Favorite M/F 7' ~ 7'3" BC Rod Under $150 ?

[ChrisD46]

Looking for a good general purpose 3 power M/F  bait cast rod for weightless Senkos , Flukes , Square Bills , Top Water , etc. under $150 ... What is your favorite ? Thanks in advance !

[roadwarrior]

Okuma Helios

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-OKUMARDS.html?from=basres

[ww2farmer]

Dobyns Fury 703 C

 

It's labeled as a MH, but fishes like a M

[Boomstick]

16 minutes ago, ww2farmer said:

Dobyns Fury 703 C

 

It's labeled as a MH, but fishes like a M

That is sort of a M+ with a softer tip than some, which makes it pretty versatile. It's great for weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics, finesse jigs, 3/8oz spinnerbaits, 3/8oz chatterbaits, most standard sized topwater, crankbaits in grass etc.

Since black friday is approaching and Tackle Warehouse offers 20% off, I would say step up to the Sierra 703C.

[jimmyjoe]

   I've had more experience with St. Croix Mojo Bass, mostly because the nearest retailer carries a lot of them. I fish two different types of locations; one is relatively unobstructed water, which doesn't present much of any problem. The other is blowdowns, standing timber, sunken limbs and stump fields.

   Not only that, but I'm a shorecaster. I need to get those fish OUT of that junk, and I that means I need to take control of them immediately. This is especially true for the Senkos and flukes.

   For the first type location, I've used the Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F rod successfully.

   For the second type location, I'd never recommend a medium power rod. The minimum I'd recommend would be the Mojo Bass 7' MH/MF "Spinnerbait" rod. And yes, I really meant it when I said "minimum". I don't know what you include in your "etc.", but this rod may have a tip that's too stiff for some of the other techniques, especially squarebills. But when you're dealing with graphite, you can't have it all in one rod.

   So it boils down to one thing; what kind of cover (or lack thereof) are you gonna fish?

 

   Good luck, no matter which decision you make.  ?   jj

[Hewhospeaksmuchbull]

I'll third the recommendation of 703c.

 

I own the Sierra, you can add jerkbaits to the list below.

7 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

weightless Senkos , Flukes , Square Bills , Top Water

 

[newapti5]

Second on the Dobyns Sierra. Their fast is more like moderate-fast; a 1/4-3/4 oz lure rate Sierra could pretty much do everything except maybe pitching. 

[new2BC4bass]

9 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Okuma Helios

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Okuma_Helios_SX_Casting_Rods/descpage-HXSC.html?from=gshop&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkuP9BRCkARIsAKGLE8V-l1fUg74PMu3KqPpu92Tg_14DCFE3RGo_UGanother siteigrVIUcQWciHa8aAn27EALw_wcB

 

No experience with the SX model, but really like my OG Helios.  Lot of rod for the money.  I know I will get laughed at for this, but I also like my older Quantum Tour Edition.

[Eric 26]

Wish I had the money back then for those Quantum Tours, they were/are really nice feeling in my opinion.

[new2BC4bass]

3 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

Wish I had the money back then for those Quantum Tours, they were/are really nice feeling in my opinion.

I also have a 6'10" HF in both Tour and SuperLite models.  Like this Tour a lot as well.  Bought both at ridiculously low closeout prices.  Haven't used the SuperLite yet.  That is embarrassing considering how long ago that was. 

[Eric 26]

I don’t remember the Super Lite models but I’m sure they were as nice if not nicer then the tour series??

[NYWayfarer]

Lew’s TP1 Black Speed Stick 7’ M/MF all purpose rod. I use it for just about everything but frogs.

[Michigander]

I used my friend's Shimano Intenza for a bit one day, it was really nice. He loves it.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I love my 7'2 MH Mod F Omen Black 3.  Its really light, well balanced and has great sensitivity.  The tip is soft enough to keep trebles pinned, toss weightless stick baits a good distance and pin a heavy wire hook.  Its also an excellent rod for bladed jigs and SBs.  It will work for T rigs with braided line and an XG reel but with FC or mono it can be a little soft.  The Omen uses the same 36T blank that the Muse@ 185$-220$ uses.  I prefer the Omen over my SC Avids which cost about 100$ more.  13 has a good replacement policy.  If it breaks they send you a new 1 whether its your fault or not.  I really think that the Omen Black is one of the better deals going for 140$. 

[PhishLI]

29 minutes ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

I really think that the Omen Black is one of the better deals going for 140$. 

I've tossed  baits on my buddy's 7'5" MH OB3 to get a feel for it and the chunky split cork grip. I'd rather have full cork, but I'm still ordering the 7'3" MF OB3 as soon as the TW sale kicks in. For whatever the reason is F&S near me doesn't stock that model. I've been happy enough with the 7'1" MF OB2, so if the new one is superior then it's all gravy.

[Firstoutfisher]

Phenix M1 with the 20% TW sale

[TcRoc]

On 11/21/2020 at 11:21 AM, Boomstick said:

That is sort of a M+ with a softer tip than some, which makes it pretty versatile. It's great for weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics, finesse jigs, 3/8oz spinnerbaits, 3/8oz chatterbaits, most standard sized topwater, crankbaits in grass etc.

Since black friday is approaching and Tackle Warehouse offers 20% off, I would say step up to the Sierra 703C.

Where does the 7’ fury MH cranking rod compare? Less versatile being mod fast tip?

[Boomstick]

36 minutes ago, TcRoc said:

Where does the 7’ fury MH cranking rod compare? Less versatile being mod fast tip?

I'm not sure if I ever got my hands on a 7' fury MH cranking rod to be honest, but I would expect the tip to be more or less moderate, making it a specialty rod for crankbaits, jerkbaits and smaller treble hooked lures. If you only have two casting rods, the 704C and 703C makes a pretty versatile combo and you can fish your crankbaits on the 703C but the 705CB would keep fish pinned a little better with more flex in the tip.

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I'm not sure if I ever got my hands on a 7' fury MH cranking rod to be honest, but I would expect the tip to be more or less moderate, making it a specialty rod for crankbaits, jerkbaits and smaller treble hooked lures. If you only have two casting rods, the 704C and 703C makes a pretty versatile combo and you can fish your crankbaits on the 703C but the 705CB would keep fish pinned a little better with more flex in the tip.

I use my Fury 705CB for any treble lure over 1/4oz and under 3/4 oz (rod's range). This includes jerks, cranks, WPs, Spooks and glidebaits. Good casting distance with a Fuego and as Boomer said - the softer tip helps keep the fish pinned...I've caught bass and pike on that thing.

[Darth-Baiter]

On 11/21/2020 at 8:03 AM, ww2farmer said:

Dobyns Fury 703 C

 

It's labeled as a MH, but fishes like a M

This. I love mine.  It’s the only rod that I plan on buying a second one.  I toss weightless SENKOs more and more with a spinning setup but my 703 is great in my Kayak. It’s a fun fun rod. 

[Boomstick]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

I use my Fury 705CB for any treble lure over 1/4oz and under 3/4 oz (rod's range). This includes jerks, cranks, WPs, Spooks and glidebaits. Good casting distance with a Fuego and as Boomer said - the softer tip helps keep the fish pinned...I've caught bass and pike on that thing.

Yup, the 705CB would be a better choice for those lures but I would be a poor choice to fish a T-Rig on for example.

[MN Fisher]

On 11/21/2020 at 10:03 AM, ww2farmer said:

Dobyns Fury 703 C

 

It's labeled as a MH, but fishes like a M

 

42 minutes ago, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

This. I love mine.  It’s the only rod that I plan on buying a second one.  I toss weightless SENKOs more and more with a spinning setup but my 703 is great in my Kayak. It’s a fun fun rod. 

 

The 703 is rated for the same lures/line as my Medium Aird-X

The 704 is rated for the same lures/line as my MH Aird-X

 

This is why you pay attention to the ratings...not the words.

 

23 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

Yup, the 705CB would be a better choice for those lures but I would be a poor choice to fish a T-Rig on for example.

Ya - you want something faster for any single-hook applications. I've got a FR703C to replace my 6'6" Aird-X M/F and am ordering a FR704C to replace my Laguna MH/F

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

 

 

The 703 is rated for the same lures/line as my Medium Aird-X

The 704 is rated for the same lures/line as my MH Aird-X

 

This is why you pay attention to the ratings...not the words.

 

Ya - you want something faster for any single-hook applications. I've got a FR703C to replace my 6'6" Aird-X M/F and am ordering a FR704C to replace my Laguna MH/F

Not sure what’s you are reading out of my post.  I just like the rod. My spinning setup allows me to skip, since I can’t skip with a baitcast reel. 

[MN Fisher]

 

Just now, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

Not sure what’s you are reading out of my post.  I just like the rod.

Just making an observation about how different manufacturers rate their rods.

 

1 minute ago, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

My spinning setup allows me to skip, since I can’t skip with a baitcast reel. 

You and me both...can't skip worth a darn with a BC - no issues with a spinner.

[Darth-Baiter]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

 

Just making an observation about how different manufacturers rate their rods.

 

You and me both...can't skip worth a darn with a BC - no issues with a spinner.

Gotcha.  I’m not that sensitive or experienced to judge a rod.  I shop according to weight and nimbleness- if that makes any sense.