Best spinning rod under $500...expride, g. loomis...

[clemsondds]

Looking for a second spinning rod/reel setup. Was looking for something around $150. Was looking at getting g another Dobyns fury or st croix Moho, but there I read Someone recommending one of the smaller brands like alx. Can anyone offer some advice on best bang for the buck? Just looking for a good spinning rod for ned rig, drop shot...will probably pair it with a stradic or something similar. My main focus will be on sensitivity. Thank you all! 

[waymont]

Take a look at the Daiwa Tatula spinning rods, the bass rods with the cork handle. They are right at your price point, but feel much nicer than their price point. They are very light and well balanced and extremely sensitive. This series of rods is really nice.

[clemsondds]

Ok thanks! Yeh I have heard good things about the Tatula line. Would love to hear from others. Especially those who have used ALX, irod, or similar smaller companies. Wondering if you can get more custom, better quality for the price point. Thanks! 

[newyorktoiowa57]

I'd look at the tutula. Most sensitive rod under 200 IMO, and can be found for like 110 at sportsmans outfitters. 

[new2BC4bass]

I am a big fan of the OG Tatula rods, BUT only have casting models.  Same thing for my Mojo and 2 ALX Zolos.  I do read good things about the Zolo spinning rod models.  When I got back into fishing I pretty much went all baitcast.  I have to say I am sorely tempted to try a Zolo McSmalls spinning rod.  Especially now that I have decided that my casting ability isn't going to let me go much below 3/16 oz.  The owner of ALX has said he has a hard time putting the McSmalls down.  That's a good enough recommendation for me. 

 

 

[dodgeguy]

bass pro shops signature series. i really dont get why nobody ever mentions them. for the money they cannot be beat. patriot and platinum series are even better.

 

[Shimano_1]

1 hour ago, dodgeguy said:

bass pro shops signature series. i really dont get why nobody ever mentions them. for the money they cannot be beat. patriot and platinum series are even better.

 

I agree,  anything from the carbonlite to the platinum series are awesome sticks especially at the sale prices. Most all of my current lineup are cabelas and basspro rods.  Love that if I need to replace a broken rod I can drive 15 minutes instead of spending money and having to ship back and wait on replacement. 

[dodgeguy]

And I dont really think you need a lifetime warranty. I've broken 5 rods in the past 30 years. All were within the first month. One was a BPS . They replaced it No problem. 

.

 

[WRB]

Spinning rods my recommendation is Major Craft, light weight, good craftsmanship and high quality components around $120-$130.

Tom

 

[clemsondds]

Thanks Tom! Would you mind sharing what makes them more high-quality then another major brand rod like tatula? What’s the actual components that make it a good deal versus a major brand at the same price point. Just trying to learn. Btw, stopped by store and handled a tatula, st croix avid x, and fury. Nice rods! Thanks! 

[Efishin]

I dont like ALX at all. All of my buddies sold theres as well. Around 150, I would recommend a Dobyns Fury, St Croix Mojo, Shimano Intenza, Phenix Feather. Those are the best in that price range. 

[WRB]

22 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thanks Tom! Would you mind sharing what makes them more high-quality then another major brand rod like tatula? What’s the actual components that make it a good deal versus a major brand at the same price point. Just trying to learn. Btw, stopped by store and handled a tatula, st croix avid x, and fury. Nice rods! Thanks! 

It comes down to the quality of Fuji guides, reel seat used and handle configuration.

I like Dobyns rods, don't the reel seat /handle configuration with locking rings.

Lower end St Croix rods blanks are both heavy with little feedback and use 20 year old guides and reel seat/handle configuration 

Aaron Martens designed the reel handle for Megabass that Iovino has Major Craft incorporate into his finesse spinning rods with state of art blank materials. The only thing I don't like is the bold yellow lettering that Major Craft uses.

Tom

[Bandersnatch]

5 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

bass pro shops signature series. i really dont get why nobody ever mentions them. for the money they cannot be beat. patriot and platinum series are even better.

 

I honestly think it's because a lot of people can't get excited about a big box store names rod that doesn't mean much. We can all get excited about a specific model from other rod manufacturers. Just my opinion. It's like being excited About Johnny Morris signature reel blah blah blah. What is it really? Mind you, I had acl surgery three days ago and I'm cranky 

[clemsondds]

Thanks! So do you use them for all your rods? Also, they look like they have two spinning rods in that range...the don lovino rod and the ms1 rod...which you like better? Thanks again 

[LCG]

I bought one spinning and one casting rod from BPS last year, both carbonlites 2.0. They have become my favorite rods. Comfort and sensitivity are what counts for me, don't care who makes it. The signature series is nice as well but I loved the feel of the Winn grips. Never held the platinum model, just not a fan of the red colored blank, just a personal thing. 

[Bandersnatch]

18 minutes ago, LCG said:

I bought one spinning and one casting rod from BPS last year, both carbonlites 2.0. They have become my favorite rods. Comfort and sensitivity are what counts for me, don't care who makes it. The signature series is nice as well but I loved the feel of the Winn grips. Never held the platinum model, just not a fan of the red colored blank, just a personal thing. 

Certainly not saying they aren't nice

[thunderblack]

for under or around $200

 

Fenwick Aetos or new Techna

St. Croix Avid X or original

Kistler Helium when they have a sale

Megabass Orochi XX if you can find a second hand one or use a coupon

Shimano Zodias

G. Loomis revamped E6X

 

I have owned, handled, or fished all of these except the techna and they are all really good rods with nice warranties. Good luck

[Hulkster]

if it were me i would go either a 2018 model Loomis E6X or a St. Croix Avid. 

[Derek1]

13 hours ago, LCG said:

I bought one spinning and one casting rod from BPS last year, both carbonlites 2.0. They have become my favorite rods. Comfort and sensitivity are what counts for me, don't care who makes it. The signature series is nice as well but I loved the feel of the Winn grips. Never held the platinum model, just not a fan of the red colored blank, just a personal thing. 

Me to really like them. 

[matbellon3]

Major Craft in the low end of your budget or the St. Croix Avid in the high end. 

[newyorktoiowa57]

Best option is a Shimano Expride but will run you $225 on sale. 

[Darren.]

There's really no *right* answer to your question, only opinions  

 

So here's mine. I've been a big fan of BPS Carbonlites (pre 2.0) and

having put hands-on the new ones in-store, I'd say they're pretty much

the same quality.

 

I also use St. Croix. Have a Premier and Legend Tournament. I like shorter

rods and St. Croix meets most of my prefs.

 

Also had a St. Croix Avid, ended up trading up for the LT. Didn't like the 

tip-heaviness of the Avid. Actually the LT is tip-heavy (slightly) with my

Stradic 1000s, but I've currently got a Pflueger Supreme 3000 on it which

balances pretty well.

 

Also FWIW, I use Stradic 1000 models 99% of the time.

 

Good luck with your quest. Get hands on whenever you can to help with

your decision.

[deadadrift89]

On 11/24/2019 at 1:35 AM, clemsondds said:

Just looking for a good spinning rod for ned rig, drop shot...will probably pair it with a stradic or something similar. My main focus will be on sensitivity. Thank you all! 

Another couple of options are Fenwick Elite Tech bass and Abu Garcia "IKE" series both are 6'10" ML rods. I fish both of those techniques. Prefer the Fenwick for Ned rigs and the IKE for dropshoting with 1/4oz weight. Loved the IKE so much I've got 2? If you only fish a dropshot vertically or less than 1/4oz weight the Fenwick would be fine, it's got a softer tip than the IKE

[fvogel67]

The Abu Ike series is definitely underrated.I have the 6’4 Delay and use it for a variety of techniques 

[Boomstick]

A couple years ago, I picked up a St. Croix Avid X 6'9" ML/XF rod for drop shots and ned rigs, figuring a ML was the way to go for the northeast (where 10 pounders are rare). It has micro guides but with thin line (12lb Sunline SX1 basically the thickness of average 15lb braid and a 6 or 8lb flurocarbon leader) I have issues passing the knot through the guides, and it's very sensitive.

 

As most of you guys know I'm an admitted Daiwa fanboy (and I don't lie about it), but I did not get the Daiwa Tatula drop shot rod because I read that they put a thinner than normal tip on it which is fairly normal with Daiwa rods and in most cases a nice perk but in conjunction with a lighter power rod, people broke the tips off of them constantly.