Please help me pick a rod (I'm going nuts)

[FL_Basshole]

I know this is a heavily brought up topic, but after doing research for the last 2 weeks, I’m still no closer to making a decision. Throughout my fishing career I’ve never really given a tremendous amount of thought to my rods. I could always catch plenty with average gear. I’ve been looking to get a new rod and cannot make a decision to save my life. I’m looking for a sensitive 7ft-7’3ft / medium or medium/light  fast action spinning rod for senko fishing. I’ve been looking in the $100-$200 range.  A lot of threads with this similar question say a Dobyn Fury, St Croix mojo, etc... I’ve found other people who swear that Duckett triad or Falcon Bucco sr are way better. I thought maybe I should just bite  the bullet and get a G-loomis imx, but still there’s people who say even that isn’t worth the money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -Thanks

[WRB]

Don't want to add to your confushion what size Senko's, hooks and line type are you using?

Tom

[Deeare]

Check out the kistler klx.   They are $270 but they are always having sales up to 25% so that will get down to $200.   Sign up for their mailing list to get the notifications.   

[FL_Basshole]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

Don't want to add to your confushion what size Senko's, hooks and line type are you using?

Tom

Standard size senkos. 4/0 and generally 8-10lb braid

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Do you have a Bass Pro/Cabelas nearby? And I'm asking

as I assume, if you do, you've been there already.

 

I really don't think you need to go much over the $100

mark to find a great rod. Brands are really in the eye of

the beholder. I happen to like St. Croix Premier, BPS 

Carbonlite, etc.... I also happen to like shorter rods, so....

[FL_Basshole]

1 minute ago, Deeare said:

Check out the kistler klx.   They are $270 but they are always having sales up to 25% so that will get down to $200.   Sign up for their mailing list to get the notifications.   

I''ll look. I'm not opposed to spending more, but still a lot of people say a $300 rod is only slightly better than a $150 rod. I love having a lot of options in the market, but they drive me crazy lol

[WRB]

2 minutes ago, FL_Basshole said:

Standard size senkos. 4/0 and generally 8-10lb braid

5" and 6" with 4/0 hook, ML maybe a little too light!

Tom

[FL_Basshole]

Just now, WRB said:

5" and 6" with 4/0 hook, ML maybe a little too light!

Tom

agreed, medium is certainly my preference

4 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

 

Do you have a Bass Pro/Cabelas nearby? And I'm asking

as I assume, if you do, you've been there already.

 

I really don't think you need to go much over the $100

mark to find a great rod. Brands are really in the eye of

the beholder. I happen to like St. Croix Premier, BPS 

Carbonlite, etc.... I also happen to like shorter rods, so....

That's always been my train of thought. I figured I'd treat myself to something better, it's certainly possible that I'm getting caught up in thinking I need something nicer.

[Darren.]

23 minutes ago, FL_Basshole said:

agreed, medium is certainly my preference

That's always been my train of thought. I figured I'd treat myself to something better, it's certainly possible that I'm getting caught up in thinking I need something nicer.

If you are someone with money to spare, then rock on and 

buy the rod of your dreams. But if not, buy affordable, and 

stay w/in your budget (oh if only I'd have listened to this 

advice years ago, LOL) you'll be happy and catching some

beasts to hang on a wall!  

[FL_Basshole]

5 minutes ago, Darren. said:

If you are someone with money to spare, then rock on and 

buy the rod of your dreams. But if not, buy affordable, and 

stay w/in your budget (oh if only I'd have listened to this 

advice years ago, LOL) you'll be happy and catching some

beasts to hang on a wall!  

Yea I have some $ I'm frugal in life except when it comes to fishing and hunting lol. I wish more of my fishing buddies had nice rods to see if I'm actually missing out on something.

[LCG]

I would highly recommend the Bass Pro Shop Carbonite 2.0 6'8" M-Xf for weightless senko either Texas rigged or Wacky rigged. Sensitive, light weight, affordable, and very comfortable to hold. St Croix, gloomis, Shimano, Fenwick, and a few other brands offer good value as well. 

[FL_Basshole]

22 minutes ago, LCG said:

I would highly recommend the Bass Pro Shop Carbonite 2.0 6'8" M-Xf for weightless senko either Texas rigged or Wacky rigged. Sensitive, light weight, affordable, and very comfortable to hold. St Croix, gloomis, Shimano, Fenwick, and a few other brands offer good value as well. 

I'll check it out

[fishwizzard]

27 minutes ago, FL_Basshole said:

Yea I have some $ I'm frugal in life except when it comes to fishing and hunting lol. I wish more of my fishing buddies had nice rods to see if I'm actually missing out on something.

If you want to try a "nice rod" without spending a ton, look for an old-model IMX rod on eBay.  You can often find them for under $150 and imho they are stil a steal at that price.  

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, FL_Basshole said:

I know this is a heavily brought up topic, but after doing research for the last 2 weeks, I’m still no closer to making a decision. Throughout my fishing career I’ve never really given a tremendous amount of thought to my rods. I could always catch plenty with average gear. I’ve been looking to get a new rod and cannot make a decision to save my life. I’m looking for a sensitive 7ft-7’3ft / medium or medium/light  fast action spinning rod for senko fishing. I’ve been looking in the $100-$200 range.  A lot of threads with this similar question say a Dobyn Fury, St Croix mojo, etc... I’ve found other people who swear that Duckett triad or Falcon Bucco sr are way better. I thought maybe I should just bite  the bullet and get a G-loomis imx, but still there’s people who say even that isn’t worth the money. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -Thanks

Don’t over think it. In your price range, there aren’t any bad rods. Honestly, there aren’t a lot of guys in a blind test who could tell the different rods apart. 

[Derek1]

Just get the carbonlite 2.0 in 6’6”-7-0”. You won’t be disappointed. In ml or m.  

[JediAmoeba]

As previously said , your price range provides a lot of great options.  The real question you need to answer is what material and what length grip you like - I think that is the most decided factor for a person to fall in love with a rod.  

 

Cork, eva foam, full length, split grip, etc.  

 

Personally I like split grips and really like cork.

[Hulkster]

check out the 2018 model Loomis E6X JWR 892S. its awesome although i havent used a senko on it, it is a soft plastics rod. 

[WRB]

I will offer you some advice based on where you are located and what presentations you plan to use. Major Craft NAS WJ 701 MH is the rod for your application.

I realize everyone else is suggesting a different rod but none of them are hall of fame bass anglers and this is the rod Don Iovino uses for 5" to 6" Senko's and the rod I use.

Tom

[Mikeltee]

20 years ago there were no technique specific rods and people caught just as many fish as today. The lightest you want is a M-MH and it will shine for weightless however if you are going to add weights you want a MH which will also be fine for weightless. I'd suggest a bait casting rig for any senko presentation. I assure you if you enjoy bass fishing you will upgrade to a baitcaster by next season and the purchase you make now will collect dust.

 

Dicks had a champion 734 which is a great rod for $160 and it retails at $250. You can do just about any presentation with that rod. It's by far the best bang for the buck.

 

Learn to throw a baitcaster and you will enjoy your time on the water much more.

 

Adding on... For non-moving baits you want the most sensitive rod you can afford. Stay clear of the Fury series and the like. You can afford the Champion line and you will have a much better chance to feel fish flirting with your bait. Anything less pretty much guarantees a broomstick in the MH power range. With medium you can go cheap because they are all super sensitive, even an Ugly Stick. That would be for finesse/light wire presentations and you would want more power to drive those EWG and whacky hooks home. Dropshot, neko, mushrooms heads are usually light wire.

[JediAmoeba]

56 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

20 years ago there were no technique specific rods and people caught just as many fish as today.

Nope.  I am convinced all the fish I lost 20 years ago is due to the fact I had the incorrect equipment.  All the fish I lose today is due to faulty equipment.  User error is never a factor.

 

It's funny - I remember burning spinnerbaits on the surface more than 20 years ago with a 4.5:1 ratio reel and a 6 foot ugly stick with no problems.  These days I have to make sure I have the right MH rod and a high speed 8.1:1 ratio reel... 

[Mikeltee]

Definately faulty equipment. I would urge everyone to get a second mortgage and buy 3 NRXs and 3 Steez AGSs for every specific technique and have 3 colors of the lure ready to go. You will then be guaranteed to catch more fish and losing fish will no longer be part of your vocabulary. 

[Big Rick]

On 8/25/2019 at 11:19 PM, WRB said:

I will offer you some advice based on where you are located and what presentations you plan to use. Major Craft NAS WJ 701 MH is the rod for your application.

I realize everyone else is suggesting a different rod but none of them are hall of fame bass anglers and this is the rod Don Iovino uses for 5" to 6" Senko's and the rod I use.

Tom

Tom,

 

Where do you find this little known jewel?  A quick search only netter flea-bay for me.....

 

Update: I found the website..... I'm a doofus. or blind... or BOTH....

 

https://majorcraft-america.com/product/nanoace-spinning/

 

[fishwizzard]

40-50 years ago my dad drove cars without power steering just fine, but I  don’t think he would go without it today.  Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean that no improvements are possible.  

[WRB]

2 hours ago, Big Rick said:

Tom,

 

Where do you find this little known jewel?  A quick search only netter flea-bay for me.....

 

Update: I found the website..... I'm a doofus. or blind... or BOTH....

 

https://majorcraft-america.com/product/nanoace-spinning/

 

Checked the model number NAS-WJ701MH is correct. My source was Iovino, did a quick internet search and found the rod on Japanese sites and a few references for eBay?

Tom

[Bassattackr]

I would get a 7' Medium power, fast action rod.  Long enough to pitch around and short enough to still skip docks.   Personally, I like the Abu Villain 2.0 although they are since discontinued you may be able to find a deal on one.