$50 or so rod recommendation?

[gopeymuck]

I need a new rod for flipping and T-rigs. Trying to stay around $50. Does a decent rod exist at this price point? Any recommendations?

[Boomstick]

$50 rods are not great, but people do catch fish with Berkley Lightning rods or Abu Garcia Vengeance rods. I don't think one is significantly better than the other, but I would lean towards the Vengeance.

 

As far as flipping and T-Rigs, this is typically this is two different rods. A T-Rig would be fished on medium or medium heavy, depending on how heavy the rods run  and also how big of weight you're using and what kind of cover you're throwing into, but Medium Heavy is a good bet.

Flipping would typically be a heavy rod with a lot of tip to be able to pull fish out of heavy cover, and would not be the same rod I would throw a T-Rig on. 

 

[MN Fisher]

^ What Boomer said.

 

Saying that - for that price-point...Diawa Aird-X. I'm upgrading to Furys from those, but last two seasons and next season, my flip/pitch rod is an Aird-X Heavy.

[Boomstick]

3 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

^ What Boomer said.

 

Saying that - for that price-point...Diawa Aird-X. I'm upgrading to Furys from those, but last two seasons and next season, my flip/pitch rod is an Aird-X Heavy.

I believe Aird-X is slightly above $50, but it's absolutely worth the extra $5 or $10. Good suggestion.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Boomstick said:

I believe Aird-X is slightly above $50, but it's absolutely worth the extra $5 or $10. Good suggestion.

Depends on where you get it. I got mine from Fleet Farm for $44.99.

[GTN-NY]

Lightning flipping stick was my favorite all time rod. But I’m talking about a rod that was made in the 80’s. Heavy and thick like a broom stick. I had two - got to have backup to your favorite. Both rod’s reel seat broke on a hookset but they were 20 years old. 
I still have them. I just can’t part with them

[DitchPanda]

Aird x all the way for those techniques...normally $55 but can be found for less quite often. Other $50 rods can't touch em. Only other option that would be better is if you find a clearance rod at Wal-Mart...I've found lots of Falcons over the years for $27 each. Besides that tho I'd go aird.

[Shimano_1]

Probably find some decent deals with all the sales going on. A 50 dollar retail rod wouldn't be much but an 80 dollar rod on sale would likely be much better. Have no experience with either the aird or lightning 

[NYWayfarer]

I have 3 Walmart exclusive Lew’s Laser HS rods, 2 spinning and 1 casting. For $29.99 they are a great deal. My only complaint would be the stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts. For the price it’s a small complaint.

 

The blanks should be fine for pitching.

[PhishLI]

Another vote for the Aird-X 7' Heavy. It's more like a Medium Heavy +, and it's a tough rod.  My brother has 2, so I've fished with them. No problems dragging chunks through the thick stuff.

[ChrisD46]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

^ What Boomer said.

 

Saying that - for that price-point...Diawa Aird-X. I'm upgrading to Furys from those, but last two seasons and next season, my flip/pitch rod is an Aird-X Heavy.

*I think this is about the best option at $50 (Daiwa Aird - X Heavy) with #50 lb. ~ #65 lb. braid .

[jdr99a]

The Shimano Sellus is another standout at the $50 price point. I’ve also got the AridX and it is a fine choice as well. The Walmart exclusive Lew’s mentioned above is actually a phenomenal deal. I got one to mess around with a left hand retrieve reel and was very happy. 
 

if it were my $ and I were going to stick to the budget, I’d go with the lew’s. It sure is ugly though. 

[Jaderose]

6 hours ago, jdr99a said:

The Shimano Sellus is another standout at the $50 price point. I’ve also got the AridX and it is a fine choice as well. The Walmart exclusive Lew’s mentioned above is actually a phenomenal deal. I got one to mess around with a left hand retrieve reel and was very happy. 
 

if it were my $ and I were going to stick to the budget, I’d go with the lew’s. It sure is ugly though. 

I use an older Sellus (spinning) for throwing weightless T-rigs.  It's a fine rod that has served me well for many years

[Tyler.]

On 12/31/2020 at 10:25 PM, NYWayfarer said:

I have 3 Walmart exclusive Lew’s Laser HS rods, 2 spinning and 1 casting. For $29.99 they are a great deal. My only complaint would be the stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts. For the price it’s a small complaint.

 

The blanks should be fine for pitching.

What lure weight are these rods rated for? What line recommendation as well?

[kayaking_kev]

Lew's Hank Parker MH from Walmart for $40 for T-Rigs. That thing always blows my mind when it comes to sensitivity and I own a Conquest, Xtasy's, & Custom X-Rays.

 

 

[Catt]

Academy H2O ?

[BrianMDTX]

I got two Aird-X’s for $49.99 a piece. Really good rods for the $$. 

[MAN]

In that price range its whatever IM6 I can find.  Probably a lightning rod or something. 

[garroyo130]

9 hours ago, Catt said:

Academy H2O ?

 

The Ethos HDs can be had for that price when they are on sale and they are great rods.

[cottny27]

52 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

 

The Ethos HDs can be had for that price when they are on sale and they are great rods.

Agree with this^
or even research the Kastking Crixus for low $40s

[Alex from GA]

I have several All Star Classic rods I bought @ Academy several years ago on sale for $30.  Best bang for the buck I've found.

[GTN-NY]

53 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

I have several All Star Classic rods I bought @ Academy several years ago on sale for $30.  Best bang for the buck I've found.

Love my All Star rod that I bought in the 90’s. I can guarantee I didn’t pay $30. I wish I had more of them

[NYWayfarer]

21 hours ago, Tyler. said:

What lure weight are these rods rated for? What line recommendation as well?

Medium casting rod 1/4-5/8oz 8-15lb line

 

Medium spinning rod 1/8-3/8oz 4-12lb line

 

Medium light spinning rod 1/16-1/4oz 4-10lb line