Good General Purpose Spinning Rod Suggestions

[Plug]

Been researching a rod that will be a good match for the Pflueger Supreme XT that I recently purchased. Should probably have taken more time researching a reel, but that's where I'm at the moment. Lot's of info for a newby to digest.  Looking to spend not much more than low to mid $100 at most (sale priced), as I can wait for a good sales to purchase.  I like to get the most bang for my buck, consider myself a good bargain hunter.

 

I will be fishing mostly lakes in the Southern California area for bass and whatever else is there, trout?... likely some ocean pier and shoreline fishing from rocks.  Not looking to get too deeply into the hobby buying all types of specialized gear, so a general purpose jack of all trades would suit me fine, something with quality that will last.

 

After much reading some of my top picks are the St Croix Mojo, Daiwa Tatula, Powell Endurance and recently got a chance to feel a Dobyns Kaden at a store and really liked how well balanced and light it felt, two ideal traits for me.  Haven't tried the other one's.  Based on my research I am leaning towards medium power, fast to fast/moderate speed, and around 7'.  One piece is fine, a two piece would make it easier to transport and apparently the new one's are as good or very close to the one piece rods.

 

What lure weight capacity and line strength would be ideal for most situations?

 

Anything else to consider, looking to narrow down my choices.  Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

What size XT? I'd suggest a different rod for a 20 or 25 than for a 30 or 35.

 

If you're thinking Medium power, I'm thinking 30...which is about a 2500 size from others.

 

A spinning fast action is like a casting moderate-fast - so take that into consideration.

 

I'd suggest a Sierra 703SF for the price range you're looking at...and wait for sales coming in about a month - you can save 20%-25% off retail.

[Hammer 4]

I have a couple of Diawa Tatula XT's. These run $ 99.99 at TW, good value, rods are light and have good action imho. 

[islandbass]

You’re asking a lot from one rod. Are you going do more bass/fresh water fishing or ocean pier fishing?

 

If you’re leaning toward the former, I would recommend getting a 7’ rod at least and medium powered fast action. This is about as all around you can get. Be fully aware that there will be compromises, but since you need a Lord of the Rings rod, one rod to do it all, that’s what I would recommend. A good medium powered rod can handle light plastics, drop shot, and even handle treble lures including top waters. It will do in a pinch for lighter spinner baits and lighter jigs.  With care, it can handle real bait, but you will just need to be careful you don’t cast too hard since that could throw the bait off. If you can find one with a 1/4 - 1 oz lure weight rating or something like 1/4 - 3/4 oz you should be alright. 
 

For the reel, I would get a Shimano or Daiwa 3000 sized reel. Why? Because they are usually the same size as their 2500 sister, but it has more line capacity that your ocean fishing would benefit from. 
 

You can step up to a MH, ie, medium heavy, but the lighter weight range might suffer.  
 

Good luck. I remember thinking and searching for the one rod to do it all. It simply does not and cannot exist but you can still get by. 

[T-Billy]

I have four of these Tharp series Ark rods now with more to come. They fish well above their price point IMO. 

[Mobasser]

Fenwick HMG is a good rod in the 100 dollar range.

[Jig Man]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

Fenwick HMG is a good rod in the 100 dollar range.

X2.  I have 6 of them.  They come with a lifetime warranty.  I use them more than my St Croix and Gloomis rods.

[Fishingmickey]

10 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

What size XT? I'd suggest a different rod for a 20 or 25 than for a 30 or 35.

 

If you're thinking Medium power, I'm thinking 30...which is about a 2500 size from others.

 

A spinning fast action is like a casting moderate-fast - so take that into consideration.

 

I'd suggest a Sierra 703SF for the price range you're looking at...and wait for sales coming in about a month - you can save 20%-25% off retail.

X2 - Tackle warehouse - black Friday

[PressuredFishing]

 

11 hours ago, Plug said:

Been researching a rod that will be a good match for the Pflueger Supreme XT that I recently purchased. Should probably have taken more time researching a reel, but that's where I'm at the moment. Lot's of info for a newby to digest.  Looking to spend not much more than low to mid $100 at most (sale priced), as I can wait for a good sales to purchase.  I like to get the most bang for my buck, consider myself a good bargain hunter.

 

I will be fishing mostly lakes in the Southern California area for bass and whatever else is there, trout?... likely some ocean pier and shoreline fishing from rocks.  Not looking to get too deeply into the hobby buying all types of specialized gear, so a general purpose jack of all trades would suit me fine, something with quality that will last.

 

After much reading some of my top picks are the St Croix Mojo, Daiwa Tatula, Powell Endurance and recently got a chance to feel a Dobyns Kaden at a store and really liked how well balanced and light it felt, two ideal traits for me.  Haven't tried the other one's.  Based on my research I am leaning towards medium power, fast to fast/moderate speed, and around 7'.  One piece is fine, a two piece would make it easier to transport and apparently the new one's are as good or very close to the one piece rods.

 

What lure weight capacity and line strength would be ideal for most situations?

 

Anything else to consider, looking to narrow down my choices.  Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

 

 

I'd reccomend telling me what you want to throw and where+what time of year. Most spinning techniques here in socal are usually medium to medium light, and 6-8lb line, 1/16-3/8ths. Need to know what you are throwing, D.S, finesse jig, worm, finesse topwaters, swimbaits, and for trout what lures or weights, than we can match something up.

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

X2 - Tackle warehouse - black Friday

Legacy - pre-BF - 25% off vs TW's 20% off

[Plug]

Getting a lot of good advice. 

 

I got the Pflueger Supreme XT size 35. Will likely use it more fresh than salt water, as to what I will throw, I am fairly clueless about it, will need further research. I will try a variety of lures and techniques until I find my favorite one's.

 

What is the website for Legacy?

 

[WRB]

My suggestion is Major Craft NAS 701MJ spinning rod.

I owned this rod and consider it superior to SC Victory 7’ VTS71MF medium fast spinning rod that I now use.

Price point is about $110 Major Craft direct.

Tom

38 minutes ago, Plug said:

Getting a lot of good advice. 

 

I got the Pflueger Supreme XT size 35. Will likely use it more fresh than salt water, as to what I will throw, I am fairly clueless about it, will need further research. I will try a variety of lures and techniques until I find my favorite one's.

 

What is the website for Legacy?

 

American (L) Fishing.

No stock due to imported Fuji Components.

[PressuredFishing]

18 minutes ago, Plug said:

Getting a lot of good advice. 

 

I got the Pflueger Supreme XT size 35. Will likely use it more fresh than salt water, as to what I will throw, I am fairly clueless about it, will need further research. I will try a variety of lures and techniques until I find my favorite one's.

 

What is the website for Legacy?

 

If you want to do everything, medium action will do good in the grass and will be able to fish panfish trout and bass. Winter time or panfishing 6lb line and grassy lakes or bass 8lb. If you are only going to have one rod perhaps invest in a spare spool for your Supreme, than you can get the bonuses of 6lb line techniques and the strength of 8lb. You can also just tie a 50ft leader of 6lb mono to your 8lb mainline. Mono or braid is a must for a do it all combo. Floro sinks which prevents you from throwing topwaters, which makes the rod not a do it all rod. Braid to leader allows you to use different line types and easy changes on the water, but you may loose fish when learning hard leader knots like the fg or Alberto or uni etc. If using braid upsize to 15-20lb. Mono is cheaper and knots better than Braid+ you can use easier knots to tie such as a blood knot or surgeons knot. Personally I use mono for my spinning combos because it's cheaper and I don't have to constantly tie Braid leaders. 

[papajoe222]

Check into the rod's lure weight ratings. The majority of bass lures lie between 1/4oz. and 1/2oz. so you want a rod that can handle those weights and a little more. A mod/fast action will allow for longer casts than a fast action, but the trade off is their less than ideal use for soft plastic presentations. 

Personally, I like St.Croix spinning rods, but I'm not familiar enough with them to recommend a model

[Firstoutfisher]

Daiwa tatula(not the XT)from ebay or elsewhere can be had for around $100. They make a 7' medium fast. Best spinning rod you will get at that price point. 

[throttleplate]

i will say it again, i use my ugly stick CARBON medium fast 7ft  for everything even though i have dedicated frog rods and punch rods.

It is a 2 piece rod and i have banged this rod on the sides of rocks and culverts, high stick it and flip heavy fish onto shore and it has not failed me for 2 years of fishing. Cost is $79.99.

 

So there i said it, so take some time and read up on it and give it a thought.

https://www.purefishing.com/products/carbon-spinning-rod-1500292?variant=34572627116165

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Of all the rods you mentioned  the Mojos are pretty good, but I love the Tatulas. (not XTs)  Daiwa did a great job on just about every aspect of them.  Not sure how they would handle salt, although I imagine as long as you make sure to rinse the eyes and other components well you shouldn't have issues. 

What you want is a M power F action with recommended lure weight in the 3/16-5/8 range.  That way you can throw weightless plastics, DS rigs etc. for LM/SMB and 1/4-1/2 bucktails/lead heads with soft plastic, smaller JBs like crystal minnows/surf pointers for Stripers and Halibut. 

The 7' M F Tatula 1/8-3/4 should cover just about everything.  If you cant find 1 check out a Phenix Maxim or M1.