Budget casting rod with a large lure weight range

[microotter]

Is there any casting rods that are ~$150 or less that will load with a ned rig on 1/16th oz jig head and still be able to handle a 3/4oz or even 1 oz lure? I know of a couple more expensive rods that have a 1/8–1oz lure rating, but the best I see for budget options is 1/4–3/4oz. Looking for a rod that I can take to the river and throw almost all of my lures. I currently do this pretty well with a medium rod, but it doesn’t load well with ned rigs, grubs, and small paddle tails. I am not crazy about bringing two rods when wading. 

[JediAmoeba]

Sounds like you need a kastking perigee ii.  You can get 2 different rod tips that will cover your needs.

[microotter]

Just now, JediAmoeba said:

Sounds like you need a kastking perigee ii.  You can get 2 different rod tips that will cover your needs.

I don’t want to carry around the extra tip while wading. Forgot to mention the rod has to be 7’1” or less due to my storage situation. I am fine with multi piece rods. 

I just saw that Okuma has a few rods rated 1/8–3/4oz that are moderate fast. Think I would prefer fast or extra fast though. 

[Mikeltee]

Thats a tall order my friend. Its going to take a really light rod to toss that ned rig. Most do it all rods handle everything above weightless to small swimbaits. If you are successful in your search congratulations you found the Holy Grail. Please report back. If two rods for that price is an option, my first Ned rig was an ugly stick elite ML and a Pleuger President and I had no trouble hauling in 5#ers and the sensitivity was on point. The tip is even florescent to see those subtle nudges. Still to this day it makes wonder why I buy $300 rods. Maybe its a confidence thing? Maybe I am compensating for something else? Who knows...they sure are purdy though.

[microotter]

I am not sure it is that tall of an order. My 1/4–3/4oz rod is really close, but doesn’t load up on the ned or small paddle tails on a 1/16oz jig head. I am thinking the Okuma rods may work, but not sure if the action is too slow. 

 

I can still throw the light stuff but am not accurate. I am being more picky than anything

[JediAmoeba]

The way I see it (if you are hell-bent on it only being one rod) your best option is a medium rod.  You are going to lose control on light rigs and heavy rigs.  Feel will also be compromised on a lot of applications but it will be "doable".

 

There is a reason they market so many different rods, powers and flexes...

[fishwizzard]

A Ned with a TRD and a 1/16ox head weighs like 3/16, so most medium rods should be able to load one well enough but the 3/4-1oz upper end is going to be tough.  What are these heavier lures specifically?  If they are treble hooked topwater or the like you can get away with a lighter rod and just take care with you casting.  

[microotter]

7 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

A Ned with a TRD and a 1/16ox head weighs like 3/16, so most medium rods should be able to load one well enough but the 3/4-1oz upper end is going to be tough.  What are these heavier lures specifically?  If they are treble hooked topwater or the like you can get away with a lighter rod and just take care with you casting.  

Yeah, they are mostly topwaters. I really enjoy throwing topwaters for river smallmouth. Some of them are pretty heavy like the heddon one knocker, sammy 115, and a 1/2 oz. spinner bait with a trailer. I have had better success with the larger topwaters. Now that I look, none of them are 1oz. So I may have stated that wrong in the original post. My concern was “casting off” some of the heavier lures as I have done that in my earlier days using a baitcaster. 

[Smalls]

You’re asking too much out of one rod. I’m sure there’s plenty of rods that this is “doable” with, but it isn’t gonna be good at any of them.

 

It’s bass fishing, you can do whatever you want. But there’s a reason there’s thousands of rods with different actions and weights. Certain tools for certain jobs. 

[new2BC4bass]

I have an older model Aetos spinning rod that I think is rated 1/16-3/4 oz.  Would have to double check.  I don't think I've ever had a reel on it so I can't tell you if it handles both ends of the spectrum.  Will try to remember to look at its rating tonight.

[jimmyjoe]

  Try the Berkley Series One. It doesn't go as far down as 1/16th, but it reaches 1/8th. Maybe good enough?  jj

[fishwizzard]

10 hours ago, microotter said:

Yeah, they are mostly topwaters. I really enjoy throwing topwaters for river smallmouth. Some of them are pretty heavy like the heddon one knocker, sammy 115, and a 1/2 oz. spinner bait with a trailer. I have had better success with the larger topwaters. Now that I look, none of them are 1oz. So I may have stated that wrong in the original post. My concern was “casting off” some of the heavier lures as I have done that in my earlier days using a baitcaster. 

If you abandon the 1/2oz Spinnerbait you should be able to find a M/F or M/MF that will worth with the larger topwaters and still be good for lighter plastic/jigheads, but I think it's going to be tough to find a single rod that excels at everything you want to throw.  

 

You should take a look at the Loomis cr721c.  It's outside of your price range new but they pop up on ebay pretty often.  I have one and while it's not perfect at it's lower end, it will still load and cast a Ned well.  The upper limit is a bit high as well, but it will throw 3/8oz topwaters very well and should be able to handle heavier ones with careful casting.  I was trying to sell mine a while ago but decided to keep it.  If you are not in a huge hurry we can meet  up sometime in mid/late July and you can try mine out.  

[microotter]

22 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

If you abandon the 1/2oz Spinnerbait you should be able to find a M/F or M/MF that will worth with the larger topwaters and still be good for lighter plastic/jigheads, but I think it's going to be tough to find a single rod that excels at everything you want to throw.  

 

You should take a look at the Loomis cr721c.  It's outside of your price range new but they pop up on ebay pretty often.  I have one and while it's not perfect at it's lower end, it will still load and cast a Ned well.  The upper limit is a bit high as well, but it will throw 3/8oz topwaters very well and should be able to handle heavier ones with careful casting.  I was trying to sell mine a while ago but decided to keep it.  If you are not in a huge hurry we can meet  up sometime in mid/late July and you can try mine out.  

Thanks meeting up sounds great. The cr721c looks like a really nice option. I wish it was 25% off like the rest of the models! Going to keep my eyes peeled for a sale or used option. I am starting to find a few other rods that are moderate fast that have my desired lure range. Having never fished a mod fast I am curious, but concerned they won’t be great for light jigs but probably excel for treble lures. 

[fishwizzard]

39 minutes ago, microotter said:

Thanks meeting up sounds great. The cr721c looks like a really nice option. I wish it was 25% off like the rest of the models! Going to keep my eyes peeled for a sale or used option. I am starting to find a few other rods that are moderate fast that have my desired lure range. Having never fished a mod fast I am curious, but concerned they won’t be great for light jigs but probably excel for treble lures. 

I swear that I saw the 721c onsale at ALF the other day, but it might have been a 1 day thing.  I fear Loomis is discontinuing the CR line as they have been really slow to restock recently. 

 

A ModF rod should be good for most fine-wire jig hooks as most of them are not much thicker then a beefy treble.  I kinda like a softer/lighter rod for wading as it helps keep fish pinned while I am getting myself situated to land and release them. 

 

I should be free around the 22nd and hope to spend most of that week fishing, so we could meet up then. 

[Junger]

Lew's has a bunch of rods in the 3/16-5/8oz range. 

 

There'a also an interesting rod, a 6'9 "Inshore" casting rod rated 1/16 to 3/4oz. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Fishing-LCPI-MC69-Custom-Casting/dp/B075MY8NRX

 

I have the 6'8 Custom Plus Speed Stick for poppers, rated 1/8-1/2oz, but it can handle a bit more on the upper end since I sometimes throw 3/8oz spinners + trailers on it.

[microotter]

27 minutes ago, Junger said:

Lew's has a bunch of rods in the 3/16-5/8oz range. 

 

There'a also an interesting rod, a 6'9 "Inshore" casting rod rated 1/16 to 3/4oz. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lews-Fishing-LCPI-MC69-Custom-Casting/dp/B075MY8NRX

 

I have the 6'8 Custom Plus Speed Stick for poppers, rated 1/8-1/2oz, but it can handle a bit more on the upper end since I sometimes throw 3/8oz spinners + trailers on it.

That inshore rod is interesting. I may have to pick it up. 

[Deleted account]

21 hours ago, microotter said:

Is there any casting rods that are ~$150 or less that will load with a ned rig on 1/16th oz jig head and still be able to handle a 3/4oz or even 1 oz lure?

No.

[microotter]

Ended up ordering a rod in the same line that @Junger linked to on Amazon, but am trying the 1/16-5/8 7’ m/mf. Found a really nice deal on it and wanted to try a moderate fast. If it doesn’t work out, I didn’t break the bank. Hopefully it arrives in one piece. ?

[CrankFate]

If you are insistent on covering a very wide range, you should add spool bearings to your reel. If you are looking for bang for the buck, Hawtech bearings will squeeze as much low weight as possible from a rod capable of going low. Otherwise a very shallow DIY spool will also squeeze lower weights out of most rods. Otherwise, your best bet would be a $100 spinning rod like a 6’ St Croix Triumph and a modern, 1000 size, decent brand spinning reel. For $150-175, a decent light spinning outfit with 4-6lb braid can easily do what you’re looking for.

[microotter]

As I stated above I can pretty much do all of this with my current medium rod and reel. Just wanted something that also loads with a ned rig on a 1/16oz jighead and other slightly lighter presentations. I have a few spinning rods and reels that can handle this, but want a more versatile casting setup. 

[new2BC4bass]

Sorry.  Don't know why I was thinking you were looking for a spinning rod.  My first thought is always casting.....except this time.    The only casting rod I know of with that range is an OG Tatula 6' 10" MXF rated 3/32-1 oz.  The rod Junger linked to looks interesting.