Berkley lightning rod

[DitchPanda]

I am interested in getting a budget rod for shallow cranks and small lipless like the 1\4oz redeyes and the aruku shad jr.Also maybe throw small squarebills like the bomber square a and the frittside at ice out.I'm looking for some insight from anybody who has used the 7ft medium mod\fast casting model in particular.Rod looks good just wondering if anybody has first hand experience with this rod and the techniques\lures I've mentioned? I have used and still currently use the shocks which I love...just looking for a different option

[garroyo130]

I have the 7ft med/mod and its a great rod for smaller crankbaits. Its slightly underpowered for a medium IMO but I can still get away with fishing small redeyes and 1.5s. I have mine paired with a fuego 5 speed in winter/prespawn and a fuego 6 speed the rest of the year.

[DitchPanda]

Thank you for the fast responses this is just the info I was looking for..looks like I'll be picking one up

[garroyo130]

For the price you really cant go wrong. If youre buying in store look through a few and pick the prettiest one. Some of the ones on the rack looked sloppier than others when i got mine  

[DitchPanda]

That's a good tip..honestly I almost always buy a rod in person..I've ordered 3 or 4 online over the years and has issues with 2..May as well take the selection of rod and shipping out of the equation if I can

 

[Bluebasser86]

Haven't used that particular one but the 7' MH Shock is a really solid budget cranking rod. I've used it a fair amount with lipless and shallow running cranks.

[DitchPanda]

I actually have a couple of those that I throw spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and fogys on..love em they are great budget rods for sure..just kinda wanted something a little softer for the small cranks

[ChrisD46]

5 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

I have one.  It is soft for a medium and has a soft tip too.  It would be great for 1/4 oz cranks and jerkbait work. The soft tip and shorter handle make it a good budget jerkbait stick.  It has a way softer tip than the 66 M old model Shock.

I have the older 6'6" Lightening Shock Med/Mod rod which is made for braid main line - however if you use #10 lb. to #12 lb. mono or co-poly line on it then it's just about perfect for jerk baits , crank baits ,  etc. My blemish free , perfectly straight Lightening Shock rod was on close out for $9.00 at WM . I also bought a perfect copy of the older 7' MH / Mod Lightening Shock on close out for $12 ... These two older version Lightening Shock rods were a good buy back in the day (new version not so much) ... *Today I would look at a Daiwa Aird X 6'6" or 7' M/F in the $50 range for jerk baits , crank baits , etc.

[Quarry Man]

its a great rod

[Big Hands]

I have seen several reviews of the orange colored lightning rods with the clear plastic reel seats having the reel seat fail. For that reason alone, I will stay away from them as I have a history with reel seat failures over many years.

 

And, most of my reel seat failures have happened with Berkeley rods. Partially because I have had a lot of them over the years, but they do seem to give me more problems. I generally really like their rods, just not the reel seats.

[Fishes in trees]

I got something similar last year, I'm thinking medium/ moderate rather than medium/fast.  I got it on close out from Academy, for something less then $40, I don't really remember.  I think it is a decent reaction bait rod for the money.

[DitchPanda]

So I ended up getting the rod and paired it with a kastking assassin I had laying around. I have several "nicer" cranking combos but I must say that for a budget combo it feels pretty dang good. Light and balanced especially for 80 bucks.

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

So I ended up getting the rod and paired it with a kastking assassin I had laying around. I have several "nicer" cranking combos but I must say that for a budget combo it feels pretty dang good. Light and balanced especially for 80 bucks.