Favorite 7' M/F Bait Cast Utility Rod Under $120 ?

[ChrisD46]

Looking for a 7' M/F bait cast "utility" rod that will serve multiple purposes under $120 . The new Abu Garcia Veritas (white) gets good reviews - but I have only seen it with micro guides which I do not like for braid to leader applications ... What is your favorite 6'10" ~ 7' M/F bait cast utility rod for top water , jerk baits , weightless soft plastics , etc. ?

[Reel]

Shimano Sellus

[Eric 26]

Bass pro carbonlite 2.0

[Big-Bass]

Dobyns Fury.  Customer service is good too.

[jimmyjoe]

   Just bought a Daiwa Fuego. Am impressed for $80.            jj

[Bankc]

The Veritas PLX rods aren't really micro-guides.  They're a little bigger than that, though they're not full sized guides either.  I haven't had any issues using 40# braid with a 12# fluoro leader on mine, though I use an FG knot.  It's a good rod overall.  They're a bit stiffer than their rating (Not a full step though, like a medium feels closer to a medium-heavy than a true medium, but still feels a hair soft for a medium-heavy) and the white handles will stain pretty easily.  But I've got three and like them a lot.  Lots of backbone for setting the hook and the tips are soft enough to still cast well.  Sensitivity is good as well.  

 

I also like the Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 and BPS Pro Qualifier 2 rods in that price range.  I'd probably go for the Veritas or Carbonlite if you don't need a 2 piece though.  I got the PQ2 back when I needed a 2 piece, and love it, but it's probably worth the extra $20 for the Carbonlite or dealing with the quirks of the Veritas (which doesn't bother me, though it may some people) as their blanks are a hair nicer.  

[Aaron_H]

6 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

Looking for a 7' M/F bait cast "utility" rod that will serve multiple purposes under $120 . The new Abu Garcia Veritas (white) gets good reviews - but I have only seen it with micro guides which I do not like for braid to leader applications ... What is your favorite 6'10" ~ 7' M/F bait cast utility rod for top water , jerk baits , weightless soft plastics , etc. ?

 

My favorite rod for those techniques in that price range is the 6'10" M/XF Shimano SLX. It's an XF and not an F, but that snappy tip works really well to impart crisp action on a jerkbait and it's limber enough to keep fished pinned. I throw weightless senkos and jerkbaits on mine and I absolutely love it.

 

The Dobyns Fury 705CB (for topwater and jerkbaits) or 703C (for weightless plastics) would be fantastic options as well. I have a 705CB and I wouldn't throw plastics on it but it's dynamite for treble hook baits.

[BrianMDTX]

17 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

The Dobyns Fury 705CB (for topwater and jerkbaits) or 703C (for weightless plastics) would be fantastic options as well. I have a 705CB and I wouldn't throw plastics on it but it's dynamite for treble hook baits.

I’ve found it works pretty well on some weightless TR, from Zoom Z Craw worms to Fat IKA’s. It really casts them well, too. Especially the heavier baits like the Fat IKA and Neko Macho. 

[Aaron_H]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

I’ve found it works pretty well on some weightless TR, from Zoom Z Craw worms to Fat IKA’s. It really casts them well, too. Especially the heavier baits like the Fat IKA and Neko Macho. 

 

Interesting! I feel it loads too deep in the blank for how I like to fish weightless T-rigs, but I'll have to give it a try sometime to really see. I can definitely see it casting them well with that tip. I appreciate the information!

[BrianMDTX]

29 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

Interesting! I feel it loads too deep in the blank for how I like to fish weightless T-rigs, but I'll have to give it a try sometime to really see. I can definitely see it casting them well with that tip. I appreciate the information!

Others may disagree (may be more correct than me as well), but this is what I see. Casting a crankbait, etc. of the appropriate weight, it does seem to load up deeper in the blank as a Mod Fast vs a Fast action. But it appears when using a soft plastic with a decent weight all on its own (as the mentioned Fat IKA and Neko Machos are), using 10 lb. Big Game, I have had no problems with hook sets using 3/0 round offset or EWG hooks. I actually tried it as being my first Dobyns rod, I wanted to see how well it detected strikes. Let’s face it, you don’t get overly taxed detecting strikes on a crankbait. It surprised me. I do mainly use it 95% of the time with a jerkbait, squarebill or lipless tied on, as I have other rigs with me for other presentations, but sometimes it’s a pleasure flicking out a weightless soft plastic with a baitcaster with ease. 

 

Give it a try and see how it works for you. 

[Holetail]

I second the Fury 703 / 733C. I use the 733 and throw everything from weightless plastics to 3/8 chatters to light jigs. It is definitely my workhorse rod that I have the most confidence in. 

[new2BC4bass]

I can't speak from experience, but I'd look at the Falcon Lowrider 7' MHF.  It's rated 1/4-3/4 but Falcon rods usually fish a bit light.  From what I've read the Lowrider fishes way above its price point.  List is $130 so you'd need to find one on sale.  Which is tough right now.  I can't find for less even on ebay.

 

Actually that is the lure rating for Cabela's 7' MF Prodigy.  At least for the older ones I have.  It is a decent stick for the money.  Got both mine on sale.  I am also a fan of the Fenwick HMG line.  But...again...mine are older models.

[JLBBass]

Dobyns Fury, or BPS Carbonlite 2.0

 

Note: NOBODY has better customer service than Dobyns!!!

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

I can't speak from experience, but I'd look at the Falcon Lowrider 7' MHF.  It's rated 1/4-3/4 but Falcon rods usually fish a bit light.  From what I've read the Lowrider fishes way above its price point.

My Falcon Lowrider All 'Round Fast MHF is my dedicated Texas rig rod. Paired with a Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1, it shines. Falcon builds a great rod. 

[Drew03cmc]

In that price range, I would get a Mojo Bass. I have 2 of these, both MH, one MF and one F. The MF is perfect for chatterbaits and the like. If I could recommend any rod for your usage. I love my Legend X 6'8" MF. I throw everything from a weightless Trick Worm to a Super Spook or Dog X Diamante on it. On my medium casting rod, it gets 20# Smackdown to either a 10 or 12# leader, copoly or fluoro depending on situation. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I have a 7'1 M F Omen Black @120$ that I use for exactly what your describing.  I love the action of the rod, its close to perfect IMO for a M power do it all.  Its great with JBs/topwaters, weightless plastics and CBs under 1/2 oz.  I throw 1/4-5/16 jigs/swim jigs, light t rigs, SHs, and 1/4 bladed jigs with it too.  The Fate V3 @100$ has the same blank but it has smaller guides then the Omen.  

[Bluebasser86]

Daiwa Arid X. Could buy 2 for that price. 

[ironbjorn]

Dobyns Fury 703c is exactly what you're looking for. I use mine for squarebills, lipless crankbaits, some top waters, weightless soft plastics and lighter weighted Texas rigs, 1/4oz and finesse jigs, etc. It's one of my favorite rods. The Fury 705cb is too whippy. The 703c is a great squarebill, lipless and popper rod. There's absolutely no reason to get the 705cb when the 703c works for these treble baits just as well and blows the 705cb out of the water for the other presentations like Texas rigs and weightless plastics and small jigs.

[Kyle S]

Lew's 6'10" Hank Parker medium power fast action rod. Sold exclusively at walmart. $39.99

[MarkG52]

Carbonlite 2.0, especially when on sale. Also the Lew's KVD rods.

[BrianMDTX]

16 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Daiwa Arid X. Could buy 2 for that price. 

I just used my Aird-X 661MFB last evening for the first time in months. To be frank, it was a pleasure fishing with it. 

[BoatSquirrel]

17 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Daiwa Arid X. Could buy 2 for that price.

I just bought another one of these rods from Academy today.  The 7' M is perfect for small crankbaits.

[Taylormade113]

17 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Dobyns Fury 703c is exactly what you're looking for. I use mine for squarebills, lipless crankbaits, some top waters, weightless soft plastics and lighter weighted Texas rigs, 1/4oz and finesse jigs, etc. It's one of my favorite rods. The Fury 705cb is too whippy. The 703c is a great squarebill, lipless and popper rod. There's absolutely no reason to get the 705cb when the 703c works for these treble baits just as well and blows the 705cb out of the water for the other presentations like Texas rigs and weightless plastics and small jigs.

This.

 

Honestly, this rod has handled everything from flukes, to jerkbaits, to square bills, to senkos, topwater, poppers, chatterbaits, and lipless. I have been so impressed.