High(er) quality rods...

[Kyle S]

I'm looking to purchase a higher quality rod. The most I would feel comfortable spending on a lone rod would be right around $250.00 USD. That's not to say the rod has to cost that much. If you think a rod that costs $100.00 will deliver on most of the criteria, please share! 

 

The main features that i'm looking for in a rod are that it's lightweight, sensitive and comfortable. The one rod that I own that comes close to delivering on these features is a Lew's TP-1 black, 6'-10", medium heavy, moderate fast. I've enjoyed the winn grips and the length. The action has been great for things like Texas rigs, and jigs (1/4 oz - 3/8 oz). I love throwing other things like spinner baits, square bills, chatter baits, whopper ploppers, buzz baits and many others on this rod, however it mainly gets used for bottom contact presentations such as the Texas rig and jigs due to the fact that it's the most sensitive rod I own. 

Sadly, the lew's rod is out of commission due to a cracked eyelet, and is waiting for repair. 

 

I've been looking at St. Croix rods a fair amount. Partly due to the fact I can go into my Local sporting goods store ( Green Top ) and check them out first hand.

Another reason I've been considering St. Croix is that their warranty seems to be fairly good and a warranty is another thing I'd like a rod to have. If you have any experience with St. Croix's warranty, or a positive experience with any rod manufacturer, I'd love to hear about it!

 

I'm open to any manufacturer, truthfully. I'm merely looking for some of the many experienced based recommendations that i'm used to seeing on this forum?

 

I would imagine there are countless threads about this topic already, however I honestly struggle with the search feature on this site. What's on more rod thread going to hurt...?‍♂️

[dodgeguy]

Bass Pro Shops Patriot rods are 200. IMHO it's the best rod you can buy in the range. 10 year warranty. Light sensitive strong and great balance. 

[browne762]

If I were looking in that price point, I would get a St Croix Avid or Avid X. Around $220, made in USA (if that matters to you) and has a 15 year warranty.

[TcRoc]

Love my Favorite Big Sexy Rods

$200 and can always get a 20% off code.

[aPaul19]

My go to would be an ALX IKOS promise 7.  Very versatile rods, the customer service is awesome and I’ve never had any issues with them, certainly worth a look, I don’t think you’d be disappointed. 

[dodgeguy]

1 hour ago, browne762 said:

If I were looking in that price point, I would get a St Croix Avid or Avid X. Around $220, made in USA (if that matters to you) and has a 15 year warranty.

Avid x has cheap guides. Regular avid is better. Patriot has way better guides 10 year warranty made in USA and is lighter and better balanced. If I was buying st.croix I'd get the avid not the avid x.

[cheezyridr]

i have yet to be disappointed with any of the lew's rods i own.  in fact, they've stood up to abuses that i should be ashamed of. i just picked up another, as a matter of fact. it's a custom speed stick, and i can already tell it's a good one. it came in the mail just an hour ago, so i haven't actually used it yet. 

?

i have a st croix mojo that i'm pretty happy with so far.  i also have a curado that's pretty nice. those rods i am careful with, because of what they cost.

[Dens228]

I used to have an arsenal of St. Croix AvidX's and loved them.  Not a fan of the microguides but not a deal breaker. The only reason I don't have them anymore is I made the mistake of buying a MegaBass Orochi XX.....now I have a bunch of those. LOL

[jbsoonerfan]

Shimano Expride

[thunderblack]

Expride or Megabass Orochi XX

[Fishnski48]

For the money and what you're looking for the BPS Carbonlite, Johnny Morris Signature, Platinum or Partriot series rods will meet you needs and range in price from $120 - $200  I know they don't have the sexy name recognition, but I own several of these and they are good rods (casting and spinning)  

 

I also own and fish Shimano Exprides, they start around $250 plus

[Teal]

Kyle you are gonna get an different response from everyone.  

 

 I can give you pointers, but like everyone else, its just from what I own. 

 

I can say this, I am working with @Delaware Valley Tackle on building me a custom rod right now.  My first quote for what I think will be an amazing rod is right there at your budget. 

 

I encourage you to call Mike. Or PM him on here.  I really think the money goes further with a custom stick 

 

 

[JustJames]

If you like Lee’s rod why change? Higher price doesn’t always mean better. Higher price rod might be lighter, using better components but more brittle. I look at TP-1 with skeleton reel seat, right? It might take you awhile to get used to with Fuji ECS reel seat which most of the reels now using it.

If I were you, I’d buy more of the same or maybe in different length or power. You gonna get a ton of options since each individual preferences are different.

I, on the other hand, like Daiwa Tatula original so I bought 2 of the same and a few in different lengths. I tried new Tatula and it doesn’t feel the same. 

[Ogandrews]

Shimano expride and st croix legend tournament is going to be your best bet. I would recommend against the avid, it has the same blank and most of the same parts as the mojo bass which is significantly cheaper. The legend tournament has a much higher end blank and better parts, awesome rods. The exprides don’t need much explanation, incredible rods. Both of these rods can be hard to get, another awesome option in that price range is the g loomis e6x. Most people overlook it but I own multiple and they are awesome rods. You get that crisp light sensitive feeling of a loomis at a really easy price point. Don’t buy a favorite rod, those are some of the most overhyped rods and reels on the market. 

[zachb34]

6 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

Shimano expride and st croix legend tournament is going to be your best bet. I would recommend against the avid, it has the same blank and most of the same parts as the mojo bass which is significantly cheaper. The legend tournament has a much higher end blank and better parts, awesome rods. The exprides don’t need much explanation, incredible rods. Both of these rods can be hard to get, another awesome option in that price range is the g loomis e6x. Most people overlook it but I own multiple and they are awesome rods. You get that crisp light sensitive feeling of a loomis at a really easy price point. Don’t buy a favorite rod, those are some of the most overhyped rods and reels on the market. 

I’m no expert, but I believe the mojo and avid use the same graphite, not the same blank as they have different actions. 

[gall]

So I have mojo bass and for the price great rods. Im torn between a expride or custom they will come out to about the same price. I guess the plus side on a custom is yiu can get it exactly how you want  

[NHBull]

Consider looking used.

The classified section always has great options.

I picked up several conquest for 50% off

[Cgrinder]

Spend ~$37 more and purchase a new ALX Enox. I own two with a third in the works. Lovely rods; nice build, ECS seat, made in the USA. I can't say enough good things about them.

[Boomstick]

I generally use Daiwa Tatula rods and they're fine but if weight is important I would say look at St. Croix rods - even the Mojo Bass which runs in the $130-150 range will blow away the Lews TP-1 (IMO) and it is super light. You can step up to the Avid or Avid X but they do have the same blank as the Mojo Bass which is maybe 90% of the rod of the Avid/Avid X but at around 65% the price. I do believe the Avid does ave better guides than the Avid X, but if you prefer microguides and a split grip, the Avid X is fine. I would probably go with the Mojo Bass or spend a few more for the Legend Tournament Bass which is a completely upgraded rod but retails for $290. I also seem them used for around $180-200 periodically.

 

I would think the 7'1" Med. Heavy Fast rod should suit you well.

[Ogandrews]

16 hours ago, zachb34 said:

I’m no expert, but I believe the mojo and avid use the same graphite, not the same blank as they have different actions. 

You can get all of the same actions in a mojo that you can with either avid and some others as well. Go with the LT

[camman]

IMO if you are looking to spend over $200 bucks on a rod or even over a $100 you really need to try them first.  All the higher end rods, and even lower end ones, have a different feel and balance.  What works for one person may not work for you.  I've tried a lot of rods/brands/price points.  It literally took me probably 5-7 years of ordering/trying different rods before I found a ones that I like.  During that time, I owned rods from a lot of brands (G.Loomis, Shimano, Daiwa, Dobyns, Abu, St Croix, Kistler, Quantum, 13, ALX, Phenix, Powell, Halo, Falcon, Carrot, etc).  For the most part I've settled on one brand (maybe 75% of the rods I own) but the other are a mix between different brands that made a rod that I like for specific technique.

 

 

[looking45]

If a local shop/store has them, check out the Dobyn's rods Fury series. 

[zachb34]

14 hours ago, Ogandrews said:

You can get all of the same actions in a mojo that you can with either avid and some others as well. Go with the LT

When I say action, I’m talking about what you physically feel when fishing with a rod. Not what the specs on paper say. The difference in action comes from a different blank being built with a different taper. There’s a big difference between these two rods. 

[Fishin Dad]

7 hours ago, camman said:

IMO if you are looking to spend over $200 bucks on a rod or even over a $100 you really need to try them first.  All the higher end rods, and even lower end ones, have a different feel and balance.  What works for one person may not work for you.  I've tried a lot of rods/brands/price points.  It literally took me probably 5-7 years of ordering/trying different rods before I found a ones that I like.  During that time, I owned rods from a lot of brands (G.Loomis, Shimano, Daiwa, Dobyns, Abu, St Croix, Kistler, Quantum, 13, ALX, Phenix, Powell, Halo, Falcon, Carrot, etc).  For the most part I've settled on one brand (maybe 75% of the rods I own) but the other are a mix between different brands that made a rod that I like for specific technique.

 

 

Camman,

 

Do you care to share what brand you settled on as your favorite?   I really  like to hear what people who have that much experience with different rods settled on.

 

Thanks

[Ogandrews]

9 hours ago, zachb34 said:

When I say action, I’m talking about what you physically feel when fishing with a rod. Not what the specs on paper say. The difference in action comes from a different blank being built with a different taper. There’s a big difference between these two rods. 

They share the same blank man I have talked to a st croix rep about it and he confirmed it with me. There is a reason that an avid and mojo share the same graphite, and the same lengths, tapers, and powers in their models. The avid has better guides and a better warranty but that’s about it for the differences, blank is just colored differently. If you want to get a rod with that feel and save money, get the mojo. If your dead set on spending the same as an avid, get a g loomis e6x it is a significantly better rod. If you want to spend 20-40 more than get either an expride, legend tournament or dobyns champion all of which are way better than the avid for not much more. I have or still own all of the rods I’m talking about as well so I do know how they feel in the hand.