$100-$150 Spinning Rod, M EF or MH F

[stkbassn]

Hope you're all healthy and doing well. Just looking for some recommendations here. I know there's not an ideal rod that does it all but I just bought a combo that covers Medium light finesse duty and I wanted another spinning combo that bumps up a bit in power but not overly so. Not high end here but I would like to throw some Texas rigs , whacky rigs, heavier nekos,and jerkbaits..

 

I have a 2500 Daiwa Exceler coming to pair with it...

 

Throw out some recommendations based on your experience. I would go up to $175 but wouldn't be opposed to sub 100 or in that range.

Medium Extra Fast or Medium Heavy Fast ? 

 

Thanks in advance ! 

[MN Fisher]

If you're doing jerkbaits with that rig, I would not go XF.

 

Rods in the $100-$150 range - Dobyns Fury 703SF (Medium/Fast) - $120, Diawa Tatula XT 701MFS (Medium/Fast) - $100, Diawa Tatula XT 731MHFS (Medium-Heavy/Fast) - $100, Diawa Tatula 701MFS (Medium/Fast) - $150, Diawa Tatula 721MHFS (Medium-Heavy/Fast) - $150

 

Up to your limit - Dobyns Sierra 703SF (Medium/Fast) - $170, Dobyns Sierra 704SF (Medium-Heavy/Fast) - $170

 

I have Diawa and Dobyns rods and am very pleased with them. All those rods have gotten good vibes from people here

[dam0007]

Fury or Sierra 703SF 

 

I have one of those Excellers. Use it more often than my Tat spinning reels. You’ll love it. Great little reel! 

[WIGuide]

For those applications, I'd take a look at the St. Croix Mojo Bass 6'8" M/XF or possibly the 7'1" M/F. Throwing jerkbaits on an XF rod is definitely doable, although you need to be conscious that with the XF action you'll probably have to take a bit off your jerk so you don't over-work the bait. Personally of the 2 mentioned I'd go with the 6'8", but either would be a good rod in your price range. 

[Cgolf]

I would second the Dobyns Sierra 703SF (medium/fast) or 693SF (medium/fast). I just purchased the 693SF this year during the sale, but haven't used it. Basing the recommendation on the Dobyns Sierra 692SF (medium light/fast) I bought and used last year. It hands down became my favorite spinning rod. Sensitivity was very good as was the balance.

 

Just depends what length rod you are looking for, the 6' 9" is better for my boat than a 7' stick.

 

I would also agree with others that Dobyns fast is seems a bit softer than my St Croix fast. This imo would help with jerbaits.

[Tywithay]

If you're wanting the most bang for your buck, I'd look at the Daiwa Tatula, Ark Tharp series, or Ark Invoker. I personally think the Ark rods are the best blank in that price range. There's other well-built rods in that range from St Croix, Dobyns, etc., but they don't offer as much sensitivity, in my opinion. 

[Riverside.bassin]

I’d go with the St. Croix Mojo Bass 6’8” m/xf. The mojo bass comes in many different models though, including med-lights of several different lengths,

[stkbassn]

7 hours ago, Tywithay said:

If you're wanting the most bang for your buck, I'd look at the Daiwa Tatula, Ark Tharp series, or Ark Invoker. I personally think the Ark rods are the best blank in that price range. There's other well-built rods in that range from St Croix, Dobyns, etc., but they don't offer as much sensitivity, in my opinion. 

Love the Ark rod I have. They are quality based on my limited experience. 

Thanks guys , I appreciate all of the detailed responses. I am deciding between the Sierra 703sf and the Avid X 6'8 M XF ..handled both tonight and like both. I'm leaning toward the Sierra but that Avid X is sweet too. Much appreciated and I'll update tomorrow when I go back out and pick it up.