Help spend my money

[weemofisher]

Sorry in advance for the long post. I have a $500 budget for 2-3 rods. The rods MUST be ones available through bass pro as #1 I have a couple gift cards and #2 (more importantly) I can pay cash so the wife doesn't know. Just spent $500 on a driver (golf) so she wouldnt be happy with me buying more toys.  Im going off the assumption Bass pro will heavily discount their brands which I'm probably not interested in but they will do the rod trade in as always. I think it $20 of up to $149  $30 off up to $199, $40 off up to $249, $50 off $250 and up. I will be taking advantage of trade in on all rods purchased. The rods I need( ok...WANT)

7' ish casting rod   Medium fast General purpose rod but will have 5" senkos or 3.8 inch Keitech Fat on 1/8 oz head probably 80% of time.  THIS ROD MUST BE SPLIT GRIP. I will use flouro on this rod so micro guides are "ok" but not needed. This rod will get the most use of the 3.

 

short-ish walleye vertical jig rod. 6-0 -6-3   I think Im fairly set on a Croix ML  Xtra fast but not sure of series (leaning avid). I would prefer split grip but not a must in this rod. NO MICRO GUIDES as it will be braid to leader. Probably the rod that needs the most sensitivity application wise but this rod will get used once a year on our Canada trip. Curious about POSSIBLY going to a light power rod as i could then use it occasional to vertical jig crappie at home but the Walleye trip is most important aspect of this rod.

 

7' ish spinning rod. This Rod will cast 3"-4" grubs and jackal Wave 3.8 swimbaits on 1/16-1/8 jigs. This is the rod I am struggling with. I have a Elite Tech Walleye 6-9 ML xtra fast that I would think would work and its fine with the 1/16 jig and 3" grub but anything over that feels like its too soft. I also dont want a "broomstick" heavy rod like some mediums feel to me. I guess I probably want a "heavy" ML  or a "light" medium. Tentatively thinking 7' croix ML  fast   possibly in Avid? Prefer split grip but not necessary.  NO MICRO GUIDES

 

Budget $500 with the trade in discounts mentioned. I was thinking of getting all 3 to take advantage of the trade in deal but i COULD wait on the jig rod if someone comes up with a killer $500 combo for  the two 7' rods.

 

tentatively was thinking  Mojo casting rod 7' M/F ($130)   spinning rod  Avid 7' ML/F  ($170)  vertical jig  Avid 6'3  ML/XF  ($170)

certainly not married to Croix so other suggestions welcome.   Thanks and build away!!

[Derek1]

Yup secrets= bad. Lol

on the note, carbonlite 2.0 rods are $120 regular price. Would be fine for your first two. 

[weemofisher]

LOL.....it's not like I'm cheating on her. Or even lying, if I happen to have a few bucks laying around to spend on rods and not call attention to it so be it.

36 minutes ago, Derek1 said:

Yup secrets= bad. Lol

on the note, carbonlite 2.0 rods are $120 regular price. Would be fine for your first two. 

Yeah,

    Im guessing carbonlites will be around $80 during spring classic. They wont work for the spinning rod for sure as those micro guides are no bueno for me with braid to leader. W/ a $500 budget I was thinking nicer than these although the platinum series does have me intrigued. I think they were like $125 after sale and trade in last year. Anyone have experience with the platinum?

[Eric 26]

Although I don’t have any experience with the Patriot series of rods,they felt nice in hand when I looked at them. As a bonus I read someone on here thinks the blanks are made by St.Croix which is what you’re leaning towards anyway. I’m pleased with my 7’-0” carbonlite 2.0 casting rod they aren’t micro guides more of a in between size.