What are some good Rods in the $180-$220 Range

[jbsoonerfan]

3 hours ago, WRB said:

When you buy price range you stated for bass rods there are several options and what sets mfr's apart is their customer service. Can't go wrong with ALX, Dobyns and St Croix, all have good CS. To test out customer service call each company and ask them your questions.

Tom

PS, my ALX custom rods are similar to Enox Cyclone series.

I hope I'm am not the only one that read that differently than you meant for it to be. I'm still laughing.

[Derek1]

14 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I hope I'm am not the only one that read that differently than you meant for it to be. I'm still laughing.

I read it the same way you did to myself and had to stop and go back and reread. Lol

[WRB]

To me mfr's means manufacturer's and CS means Customer Service.

Tom 

[CrankFate]

2 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

What did I tell you?  Every one is telling you what THEY like, or who sponsors them.  You've got to do your own homework and find what YOU like. 

 

I wouldn't even start to recommend you throw my rods.

 

If you have that kind of money to buy rods, you are going to get a pretty darn good rod, no matter what brand you buy.

 

I am quite secure financially, probably a lot better off than that. I don't buy $200 rods, and I can afford them.

Me too, most of the time. The only added benefit once you go over $200 is the rods get lighter and usually stiffer. I prefer softer rods because of how I fish. Guys who like “solid hooksets” and “lots of backbone” usually prefer more expensive rods, because they’re light and rigid. For me, I lose hooksets with that, because I swing the rod hard and fast.

 

Once you’re up at this price, only a few rods are not good, most will be very good or excellent. Try them out in person, unless you’re ok blowing $200 on something you might not like. I fish a lot, if I get a rod that doesn’t match what I intended it for, it will work for something else. If that’s not the case for you, go to a big store and bend and bounce all the rods til you find what you like. I got a Kistler magnesium custom recently for over $200, and all I’ll say is it was definitely worth it, even though I haven’t used it yet. I rarely feel that way about anything over $175.

[FishTank]

For me in that price range, I would go with the St. Croix Avid. 

[Boomstick]

The only rod I have in that price range is my St. Croix Avid X 6'9 ML/XF spinning rod I use for ned rigs and drop shots. But I have handled a few rods in that price range, and I don't think I can say that any of them felt like bad rods.

 

If you can get your hands on some of them, buy the rod that feels like it has the proper action and tip for the uses you need. In my couple years of really fishing, I have learned what to look for for each presentation, and also what to expect from several rod manufacturers. For example, I use a 6'10" Daiwa Tatula MH/F rod for soft plastics, jigs, frogs, etc. and I got my oldest son a Dobyns Sierra 704C for his birthday which is good for the same techniques as well, but I prefer it for throwing 1/2oz jigs with large trailers or 3/4oz jigs because it has more tip, but may be less sensitive when fishing soft plastics to finicky fish -- although I will say he's never had an issue feeling weak bites. Neither rod is necessarily better than the other, they're just better for different things.

[bx.versatile]

Phenix Feather, super lightweight and plenty sensitive rod. Their 73XH weighs only 3.8 oz. Lightest flipping stick/frog rod I've come across. Only grip, get a power above the rod rating. Meaning go H for M-H like power.

 

 

[WRB]

16 minutes ago, AnotherSenkoQuestion said:

Phenix Feather, super lightweight and plenty sensitive rod. Their 73XH weighs only 3.8 oz. Lightest flipping stick/frog rod I've come across. Only grip, get a power above the rod rating. Meaning go H for M-H like power.

 

 

3.8 oz is near average rod weight with today's light weight rods. My 6 year old custom ALX Jig & Worm 5 & 6 power rods with a fore grip weigh 3.8 oz for reference.

Tom

[blckshirt98]

Phenix all day long in that price range - M1/Feather/Recon Elite - take your pick.

[dave]

On 2/15/2019 at 9:07 AM, LonnieP said:

Kistler helium 3 is on sale now 21 percent off .Should be at the top of your price range. I have that and a Loomis e6x. The kistler is way better than the e6x. Night and day difference.

I bought one last month when they were 21% off.  I believe that sale is done.  I'd buy another if it was still 21% off.

[DogBone_384]

On 2/14/2019 at 10:17 PM, mcipinkie said:

Almost every rod you buy in that price range will be a good rod

If possible, handle as many brands in the price point you're looking for.  To me, the feel is the subjective element of a rod purchase that makes fishing more enjoyable.  After all, you have the rod in your hands the whole time you're fishing.

 

I own Abu, Kistler, Loomis, and St. Croix in the range you're looking at.  I like Abu's Villain ML/XF for drop shot, my St. Croix for treble hooks, and Kistler's M/F Magnesium2 for soft baits and their MH/MF for jigs and deep cranks.  

 

If it helps, Kistler is celebrating their 21st birthday with a 21% off sale now, and their rods are made here in the US.

 

 

Best of luck picking out your new rods.

[LonnieP]

2 hours ago, dave said:

I bought one last month when they were 21% off.  I believe that sale is done.  I'd buy another if it was still 21% off.

The 21 % off sale is still going on. Got an email Wednesday and also just checked the website to confirm it.

[dave]

On 2/15/2019 at 9:07 AM, LonnieP said:

Kistler helium 3 is on sale now 21 percent off .Should be at the top of your price range. I have that and a Loomis e6x. The kistler is way better than the e6x. Night and day difference.

Uh oh,  good bye money...

[dave]

3 hours ago, dave said:

I bought one last month when they were 21% off.  I believe that sale is done.  I'd buy another if it was still 21% off.

Lonnie is right,  still going.  You'll see the discount at check out.

[new2BC4bass]

It is nice that people keep offering advice, but the OP bought his rods Friday.  Still............I appreciate reading the new posts anyway.    Just reminds me of all the different rods I'd like to try.

[ResoKP]

On 2/14/2019 at 10:16 PM, Stephen B said:

I'd look at the St Croix Avid X, Shimano Zodias, Daiwa Tatula Elite, Megabass Levante (when released). Those are the best rods around that price range IMO. 

 

Ultimately, buy what you like and feel comfortable with. No ones opinion is more valuable than your own personal preferences. 

This x1000

[dave]

On 2/17/2019 at 8:05 PM, dave said:

Uh oh,  good bye money...

Yes,  another $211 bites the dust. (21% off and deducting my points)  Helium 3 number 3.

[newyorktoiowa57]

1 hour ago, dave said:

Yes,  another $211 bites the dust. (21% off and deducting my points)  Helium 3 number 3.

i am seeing $300 for the helium before the discount.  How did you get down to $211?

[Deeare]

How would guys compare the helium vs the klx in terms of sensitivity?   Is the helium worth spending the extra $40?

 

And do they fish to their power rating?

[dave]

21 hours ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

i am seeing $300 for the helium before the discount.  How did you get down to $211?

21% off.  When you buy directly from Kistler,  you gets points.  You are able to buy Kistler stuff or apply to larger purchases.