Rod brand recommendations ($250-$350)

[fishwizzard]

I see the no-hook keeper thing as a bonus, I think the Fuji keepers are superior to any factory one and being left handed means most factory ones are on the wrong side for me anyway. 

[5by3]

I fished Dobyns champion xp line and still own a few of their rods for moving baits that I fish regularly. Made the switch to the ALX Zolo last year and never looked back. They aren’t quite as balanced as a champion, but they are lighter and more sensitive. The build quality and customer service are great too, not to mention they cost less than a champion too.

 

The Expride also gets excellent reviews. They are on my bucket list to try.

 

Seems like kistlers get a lot of love too.

 

 

 

 

[Corey T]

I just picked up 2 Kistler Heliums. They have a promotion running for 35% off if you buy two. Regularly $350 each and I got them for $227.50 each. I’ve gotten a little obsessive with reading up on rods and reels lately and it sounded like the best overall value at that price range. I can give some feedback in a week or so if you are more patient than I am. 

[NorthernBasser]

Just now, Midwest Big Bass said:

I just picked up 2 Kistler Heliums. They have a promotion running for 35% off if you buy two. Regularly $350 each and I got them for $227.50 each. I’ve gotten a little obsessive with reading up on rods and reels lately and it sounded like the best overall value at that price range. I can give some feedback in a week or so if you are more patient than I am. 

I have a Helium I bought last year. Amazing sensitivity. The new ones are made with a different blank so I'm curious how those feel. Hopefully as good or better since they raised the cost of them by $50. 

[MDbassin]

On 2/20/2020 at 9:01 AM, FryDog62 said:

I had LTB’s for 15 years.  In a Medium or ML they are very good rods. But in MH and Heavy they weigh a lot - most 5-5 1/2 ounces and very tip heavy.  Once you pick up one of the other brands listed above and compare side by side, it’s pretty amazing.  But then the other brands are 20-30% lighter and better balanced.  

I picked up a 7'5 Heavy pitching LTB for a good price and compared it to the closest dobyns I had which was the Champ xp 765 flip and even tho the dobyns balance point is closer to the reel seat the st.croix isnt that much further away. And I weighed both and even thos the St.croix is 1" shorter it weighed in a little over an oz lighter than the dobyns. I just wish they didnt use micro or mid micro guides whatever size they are. My leader knots get stuck everytime

On 2/20/2020 at 12:02 PM, evo2s197 said:

Dobyns rods are way overrated for the price range they have them at with what you get performance wise, anyone that thinks the price point is justified compared to other rods in that range are just fooling themselves, the first dobyns rods that came out when they still used Lamiglass blanks were solid but that was years ago.

 

I wouldnt go that far for the price there are more sensitive rods but the feel and how they fish makes up for it. I just want more sensitivity to me Sensitivity > Balance 

 

1 hour ago, 5by3 said:

I fished Dobyns champion xp line and still own a few of their rods for moving baits that I fish regularly. Made the switch to the ALX Zolo last year and never looked back. They aren’t quite as balanced as a champion, but they are lighter and more sensitive. The build quality and customer service are great too, not to mention they cost less than a champion too.

 

The Expride also gets excellent reviews. They are on my bucket list to try.

 

Seems like kistlers get a lot of love too.

 

 

 

 

I'm not a fan of the tapers on ALX rods