SissySticks Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 Just played with the 2018 lightning rod at my local academy next to a dobyns fury and a daiqa tatula xt. All 7' mhf casting rods. Noticeably lighter than the fury and just as light as the daiwa, nice crisp action on par with both, power rating seemed accurate. Nice composite full grip with a double locking reel seat that was pretty comfy. Still the same old $40 they've always been. I know this rod has always been though of as a good value, back in the day I through plastics on one and always caught a bunch, but seems they've really upped their game in 2018. Anyone actually fished with one of these new ones yet? 1 Quote
dave Posted July 3, 2018 Posted July 3, 2018 My fishing partner and I are using the new Lightning Rods spinning rods on our guide boats. I am not sure how they will hold up over time but, they are like sissystick said, light, crisp and strong. Customers are loving them and for the price, so are we. For $40, if they don't last forever, we'll buy more. 1 Quote
The Bassman Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 I haven't fished them but have been impressed with how tip light they are. Compare the reel seats to Fenwick HMG and it will become obvious that they come from a common source.. Both are Pure Fishing brands. Quote
d-camarena Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 Berkley rods are underrated, if they made a decent spinning reel all my setups would be berkleys 1 Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted July 4, 2018 Super User Posted July 4, 2018 I have a couple sitting here still with the tags on them that I haven't fished yet. I agree they seem "better" than previous generations of regular Lightning Rods. I'll eventually work them into the rotation. Quote
BobbyBudnick Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 I've got one, 6'6 mh-f casting. Works pretty good, I've used it twice throwing TX rigs and swim baits at the pond. Good sensitivity, especially for it's price. Feels very stiff for a MH though, kinda like the Abu veritas. Quote
Happybeerbuzz Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 Where can I get one of these rods and how are they distinguished? Are they labeled “2018”? Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted July 4, 2018 Global Moderator Posted July 4, 2018 I've had several versions of the lightning rods, all have fished well above their price range, I'm sure these will be no different. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted July 4, 2018 Posted July 4, 2018 'Budget' rods have completely elevated their quality yet sell for the same price. 'High end' rods have stayed the same yet completely elevated their price. 5 Quote
SissySticks Posted July 4, 2018 Author Posted July 4, 2018 10 hours ago, ClackerBuzz said: 'Budget' rods have completely elevated their quality yet sell for the same price. 'High end' rods have stayed the same yet completely elevated their price. This is a fascinating observation. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted July 5, 2018 Super User Posted July 5, 2018 13 hours ago, ClackerBuzz said: 'Budget' rods have completely elevated their quality yet sell for the same price. 'High end' rods have stayed the same yet completely elevated their price. That's the "trickle down" effect. The tech used in high end rods has been around a while now, and has paid for it self several times over. As a result, those of us with limited means to spend on gear get the benefits of some of the higher end technology on lower price point rods as mfgs. incorporate it into low to mid price ranged stuff. Which has always been the most popular selling tackle. Only a low % of people, can afford or are willing to buy an arsenals worth of $200+ rods, most everyone can afford a boat full of sub $100 rods, and the MFG. who offers the most bang for the buck in that price range is going to sell A LOT of rods. Berkley has always been very good at selling a high performing rod at modest prices. Quote
Mbirdsley Posted July 5, 2018 Posted July 5, 2018 Berkley rods from a budget or starting out stand point are highly underrated. I have had a lot of Berkley rods over the last 8 years. My favorite spinning rod is a 7ft Berkley tactix wacky worm style rod Paired with a Quantum Accurist. I think they were closing them out as it was with a bunch of other ones in a barrel for $29.99 and I jumped on it. The rod has a medium heavy rating but, I think it is actually to me it seems like a medium though. The rod Has it has enough back bone to get fish out of some nasty stuff with a nice faster tip. However, it is still sensitive enough to be my main creek/river bass rod and I have caught a lot of bass on it. I just bought the Berkley lighting casting rod with the shock absorbing tip about 2 months ago. So far I have no complaints. I have that paired up also with Quantom Accurist pti casting reel. I am using this rod for jigs and heavy t-rigs. They are not a st.croix or other higher end rod but, they are a preatty good buy for the money. I don’t feel ripped off after purchasing them. Quote
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