Need Rod Help - Good All Arounder

[Frezzy]

Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum.  Been doing a lot of reading and it's awesome so far.  Long-time surfcaster for Stripers in the Northeast.  With that fishery in serious decline I plan on doing some smallmouth fishing this coming spring.  I will be bank fishing in a deep reservoir in MA and only want to carry a single spinning rod so I can be mobile.  I will be throwing mostly jerkbaits and topwaters with the occasional jig/tube mixed in.  I will most likely go with a MF or MXF around 7'.  Looking for a high end rod and I don't have a budget.  Can anyone recommend a brand and a rod that might work for my needs?  Thanks fellas! Frezzy        

[Dwight Hottle]

Welcome to BR. Two rods come to mind. St Croix Legend X 7' MF 3/16-5/8 Model XLS70MF. Second choice is St Croix Legend Xtreme 7' 6" MLXF 1/8-3/8 Model LXS76MLXF. Either rod would serve you well for smallie. The MLXF although rated as a medium lite fishes more like mag lite or 1/2 power heavier than you would think. Its a real fun rod to use but will still handle a trophy smallie. 

[Bird]

I've got so many that I really like.

 

Lews speed stick " favorite "

Shimano and Diawa both make quality rods that have proven durable. 

 

Budget rod would be lightning or Fenwick silver Hawk.

[waymont]

Can't really beat the G Loomis SJR rods.

IMX-PRO 842S SJR would suit you well. It's a great all around rod for freshwater bass fishing techniques you mentioned.

[Wizzlebiz]

I suspect you will eventually want a baitcaster if you will be doing this often. 

 

I suggest the mach crush combo when your ready. 

 

[MickD]

7' 6" over a 7 for longer casts from shore, agree that St Croix rods are very good, and their power is a little more than you might expect based on experience with other brands.  The power should be matched to the lure weight, so look at the recommended lure weights.  I expect with St Croix that ML will be right.  BUT, I recommend fast and not Xfast.  You are interested in how the rod will cast (fishing from shore), and a fast action of the right power will cast more smoothly and easily than an Xfast, and will better for handling the trebles.  AND, still be good for the bottom/finesse techniques.

 

Best way is to buy from a store where you can take a reel and a weight that is about midway in the range of lure weights you expect to use.  You don't have to cast, better if you can, but evaluate how the different actions load by going through the motions of casting.

  

For a lot of the smallmouth techniques, a spin will work better than a baitcaster, IMO.  Sometimes the fall rate of a 1/8 or 3/16 tube  or creature jig will best match what the fish want, and you want to be able to cast light lures a long ways.

 

Not to worry if you have seconds thoughts on your purchase.  When you can, buy another.  You will definitely find a good use for it.

[new2BC4bass]

Well...can't help from personal experience.  Especially in the high end area.  However, this rod appears to be a great option for a one rod arsenal.  Takes place of 2 NRX rods according to the poster.  Hopefully I can post a youtube link.

 

 

[FishTank]

My pick would be the St. Croix Legend Elite 7' MF.  This should handle just about anything.

[bunz559]

When bank fishing, I really liked my Dobyn's Champion XP 733. Alternatively, the Extreme 743 will do as well. This rod is a bit longer, but would work wonders in casting and hook sets in deeper waters. These rods will throw light finesse jigs, tubes, senkos, and much more. I've thrown jerkbaits, spinners and chatters on them as well. They have a soft enough tip to do a lot of types of fishing with a nice backbone. You will not be disappointed. Sometimes it comes down to preference so you'll have to see if you prefer the stiffer and faster tip rods or the rods with a stiff backbone and a bit slower tip.  

[kayaking_kev]

The best all around Dobyns rod is the Champion XP 734c and the Sierra 734c. The best all around rod may be the Shimano G.Loomis 843c MBR, but you can also get the 843c MBR in the GLX series. The best all around bang for buck is the Expride 7'2 MH. These are just my personal opinions though.

 

Conquest 843c

GLX 843c

Expride 7'2 MH

Champion XP 734c

Sierra 734c

[Derek1]

The carbonlite 2.0 in m/f is a great all round spinning rod. Very tough for hiking it around. I use the 6’6” cause of tight tree cover. It’s 1/8-1/2 and you can go a little over. I have a 2500 nasci on it it. It’s a $220 set up I couldn’t be more happy with.