Best rod for/under $150? POLL

[J Francho]

34 minutes ago, Catt said:

How does one go about measuring sensitivity?

It's 50% half truths.

[NYWayfarer]

Checked other.

 

Lew’s TP1 Black 7’ Medium casting rod. $129.99

[Catt]

52 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Checked other.

 

Lew’s TP1 Black 7’ Medium casting rod. $129.99

 

Y'all can add Falcon Lowrider, Powell Endurance, Quantum Vapor, & 6th Sense Lux.

 

Don't give me nothing with EVA grips ?

[Randy Price]

@Jake51823, I recently bought a Fury, tried it for a weekend, returned it for a Mojo Bass and have been very happy.  IMO the Mojo Bass is WAY more sensitive that the Fury.

[new2BC4bass]

Jake, you never should have posted this.    Just researched a few you were interested in, and then picked from them based on your research.  There are so many good rods and everyone has their own preferences.  As you've seen, several more brands have been added to your original list.

 

Heck, even I can add another choice........or two.  Look at the ALX Ikos line.  Maybe an Ark Invoker Pro for one rod.

 

EDIT:  Remember...ignorance is bliss. 

[Born 2 fish]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

How does one go about measuring sensitivity?

By the feel of a bite or dragging a tungsten weight across the bottom. I can most definitely feel the difference in rods when using a jig or t-rig.

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, Born 2 fish said:

By the feel of a bite or dragging a tungsten weight across the bottom. I can most definitely feel the difference in rods when using a jig or t-rig.

Comparing and measuring something are two entirely different concepts.  That's all Catt was trying to get at.  I can feel the difference between some rods doing exactly what you describe.  That's not measuring anything, though.  It's comparing.  I have enough rods that I can do this type of "bubble sorting" to find my more sensitive sticks.  I know, it's semantics, but this is the internet.  

[Jake51823]

1 hour ago, Randy Price said:

@Jake51823, I recently bought a Fury, tried it for a weekend, returned it for a Mojo Bass and have been very happy.  IMO the Mojo Bass is WAY more sensitive that the Fury.

I always loved St. Croix rods. I heard a bad review from a friend how the mojo bass tip is very weak and breaks a lot. Not sure if anyone else has had his same problem. 

40 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Jake, you never should have posted this.    Just researched a few you were interested in, and then picked from them based on your research.  There are so many good rods and everyone has their own preferences.  As you've seen, several more brands have been added to your original list.

 

Heck, even I can add another choice........or two.  Look at the ALX Ikos line.  Maybe an Ark Invoker Pro for one rod.

 

EDIT:  Remember...ignorance is bliss. 

Too many great rods around my price point. But hey, I guess that’s not a bad place to be in seeing it’s hard to go wrong. Do you own any of the rods mentioned? 

[Jake51823]

St. Croix mojo bass paired with a Daiwa Fuego LT. what do y’all think about that setup? 

[Born 2 fish]

4 minutes ago, Jake51823 said:

St. Croix mojo bass paired with a Daiwa Fuego LT. what do y’all think about that setup? 

Should be good to go with that set up.

[Boomstick]

I really like my Daiwa Tatula rods. I think the Dobyns Sierra would be more on par with the other rods on this list. The Mojo Bass rods are also good rods, and in terms of being able to detect a very weak bite they might be the most sensitive in that regards (other than the 6'10" MH/F Tatula which has a thinner than usual tip) but I feel I get overall better input on the Tatulas as to what I'm feeling, it's hard to describe but those with both should know what I mean.

 

I have no personal experience with the Irod Genesis, but many people really like them as well.

4 hours ago, Jake51823 said:

I always loved St. Croix rods. I heard a bad review from a friend how the mojo bass tip is very weak and breaks a lot. Not sure if anyone else has had his same problem. 

Too many great rods around my price point. But hey, I guess that’s not a bad place to be in seeing it’s hard to go wrong. Do you own any of the rods mentioned? 

I had the tip break off on a 6'8" M/XF topwater rod. St Croix replaced it for me under warranty free of charge, so they did right by me. The rod's power and action is perfect for what I use it for, and so far the replacement has been better.

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, Jake51823 said:

Too many great rods around my price point. But hey, I guess that’s not a bad place to be in seeing it’s hard to go wrong. Do you own any of the rods mentioned? 

A couple.  Been depressed about the fishing in my area, and haven't bothered to go out much the past 3 years.  However, I continued to buy a few rods and reels I was interested in.  Two were a Genesis II 7' MHF All Purpose and Gabe's Rip Rap Special.  Got out with them once.  A 7' MF Mojo Bass.  Out with it once.  My OG Tatulas have been out a few times, but...........

 

When I go out to test a rod (or reel), 99% of the time I am using a spinnerbait so I don't have to worry about losing lures while playing around.  So sensitivity doesn't get tested.  Don't feel like losing jigs, plastics, hooks, lead, etc. when I know there is an extremely slim chance of catching a fish.  This is at a local boat ramp on the river.

 

Several of my rods and reels haven't been used yet.  Several only once.  Several twice.  Spinning and baitcasting.

 

Had hoped to get out more this hear, but medical issues (both wife's and mine) have kept me home.  Currently in my second episode (in 2 months) with back pain so bad I could barely walk for a few days each time.  First time called 911 to get an ambulance to come get me...hospital charged thousands of dollars....for absolutely no relief.  Makes me and .  Sorry.    Rant done.

 

I feel my Tatulas are very good rods.  The iRods are nice looking sticks.  I even like the purple on the Mojo Bass. 

[Matt Eisen]

A Story about St Croix:

 

I had the unfortunate experience of flipping my kayak for the first time in early August. Luckily I was in shallow water at the time (only about 5 ft deep), but I had a St Croix MOJO 7'1 MH Fast in a rod holder on my kayak crate sticking straight up in the air. When I flipped, the rod stayed in the rod holder the entire time and was now upside down dragging across the rocky bottom. Additionally, I had a life jacket on which kept me floating and caused me to struggle flipping back over becasue I couldnt stand and use my feet as leverage to lift the kayak.

 

Bottom line: My rod tip dragged across the rocky bottom in 5 feet of water a considerable distance while I struggled to flip the kayak back over and never snapped off. It got gnarly scratches in the mojo purple paint finish because of the rocks but no broken or bent guides or tip.

 

Conclusion: I think some people need to take better care of their belongings and they'll have less problems 

[NOC 1]

Falcon Bucoo...$129

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On ‎10‎/‎5‎/‎2020 at 4:51 PM, Jake51823 said:

St. Croix mojo bass paired with a Daiwa Fuego LT. what do y’all think about that setup?

Ive got a Fuego 2500 on a 1st gen. Mojo DS.  Its a solid combo that can cover a bunch of finesse techniques.  That combo has really taken a beating over a few years.  The finish on the Mojo has faded around the guides and the wrapping on the hook keeper has started to unwind, but it works great.

 

Ive never fished the tatula rods but I got a chance to fondle one recently.  Light rod with a good action and decent cork.

 

Ive heard great things about iROD but no one sells them around here so I cant comment on them, but I would imagine there good rods to many people rave about them for them be sub par.

 

Mojos are good for the money, there light and fairly sensitive.  The power ratings on the casting rods can be on the lighter side.

 

One rod that has really surprised me is the O13 Omen Black 3 @$140.  They have good 36T blank that's light and sensitive, actions are accurate and I love the reel seat.

 

A bunch of my friends told me to check out the Dobyns.  I wasn't blown away with them.  They aren't the lightest rods and even the Champion felt heavy to me.  No doubt there good rods, just not what I prefer.

 

If I was going to spend $150 I would go with the Omen or the Tatula.  If you spend $50 more you get a Zodias and honestly there really hard to beat.

 

 

 

[Fishydishy]

On 10/4/2020 at 8:00 PM, kayaking_kev said:

I have a Fury and Tatula and I wouldn't say there is a big difference in sensitivity if any. The Tatula has nicer guides and a full cork handle, but the Fury has a lifetime warranty compared to Tatula's 5 year warranty. The cork handle on my Tatula also seems a little loose also, the top moves slightly when I'm fighting a fish. Other than that, they both weigh the same, that why I would maybe look into the iROD Genesis II, they are lighter and have a lifetime warranty, although not as nice looking as the other two. Come Black Friday you will be able to get a new Zodias for $160 from TW.

Just curious which fury and Tatula are you comparing? I helped my friend order the Tatula 7MF and the Fury 703 SF, both spinning rods, same length and power. I weighed both, and the Tatula is significantly lighter than the Fury. If my memory serves right, the Tatula was between 4-4.3 oz, and the fury was over 4.8oz. 

[kayaking_kev]

2 hours ago, Fishydishy said:

Just curious which fury and Tatula are you comparing? I helped my friend order the Tatula 7MF and the Fury 703 SF, both spinning rods, same length and power. I weighed both, and the Tatula is significantly lighter than the Fury. If my memory serves right, the Tatula was between 4-4.3 oz, and the fury was over 4.8oz. 

Tatula Medium/Regular 7ft.

Fury 703c 

 

Both weighed 4.5. I got the weights of 30 of my rods recorded and the they are always right on or a hair off of what others get when they weigh theirs. The Fury 663c & 702c both weighed 4.4.

[Deephaven]

Looking for a single manufacturer for all actions isnt logical.  Pick what you want for actions and power and then shop for the right rod.  Brand loyalty is a waste of $$

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Deephaven said:

Looking for a single manufacturer for all actions isnt logical.  Pick what you want for actions and power and then shop for the right rod.  Brand loyalty is a waste of $$

^ This - I'm working towards a mainly Dobyns rod selection - but I've got a Diawa and a couple Okumas. I get the power/action I want...even if I have to search beyond my favorite manufacturer.

[NOC 1]

On 10/4/2020 at 6:14 PM, Jake51823 said:

Hey all, I’m replacing all my rods real soon as I really only have two good ones. All the other are either real nicked up or broke. I’m on the search for a real good rod spinning mainly but as well as bait casting. I’ve been looking at St. Croix mojo bass or the dobyns fury. 
 

Any suggestions? Would love to hear everyone’s 2 cents! 

 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 5/4/2021 at 3:56 AM, kayaking_kev said:

Tatula Medium/Regular 7ft.

Fury 703c 

 

Both weighed 4.5. I got the weights of 30 of my rods recorded and the they are always right on or a hair off of what others get when they weigh theirs. The Fury 663c & 702c both weighed 4.4.

Those are rather heavy rods for  7' mediums Ive been spoiled

[TheBasslayer]

I have the St. Croix Bass X , so I can't say anything about the Mojo, but I've heard good things about the Tatula, but I'm also guessing that the Mojo is a pretty good rod, since I like my Bass X.

[Randy Price]

SC Mojo Bass.

[J Francho]

54 minutes ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Those are rather heavy rods for  7' mediums Ive been spoiled

A jar of baby food weighs more.

[Ben77]

You can't go wrong with either the fury or mojo they are both great rods!