Spinning rod recommendations?

[PBBrandon]

So I’ve finished my starting lineup for baitcasters and need a good spinning setup for wacky rigs, shakeyheads and drop shots. I currently have a Daiwa Exceler LT 3000 that needs a rod. My budget is around 150-200 and I’m looking to capitalize on Black Friday deals, especially the tackle warehouse 20% off almost everything. Thank y’all ?

[Finessegenics]

Mojo Bass 7’1 M/F is good for those techniques. I’d take a look at the same model in the Victory lineup but I can’t vouch for them as I don’t own one. Just love my st croix’s! 

[CrashVector]

Abu Garcia veritas tournament edition

[T-Billy]

I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this topic, but these are an outstanding value that fish well above their price point IMO. Offer me my choice for free.... I'll take a $129 Tharp over a $259 Champ XP all day every day and twice on Sunday. I'm up to 6 and I'm just waiting on Black Friday to add 3 or 4 more to the starting lineup.

[Finessegenics]

43 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this topic, but these are an outstanding value that fish well above their price point IMO. Offer me my choice for free.... I'll take a $129 Tharp over a $259 Champ XP all day every day and twice on Sunday. I'm up to 5 and I'm just waiting on Black Friday to add 3 or 4 more to the starting lineup.

 

Reel seat and handle look great on that!

[OldManLure]

2 hours ago, CrashVector said:

Abu Garcia veritas tournament edition

Can’t agree more.  Received mine last week.  Couldn’t wait until Spring, so I unpacked my yak and talked a buddy into going to the river.  Awesome rod!

[WRB]

What line are you planning to use?

High line capacity reel suggest multi species use?

Tom

[NYWayfarer]

Anything from St Croix will serve you well. Victory, Premier, Mojo Bass, Bass X and Triumph are all in that price range,

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

 

Reel seat and handle look great on that!

Very comfy. Great feel. Great blanks, tapers and solid hardware. I have the Meterman, Meterman Special, One Eyed Jack, Moneymaker, King Cobra, and Guntersville Special. They all have that just right feel to me for their intended task. It's all subjective of course, but I'm sold on 'em. They've sidelined some more expensive rods. Composites are next. Couple B-Hittays, and a Grinder come Black Friday.

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, OldManLure said:

Can’t agree more.  Received mine last week.  Couldn’t wait until Spring, so I unpacked my yak and talked a buddy into going to the river.  Awesome rod!

 

Just got mine too.  It's amazing for the price.

 

Suuuuper sensitive.

[NorthernBasser]

3 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this topic, but these are an outstanding value that fish well above their price point IMO. Offer me my choice for free.... I'll take a $129 Tharp over a $259 Champ XP all day every day and twice on Sunday. I'm up to 6 and I'm just waiting on Black Friday to add 3 or 4 more to the starting lineup.

Do you know what reel that is? I'm assuming a Lew's since that's who sponsors him, but I can't figure out what model that is. 

[PBBrandon]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

What line are you planning to use?

High line capacity reel suggest multi species use?

Tom

Got the 3000 because it’s all they had at Academy and I like the extra line capacity in case I do wanna put it on a cat rod and throw bigger line on it. Probably gonna put 8-10lb Trilene XL on it for bass

40 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

 

Just got mine too.  It's amazing for the price.

 

Suuuuper sensitive.

Are they stiff like the gen 3 Veritas? I have a 7ft medium one that is sensitive but has very little action to it. I do see you can get a Veracity for almost half off right now though which is intriguing lol

[SproDD79]

39 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Do you know what reel that is? I'm assuming a Lew's since that's who sponsors him, but I can't figure out what model that is. 

I think its a Shimano Stradic. As far as spinning rods go, I have a Major Craft MS 1 Spinning rod 7ft M that has outstanding sensitivity and very comfortable grip, it retails for $169.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

4 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I'll take a $129 Tharp over a $259 Champ XP all day every day and twice on Sunday.

Really? Im either going to get an Essence or Invoker LE on BF.  How's the action on the 7ish' MH F 40t blanks? 

[CrashVector]

3 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

Got the 3000 because it’s all they had at Academy and I like the extra line capacity in case I do wanna put it on a cat rod and throw bigger line on it. Probably gonna put 8-10lb Trilene XL on it for bass

Are they stiff like the gen 3 Veritas? I have a 7ft medium one that is sensitive but has very little action to it. I do see you can get a Veracity for almost half off right now though which is intriguing lol

Go with the veritas...trust me 

 

All of abu's rods are fairly stiff.  Medium should be good...it's all I use in spinning rods 

[Columbia Craw]

The Dobyns Kaden 712SF is an amazing rod.  It has a slightly faster action.  It is a great drop shot rod and doubles as a shaky head stick. A number of our club youth anglers are running Ned rigs with them.  This series has run out of stock multiple time already so something must be right.  I already have two 2 powers so I’m running the 713 SF. I love it. FYI

[Bluebasser86]

I've been using a St. Croix Bass X (the new version), 7' 1" M/F and think you'd be very happy with it for those applications and you'd save yourself some money for baits since it's below your price range. I've got a Diawa Regal 3000 LT on mine and it's a nice combo for an affordable price.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Bass_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-TSXS.html?from=basres

[T-Billy]

4 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Do you know what reel that is? I'm assuming a Lew's since that's who sponsors him, but I can't figure out what model that is. 

Sorry, can't help ya there.

3 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Really? Im either going to get an Essence or Invoker LE on BF.  How's the action on the 7ish' MH F 40t blanks? 

Really. The Moneymaker aka 7'3" MH F blank is the 7'3" Mag MH in the other series. It's what I think of when I think fast. 30ish percent tip that transitions smoothly into the backbone. About the same taper as my 735 Fury, but lighter, more sensitive, and a little more power. Power is similar to a Dobyns 5 power flippin stick. The 7' is XF. I have no experience with it. The spinning rods I have are XF and I think they're right on. Say 20% tip. In my opinion, ARK's power and taper ratings are spot on. Well balanced too.

My above comments weren't meant to knock Dobyns. They build nice rods and have FANTASTIC customer service and warranty, but FOR ME, ARK just provides a better product dollar for dollar, and I prefer their blanks. My local shop owner says ARK's customer service is first rate too. Sent TWO replacement Lancers for a guy griping about the guides fraying his flouro. Turned out to be the guide on his reel. ?

[FishinBuck07]

5 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

The Dobyns Kaden 712SF is an amazing rod.  It has a slightly faster action.  It is a great drop shot rod and doubles as a shaky head stick. A number of our club youth anglers are running Ned rigs with them.  This series has run out of stock multiple time already so something must be right.  I already have two 2 powers so I’m running the 713 SF. I love it. FYI

I second this one!  The Kaden rods are great, also Dobyns has an awesome warranty and customer service.

[Finessegenics]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I've been using a St. Croix Bass X (the new version), 7' 1" M/F and think you'd be very happy with it for those applications and you'd save yourself some money for baits since it's below your price range. I've got a Diawa Regal 3000 LT on mine and it's a nice combo for an affordable price.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Bass_X_Spinning_Rods/descpage-TSM.html

Don’t know if you owned the old version but how does the new one compare? Both are SCII so is it that much of a difference?

[uglyasheck]

I fish with a  Daiwa Tatula Med/Light 7'1" cork handle version  and it is a great rod. Sensitive, tough as nails, very light the price is around $159.00  .   I wacky rig, ned rig, drop shot, slider, and light texas rig. It does great for all of these.

[Junk Fisherman]

43 minutes ago, uglyasheck said:

I fish with a  Daiwa Tatula Med/Light 7'1" cork handle version  and it is a great rod. Sensitive, tough as nails, very light the price is around $159.00  .   I wacky rig, ned rig, drop shot, slider, and light texas rig. It does great for all of these.

 

I second this recommendation.  

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

Don’t know if you owned the old version but how does the new one compare? Both are SCII so is it that much of a difference?

I didn't own one but I held one and these feel much lighter and more comfortable. I never got any of the older version because they were not real impressive. This new rod is very nice and fishable.

[SproDD79]

1 hour ago, uglyasheck said:

I fish with a  Daiwa Tatula Med/Light 7'1" cork handle version  and it is a great rod. Sensitive, tough as nails, very light the price is around $159.00  .   I wacky rig, ned rig, drop shot, slider, and light texas rig. It does great for all of these.

The Tatula 7'1 ML is a great rod, uglyascheck is spot on in his assessment of the rod. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1 hour ago, SproDD79 said:

The Tatula 7'1 ML is a great rod, uglyascheck is spot on in his assessment of the rod. 

Thats my ned rod as well.  Its not as light and I may be a hair less sensitive then the 6'10 Victory, but the action, feel and balance of the Tatula just makes it close to the perfect all around finesse rod.