Berkley

[Mobasser]

Going through some older rods I've got, I found a Berkley 6' lightning rod, and a Berkley 6' Bionics spinning rod from years ago. I caught a lot of fish on these rods. Both are still fishable now. I knew other guys who used Berkley rods also, and as I remember I never saw one break under normal fishing. Have you used any Berkleys? Do you currently use them? Maybe not always the lightest, or best, but good all around rods for the money. What's everyone think about Berkley rods?

[garroyo130]

Med/Mod Lightning rod is what I fish smaller crankbaits with and I love it. Casts well and handles fish well. 

[new2BC4bass]

6' Lightning spinning rod.  Over 40 years old.  Has caught more fish than any of my new (and more expensive) rods.  Think it is a ML as rating is something like 1/8-3/8 oz.  Plenty of flex.    Haven't used a spinning rod in years, but won't ever get rid of this one just in case.  It has been used with small Beetlespins and Roostertails for the vast majority of time.  Hope I have it with me if I ever get into a bunch of crappies again.

[NavyVet1204]

Not a spin on the older models, but my local Walmart is constantly sold out of Berkeley rods in general and that was before covid was a thing. They are similarly priced to ugly stiks here and they sell quicker than hot cakes. Almost makes me feel like folks are on to something and I’m left out lol. Undoubtedly they are good rods.

[Hook2Jaw]

Cut my teeth on an older Berkley Lightning Rod Shock, 7' MF and a Pflueger Trion.  Caught a ton of bass in the river on that stick with a Texas rigged YUM Dinger.

 

I miss that rod.  It was stolen off my carport.

[NYWayfarer]

I used a few Lightning Rods and Cherrywood's over the years.

[Tywithay]

I have a 6' UL, 6'6" ML, and a 7' MH lightning rods. I honestly use them about as often as rods that cost 10x more. They're great for when I'm wading rivers for smallmouth, crappie, catfish, etc., and don't want to risk taking a tumble with a $400 rod.

[DougHall_NY]

Great value and choice for someone wanting to fish on a budget. Used a Lightning Rod with a BPS PQ baitcaster for years with great success until I upgraded. Heck, I wouldn’t hesitate to take the combo out and use it today if my current combo broke.

[DitchPanda]

I currently use the newest generation lightning to 7ft medium modfast..haven't fished it much but it's good for the money. I also heavily use a pair of the previous generation shock 7ft medhvy rods that are great for spinnerbaits,swim jigs, buzzbaits and bladed jigs

[Bluebasser86]

I have around a half dozen Lightning Rods and Lightning Rod Shocks. Great rods for the money.

[GreenPig]

A $25 Berkley Cherrywood 5'6" Medium works great for small ponds and tight creeks.

[Catt]

Bantam 100EX with rosewood handles sitting a top a 6' 6" MH Berkley Lighting Rod...sweet!

[new2BC4bass]

9 hours ago, GreenPig said:

A $25 Berkley Cherrywood 5'6" Medium works great for small ponds and tight creeks.

Okay.  I now see where your username came from.    That thing is as big as one.    Nice! 

[GreenPig]

4 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

I have one of those I use out of a Kayak and really like it.  Still searching for the high end version of that rod.  It's a softer M too which handles finesse baits a little better than most.

I too looked into the higher end shorter rods for a bit and picked up the Cherrywood in the mean time. But, it's light, cast light lures great, and handles fish of all sizes wonderfully. I see no need to continue searching. 

[fishwizzard]

5 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

I have one of those I use out of a Kayak and really like it.  Still searching for the high end version of that rod.  It's a softer M too which handles finesse baits a little better than most.

It's a bit longer, but an old cr722c GLX sounds like what you are looking for.  

 

[fishwizzard]

41 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

I might consider that one if I can get it cheap enough.  I do like my higher end rods to have a higher end appearance to match the price tag.  That is the problem with Loomis rods and why I don't own any.  It's like buying a Challenger that looks like a 1998 Caravan.  I'm sure the performance is there, but just look at it.  

I will take an old mbr/cr GLX in any condition I can find it in if the blank is solid.  The old weble reel seats are amazing and an Alphas on one is a dream come true.  I have a cr723 and a mbr782 and am always on the hunt for more of them.  They are amazing kayak rods and for like the $200 bucks they tend to go for, I will take one over any new production rod at the same price.