Best Rods $100-$200 Budget

[BassKicker42]

Daiwa Tatula Elites are excellent rods right in the middle of your price range. For $100 on sportsman’s outfitters it’s hard to beat the new 2018 Tatula bass rods too. Dobyns Sierra would be my other choice hands down.

[Crankin4Bass]

Shimano Zodias

[new2BC4bass]

On 6/4/2019 at 10:44 PM, Trappernewt said:

Megabass Levante in the Diablo Spec R. I have the Orochi Spec R and absolutely love it. I also have the OG Tatula and a few other rods in your price range including the St Croix Avid. IMO the OG tatula is the most sensitive rod that can be bought new for $150 (can be found for less). I’d go without 2019 Levante first and the tatula would be my second choice. 

Great minds think alike.    I have the Orochi Diablo Spec R and a few OG Tatulas.  I am a big fan of the Tatulas.  Never used a Levante.

[EWREX]

I will vouch for the Daiwa Tatula Elite rods. I picked up the 7'3 MH Erhler edition about a month ago and it has been the best rod i've owned. Absolute workhorse and you can throw so much on it

[LionHeart]

3 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

LionHeart, I have an OG 6’10 mh Tatula that I really like.   I am looking at the 7’0 M but it has a regular action.  I wanted to use it for light bottom contact baits.  If you have used this one, is it too soft for this type of presentation?  Thanks

In my opinion, the Tatula "Regular" is basically a fast action rod.  I owned and loved the 7'2" MH Regular  for quite a while and it was a dedicated bottom contact rod.  I think a medium power would make an outstanding 3/16-3/8 oz bottom contact rod.

[Mikeltee]

I have the tatula elite ags finesse. Its more sensitive than the dobyns champion series. I love it. You may be able to get it for a little over $200. Its a great looking rod and the sv reel pairs well. I have no need for spinning gear with it. It chucks ned rigs and weightless worms fine. That is the extent of my bank finesse presentations.

[Bandersnatch]

Helium 3 7'1 MH

[newyorktoiowa57]

On 6/4/2019 at 7:08 PM, Dens228 said:

I recently purchased my first Megabass rod, the Levante 2019.  $199 and I absolutely love it. 

Most of my existing rods are St. Croix AvidX's and I'd put the Levante right with them. 

Which Levante do you have?

[hwright38]

At the absolute top end of your budget, I like the Shimano Zodias / Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 much more than the E6X or Avid X. Better balance than the Avid X, and I just flat out don't like the E6X. I'm sure MegaBass makes an excellent rod, but good luck finding one in a store to try out first.

To save a bit, I'd go with one of the Phenix Feathers. INSANELY lightweight rods. They make my Villains (which are supposed to be pretty light themselves) feel hefty. Not as sensitive as the Villains though, imo. The feathers do fish a bit light (a MH is closer to a M), so go with one power higher. The 7'1 H is a perfect all around rod, and is lighter than anything you'll find in a store, and lighter than most period until you're spending absurd amounts. For reference, my 802s GLX (which retails for $419.99) isn't as feathery light as the $150 Phenix in a 7'1 MH (that's a full power and 5 extra inches). Only flaw is if you have bigger hands you may have a problem, the handle is super small.

 

Also, I've beat the crap out of both my Villains, and both my Feathers, and neither has shown any signs of breaking (well... Besides the time I stepped on my Villain and crushed the eyelets. But we don't talk about that). I've heard of durability issues with both of these rods, but I've been flipping bass and tearing up trees with both and never had an issue after 3 seasons on the Villain, and now into my second with the Feather.

[Stephen B]

I love the MB Levantes. Other great options are Phenix Feather, St Croix Avid X, and Shimano Zodias.

[Dens228]

On 6/24/2019 at 11:08 PM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Which Levante do you have?

The Braillist and the Perfect Pitch.  

[KP Duty]

On 6/5/2019 at 5:32 AM, rangerjockey said:

The 2019 Levante is hard to beat it the $200 range, heck it fishes more like $300.

Looks like the Patriot has gone away to me as well, I've seen a few spinning rods left.

 It uses a NFC blank and they just don't seem to be able to supply the things. I'm surprised it doesn't seem to effect Kistler.

I like my edge rods, but seeing how gary runs a company makes me wonder how loomis ever made it big.

[rangerjockey]

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

I like my edge rods, but seeing how gary runs a company makes me wonder how loomis ever made it big.

Steve Rajeff had something to do with the success I'd bet.

[BassThumb]

Dobyns Champion from American Legacy Fishing Company selling on Amazon or eBay. 

 

Right around that $200 mark.

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?me=ANPC7UORF9UP5&rh=p_4%3ADobyns+Rods&dc&fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1561679276&ref=sr_in_-2_p_4_11

[LongJohn87]

dobyns fury or sierra you won't regret it. both are better than the avid, avid x, tatula, levante, e6x... 

[haggard]

Supposedly StC runs a little on the heavier side, so your do-all MH/F rod in other brands might be a M/F in StC.

 

St. Croix Premiere M/F, spinning or baitcasting, around $140-150 (I found the baitcaster as low as $120 at a local shop). Definitely a "do all". 

 

If you want to step it up a notch (more sensitive blank) check out the Avid but let's just say if I was told I could have only do-all one rod for bass fishing and it was a Premiere M/F, I'd be very pleased.

 

[rangerjockey]

1 hour ago, adnan123 said:

dobyns fury or sierra you won't regret it. both are better than the avid, avid x, tatula, levante, e6x... 

Which model Levante have you fished ?

[dodgeguy]

Any off bass pro shops rods from the carbonlite to the Patriot are in your price range. They are all outstanding in there price ranges.

[superkamikazee]

I have a Lews Speed Stick TP-1, 7' MH, really like that rod. Light, sensitive, nice guides, and strong enough to pull decent fish out of the thick stuff. $100 rod. 

[GReb]

I own rods all over the $100-$275 spectrum and if I had to pick the most versatile it would be the Dobyns Fury 734c. You can get one for under $90 at academy right now.  However if you are going to be using it for mainly bottom contact or cranks there are better option.