MH rods that were actually more on the H side

[Luke Barnes]

It seems like 90% of combos come with a MH rod. I'm looking for a rod more on the H side but I dont want to buy seperate if I don't have too because a combo is cheaper than buying the rod and reel individually. Oh a casting rod to be specific. 

 

As far as casting rods, I have 2. A Lews MH and an Abu Garcia M and they both seem to be what they are advertised as. But I know every company makes rods a little different and one companies MH may feel like another companies H. So, curios as to which brands and rods are like that.

[LonnieP]

My St Croix Mojo Bass 7’1 Mh is closer to heavy but you won’t find it in a combo. 

[Luke Barnes]

8 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

My St Croix Mojo Bass 7’1 Mh is closer to heavy but you won’t find it in a combo. 

Nor would I be able to afford it!! 

 

Like the Abu Revo X combo, the reel is $100 retail so basically getting the rod for $50. Purchased seperate would probably be $200. So really trying to find a combo that is heavier than advertised. Around the $150 Mark. 

[Glaucus]

Dobyns Fury 4 power. It's listed as a H but it's more like a powerful MH. You don't have to only look for a strong MH; you can look for a weak H. A Daiwa Aird-X H is more like a powerful MH and it's $55. 

[Luke Barnes]

43 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

Dobyns Fury 4 power. It's listed as a H but it's more like a powerful MH. You don't have to only look for a strong MH; you can look for a weak H. A Daiwa Aird-X H is more like a powerful MH and it's $55. 

If I piece a combo together that's the rod I would go with, or a Berkley lightning rod. It would be for a frog and jig and bigger t rig setup. So not really looking for a weaker H, more a MH that is stout enough to work for what I'm wanting. 

 

I know for $150 I can piece one together. The Diawa rod and a Lews Speed Spool LFS. But I'm trying to get a more quality rod for the same money by getting a combo. 

[Glaucus]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

If I piece a combo together that's the rod I would go with, or a Berkley lightning rod. It would be for a frog and jig and bigger t rig setup. So not really looking for a weaker H, more a MH that is stout enough to work for what I'm wanting. 

 

I know for $150 I can piece one together. The Diawa rod and a Lews Speed Spool LFS. But I'm trying to get a more quality rod for the same money by getting a combo. 

A weak H is the same as a strong MH. Just to clear that up. I mentioned it because you can also look at H rods to achieve the same thing.

 

Unless you get the SLX combo whenever they're like $130, I can't think of a combo in the $100-$150 price range that's going to give you a better rod than the Aird-X. It absolutely should not retail for $55. It's clearly a gift from Daiwa to introduce people to their products. 

 

@MNfisher

@ww2farmer

@MN Fisher

[Heartland]

Since there is no industry standard, you have to ask yourself what is it we are really talking about.  It kind of boils down to individual preference.  A Falcon heavy powered rod and a St. Croix  heavy powered rod are very different beasts,not to mention the action on top of that.  So who or what is the standard?

 

[MN Fisher]

5 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

Unless you get the SLX combo whenever they're like $130, I can't think of a combo in the $100-$150 price range that's going to give you a better rod than the Aird-X. It absolutely should not retail for $55. It's clearly a gift from Daiwa to introduce people to their products.

I have to agree with my friend here. I have 4 Aird-X rods and they've performed for me extremely well. I keep hemming and hawing over upgrading them to Furys. Right now, if I upgraded any rod, it'd be the Laguna.

[jimmyjoe]

2 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

...   I'm trying to get a more quality rod for the same money by getting a combo. 

 

   Be careful. Be very, very careful. Most "combo" deals are a manufacturer's attempt not to give YOU a better deal, but to make THEM more money. A good number of combos pair a so-so rod with an inferior reel, or vice-versa.

   That's not to say that there aren't good combo deals out there. Yes, there are. But you have to really scan the deals tightly, talk it over with people here who have those deals (like the Aird-X), and make sure that the combo does what you want to do.

   I used to get good combo deals by cruising the leftovers at the big box stores at the end of the season. That's when they were on sale, and sometimes the department head could even be talked into a lower price.

 

   Good luck to you!     jj

[Luke Barnes]

20 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Be careful. Be very, very careful. Most "combo" deals are a manufacturer's attempt not to give YOU a better deal, but to make THEM more money. A good number of combos pair a so-so rod with an inferior reel, or vice-versa.

   That's not to say that there aren't good combo deals out there. Yes, there are. But you have to really scan the deals tightly, talk it over with people here who have those deals (like the Aird-X), and make sure that the combo does what you want to do.

   I used to get good combo deals by cruising the leftovers at the big box stores at the end of the season. That's when they were on sale, and sometimes the department head could even be talked into a lower price.

 

   Good luck to you!     jj

The combos I was looking at were the Lews Speed Spool LFS combo and the Abu Garcia Revo X combo, because if i piece one together its going to have one of those two reels. All the other Lews combos in that price the reels have graphite frames and I'm looking for aluminum. So I'm wondering if either of the rods on those 2 combos are a strong MH in everyone's opinion. Fast action too. 

[jimmyjoe]

5 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

The combos I was looking at were the Lews Speed Spool LFS combo and the Abu Garcia Revo X combo, because if i piece one together its going to have one of those two reels. All the other Lews combos in that price the reels have graphite frames and I'm looking for aluminum. So I'm wondering if either of the rods on those 2 combos are a strong MH in everyone's opinion. Fast action too. 

 

   I see.    jj

[Lead Head]

If you can get to a basspro, go in and ask them what they can combo for you. Often times they will be able to combo a name brand rod with a house reel, or a name brand reel with a house rod. I have no complaints about any of their mid range and above gear I've used.

 

Haven't tried in the last few years because I have started building my own rods but this is how I got my first lews baitcaster, paired up with a bps extreme rod.

[WRB]

Stay away from discount store combo's. There is a reason they are packaged as a combo, they don't sell separately.

Watch for sales on the rod you want.

Tom 

[Luke Barnes]

8 hours ago, Lead Head said:

If you can get to a basspro, go in and ask them what they can combo for you. Often times they will be able to combo a name brand rod with a house reel, or a name brand reel with a house rod. I have no complaints about any of their mid range and above gear I've used.

 

Haven't tried in the last few years because I have started building my own rods but this is how I got my first lews baitcaster, paired up with a bps extreme rod.

I see they advertise a Revo SX with a Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 for $159 on sale right now. I dont remember if its just a standard 7' MH but i dont think there are rod choices, just the one power and action. That would be awesome if they offered it in H.

[AmmoGuy]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

I see they advertise a Revo SX with a Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 for $159 on sale right now. I dont remember if its just a standard 7' MH but i dont think there are rod choices, just the one power and action. That would be awesome if they offered it in H.

I think that’s probably the best value in a combo that’s around right now. 
 

I have the 7’ MH and 7’ M. 
 

If they made it in a 7’ H, that would be awesome. 

[Luke Barnes]

45 minutes ago, AmmoGuy said:

I think that’s probably the best value in a combo that’s around right now. 
 

I have the 7’ MH and 7’ M. 
 

If they made it in a 7’ H, that would be awesome. 

Personally I would love it in a 7'3 H but would be just fine with a 7'

[S Hovanec]

On 6/6/2020 at 1:40 PM, LonnieP said:

My St Croix Mojo Bass 7’1 Mh is closer to heavy but you won’t find it in a combo. 

My LTB 70MHF was like that too.  Croix powers seem to run a little higher than other manufacturers.  There's some big gaps in their powers, but that's a discussion for another time 

[Taylormade113]

The Lews TP-1 MH would be one that sits between a MH and H and I love it!  I use it for frogging in thick stuff and it has enough back bone to move them, and is just soft enough to still cast into tight windows. 

[Munkin]

Since there is no industry standard look at what the lure rating is over the power rating. I have seen two rods with identical lure ratings, one was labeled a M and the other a MH.

 

Allen

[Junger]

The Aird-X 7’ H/F fishes more like a MH+ to me. Great rod for the $60 I paid for it as a back up frog rod.

[RoLo]

 

Speaking only as a passerby, it seems you have a rigid budget, defined specs and some brand loyalty.

I guess I'm saying, your question is not clear to me. 

 

Roger

[NOC 1]

On 6/6/2020 at 2:03 PM, Luke Barnes said:

 

 

I know for $150 I can piece one together. The Diawa rod and a Lews Speed Spool LFS. But I'm trying to get a more quality rod for the same money by getting a combo. 

I think that the odds of getting a better quality rod in a combo are about zero. Combos aren't made to sell to knowledgeable fishermen, they are put together to sell to the occasional fisherman, the guy going on vacation, the 14 year old who is working with a paper route budget, and etc.

 

There are and have been a few decent combo here and there but not for 150$ as far as I've seen. Most combos offer either an OK rod with a reel that isn't selling or visa-versa.

 

Far better to listen what these guys are trying to tell you. You can put together your own combo that is likely to be far superior to one that a seller puts together. It's one thing to buy a combo at $150 just to have something to fish with occasionally without getting too involved, but if you are looking for a better rod for less....not so much.

[Luke Barnes]

2 hours ago, RoLo said:

 

Speaking only as a passerby, it seems you have a rigid budget, defined specs and some brand loyalty.

I guess I'm saying, your question is not clear to me. 

 

Roger

Budget is rigid, brands not so much. Just want a reel with an aluminum frame and if a rod that's listed as MH is actually more like a H. Thats it. That or if anyone knows of a good combo that comes with a H rod well that solves all that haha. 

 

When I'm not frogging I'll use it for jigs and maybe heavier t rigs so I want some sensitivity, but it doesnt have to be high end sensitivity. 

1 minute ago, NOC 1 said:

I think that the odds of getting a better quality rod in a combo are about zero. Combos aren't made to sell to knowledgeable fishermen, they are put together to sell to the occasional fisherman, the guy going on vacation, the 14 year old who is working with a paper route budget, and etc.

 

There are and have been a few decent combo here and there but not for 150$ as far as I've seen. Most combos offer either an OK rod with a reel that isn't selling or visa-versa.

 

Far better to listen what these guys are trying to tell you. You can put together your own combo that is likely to be far superior to one that a seller puts together. It's one thing to buy a combo at $150 just to have something to fish with occasionally without getting too involved, but if you are looking for a better rod for less....not so much.

Very smart statement. I didnt know if the rods that came on the Revo or Speed Spool LFS were any good. I assumed a Revo rod would be good, but what you say makes so much sense. That I'm better off getting the reel I want and a rod that will do what I want than settling or compromising. 

[Luke Barnes]

15 minutes ago, Gazz said:

You’re in luck! You get to choose the rod for the SLX combo and they have a few different heavy options as well. They just recently got them back in stock so there are a lot of options but I know last times they launched this sale the options went out of stock quickly so I would act fast. I am not a salesman for American Legacy or Shimano, I just think it’s a great combo at a ridiculous discount. 

So its on sale at that site? Or do i have to buy direct from Shimano to get the option on rods?

[NOC 1]

4 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

Budget is rigid, brands not so much. Just want a reel with an aluminum frame and if a rod that's listed as MH is actually more like a H. Thats it. That or if anyone knows of a good combo that comes with a H rod well that solves all that haha. 

 

When I'm not frogging I'll use it for jigs and maybe heavier t rigs so I want some sensitivity, but it doesnt have to be high end sensitivity. 

Very smart statement. I didnt know if the rods that came on the Revo or Speed Spool LFS were any good. I assumed a Revo rod would be good, but what you say makes so much sense. That I'm better off getting the reel I want and a rod that will do what I want than settling or compromising. 

You nailed it...

 

the thing is that there is plenty of good gear out there that would fit your budget, but usuallt they reels and rods aren't going to be the same makers and if they are, they will not likely put them together for cheap.

 

The Abu Revo SX and the Vendetta combo is good example and I can talk about it because I happen to have had both the RevoSX reel and a Vendetta rod. The RevoSX is not a bad reel but it is far from a great reel, and it has fallen into insignificance because at it's price point it doesn't match up very well with the competition. The Vendetta was supposed to be a big seller for Abu, but has never has sold very well. It's not a very good rod really.

 

 

At $79 it was supposed to entice the budget conscience fisherman from the $100 range which is the big sweet spot in the US, but it didn't. I suspect because even though it IS $20-39 cheaper, it doesn't compete. There are many rods that are MUCH better for less money and most $100 rods will fish circles around it. I bought one and used it like maybe 3 times. it's sort of clunky and not very sensitive. Just not a very good rod.

 

The combo with the SX is the third go around for the Vendetta. They tried to improve the sales by putting Win grips on it, and now they are trying to get rid of them by pairing them with a reel that has had a name but which is also fallen out of favor with the avid fishermen.

 

If it were me and I was looking for a set up like you describe for the price you have in mind I'd listen to some of these guys. They are experts at putting together cheap but decent gear. I kind of live in the $600--700 combo range for the most part so I defer to them on things like this. But left to my own devices I might try a Falcon HD heavy rod for $69 paired with a Daiwa Fuego reel for another $70-80. Both of these items punch way above their weight for the money and both are much better IMO than you'll get in most any $150 combo.

 

All that said, half the fun of this stuff is picking what you want and then seeing how it pans out, so it is your choice.

10 minutes ago, Gazz said:

It is on sale on American Legacy Fishing. The reel is usually $130 alone and the rod is $100 and they both sell. If you want it at this lower price, you’ll likely need to order from American Legacy. Enter your email when prompted and you’ll get a 10% off coupon to use as well. When you’re on ALF, you use the drop down tabs to choose the rod and reel version you want. 
 

 

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-slx-xt-rod-and-reel-combos.html

I don't know anything about the rod that comes with this combo, But I have used the SLX a few times and I think it is pretty decent reel. Certainly better than the RevoSX in my opinion.