, line capacity, Gear ratio, and retrieve rate from the Pflueger site:

 

President:

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spinning-reels/pflueger-president-spinning-reel/1430660.html

Size 25:  7.2oz, 6#/90 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 22,4" per turn

Size 30:  8.3oz, 8#130 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 28.5" per turn

 

President XT:

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spinning-reels/pflueger-president--xt-spinning-reel/1405300.html

Size 25: 6.6oz, 6#/90 yards, 5.2:1 ratio, 22.4" per turn

Size 30: 7.6oz, 8#/130 yards, 6.2:1 ratio, 31" per turn

 

Now, I have and use the regular President in sizes 25, 30 and 35. But given the options here, it would be an easy choice for me: I'd go with a size 30 President XT. It's almost as light as a size 25 President, and you gain over 8 more inches per turn than the size 25 President XT. If you value light weight more than a faster retrieve rate, go with the size 25 XT.

 

 

I’ve used the president as well as the President Limited Edition which is very similar to the XT and they are both really good. I’d prefer the LE because in my opinion it is smoother as well as casts farther but also more expensive. Like I said the LE is almost exactly the same as the XT just a different color I believe.

[Fishin' Fool]

On 3/4/2018 at 8:34 AM, NorthernBasser said:

Sorry for posting this topic, since I'm sure it's been discussed numerous times. I found a few threads people started asking about specific spinning rods, but I didn't wanna hijack their threads.

 

I mainly use casting rods/baitcasters, but I'd like to get 2 spinning setups this year to throw lighter stuff (TRDs, weightless plastics, finesse baits in general).

 

For the rod I'd like to stick to around $100-$120.

 

So far, these are the 3 I've been looking at. But I'd love to hear any other recommendations.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Falcon_BuCoo_SR_Spinning_Rods/descpage-FSR0.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Fury_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DFFS.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Bass_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-TSX.html

 

Kind of wish the first 2 came in 6'10". Also, not sure if I should go medium or medium light. Fast tip? Extra fast? 

 

Also looking for reels. I hear good things about the President? Not sure what size tho. The regular President only comes in 5.2:1 ratio whereas the President XT is 6.2:1. Anybody use either of these? 

 

Thanks all!

Daiwa Tatula makes a 6'11" ML rod combine that with a President for $50 and you're right at the $200 Mark with a sweet set up.

[NorthernBasser]

Thanks guys. Appreciate all the replies. I'll definitely look into the ones mentioned. Obviously online there's more variety. I just wish I could hold the rods before buying. Sadly that isn't always possible.

[waymont]

St Croix ML Premier 6'6" would be a nice moderate priced rod. Great for lots of applications.

[blckshirt98]

If you can find one at the right price my go-to all-around spinning rod is a Phenix M-1 7'2" M-XF rod.  I'm a hoarder who has more rods than anyone should own, but I've caught probably 75% of my fish on that rod.  It was my first nice rod, and I've used it for wacky senkos, Carolina Rig, Texas Rig, dropshot, small topwater, small crankbaits (up to a Strike King KVD 2.5, though that's kind of pushing it on the heavy side, but it's great for the 1.0 or 1.5 sizes).  If I go to a familiar body of water where I only want to bring one rod, this is the rod I bring.  If I could only have one rod to use for the rest of my life, it would be this rod.  It pairs well with any Shimano 2500 size reel, I think I have a Sahara on it right now.

[desmobob]

I picked up one of the St. Croix Mojo Bass spinning rods on sale a couple of seasons ago and it has really impressed me for the price.  I don't know how to describe it, but it just feels totally "natural" to me; sort of invisible.  Some rods feel whippy, stiff, soft, dull, tip-heavy, powerful; whatever.  The Mojo rod feels like an extension of me.

 

That's probably a bit dramatic, but I hope you get what I'm trying to say.  Maybe my reel just happens to balance with the rod perfectly and the rod's action just happens to match my casting style perfectly.  Anyway, I really like the rod.  

 

Tight lines,

Bob