2-pcs casting rod for Tournament MP under $100.

[MigMig]

Hi all,

 

I just bought my first baitcaster reel, Tournament MP LFS 7.5:1 ($119).

I need a 2 pieces all around casting rod for Texas Rigs, Spinnerbait, Swimbaits, rattlebaits, popper. 

New or refurbished up to $100.

 

Thanks

[jimmyjoe]

   Fenwick has a 6'-06" 2-pc. Eagle casting rod, M/F and 1/4-3/4. It's $60 list.     jj

[MN Fisher]

Diawa Aird-X 7'0" 2-piece MH/F (AIRX702MHFB) - about $55. I have the one piece and it's a very good rod for spinners, jigs, bottom contact in that price-range.

[Hulkster]

just a suggestion, if you open up your ideas for one piece you will have a million more options, 2 piece casting rods are not easy to come buy, there will only be a few out on the market. for 1 piece there are hundreds. 

 

Any reason why it has to be 2 piece?

[sideways2]

I'm going to go look at some Fenwick's this morning... I'll post some comments later. 

[sideways2]

K... update... I bought two Fenwick Eagle rods at the local this morning!! Now remember, I'm darn near 20 years removed from this sport and alot apparently has happened in that time LOL!!

 

In my day exposed blank handled rods were expensive... these were retail at $80CAD and I got them for $60CAD on sale which is about $45US!! Insane!! The quality IMO is fantastic!! I remember my old Loomis rod being like this not the old Fenwick's!!

 

I went afterwards to Cabela's... they weren't on sale there... but I wanted to compare them to a couple of rods; St Croix Triumph was slightly heavier and had more of a moderate feel with a slower action. Ugly Stick Carbon actually really surprised me... it was $100CAD but no 2 piece. And of course the good old Berkley Lightning Rod which I had a few back in the day... retail was $55CAD and for that price I would have bought a dozen... every bit as good as what I remember for the price but 100% better in terms of quality. I'm going to watch them over the winter and grab one if they happen to go on sale just for giggles to do a comparison with the Eagle

 

That's all I could really find in a 2 piece to compare to. The HMX and HMG were very nice for a tad more at retail but being only a 1 piece unit.

 

Oh and nothing Shimano or Quantum excited me... overpriced compared to the others mentioned.

 

Hope this helps... if you have any questions let me know... here are a few pics!!

 

 

 

 

One more picture of the guides...

 

[Spoons]

3 minutes ago, sideways2 said:

K... update... I bought two Fenwick Eagle rods at the local this morning!! Now remember, I'm darn near 20 years removed from this sport and alot apparently has happened in that time LOL!!

 

In my day exposed blank handled rods were expensive... these were retail at $80CAD and I got them for $60CAD on sale which is about $45US!! Insane!! The quality IMO is fantastic!! I remember my old Loomis rod being like this not the old Fenwick's!!

 

I went afterwards to Cabela's... they weren't on sale there... but I wanted to compare them to a couple of rods; St Croix Triumph was slightly heavier and had more of a moderate feel with a slower action. Ugly Stick Carbon actually really surprised me... it was $100CAD but no 2 piece. And of course the good old Berkley Lightning Rod which I had a few back in the day... retail was $55CAD and for that price I would have bought a dozen... every bit as good as what I remember for the price but 100% better in terms of quality. I'm going to watch them over the winter and grab one if they happen to go on sale just for giggles to do a comparison with the Eagle

 

That's all I could really find in a 2 piece to compare to. The HMX and HMG were very nice for a tad more at retail but being only a 1 piece unit.

 

Oh and nothing Shimano or Quantum excited me... overpriced compared to the others mentioned.

 

Hope this helps... if you have any questions let me know... here are a few pics!!

 

 

 

Fenwick makes great rods. Bought an HMG to pair with my daiwa tatula and I absolutely love it. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Congratulations on your new purchase, and good luck fishing!    jj

[MigMig]

Thanks all.

jj, I forgot to add I prefer the split handle. I fish river and lake %95 and have better grip and control with split.

 

MN Fisher, the only Aird-X I found is a AIRX662MFB (6'6" M fast 8-17) in Outdoority (link). I prefer a MH as you said. I'll look more for the AIRX702MHFB.

 

Hulkster, sometimes my wife and 2-year old Goldenretriver are with me in the car (2019 Rav4). I need to fold rods those days. Otherwise, I preferred 1 piece. I even keep my 2-pc rods assembled on the wall for days I go alone.

 

sideways2, Nice deal! Have fun with them. Thanks for sharing. If I can't find a 2-pc split handle, I may order this. 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, MigMig said:

MN Fisher, the only Aird-X I found is a AIRX662MFB (6'6" M fast 8-17) in Outdoority (link). I prefer a MH as you said. I'll look more for the AIRX702MHFB.

I did some looking and one place noted that it's a discontinued model. Shame really.

[sideways2]

The only split grip 2 piece were pushing $200CAD and I really didn't pay too close attention to them.

[jimmyjoe]

   @MigMig, you might want to investigate the Shimano Clarus casting rods. They have the split grip, and at least 2 models are 2-pc. I've not handled them myself, but FWIW one guy I know has one and likes it. I know that's not much to go on, so be cautious.       jj

[MigMig]

@jimmyjoe looks good.

 

I called 17 tackle shops and went to 6 of them, nothing! I'm near Jersey shore and most tackle shops have salt water stuff.

Only one had a defective Daiwa Ardito Travel Casting MH F 7'. It was nice in hand.

 

I found these on the internet.

• Bass Pro Shops XPS Bionic Blade  BI70MHT-2    7'     M/H F  10-20 lb        $80  (Link)
• Abu Garcia Vendetta                     VDTC662-6    6'6    M/H F  12-20 lb       $80   (Link)
• Shimano Clarus                             CSC70MH2E   7'     M/H F  12-17 lb       $80    (Link)
• Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2      PQL70MHT-2  7'    M/H F  10-20 lb       $100   (Link)

Are these two worth paying more?

• Daiwa Ardito Travel Casting          ARDT703MHFB-TR 7'  M/H F 10-20 lb   $130   (Link)
• St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting           MJC71MHF    7'1    M/H F      10-20 lb   $140  (Link)

 

[king fisher]

I have two Ardito Travel rods, one medium, one medium heavy.  If my wife hadn't kicked the Bait Monkeys butt a a while back, I would own another medium heavy.  Bait Monkey is getting older, and can't last more than ten rounds any more.  My wife on the other hand, has no trouble going the distance.  I also have Tatula one piece rods.  I fish them at the same time, and don't ever notice any difference between the one piece, and the travel rods. I highly recommend the Ardito

[jimmyjoe]

31 minutes ago, MigMig said:

St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting           MJC71MHF    7'1    M/H F      10-20 lb   $140

 

   I have this rod in the 2-pc. version. I love it especially for 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits and 3/4 oz. spoons. I like it so much that I would recommend it, but only in the 1-pc. version.  I've had it for 2 years, and used it extensively, so much so that by now the top section s-l-o-w-l-y loosens up and twists sideways on a string of strong retrieves. I don't like that. It's irritating.

   Other than that, like I say, I love it. Strong tip but not too stiff and not heavy or cumbersome. I don't really know how sensitive it is because I haven't used it for bottom contact stuff. I've used it with a Curado 200 and a Citica 200, and it feels good for all-day use. Generally, line has been 12 or 15 lb. test mono.

   I haven't decided what I'm going to do about the slippy-slidey top part yet. Guess I'll start by calling St. Croix, and then go from there.

   As far as the others on the list, I have not used them.   jj

[sideways2]

9 hours ago, MigMig said:

@jimmyjoe looks good.

 

I called 17 tackle shops and went to 6 of them, nothing! I'm near Jersey shore and most tackle shops have salt water stuff.

Only one had a defective Daiwa Ardito Travel Casting MH F 7'. It was nice in hand.

 

I found these on the internet.

• Bass Pro Shops XPS Bionic Blade  BI70MHT-2    7'     M/H F  10-20 lb        $80  (Link)
• Abu Garcia Vendetta                     VDTC662-6    6'6    M/H F  12-20 lb       $80   (Link)
• Shimano Clarus                             CSC70MH2E   7'     M/H F  12-17 lb       $80    (Link)
• Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2      PQL70MHT-2  7'    M/H F  10-20 lb       $100   (Link)

Are these two worth paying more?

• Daiwa Ardito Travel Casting          ARDT703MHFB-TR 7'  M/H F 10-20 lb   $130   (Link)
• St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting           MJC71MHF    7'1    M/H F      10-20 lb   $140  (Link)

 

 

 

WOW!! And here I thought I had limited selection LOL!! Sorry man... I feel your pain!!

 

The only two I can comment on is the St Croix and the Shimano... neither was any better than the Fenwick for double the price as they were up here... IMO

 

9 hours ago, king fisher said:

I have two Ardito Travel rods, one medium, one medium heavy.  If my wife hadn't kicked the Bait Monkeys butt a a while back, I would own another medium heavy.  Bait Monkey is getting older, and can't last more than ten rounds any more.  My wife on the other hand, has no trouble going the distance.  I also have Tatula one piece rods.  I fish them at the same time, and don't ever notice any difference between the one piece, and the travel rods. I highly recommend the Ardito

 

ROFL!! My wife doesn't know what the bait monkey is but I think she's about to find out this winter

[Bankc]

I've got a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 MH/F 7' in 2 piece.  It's the nicest rod I have.  That's not saying much, though.  Since I'm stuck with 2 piece rods, I don't really get the option of using any of the high end stuff that people rave about.  It's really sensitive and fairly light for a 2 piece.  I did have one snap on me during a cast about a week after I got it.  But, being BPS, they took it back with no problems and gave me a new one.  The new one hasn't let me down.  

[MigMig]

Thanks all. The only deal I found so far is %20 off for Daiwa Ardito 7' MF ($104).

Doesn't feel good to buy stuff in full price on Black Friday and Cyber Monday! Lol

I ordered  for now and will keep an eye for deals.

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

   From what everyone has been saying on this forum, you made a good decision. Good luck!     jj

[MigMig]

9 hours ago, Bankc said:

I've got a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 MH/F 7' in 2 piece.  It's the nicest rod I have.  That's not saying much, though.  Since I'm stuck with 2 piece rods, I don't really get the option of using any of the high end stuff that people rave about.  It's really sensitive and fairly light for a 2 piece.  I did have one snap on me during a cast about a week after I got it.  But, being BPS, they took it back with no problems and gave me a new one.  The new one hasn't let me down.  

I like the look of BPS Pro Qualifier 2 and saw many good reviews about it. Unfortunately, BP has no deal on its rods now. I read their deals or mostly in the spring.