Best 200-250 dollar rod suggestion?

[PotatoLake]

20 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

7'2" MH Expride would be my choice

Yep, this. Buy it used, save some dough, and it will fall right in your price range. You can cover a ton of techniques with this model, and it punches way above its price point.

[WRB]

Rod length, handle and guide train affects the overall rod weight. Weight is easy to measure on a accurate scale.

What can’t be measure is feel and performance to each angler.

The reel affects balance on some of the lightest weight rods.

Couple and light weight reel under 6 ounces to 7’3” rods weighing under 3.5 ounces and it feels tip heavy, that can annoy some anglers.

Just for info why don’t you all add the rod weights?

Tom

[Koz]

22 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

7'2" MH Expride would be my choice

I have that one and I love it as well.

 

And while it's not a popular rod because it's designed for kayak anglers (like me), I like my St. Croix Mojo Yak - but not as much as the Expride.

[Lucas G.]

Well with all that being said the ExPride was recommended the most so that is what I will try to shoot for. I was also recommended the Megabass Levante the 2nd most but was told after that price increase it is not as worth it. Looks as if I gotta pull the trigger next time I can get a small little discount off of the ExPride. Thanks guys for all the help and insight!

[jbsoonerfan]

You can still get the last model (the only one I've used) on an auction site for $235

[padon]

i think youll be happy with the 72 expride . they are so versitale i have 2 of them in the boat at all times because i can do so much with them.

[Cody28]

I have really fallen in love with my St. Croix Victory rods for $200. They're light and much more balanced than previous St Croix rods I've owned. They have some interesting tapers though, so let me know if you need any advice on them. My favorite is the 7'3" MHF for overall versatility up to 1 oz., but the 7'3" HXF has a super whippy tip and firm backbone making it good for a wide array of lures. Do be warned tho it is a heavy rod only rated up to 7/8 oz because of that tip. 

[Boomstick]

1 hour ago, Cody28 said:

I have really fallen in love with my St. Croix Victory rods for $200. They're light and much more balanced than previous St Croix rods I've owned. They have some interesting tapers though, so let me know if you need any advice on them. My favorite is the 7'3" MHF for overall versatility up to 1 oz., but the 7'3" HXF has a super whippy tip and firm backbone making it good for a wide array of lures. Do be warned tho it is a heavy rod only rated up to 7/8 oz because of that tip. 

I got my kid the same two and I'm quite impressed with them as well.

[Lucas G.]

I am not saying all their rods are bad but I had a terrible brush up with their new Bass X rods and I am still trying to return it. I got a medium fast and it loads well but for some reason it casts very inaccurately. To add to that it cannot cast light baits to save itself. Very disappointed from it so I will probably end up shying away from St. Croix for the time being. 

[HookInMouth]

Hard to beat Expride in that range. I have a couple. The Cashion Icon series comes close though IMHO. I just got one of those (7' MHF Worm & Jig) and I'm thoroughly impressed. It's about the same weight as an Expride and in my hands just as sensitive. All that and American made with a lifetime replacement plan. Not as pretty as the Shimano but I don't know, it's still a slick looking rod.

 

I love my Exprides but I might be a Cashion guy now. Planning on picking up a couple more soon. 

[FishTank]

5 hours ago, Lucas G. said:

I am not saying all their rods are bad but I had a terrible brush up with their new Bass X rods and I am still trying to return it. I got a medium fast and it loads well but for some reason it casts very inaccurately. To add to that it cannot cast light baits to save itself. Very disappointed from it so I will probably end up shying away from St. Croix for the time being. 

 

I would definitely look at the Victory from St. Croix. 

 

I would also agree that St. Croix missed the mark on the new Bass X. The first version was better. The new one is a dog. I don't think it's worth the money they are asking. I've seen better rods for $60. Sounds crazy but pick up one of the spinning rods and look at the real seat and you end up scratching your head. I like St.Croix rods but this one left me asking why.

[padon]

4 hours ago, HookInMouth said:

Hard to beat Expride in that range. I have a couple. The Cashion Icon series comes close though IMHO. I just got one of those (7' MHF Worm & Jig) and I'm thoroughly impressed. It's about the same weight as an Expride and in my hands just as sensitive. All that and American made with a lifetime replacement plan. Not as pretty as the Shimano but I don't know, it's still a slick looking rod.

 

I love my Exprides but I might be a Cashion guy now. Planning on picking up a couple more soon. 

i have an older cashion elite 7ft med lite spinning rod that i like. was thinking about picking up the newer model in a casting rod. good to hear some feedback.

[Cody28]

On 2/25/2022 at 8:15 AM, Lucas G. said:

I am not saying all their rods are bad but I had a terrible brush up with their new Bass X rods and I am still trying to return it. I got a medium fast and it loads well but for some reason it casts very inaccurately. To add to that it cannot cast light baits to save itself. Very disappointed from it so I will probably end up shying away from St. Croix for the time being. 

I do like not love the bass x rods, but they are not representative of the company as a whole. Even the mojo bass are a huge step up from the bass x and they just keep getting better from there 

[HookInMouth]

On 2/25/2022 at 1:40 PM, padon said:

i have an older cashion elite 7ft med lite spinning rod that i like. was thinking about picking up the newer model in a casting rod. good to hear some feedback.

I've never fished an Elite but from what I hear the Icon series is a nice step up from that. Really nice sticks Cashion is putting out now.