Whats a good cheap ( yeah lol ) casting rod? Used to be the Aird-x...

[Nattyboh74]

Looks like the stocks of the Daiwa Aird-x are dried up. Is there another rod that can fill its shoes? Looking to get one for those Snakeheads around me, so I guess MH/F 6'6"-7"

[MountainMan83]

There are a couple MHs on ebay right now. What's your price range? 

[Nattyboh74]

Cheap as its not nothing I need sensitivity in, IMO. I have a few nice Avid-x for that. Cheaper the better IMO. Its more of a frog rod

[DitchPanda]

I've been impressed with the newest generation of Berkley lightning rod...they are around 40 bucks.

[garroyo130]

Lews Carbon Fires. They have smaller guides ... not quite micro but they really help with casting.

Just now, DitchPanda said:

I've been impressed with the newest generation of Berkley lightning rod...they are around 40 bucks.

Do they still have a clear reel seat?

[Nattyboh74]

.....

[DitchPanda]

4 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Lews Carbon Fires. They have smaller guides ... not quite micro but they really help with casting.

Do they still have a clear reel seat?

That's the shock...I'm talking just the regular old lightning rod. I bought a 7ft medium mod fast and it's a good squarebill rod especially for a budget angler

[garroyo130]

Just now, DitchPanda said:

That's the shock...I'm talking just the regular old lightning rod. I bought a 7ft medium mod fast and it's a good squarebill rod especially for a budget angler

I dont know why my mind went to shock. I have one of those as well and although the cork-like grip feels like its gonna fall apart the rod itself feels great. I also kind of like the feel of the cork I just wish I had more confidence in it. I saw a couple torn up pretty bad in-store when I was buying mine.

[RoLo]

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

I've been impressed with the newest generation of Berkley lightning rod...they are around 40 bucks.

 

Berkley Lightning rods have basically cornered the market at their price point.  By no means
a recent phenomenon, Lightning rods have always stayed a leg-up on the low-end market. 

 

Roger

[Tywithay]

Lightning rod, for sure. Honorable mention for the Fenwick Eagle. Don't know about stock though since there's a new Eagle for 2020.

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, Nattyboh74 said:

Looks like the stocks of the Daiwa Aird-x are dried up. Is there another rod that can fill its shoes? Looking to get one for those Snakeheads around me, so I guess MH/F 6'6"-7"

Falcon makes some very good rods at cheaper prices..

23 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

Lightning rod, for sure. Honorable mention for the Fenwick Eagle. Don't know about stock though since there's a new Eagle for 2020.

Ditto the Eagle...

[BrianMDTX]

I just bought an Aird X casting rod. Check Sportsman’s Guide. 

[NOC 1]

21 minutes ago, SC Bassin' said:

Sportsman's Warehouse has the Abu Garcia Vengeance rod on sale for only $35. They're not that bad and for $35 you really can't go wrong.

I know we are all different, but I think that the Vengence is one of the worst rods I've fished since I used a old Tru-Temper telescoping steel baitcasting rod. I'd rather use a cane pole. I'm not saying that to be a snob or anything they are just awful rods. You can get much much better for 10-$20 more.

[Alex from GA]

Academy Allstar Classic.

[lo n slo]

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

 

At their price point, Berkley Lightning rods have basically cornered the market. By no means
a recent phenomenon, Lightning rods have always stayed a leg-up on the low-end market. 

 

Roger

i can afford the pricier stuff but i’ve been using the shocks for several years now. love ‘em.

[NOC 1]

5 minutes ago, SC Bassin' said:

That's the truth. Everyone has a different opinion. I have noticed it's pretty stiff, but when sensitivity isn't an issue I love using it. What is your problem with the rod?

The one I have isn't even spined properly. Looks like the spin is down the left side of the rod. It is way too mushy and indistinct feeling. It feels like a slightly different rod every time I cast it, probably from the misaligned spine. As you said it is not sensitive in the least. I have a couple of old cheap graphite Johnson Century Combo rods from 30 years ago that actually feel better.

 

I'm not an ABU hater at all. I have 4 Volatile rods and 4 Villains that I like quite a bit. Also 2 Veritas that are much better than the Vengeance, but I don't care for them either. They are pretty bad for a $100 rod.

 

If you like them that's good enough for me. But from my experience I am curious as to some of the other rods you use that you are comparing them to.  Or, maybe I just got a lemon?

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

I just bought an Aird X casting rod. Check Sportsman’s Guide. 

Wow. They’re out. Every other place I checked says “not available to ship”. I just bought a Aird X 701MFS on Amazon this morning (with a Amazon gift card). Just checked. Delivery says Arriving August 24. Good thing I don’t need it!

 

Everybody and their mother must be buying fishing tackle!!!! 

[WRB]

3 hours ago, Nattyboh74 said:

Looks like the stocks of the Daiwa Aird-x are dried up. Is there another rod that can fill its shoes? Looking to get one for those Snakeheads around me, so I guess MH/F 6'6"-7"

TW has the 7'3" MHF in stock, 7' due 5 July.

Tom

[zell_pop1]

Fenwick Eagles are the best under $70 rods IMO 

 

[Nattyboh74]

Thanks guys, gives me some stuff to look into...

[NOC 1]

On 7/1/2020 at 6:56 PM, BrianMDTX said:

Wow. They’re out. Every other place I checked says “not available to ship”. I just bought a Aird X 701MFS on Amazon this morning (with a Amazon gift card). Just checked. Delivery says Arriving August 24. Good thing I don’t need it!

 

Everybody and their mother must be buying fishing tackle!!!! 

The latest issue of BassMaster magazine has an editorial about this. They say that according to the data from the states, fishing license sales are up massively. Iowa-55%, NY-30%, VT-50+%, MN-60%, GA-21%, LA-53%, TX-39%, AL 37%.

 

No wonder there is nothing left to buy.

[BrianMDTX]

30 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

The latest issue of BassMaster magazine has an editorial about this. They say that according to the data from the states, fishing license sales are up massively. Iowa-55%, NY-30%, VT-50+%, MN-60%, GA-21%, LA-53%, TX-39%, AL 37%.

 

No wonder there is nothing left to buy.

Just imagine when this COVID-19 nightmare is over, all the deals there will be on eBAY, LetGo and other sites lol. 

[Todd2]

On 7/1/2020 at 7:15 PM, Alex from GA said:

Academy Allstar Classic.

X2..great rods for the money

[NYWayfarer]

Lew’s Hank Parker series casting rod. Unbelievable value for a rod under $40

[Fishingmickey]

The Shimano Sellus is or was a pretty decent rod for the buck. I have a couple of the older ones white ones (probably 15 model) that I like. I also have a couple of Halo spinning rods thast I really like, The Halo daylight II model looks like a pretty decent rod for 70 and they have a couple of decent reviews on TW.

FM