Spinnerbait rod, Need to replace Cabela’s Prodigy

[Cgolf]

Looking to replace my Cabela’s prodigy medium moderate 7’ rod for spinnerbait fishing. Just need a little bit more sensitivity. That said I fish in reeds a lot and need a lot of backbone to keep them from wrapping me around a reed ands getting away. I generally throw 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits and the weights vary between 3/16 and 1/2 ounce. 
 

The price point max is roughly 200 give or take. If there is a great rod out there for less than 200 all the better. Length 7 foot max with 6 1/2 even better. 

[FishTank]

St. Croix Avid 7' Med Fast.  Most moderate rods for spinnerbaits don't really set the hook well for me.  

[Cody28]

I often suggest this rod for chatterbaits as well, but my favorite rod is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinnerbait rod. Very very soft whippy tip which helps woth moving baits, but then a good solid backbone. It is a mod-fast rod for $140. If you wanna step up to $200, I hear the 7'1" MHF St. Croix Victory is very good for the job, as it is not nearly as stiff as other St. Croix models. 

[Cgolf]

3 minutes ago, Cody28 said:

I often suggest this rod for chatterbaits as well, but my favorite rod is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinnerbait rod. Very very soft whippy tip which helps woth moving baits, but then a good solid backbone. It is a mod-fast rod for $140. If you wanna step up to $200, I hear the 7'1" MHF St. Croix Victory is very good for the job, as it is not nearly as stiff as other St. Croix models. 

I looked at a MHM victory and in the store it felt softer than my MHM premier that I love but is way to stiff for smaller spinnerbaits. I am concerned the MH victories would be to stiff as well once I got it on the water. 

 

[swhit140]

I've been using a Powell Diesel Crankbait 705 CB rod, which is rated for crankbaits, bladed jigs & jerkbaits. I also have one for crankbaits and another for bladed jigs/spinnerbaits. It is a cheaper rod but I've been impressed with the rods, they are good quality built and quite light. Only downfall with them is not warranty, but I've been happy with them and would buy another if I needed. 

[Cody28]

16 minutes ago, cgolf said:

I looked at a MHM victory and in the store it felt softer than my MHM premier that I love but is way to stiff for smaller spinnerbaits. I am concerned the MH victories would be to stiff as well once I got it on the water. 

 

I haven't handled that victory rod, I have only heard good things. I would really consider the Spinnerbait Rod in the mojo bass line up though. It's tip is super soft and whippy. It handles 1/4 oz. no problem. I believe its rated 1/4 to 3/4 oz. I have never tried any lighter because 3/16 in anything is where I switch to spinning gear. 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a Daiwa Arid X 7' MH for spinnerbaits. Nothing fancy, but it's been a great spinnerbait rod. 

[MN Fisher]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a Daiwa Arid X 7' MH for spinnerbaits. Nothing fancy, but it's been a great spinnerbait rod. 

Same rod here for my moving baits - spinners, chatters - really good rod at the price point.

 

"Aird-X", Clayton

 

[Chris186]

I currently use the St Croix Mojo Spinnerbait rod which I do like, my only gripe with it is that I can’t feel the blades spinning. I used to have a Duckett Triad 7’ MH that I loved for spinnerbaits because I could feel the blades turning, it had plenty of tip with solid backbone. That was my favorite all time Spinnerbait rod, but I ended up selling it when I moved away from Duckett to see if the grass was greener. 

[Functional]

Pretty much dedicated a ARK Tharp 7' mh/xf as my spinnerbait rod. Nothing excessive but I can feel the blades thumping and handles my small spinners fine. $130 I snagged on sale for $95.

[Cgolf]

18 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a Daiwa Arid X 7' MH for spinnerbaits. Nothing fancy, but it's been a great spinnerbait rod. 

 

11 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Same rod here for my moving baits - spinners, chatters - really good rod at the price point.

 

"Aird-X", Clayton

 

For the 2 of you. The Prodigy was more expensive than the Aird X back in the day so I would be worried about getting a similar rod (prodigy was a Daiwa rod back then). Can you feel the blades with the Aird and the light takes? The trip I was just on had the softest spinnerbait hits I have ever seen, I didn’t think it was possible for them to hit a spinnerbait that way. Also is the fast more on the slower side? I really need a moderate rod, I grew up fishing them and they fit my casting and hook set style. I struggle with fast and extra fast rods. 
 

5 hours ago, Chris186 said:

I currently use the St Croix Mojo Spinnerbait rod which I do like, my only gripe with it is that I can’t feel the blades spinning. I used to have a Duckett Triad 7’ MH that I loved for spinnerbaits because I could feel the blades turning, it had plenty of tip with solid backbone. That was my favorite all time Spinnerbait rod, but I ended up selling it when I moved away from Duckett to see if the grass was greener. 

That is good to know and the Mojo series is not on my list. When at the factory I was convinced to stay away from them (the general bass rods not the musky or swimbait rods) with what I believe was an honest comment from an employee. I was looking at B stock rods that day so it wasn’t like I was going to spend a lot more. I did get a mojo swim bait rod that day and really like it, but would agree it isn’t the most sensitive rod I own.

 

4 hours ago, Functional said:

Pretty much dedicated a ARK Tharp 7' mh/xf as my spinnerbait rod. Nothing excessive but I can feel the blades thumping and handles my small spinners fine. $130 I snagged on sale for $95.

Do the Ark rods run slower? My fishing style almost forces me into a moderate rod.  I did see they have a medium regular, assume moderate in that series. 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, cgolf said:

Can you feel the blades with the Aird and the light takes?

I dunno about Blue, but I can feel spinner and chatter blades through my Aird-X and I don't even palm the reel.

 

Light grabs are a little more problematic, but the Aird-X has been a good rod for my moving baits so far...not even considering an upgrade soon.

[Cgolf]

Looking through TW I noticed an Abu Ike delay 6’4” medium moderate rod. Anyone use this series or Abu rods in particular? Trying to gather as much info as possible before I buy:) 
 

Also the reasoning behind the shorter rods is I fish out of a small single console deep v. Longer rods are a pain especially with two people in the boat. 
 

Also the Megabass Levante rod. 
 

picking out a new stick is really tough. I know exactly what I want I just don’t know who has it. 

[Bluebasser86]

I don't have any problem feeling light bites during the winter months when the bait just feels "different", with the Aird X. Not sure what your standards are for being able to feel the blade/bites, but I feel like I feel them just fine. 

[Cgolf]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I don't have any problem feeling light bites during the winter months when the bait just feels "different", with the Aird X. Not sure what your standards are for being able to feel the blade/bites, but I feel like I feel them just fine. 

Honestly in my mind I see the prodigy as an elevated ugly stick. When I fish my ugly spin vs my Dobyns Sierra spin there is a huge difference in sensitivity. Buying rods is a nightmare because in the past I picked up a rod for square tills and the action on the water was to soft for that, specs wise should have been perfect, and it ended up being a perfect jerkbait rod. The ugly stick comparison probably isn’t fair as they are good sticks and at least one of the three has been used every year on vacation since I have bought them. 

[Functional]

14 hours ago, cgolf said:

Looking through TW I noticed an Abu Ike delay 6’4” medium moderate rod. Anyone use this series or Abu rods in particular? Trying to gather as much info as possible before I buy:)

I have an Ike delay 6'8" medium for cranks but I would not throw a spinner on it. Way too slow of an action for a single hook and I wasnt a fan of it.

 

I cant comment much on the ARK speed...feels the same maybe a little slower than my Dobyns Sierra and never fished a regular action ARK. In general the slower I've gone on action the less sensitive i've found the rod, at least in the $150 and below range.

[Valongbeard]

Meggabass levente Diablo spec r is another option it’s a versatile moving bait rod and a zodias mh wouldn’t be a bad choice either.

[Cgolf]

3 hours ago, Functional said:

I have an Ike delay 6'8" medium for cranks but I would not throw a spinner on it. Way too slow of an action for a single hook and I wasnt a fan of it.

 

I cant comment much on the ARK speed...feels the same maybe a little slower than my Dobyns Sierra and never fished a regular action ARK. In general the slower I've gone on action the less sensitive i've found the rod, at least in the $150 and below range.

That tells me a lot about Ark. Dobyns are slower than their ratings so a fast ark might be like a moderate St. Croix. 
 

minor rant is that it sucks that there is no consistency to manufacturer to manufacturer. You would think there could be a standard flex curve for each length everyone could use. The square bill rod I bought was a Dobyns champ Xp that thankfully worked out as a jerkbait rod otherwise would have been an expensive mistake. No wiggle room on this one because I really only need one more rod lol. 

[Fishes in trees]

Academy Sports is currently the exclusive marketer of All Star Rods.   3 years ago I got 2 new All Star Spinner Bait rods ( 6'10"   MH Action - little more tippy than their worm rods ).   These new rods are very comparable to the old All Star Zell Rowland Spinner Bait Specials - which were  available in 6'4" and 6'8" lengths.  At first, I didn't like the purple color of the rods, but after a few years now, I'm ok with it.    A new marketing deal seems to be bright colors with the All Star Line.  After the purple ones, they had a bright chartreuse color and I've also seen bright metallic lime green ones and bright red/orange ones.   They will have to be extremely on sale before I get any of those colors.

[Cgolf]

8 hours ago, Fishes in trees said:

Academy Sports is currently the exclusive marketer of All Star Rods.   3 years ago I got 2 new All Star Spinner Bait rods ( 6'10"   MH Action - little more tippy than their worm rods ).   These new rods are very comparable to the old All Star Zell Rowland Spinner Bait Specials - which were  available in 6'4" and 6'8" lengths.  At first, I didn't like the purple color of the rods, but after a few years now, I'm ok with it.    A new marketing deal seems to be bright colors with the All Star Line.  After the purple ones, they had a bright chartreuse color and I've also seen bright metallic lime green ones and bright red/orange ones.   They will have to be extremely on sale before I get any of those colors.

Unfortunately they are all out of stock for shipping and the selection was very small. 

Thanks everyone and if their are more ideas throw them out there. 
 

tomorrow I am taking my 1/4-1 ounce mh prodigy to the river and will see how accurately I can toss some 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits on it. 

[Columbia Craw]

Bummer.  The Dobyns Kaden 714C is really really good and it has a full rear grip.  However, it an inch too long.

[Cgolf]

7 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Bummer.  The Dobyns Kaden 714C is really really good and it has a full rear grip.  However, it an inch too long.

I can go longer just with the small boat shorter is preferred. While researching though even finding 7 foot sticks can be difficult. With the rise of kayak fishing you would think there would be more short rod options. 
 

Is the rod pictured the one? I wish TW would list Dobyns code as well.

 

[Cgolf]

So I did get an interesting surprise today using the Prodigy MH. It cast very well even short pitches with a 1/4 ounce spin and was a bit more sensitive. The only thing I can figure is this rod has 11 micro guides on a 7 foot rod, 12 if you include the tip. I think a MH rod will be the way to go and if the rod doesn’t work I have two prodigy rods that will fill the bill with the MH being the better option to get the fish out of the reeds. 
 

upgrading rods is fun, but I do feel a little bad retiring rods that have been really good to me over the years. 

[Functional]

47 minutes ago, cgolf said:

So I did get an interesting surprise today using the Prodigy MH. It cast very well even short pitches with a 1/4 ounce spin and was a bit more sensitive. The only thing I can figure is this rod has 11 micro guides on a 7 foot rod, 12 if you include the tip. I think a MH rod will be the way to go and if the rod doesn’t work I have two prodigy rods that will fill the bill with the MH being the better option to get the fish out of the reeds. 
 

upgrading rods is fun, but I do feel a little bad retiring rods that have been really good to me over the years. 

 

I've "retired" rods only to find a different use or dedicate them to specific baits. Not sure there is a true retirement until they break lol.

[WRB]

Take a look at Dobyns Kaden series KD713C or KD714C.

Tom

PS, spinnerbaits w/blades weigh at least 2X the package weight.