looking for a few casting rods around 250 or less each

[David Austin]

I'm looking for a few casting rods for largemouth bass for several baitcasters I have.  I was looking at rods but it seems there are so many different brands and models and it can get overwhelming sometimes.  Looking for the following casting rods (length doesn't have to be exact, but close):

 

7'6" heavy fast rod for heavy cover and flipping/pitching

7'3" medium heavy fast rod  for jigs and carolina rig and texas rigs

7' medium fast rod for topwater, spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits

7' medium moderate rod for square bill crankbaits

7' medium heavy moderate rod for chatterbaits, large spinnerbaits, etc

 

I'm also considering a good 7' medium or medium light spinning rod for some finesse stuff such as very small shakey heads and small ned rigs.

 

Any help would be very useful.  Thanks.

 

 

[jbsoonerfan]

I am an admitted Shimano fan, so I would choose the Expride's. There are a TON of good rods in that price range. 

 

If I were going to try something different, I would give the Megabass Levante a hard look.

[David Austin]

10 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I am an admitted Shimano fan, so I would choose the Expride's. There are a TON of good rods in that price range. 

 

If I were going to try something different, I would give the Megabass Levante a hard look.

How are the newest version of the Shimano Zodias??

[jbsoonerfan]

11 minutes ago, David Austin said:

How are the newest version of the Shimano Zodias??

I only have the 7' MH and they are nice rods. IMO the Expride is worth the extra money though. I HATE where the hook hanger is on the new Zodias. I would much rather add my own hook keeper so I can put it where I want it.

[roadwarrior]

New Okuma series being introduced next week:

 

https://okumafishingusa.com/products/psycho-stick-rods-coming-soon

[waymont]

1 hour ago, David Austin said:

How are the newest version of the Shimano Zodias??

Really great rods.

[JWall14]

The Exprides would be what I would do. They are amazing time tested rods. If you don't want to spend that much I would go Zodias or Levante.

[padon]

zodias.

[Ski]

Less then you want to spend but I like their quality and the price point. There is like 13 different rods to chose from. https://www.lews.com/rods/kvd

[David Austin]

Anyone had any experience with the G. Loomis E6X rods??

[Deephaven]

Let's see $250 * 5 = $1250.  If it were me, I'd do it more like this:

$300 - 7'6" heavy fast rod for heavy cover and flipping/pitching

$400 - 7'3" medium heavy fast rod  for jigs and carolina rig and texas rigs

$250 - 7' medium fast rod for topwater, spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits

$100 - 7' medium moderate rod for square bill crankbaits

$200 - 7' medium heavy moderate rod for chatterbaits, large spinnerbaits, etc

 

The MH Fast I'd have custom made.  The moderates I'd buy used.

[RDB]

3 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Let's see $250 * 5 = $1250.  If it were me, I'd do it more like this:

$300 - 7'6" heavy fast rod for heavy cover and flipping/pitching

$400 - 7'3" medium heavy fast rod  for jigs and carolina rig and texas rigs

$250 - 7' medium fast rod for topwater, spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits

$100 - 7' medium moderate rod for square bill crankbaits

$200 - 7' medium heavy moderate rod for chatterbaits, large spinnerbaits, etc

 

The MH Fast I'd have custom made.  The moderates I'd buy used.

Agree...raise your $ amounts for your bottom contact rods where sensitivity matters.  For the others, you can find great rods in the $120-150 range that will give you everything you need.

[Dumbbassanglr]

On 4/7/2021 at 4:02 PM, Deephaven said:

Let's see $250 * 5 = $1250.  If it were me, I'd do it more like this:

$300 - 7'6" heavy fast rod for heavy cover and flipping/pitching

$400 - 7'3" medium heavy fast rod  for jigs and carolina rig and texas rigs

$250 - 7' medium fast rod for topwater, spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits

$100 - 7' medium moderate rod for square bill crankbaits

$200 - 7' medium heavy moderate rod for chatterbaits, large spinnerbaits, etc

 

The MH Fast I'd have custom made.  The moderates I'd buy used.

I also agree with this but I would do something like this:

76 expride

73 expride 

7 Zodias or levante

7 squarebill Zodias, levante or tatula

7 Chatterbait would be E6x 844 mbr

[ooga0341]

I like ALX rods a lot. I have 3 Zolos which run $250-ish, 2 Ikos @ $159, and am about to order a couple of the Oxims @ $199. 

[new2BC4bass]

You are talking rods out of my budget unless used or on sale at a hefty discount.  Doesn't stop me from reading reviews of them, tho. 

 

Exprides said to fish close to many $400 rods.

New Zodias

Falcon Experts...very sensitive, too.

Picked up a couple ALX rods when They were on sale for $175.  Love them.  Not fancy looking, tho, just solid rods.

Fellow member gave me a fantastic deal on an older Orochi Diablo Spec R.  Above your price, but a super nice rod.  Never seen a Levante.

Love my OG Tatulas.  Wouldn't mind trying a Rebellion.

[WRB]

Very impressed with St Croix new Victory series rods @ $180.

Tom

[GreenPig]

On 4/7/2021 at 11:31 AM, jbsoonerfan said:

I only have the 7' MH and they are nice rods. IMO the Expride is worth the extra money though. I HATE where the hook hanger is on the new Zodias. I would much rather add my own hook keeper so I can put it where I want it.

Agree totally on the hook hanger position. I mean really, did they sit down to figure out the best position to get you to put a treble hook in our hands. I pick rods up by the handle.

[FishTank]

Easy.... St. Croix Avid.  They have a rod in this line up to fit all your needs.  

 

Another thought, I like the St. Croix Legend Glass better for crankbaits.  

[Scott804]

Second the Megabass Levante. Probably my favorite rod in my arsenal right now, and I am about to order 2 more. Really just fantastic blanks all around. 

[Bluebasser86]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

Very impressed with St Croix new Victory series rods @ $180.

Tom

Agreed. They have some rods that would fit into the specs you're looking for.

 https://stcroixrods.com/pages/victory?utm_source=BassResource&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=VictoryLaunch

[roadwarrior]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Agreed. They have some rods that would fit into the specs you're looking for.

 https://stcroixrods.com/pages/victory?utm_source=BassResource&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=VictoryLaunch

 

[Boomstick]

I've picked up a few Tatula elite rods this year that might fit the bill. So far I have the 7' M-MH/XF Ehrler finesse rod for T-rigs and finesse jigs and that is an awesome rod that can cast a very light weight and has enough power to pull them out of lighter cover still. I'm waiting for the 7'1" M/F Ehrler dropshot rod, which is nationally backordered.

 

Other lines I would look at would be the Shimano Expride, if you get a good enough sale you can get them to $250 or less, and the new St. Croix Victory series.