Berkley Shock - Versatile?

[BrackishBassin]

I’m looking to combine a set up (want to expand but do it on a budget) to serve two main purposes - frogging and throwing smaller swim baits and wake baits. I’ve read some things about how the Shock series from Berkley are designed for braided lines (normal backbone but softer tip). Can anyone who’s used one chime in? I’d like to know if I could swing one combo for throwing both frogs and smaller swim baits. Thanks!

[Brew City Bass]

I had a 7'6" H shock lightning. It was fine for frogging, if anything a little too stiff. I'm sure it could easily pull double duty for swimbaits. For the price, I say get it.

[georgeyew]

Just a FYI, they redesigned the Lightning Shock rods. It looks bright orange with clear reel seat.

[Deleted account]

I wouldn't say they are versatile, but a MH one will handle frogs and some swimbaits fine. It's a good cheap stick, but I find it a tad tip heavy for my liking.

[BrackishBassin]

52 minutes ago, reason said:

I wouldn't say they are versatile, but a MH one will handle frogs and some swimbaits fine. It's a good cheap stick, but I find it a tad tip heavy for my liking.

I don’t think the MH would do what I need. One of the wake baits I want to throw is 1.5 ounces. 

58 minutes ago, georgeyew said:

Just a FYI, they redesigned the Lightning Shock rods. It looks bright orange with clear reel seat.

Ugh. I don’t know if I can handle that. Might have to look elsewhere. 

[the reel ess]

About any 7'3" Hvy Fast should do the trick. Look for a light one because great sensitivity is not necessary for either of those techniques. I might suggest a store brand.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-ethos-hd-micro-baitcast-rod#repChildCatid=3898114

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabelas-fish-eagle-casting-rods/2430565.uts?slotId=1

 

Here's what I got for frogs and it's on sale now. I got the frog model. It's a great frog rod. I don't fish swimbaits though.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabelas-tournament-zx-bass-casting-rods/1619298.uts?slotId=4

[BrackishBassin]

22 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

About any 7'3" Hvy Fast should do the trick. Look for a light one because great sensitivity is not necessary for either of those techniques. I might suggest a store brand.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-ethos-hd-micro-baitcast-rod#repChildCatid=3898114

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabelas-fish-eagle-casting-rods/2430565.uts?slotId=1

 

Here's what I got for frogs and it's on sale now. I got the frog model. It's a great frog rod. I don't fish swimbaits though.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabelas-tournament-zx-bass-casting-rods/1619298.uts?slotId=4

I’d like to find something right at 7’ because of how I fish (beating the bank with lots of trees), but it seems to be hard to find H rods in that length without spending lots of coin on them. 

[MisterDeadeye]

54 minutes ago, BrackishBassin said:

I’d like to find something right at 7’ because of how I fish (beating the bank with lots of trees), but it seems to be hard to find H rods in that length without spending lots of coin on them. 

Daiwa has a 7' H Aird-X that's $50-$55. It's well regarded as a great value. There are probably threads on it here, but I'm on mobile and getting links is a pain. 

[BrackishBassin]

9 hours ago, MisterDeadeye said:

Daiwa has a 7' H Aird-X that's $50-$55. It's well regarded as a great value. There are probably threads on it here, but I'm on mobile and getting links is a pain. 

I’ll check them out thanks!

[fishwizzard]

11 hours ago, MisterDeadeye said:

Daiwa has a 7' H Aird-X that's $50-$55. It's well regarded as a great value. There are probably threads on it here, but I'm on mobile and getting links is a pain. 

I wanna say @Junger has one of those rods, or a least a similar Arid-X.  

[the reel ess]

12 hours ago, BrackishBassin said:

I’d like to find something right at 7’ because of how I fish (beating the bank with lots of trees), but it seems to be hard to find H rods in that length without spending lots of coin on them. 

Yeah, the extra length is for leverage to get bass to the top of vegetation. Even smaller bass can be a handful if they get their head buried in the slop. Really, the 3" of extra rod is hardly noticeable. 

[Junger]

2 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I wanna say @Junger has one of those rods, or a least a similar Arid-X.  

Yep, I have the Daiwa Aird X 7' Heavy Power, Fast action. I use it to throw Horny Toads and Keitech Flappers. It's very lightweight for a heavy power rod, and I have no problem throwing it all day. It's rated for 3/8oz to 1.5oz lures, and it would have no problem throwing a 1/2oz+ frog. For $50, it's a great value if you're not looking for ultra sensitive bottom contact.

 

Edit: I think it would do fine with small swimbaits, but I think it would struggle to load light wakebaits (plastic pencil types) unless they're 1/2oz or more.

[FishDewd]

I picked up an older (I think) style of Berkley shock at Walmart not too long, it was about $40 iirc. It's 7', rated MH, and doesn't have an action listed, but it seems to best match a fast action. I've been using it for jigs and heavier stuff like that. I think it's pretty decent, and I don't find it to be heavy whatsoever since it balances well with the reel. My only complaint is that it could have at least one more eyelet on it.