Thoughts on Bass Pro Carbonlites

[CGfishing]

Hey guys, just wanted to hear everyone’s thoughts on the new Bass pro Carbonlites, specifically the 7” and 7’6” Hvy., and if it would make a good froggin rod.

 

[Julian]

I own a Carbonlite- 7’ MF that I use for crankbaits. Great rod

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, @Julian!

 

To the OP, I have only handled the new CLs in-store,

but I do own 4 previous versions (2 black, 2 white) and

they are great rods. The rods you mention would be

great for frogging.

 

Based on specs it appears the only real changes beside

color are Winn grips and new guides.

[bowhunter63]

I have there new Carbon coil 7 6 medium Spinning and love it .There really well made and light.I plan on picking up some casting models.Really worth checking out.

[riverbasser]

Ones of the guys in my local bass club loves them. He has several, I can't comment on performance but they are super light weight

[OCdockskipper]

I have a 2 year old casting rod that is the 7 ft heavy.  Since we only have vegetation for about 6 or so weeks in late summer, I use it in a dual role for both larger frogs & flippin'.  I have it paired with a 4 year old Johnny Morris reel and have been very happy with it.

 

The carbonlites that I have which get a lot more use are the 3 spinning rods.  The 2 that are 4 years old have performed like champs, handling everything I hook while the Winn grips on the new models are sweet. 

[Poolshark]

I have always liked the carbon life's. I really like the rubber grips on the new ones. 

The 2 models you are referring to will both make good frog rods. 

the heavy models will work great in heavy cover, the medium heavy models also work great when not fishing super thick cover. 

[CGfishing]

Thanks for all the replies guys, main reason I’m thinking about getting one is because of great reviews and those Winn grips look awesome... I’ll probably get one of them for froggin and see how it does

[FryDog62]

I personally think they are good rods in the small/medium sizes.  The blank just gets thick though when you get into the MH and Heavy sizes.  I received a new Carbonlite 2.0 in a 7-3 Heavy as a gift that retails for $120, returned it for the same size Tatula XT for $100... like it better and saved some cash.  

[OnthePotomac]

I am a Shimano reel fan, but I have been a Carbonlite fan for the last 10 years in 6'6" MH, 7'MH and 7'Med and have never had a problem with them.  All were on sale for $80-$100. A 7' MH will weigh 4.3-4.5oz, which is why I like them.  The 6'6" MH micro guides is 3.6oz. The tidal Potomac is tough on fishing equipment and they have been bullet proof. I added  a 7'MH 2.0 rod and a 7'Med 2.0 this winter and can't wait to give them a try.  The Medium weighs 4.2oz and MH weighs 4.5oz.  My new Curado K will move to the 7' MH for plastics with 15lb Invizx. I can't begin to recall how many bass these rods have hauled out of the Potomac grass beds.  I fish only for pleasure.  Can you feel a fish burp with them?  Don't know, but I rarely miss a hookup.  I have a Carbonlite 7'2" Med spinning rod with a 2500 Sahara my adult daughter uses when she fishes with me.  Her favorite line is simply 8lb mono and she is good at hauling 2-4lb bass out of a grass bed with 5lb of grass on it.LOL  

[craww]

Theyre crisp, comfortable rods..not sure if theyve made changes to the current model but my impression of the early models was the blanks were the most brittle Ive used. Not sure if they sacrificed something in the composition of the graphite/resin in the pursuit of weight savings but I had 2, (maybe 3 its been awhile) break on normal hooksets. I remember looking on ebay at one point and there was a bunch of them on there that had broke in a similar fashion. I don't Hi stick or do anything stupid with my rods...but will admit I'm not shy setting the hook. My impression is while they feel good there are better rods to spend your money on.

 

Dont know for certain but I've handled a few of the lew's branded rods and the blanks had that exact same feel and taper to them. They likely come from the same place.