Looking to buy a casting rod

[BigMinnow]

Hey guys, im looking to buy a nice casting rod. I don’t know what to look for in a rod as far as power and length go. I’ve read a moderate action paired with a medium heavy power will be good for pretty much anything I throw (cranks, spinners, and ChatterBaits) but I don’t know about length or good brands. Any input you guys can give would be great. Right now my budget range is $100-$175 i cant really fathom spending more than that seeing as how I’m still trying to pay rent while in college lol.

[LCG]

6'6"-7'6" MH-F / MH-MF rod. Length depends on personal preference and location of where you fish ie tree branches. Lots of good rods at the price point, I prefer st Croix and fenwick. BPS carbonlite looks like a nice rod as well. Dobyns gets good reviews. It's really about what feels comfortable to you. Go to a tackle shop and hold a few rods to see what you like. Cork vs Eva, regular guides vs micro, etc. 

[BigMinnow]

Do you think this would be a good setup for a shallow (1-12ft) crankbait rod reel combo?

 

Shimano Curado Crankbait Casting Rod

7’2”

Medium

Moderate Action

Glass/Graphite

$159.99

 

Quantum Smoke S3 PT Baitcast Reel

6.1:1

$169.95

[LCG]

Don't know that rod and reel but it's probably in the right ballpark 

[Fishingmickey]

2 hours ago, BigMinnow said:

Do you think this would be a good setup for a shallow (1-12ft) crankbait rod reel combo?

 

Shimano Curado Crankbait Casting Rod

7’2”

Medium

Moderate Action

Glass/Graphite

$159.99

 

Quantum Smoke S3 PT Baitcast Reel

6.1:1

$169.95

For a all purpose rod you might find that a little light power (medium) and whippy with the moderate action. My recommendation would be a Shimano Casitas (99.00) or the Citica (149.00) reel. Either a Mojo Bass 7' MH  (130.00) or Dobyn's Fury in the med. heavy or heavy 7'-7'3" (110.00).

 

Fishingmickey

[BigMinnow]

@Fishingmickey what about as a shallow cranking rod? I’ve read that a medium powered rod with a moderate action is good for shallow saquarebills

[new2BC4bass]

7 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

For a all purpose rod you might find that a little light power (medium) and whippy with the moderate action. My recommendation would be a Shimano Casitas (99.00) or the Citica (149.00) reel. Either a Mojo Bass 7' MH  (130.00) or Dobyn's Fury in the med. heavy or heavy 7'-7'3" (110.00).

 

Fishingmickey

Agree with this.  Never handled that rod, but a glass/composite wouldn't be my choice for heavier single hook lures like on spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.  Have to say after using a Medium graphite crankbait rod the past couple weeks, that it wouldn't be my choice either.  Now my Tatula Medium Regular is a rod that I feel has enough power for those lures.

 

I lean towards Daiwa over Shimano, but that is personal preference.  Never used either of those Shimanos.  Mine are Curados and above.  I have used Tatula and Tournament MB reels and like both.  I would also consider the Tatula SV as it can often be found around $135 and sometimes lower.

 

However, if you like the Smoke S3, then that is what I would get.  The few reviews I have read on it are all good.  It is usually better to buy what interests you....not someone else....as long as it is a quality reel.

[Rick Howard]

Fenwick eagle 7' medium heavy fast.  I paired this with an Abu Ora SX.  I throw spinners and Texas rigs on this all day long.  Also cranks like a DT 6 or 10 size.  Still ticking strong after 3 years of heavy use.  I fish an hour or two after work 2-5 days a week.  Fish Saturday sunday mornings for 4-12 hours lol?  

[Riazuli]

Not sure if you're looking for an all-purpose rod or specifically a shallow cranker

 

For all purpose, I would go with M/F or MH/F depending on the weight of lures you're going with and if you like crankbaits over say spinnerbaits - also if you're fishing open water or near vegetation (M/F for lighter weights and MH/F for heavier ones, where most of your baits are hitting around the middle of the lure weight range on the rod;  MH/F for more vegetation vs M/F for more open water casting) 

 

For shallow cranking up to 1/2 oz lures and mainly open water, the M/M you mentioned would be good for that.  Heavier than 1/2 oz or near a lot of vegetation, you might want to consider a MH/M for just cranking.  I personally use mainly 1/2 oz cranks or less, and do fish near grass but also open water.  I went with a M/M composite glass for this purpose. 

 

MH/MF is better suited for spinner baits/chatterbaits but could function as an all-round rod as well.  These all vary somewhat depending on the individual, lures, and conditions.  I would float around a length of 7' for all of em (give or take), but that's just me.