Need guidance on $200 rod.

[Pbrl]

Hey everybody! As the title says I am in need of a couple new rods. I have my eye on a few but would like some guidance/suggestions. 

The main few I am considering are: So any suggestions on how these compare would be great

1.) Megabass Levante (perfect pitch, and Diablo)

2.) Daiwa Rebellion 

3.) Dobyns Sierra

4.) Elite ELT series (have been able to find nothing on these rods but have had a small discussion with owner and he seems very professional and knowledgeable) 

 

I am really looking for a rod at 200 or under one dedicated for jigs, heavy t-rigs, etc, and another all around rod. I have looked at the new Victory series from St.Croix and am waiting for more reviews on those but have not taken them out of the mix. Sort of looking for a brand that I love and want to stick with. Currently have a dobyns Champ extreme hp so have some experience with Dobyns but do not know how the sierra series is. Will be pairing these on either Tatula SV's or Elites. Unless I can find Bantam MGL's at a cheap price. Trying to stay around $400 a rig. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[MN Fisher]

3: Dobyns Kaden - everything anyone has said about these is that they're much better than the Sierra for only a bit more.

[Pbrl]

Thank you I will check them out! 

[walleyecrazy]

For what you are looking to do I would remove the Sierra from the list. They are great rods, but for me their actions are just a little too slow for bottom contact baits. I use my Sierra casting rods exclusively for moving baits because of their actions, and they seem to excel at those presentations. 

[Teal]

Add tatula elite to your list.  I hear alot more feed back on them than the rebellion.   Zodias is right around that price too I think.   I have a Levante jerkbait rod now and I love it.  

[padon]

zodias 72 heavy or medium heavy.

[Boomstick]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

3: Dobyns Kaden - everything anyone has said about these is that they're much better than the Sierra for only a bit more.

They should be like the Sierra but with more tip.

[Pbrl]

Thanks guys! I forgot about the zodias being in that price range....

[GetFishorDieTryin]

8 hours ago, Pbrl said:

Hey everybody! As the title says I am in need of a couple new rods. I have my eye on a few but would like some guidance/suggestions. 

The main few I am considering are: So any suggestions on how these compare would be great

1.) Megabass Levante (perfect pitch, and Diablo)

2.) Daiwa Rebellion 

3.) Dobyns Sierra

4.) Elite ELT series (have been able to find nothing on these rods but have had a small discussion with owner and he seems very professional and knowledgeable) 

 

I am really looking for a rod at 200 or under one dedicated for jigs, heavy t-rigs, etc, and another all around rod. I have looked at the new Victory series from St.Croix and am waiting for more reviews on those but have not taken them out of the mix. Sort of looking for a brand that I love and want to stick with. Currently have a dobyns Champ extreme hp so have some experience with Dobyns but do not know how the sierra series is. Will be pairing these on either Tatula SV's or Elites. Unless I can find Bantam MGL's at a cheap price. Trying to stay around $400 a rig. 

 

Thanks in advance!

If you want to save a few $ check out the 13 Omen Blacks, there awesome and @130-140$ theyre awful hard to beat.  The 36T blanks they use are really light and sensitive, IMO they feel and fish like SC Avids.  I got the 7'2 MH ModF last fall and its like a swiss army knife.  It has enough tip to keep trebles pinned and to get good casting distance, while at the same time it has enough backbone to fish jigs.  Dicks carrys them, so if you have one near by stop and check em out.  If you buy one of them you would save enough to get at least one JDM Bantam.  

[Oldskool67]

Second looking at the Tatula Elite

[ATA]

G-Loomise EX6 is also in same price range.

[Pbrl]

5 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

If you want to save a few $ check out the 13 Omen Blacks, there awesome and @130-140$ theyre awful hard to beat.  The 36T blanks they use are really light and sensitive, IMO they feel and fish like SC Avids.  I got the 7'2 MH ModF last fall and its like a swiss army knife.  It has enough tip to keep trebles pinned and to get good casting distance, while at the same time it has enough backbone to fish jigs.  Dicks carrys them, so if you have one near by stop and check em out.  If you buy one of them you would save enough to get at least one JDM Bantam.  

Interesting I will check them out! The 36T is also in my Ark Lancer Pro I believe. 

[Born 2 fish]

Tatula elite or Daiwa KAGE. 

[thunderblack]

Daiwa tatula, Loomis E6X, Zodias, SC avid or victory. Dobyns...remove from list. These options you will enjoy more no doubt. 

[GReb]

I own or owned Zodias, Champion, Sierra, ALX Zolo, SC LTB, Kistler KLX and Helium. Falcon Expert trumps all of these. Just my opinion as there are many I have not fished

[Michigander]

TFO Tactical Elite is a fantastic rod for those techniques and price point. 

[Pbrl]

19 minutes ago, GReb said:

I own or owned Zodias, Champion, Sierra, ALX Zolo, SC LTB, Kistler KLX and Helium. Falcon Expert trumps all of these. Just my opinion as there are many I have not fished

Which models do you use/ for what applications?

[new2BC4bass]

Falcon rods get overlooked a lot here.  I've fished the Original, OG Expert and a Cara.  Falcon sells nice rods.  They also have great customer service.  Some people dropped them when Falcon started getting blanks made overseas.  Yet they have no problem recommending rods from other companies that are made elsewhere.

[Bakablo1]

Can't go wrong with the Levante or Zodias IMO. Have both and love them ?

[Pbrl]

5 minutes ago, Bakablo1 said:

Can't go wrong with the Levante or Zodias IMO. Have both and love them ?

Honestly these are the two I am leaning towards.. Might do one of these and a bantam MGL then do a cheaper rig for the second.

[GReb]

2 hours ago, Pbrl said:

Which models do you use/ for what applications?

For jigs and texas rig you’d want the Falcon Amistad. I have the Zodias in 7’2 heavy and rarely use it. Will probably sell it sometime soon

[shackman]

45 minutes ago, GReb said:

For jigs and texas rig you’d want the Falcon Amistad. I have the Zodias in 7’2 heavy and rarely use it. Will probably sell it sometime soon

What do you want for the Heavy Zodias? I’ve got 3 7’ 2” med/hvy and one medium and could use a heavy. Is it the 1st generation? 

[kayaking_kev]

Agree with the other about the Sierra, the Kaden would be much better for those applications. 

 

I would throw in Phenix Bass Recon Elite Heavy Power 7'1 or 7'6 in the mix, they are some light rods, and Phenix doesn't get enough credit.

[Mike L]

29 minutes ago, kayaking_kev said:

and Phenix doesn't get enough credit.

No they don’t. 
I have 7’2” MH/F M1 that I use for swimming worms and spinners and as my backup for all light to mid cover  bottom contact presentations. 
 

For that I use the new full cork extra fast  Tatula which is my first choice. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Pbrl]

19 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

Agree with the other about the Sierra, the Kaden would be much better for those applications. 

 

I would throw in Phenix Bass Recon Elite Heavy Power 7'1 or 7'6 in the mix, they are some light rods, and Phenix doesn't get enough credit.

The recon Elite and M1 are some good looking rods any idea on how they compare? Being in the same price range?

 

I was able to get my hands on a zodias yesterday but I couldn’t get over the skinny handle with my large hands.