Dangerfield Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 We get a lot of best rod/reel under $100, $200 etc. threads, they pop up all the time. Just thought it would be interesting to get opinions from the community on hyped rods/reels that disappointed, or a rod/reel you rolled the dice on and blew you away. I found a lot of our pinned/sticky'd posts are starting to get outdated and this could help some of our new members or new-to-fishing members... GO! Quote
Super User jbsoonerfan Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 It will still be the same things said, just in a different way. You will get the Tatula, SLX, Lew's TMB guys that say those reels are worth every penny and the guys with $400 reels will say they are worth every penny. 2 2 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 I've seen this thread elsewhere. My reply isn't going to help anyone looking for either that can be purchased new today...unless there are some hidden away somewhere. For reels: You won't see much of anything written about the Okuma Helios Air or Pinnacle Primmus Xi HS. Both blew me away on the first cast and have continued to impress. For rods: Harder for me to be blown away. I was disappointed in a Gen 1 Villain 7'6" MHF casting rod. A 7'7" Ballistic cranking rod is the worst rod I've ever held. A 7' MHF Rainshadow RX7 has impressed me as has a 7' ML Hurricane. I've got a couple older Quantum Tour Edition PT casting rods that I really like. I'm thinking anything else I could write would fit under a best rod/reel thread. Oh yeah. An original Concept A felt great in hand the first time I mounted it on a rod. I seldom notice something like that, but this reel was an exception to the rule. Not blown away otherwise by it. Took a little longer than normal to dial in. 1 Quote
Super User dodgeguy Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 Most under rated rod is a BPS Patriot rod.Its just as good as rods costing $500. I would put all Falcon rods as next most underrated rods. Most under rated reel is a Lews Tournament Pro. It's just as good as reels twice the price if not better IMHO. Most over rated products I don't get into because there are a lot and I don't want to start arguments. 3 1 Quote
kayaking_kev Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 The Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick for $40 at Wal-Mart. I actually ordered the J&W version, but got the Crankbait version instead and just decided to keep it. And, then I found out it is a terrible crankbait rod, it's way too stiff, I almost wonder if I actually got the J&W version and it was just mislabeled. But, after I started fishing bottom baits with it I was blown away by the sensitivity of it. I got the 6'10" Medium/Fast, but it fishes more like a Extra Fast. It's IM-8 and it's super light. The only knock about it is that it's pretty brittle, but that's why it's so sensitive. I ended up catching some of my biggest LM this past season with it, a few over 4 lbs., before and after I broke the tip while transporting with a lure tied on and not using the hook keeper like a idiot. Anyway, I repaired the tip and it's a little shorter now, but I still caught some good fish on it after that. One could have a nice cheap one, two punch with one of those for bottom baits paired with a Abu Garcia Pro Max, along with an Ugly Stik GX2 paired with a Abu Garcia Black Max for treble hook baits. Another stick I'm liking is the 13 Fishing Defy Black Crankbait Rod, it's made of composite, and has excellent balance and weight. I have the 7'3 Heavy and the balance is on the locking nut with a reel on it. 1 Quote
Dangerfield Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said: It will still be the same things said, just in a different way. You will get the Tatula, SLX, Lew's TMB guys that say those reels are worth every penny and the guys with $400 reels will say they are worth every penny. Perfect! that's exactly what I'm looking for. The Okuma & Pinnacle reels seldomly get mentioned around here and there's already input. While, I agree some might be repetitive, I think we might find some gems among the community. 2 Quote
Super User J._Bricker Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 I’ll chime in on the rod side of things by saying Okuma rods. Specially, the Reflections series is the one I’ve had experience using. I bought them as a recommendation from my boat shop at around $60, I figured at the time they’d work for chucking and winding. And these Okuma rods do that well and are a bargain for young anglers and the budget conscious. By the way, my avatar shows my PB caught on one of those very rods... 1 1 Quote
Jermination Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 all star. best finesse rod ive ever used. i just do not miss fish on this rod and it keeps em buttoned up on the ned etc. I pick this rod up over several more expensive finesse outfits laying on deck, probably 70 bucks at academy 2 Quote
Randy Price Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 For reels the Daiwa Revros and Shimano Sahara are GREAT for the money. As far as rods the St. Croix MOJO line is really best bang for the buck IMO. 3 1 Quote
Super User NYWayfarer Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 26 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said: The Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick for $40 at Wal-Mart. I actually ordered the J&W version, but got the Crankbait version instead and just decided to keep it. And, then I found out it is a terrible crankbait rod, it's way too stiff, I almost wonder if I actually got the J&W version and it was just mislabeled. But, after I started fishing bottom baits with it I was blown away by the sensitivity of it. I got the 6'10" Medium/Fast, but it fishes more like a Extra Fast. It's IM-8 and it's super light. The only knock about it is that it's pretty brittle, but that's why it's so sensitive. I ended up catching some of my biggest LM this past season with it, a few over 4 lbs., before and after I broke the tip while transporting with a lure tied on and not using the hook keeper like a idiot. Anyway, I repaired the tip and it's a little shorter now, but I still caught some good fish on it after that. One could have a nice cheap one, two punch with one of those for bottom baits paired with a Abu Garcia Pro Max, along with an Ugly Stik GX2 paired with a Abu Garcia Black Max for treble hook baits. Another stick I'm liking is the 13 Fishing Defy Black Crankbait Rod, it's made of composite, and has excellent balance and weight. I have the 7'3 Heavy and the balance is on the locking nut with a reel on it. The Lew's Hank Parker speed stick is absolutely a star of the under rated category! Another under rated rod is the Lew's SG1 speed stick for $49.99 I have been replacing any old or damaged rods with this series. 2 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 I haven't tried them ALL, so I can't really say. But I'm working on it though. A-Jay 3 Quote
Super User Mobasser Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 I think Berkley rods are under rated by many. I've owned a couple over the years that were very good. 5 1 Quote
kayaking_kev Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 7 minutes ago, Randy Price said: For reels the Daiwa Revros and Shimano Sahara are GREAT for the money. As far as rods the St. Croix MOJO line is really best bang for the buck IMO. I agree on the Revros LT, it's very nice, and I love the looks of it. You could probably say the same about the other LT versions also, like the Legalis and Regal. I haven't tried a Sahara, but I got a Shimano Sienna not long ago and it's very nice too, not nearly as light as the Revros though. Quote
Dangerfield Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 8 minutes ago, A-Jay said: I haven't tried them ALL, so I can't really say. But I'm working on it though. A-Jay From my research, you've handle a fair share of St. Croix rods, how do they compare to the Tatula Elites that you use? Quote
kayaking_kev Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 9 minutes ago, Mobasser said: I think Berkley rods are under rated by many. I've owned a couple over the years that were very good. I tried a friends Cherrywood not long ago and it had a nice soft tip, I would definitely crank with one. He has a Quantum Smoke rod as his most expensive rod, but he prefers the Cherrywood. 2 Quote
Super User Bird Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 My wallet may not be as fat as some but my frugal ways must count for something. Lol Best for the money across the board: #1 Lews #2. Kastking Is it coincidence that I fish both ? 1 1 Quote
Jcj90 Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 Shimano sienna spinning reel 15 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said: I agree on the Revros LT, it's very nice, and I love the looks of it. You could probably say the same about the other LT versions also, like the Legalis and Regal. I haven't tried a Sahara, but I got a Shimano Sienna not long ago and it's very nice too, not nearly as light as the Revros though. I have the regal LT. Fishes it 3 times so far and love it. Great drag and smooth 1 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 18 minutes ago, Dangerfield said: From my research, you've handle a fair share of St. Croix rods, how do they compare to the Tatula Elites that you use? When comparing the LTB (the older & the newer - have both) and the Tatula Elites AGS: Both are clean and high quality builds, both are super comfortable in the hand, and both are worth the price IMO. However as a human who's fished a few sticks (starting when Lyndon B. Johnson was running this show) - the LTB sticks feel & remind me of the older type blanks that are a bit more stout but actually bend when casting & fighting a fish. The AGS rods are lighter, definitely faster and though I haven't blown one up yet (something I'm somewhat prone to doing) I can see it happening if I'm not careful. This is not a KNOCK on these sticks just that the highest modular wands seem a little more - let's say brittle. Been fishing the St Croix rods for years and the AGS rods for only a couple of seasons. I like them both a lot and have no intentions of replacing them any time soon. Please remember these are MY opinions and not fact. YMMV A-Jay 1 1 Quote
Dangerfield Posted January 17, 2020 Author Posted January 17, 2020 4 minutes ago, A-Jay said: Please remember these are MY opinions and not fact. YMMV A-Jay Thanks A-Jay - this is awesome feedback. I follow your annual ice out / best of season posts, and respect your opinion. 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 1 minute ago, Dangerfield said: Thanks A-Jay - this is awesome feedback. I follow your annual ice out / best of season posts, and respect your opinion. You're Welcome and Thank You for the kind words and the support. I certainly appreciate it. A-Jay Quote
garroyo130 Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Jermination said: all star. best finesse rod ive ever used. i just do not miss fish on this rod and it keeps em buttoned up on the ned etc. I pick this rod up over several more expensive finesse outfits laying on deck, probably 70 bucks at academy $25 ... last I checked they were in the clearance cage Not sure how cheap were trying to go but for a low end light crank rod, the Lightning rod (not shock) in medium-moderate is excellent! 1 Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 It doesn’t get mentioned a lot, but the iRod “Magic Stick” is an incredible frog/GP heavy rod. It’s on the Mod side of Fast and Has a really well-balanced power/taper. 1 Quote
Jermination Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 10 minutes ago, garroyo130 said: $25 ... last I checked they were in the clearance cage Not sure how cheap were trying to go but for a low end light crank rod, the Lightning rod (not shock) in medium-moderate is excellent! nice. when i got it a couple years ago it was either 69 or 79--havent had to buy a new one because its been so good. I have a medium/fast i use for neddin Quote
Super User Boomstick Posted January 17, 2020 Super User Posted January 17, 2020 I don't think I have enough experience with oddball brand gear to say what's underrated. I would gather many of the Irod rods are underrated, as I hardly hear anything about them but whenever I do it's the most glowing review possible. As far as being overrated, reels like the Daiwa Tatula or Shimano Curado series or the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ are prime candidates just because so many people have them, although I don't think any of them are bad reels or have any reason to really be considered overrated. Quote
deadadrift89 Posted January 17, 2020 Posted January 17, 2020 Big Disappointments - Abu Garcia RevoSX and OrraSX spinning reels, I've got 2 of each model and one of each model has had issues. Nice suprises - Abu IKE Finesse Series spinning rods, 6'10" med/light is a fantastic dropshot rod. I've got 3 now?. Also the 2018 Diawa Tatula 7' med/mod (graphite) cranking topwater rod, great action for 1/2oz treble baits 1 Quote
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