Recommendation Needed: Texas Rig rod - Made in USA - 6'0 to 6'6" length - Split grip handle

[Sam Spade]

I'm having a hard time finding a new rod that meets these parameters:

 

- Excellent for Texas Rigs

- Made in USA

- 6'0 to 6'6" length

- Split grip handle

 

Any recommendations are appreciated! 

 

[Nelson Delaney]

Spinning or casting?  Do you have a budget in mind? 

[Sam Spade]

2 minutes ago, Nelson Delaney said:

Spinning or casting?  Do you have a budget in mind? 

Casting rod.  Budget is up to $300ish.

[Nelson Delaney]

Cashion makes a few worm/jig rods that are 6’6”.    Check icon series
 

g loomis makes 6’6” mbr rods in a few different series.  
 

finding a 6’ rod these days is tough.  

[Deleted account]

9 minutes ago, Sam Spade said:

Casting rod.  Budget is up to $300ish.

Custom

 

[Finessegenics]

Take a look at St Croix. Might have to concede on the height a bit. Texas rigs is vague too, how heavy will your weight be and will you be throwing this stuff into heavy cover? 
 

If you can find an Avid X (they were recently discontinued) it will fill what you’re looking for exactly. 66MF and there’s a 68MHF. The M will probably be fine for most Texas rig applications unless you’re fishing heavy cover. 6’8, well it’s two inches over but I couldn’t find anything else. 
 

Custom is an option as well

[Sam Spade]

Anyone know anything about the short (less than 6') rods that Falcon makes for peacocks?

[WRB]

The issue is made in USA and split grip, the handle is at least 12” long, the rod length includes the handle. 6’ = 72”, 6 1/2’ = 78”, G.Loomis rod number use length in inches; ie 78 followed by power M = Medium or 3, MH = Medium Heavy or 4. 784 is a 6 1/2’ 4 power.

Lamiglas uses the same nomenclature. 

St Croix is the only other rod company made in USA. St Croix uses rod length in feet and inches; 66 = 6’6” followed by power in letter M, MH, etc. 

Action is used by all companies followed by the length and power as M = Moderate, F = Fast, XF = Extra Fast. 

ie; St Croix 66MHF = 6’ 6” length, MH power, Fast action.

Tom

[Lead Head]

NFC (Gary Loomis) are American made blanks. I think their production line is Edge rods (may be outside your price range).

 

Your best bet will likely be custom built on a NFC or St Croix SCV blank (unless its recently changed all SC blanks below V are made in Mexico).

If you go this route you can rod length, handle length, handle material, and thread colors all of your choice. 300$ should be able to get you a nice custom. 

[FishTank]

G.Loomis 783c IMX. A little more than your budget but a great rod. Not split grip though. If 6'8'' is doable,  there are a lot more options. 

[WRB]

I am a big buy USA products and boycott anything made in China. When it comes to fishing tackle rods and reels your choices are limited to the rod blank only, everything else on that blank, guides, handle components isn’t made in USA, it’s assembled here.

If you consider 6’8” as noted by FishTank you option open up greatly. ALX for example designs his rod blanks and assembles his rods in Carolina.  ALX is also a custom rod builder that uses whatever blank you choose; Lamiglas, Loomis, St Croix are all made in USA. 

Good luck with your choices.

Tom

 

[DogBone_384]

USA made?  Look at Kistler.  I own 18, from Argon to Helium, in different sizes/actions.  They'll build you something to your specification if nothing 'off the shelf' interests you.

 

My current favorites are 6'6" & 6'9" M/MF KLX casting and a custom spinning model matching the fore mentioned 6'9" casting rod.  All have split grips.

 

They're very responsive when returning emails and phone calls.  Trey answered the phone one day when I called to pay an invoice.  An easy company to deal with.

 

Best of luck choosing.

[The Pond King]

I'd recommend the Avid X 6' 6" MF, but it's been discontinued, unfortunately. It's an excellent rod. You might be able to find it on the used market. 

[WRB]

Check the Flea Market forum, there is info on Dicks Sporting Goods sale on 6’6” MH Daiwa Arid-X casting rod. Doesn’t meet your made in USA requirement.

Tom

[SC53]

I just bought a St. Croix Victory 7’1” for my wife as her worm rod. I can’t get over how light it is. It’s a full 1.5 ozs lighter than her previous. Made in USA and under $200 too. I would look at the Victory line, I don’t think you’ll be sorry. 

[casts_by_fly]

On 3/6/2022 at 9:00 PM, Sam Spade said:

Anyone know anything about the short (less than 6') rods that Falcon makes for peacocks?

not made in the USA if that’s your killer criteria. Interesting lengths and powers and I’m interested in more info also.
 

 

[Sam Spade]

2 hours ago, SC53 said:

I just bought a St. Croix Victory 7’1” for my wife as her worm rod. I can’t get over how light it is. It’s a full 1.5 ozs lighter than her previous. Made in USA and under $200 too. I would look at the Victory line, I don’t think you’ll be sorry. 

The Victory rods are great; I've handled a few of them.  However, there's not a Victory model 6'6" or shorter.