Bass Spin Rod Suggestion

[Johnsmyname]

Salt water and trout guy here looking to get a new rod for bass fishing. I prefer finesse and like spinning reels so that’s how I’d like to keep this setup. I’m thinking 7’ MF, thoughts? I’ll need a 2 piece since most of my fishing will be hiking in and fishing from shore/in water on lakes and rivers. I don’t really have a budget, but $100-200 is where I’d like to be. Reel I have planned for it currently is an Okuma RTX 30S, but am partial to the Stradic FL’s so might pick up a small one for bass.

 

Let me know what you guys suggest, thanks!

[Boomstick]

I think you are right to start with a M/F spinning rod, it's sort of the do it all spinning rod for bass fishing or as close as you can get because let's be honest there's no such thing.

 

As for models, you'll get a lot of options here but I'll throw out a few. First at $130 or so, St Croix Mojo Bass 7'1" M/F plastics rod is pretty good and for a little more you can get the Dobyns Sierra 703SF.

 

For what it's worth, the next spinning rod I buy will be the Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'1" Brent Ehrler M/F but that runs a little more expensive, retailing for $280. Short of black friday specials which already passed, I can't find it for much cheaper.

[Johnsmyname]

Thanks for reply. I was looking at the Mojo Bass, probably top of my list ATM. Then there’s the Avid, but I’m trying not to spend the extra $.

[Big Hands]

Not sure I would spend $200 on a 2 piece spinning rod. JMHO. Bur if I wanted a nice rod that broke down, I would at least check out the Daiwa Ardito ARDT703MFS-TR

[WRB]

Needing a 2 piece bass rod limits your choices greatly. 

Fenwick and St Croix are good places to start looking medium fast action rods with line rating 6 to 10 lbs, lure weight 3/16-5/8 or in that ball park.

St Croix PF70MF2, Fenwick HMG 70MF-FS-2 shows up in quick search.

Tom

[Johnsmyname]

If I was to go 1 piece, what do you guys like on that range?

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Johnsmyname said:

If I was to go 1 piece, what do you guys like on that range?

Dobyns Sierra 703SF - $170

[WRB]

Don Iovino Signature Major Craft finesse spinning rod, 6’8” MF, 6-10 lb line, 1/4 to 1/2 oz lures. $130

Tom

[Boomstick]

4 hours ago, Johnsmyname said:

Thanks for reply. I was looking at the Mojo Bass, probably top of my list ATM. Then there’s the Avid, but I’m trying not to spend the extra $.

You know I forgot all about the two piece requirement. I don't think you'll find much better than the Mojo Bass in a two piece rod, and I wonder how the two piece affects the rod vs the one piece.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Boomstick said:

I wonder how the two piece affects the rod vs the one piece.

With the way pieces join these days - blank-to-blank - I don't think there's much of an issue. I still have an old rod around here someplace where the pieces used metal ferrules at the junction...talk about dampening the feel.

[Boomstick]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

e way pieces join these days - blank-to-blank - I don't think there's much of an issue. I still have an old rod around here someplace where the pieces used metal ferrules at the junction...talk about dampening the fee

The only two piece rods I have ever used were absolute entry level rods, so I haven't got a very good comparison

[Big Hands]

Daiwa does offer a Tatula TTU702MXS 2 piece ML fast action spinning rod.

[Johnsmyname]

For surf fishing all my 9’6” and bigger are x2 piece they’re still super sensitive. That said my favorite is a 70/30 split. 

42 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

You know I forgot all about the two piece requirement.

Seems in the bass department most rod builders are only doing 1 piece. I’m open to that, rather have the best rod for the money if it opens a bunch better choices.

[thunderblack]

looked at 2 piece rods several times...

 

• Daiwa tatula cork models
• SC avid x or regular avid has a couple good ones
• G. Loomis e6x has a few two piece models
• Shimano crucial has a ML 2 piece on the big aution site for sale listed right now.

Good luck!

 

 

 

[BrianMDTX]

17 hours ago, WRB said:

Fenwick HMG 70MF-FS-2 shows up in quick search.

Not a 7’, but I have a Fenwick HMX 66M-FS-2 and it’s a great finesse rod that’s not in the way fishing from the bank. And won’t break the bank, either. So I would guess the HMG 70MF-FS-2 is likely better. 

[NJBasstard]

16 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Dobyns Sierra 703SF - $170

This is a good 1 piece option and I believe the Dobyns sale on TW starts tomorrow.

 

Another option I'd consider is the 3 piece Falcon Lowrider Traveler rod. Good components and comes with a nice travel case for $150.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, NJBasstard said:

This is a good 1 piece option and I believe the Dobyns sale on TW starts tomorrow.

No - the Dobyns sale at TW starts the 21st. Even if the discount is the lowest - $120 for a Sierra is a darn good price.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

15 hours ago, Boomstick said:

You know I forgot all about the two piece requirement. I don't think you'll find much better than the Mojo Bass in a two piece rod, and I wonder how the two piece affects the rod vs the one piece.

The ferule adds a little bit of weight to the blank.  Depending on the action of the rod and the quality of the blank a 2pc may not load as well as a 1pc.  There is a noticeable difference between my 1pc Avid ML and my 2pc Premier MLs, but that is to be expected the blank on the avid is a little higher quality.  As with any rod its important you get 1 that is spined correctly, you would be surprised at the amount of rods in the 100$ and up range that want to twist in your hand under load because they arent spined.  Each piece in a 2pc rod has a spine, so if they aren't lined up correctly the rod wont feel very good.    

[PaulVE64]

Get a 6 ft 1 pc ML/F if you're bank beating on smaller rivers or get a 7 ft 2pc M/F if your on lakes more often

 

 

[Johnsmyname]

5 hours ago, PaulVE64 said:

Get a 6 ft 1 pc ML/F if you're bank beating on smaller rivers or get a 7 ft 2pc M/F if your on lakes more often

 

 

What rods do you like for those sizes/scenarios, say for plastics, spoons and jigs? 

[PaulVE64]

1 pc - St croix triumph 6' ML/F

2 pc - St croix Avid 7' M/F

[TheBasslayer]

St. Croix rods are good, and I like my Fenwick Eagle Baitcaster rod, but since my most expensive rod is the St. Croix Bass X spinning(Just bought it a few days ago), I wouldn't know about the Mojo, Fenwick HMG, etc. Sorry that I couldn't help more.

[Johnsmyname]

So I ended up getting a Dobyns Champion XP in 7’ MF. Sierra, Mojo Bass and Avid were all close, but got a deal so ended up with the DC 703SF. Thanks for all the help guys. I’ll let you know how it is when it shows up.

[Johnsmyname]

So got the rod as a present for Xmas. Fished it today for first time. It’s great. Couldn’t mess with it too much, was casting spoons into a very high creek/river for trout and salmon. Water was moving too much to get a real good feel for it, but casts great and feels great. Really nice sensitivity. Will update more when I get to try some different presentations and actually catch something on it. Thanks for help and suggestions.