Looking for a new bottom contact rod $200 limit

[Gorris317]

As the title states. I'm looking for a new bottom contact rod with a limit of $200. Was looking at the St. Croix line. Currently using an E6X that I would like to replace. Normally fish t-rigs with a 1/4 oz weight and things in the 1/2 oz range. Prefer cork handles. What would you recommend? Open to suggestions. 

[Gorris317]

After looking into the St. Croix rods I don't think that's what I'm looking for. How are the Dobyns Champion rods?

[GReb]

6 minutes ago, Gorris317 said:

After looking into the St. Croix rods I don't think that's what I'm looking for. How are the Dobyns Champion rods?

Look at Falcon Expert and ALX Zolo. The Shimano Zodias isn’t a bad option either. Dobyns makes a quality stick but the Champion XP isn’t the greatest bottom contact rod in my humble opinion. These are just the rods I have experience with. 

[ne_dan]

If you're not in a hurry and can wait for a sale the dobyns champion 734 or 744 can both be had for under $200

[Gorris317]

1 hour ago, GReb said:

Look at Falcon Expert and ALX Zolo. The Shimano Zodias isn’t a bad option either. Dobyns makes a quality stick but the Champion XP isn’t the greatest bottom contact rod in my humble opinion. These are just the rods I have experience with. 

Never heard of ALX before. I will have to look into them. 

21 minutes ago, ne_dan said:

If you're not in a hurry and can wait for a sale the dobyns champion 734 or 744 can both be had for under $200

Good to know. I will keep an eye out.

[Catt]

Diawia Tatula TTU711MHXB 7' 1" Medium Heavy X-Fast 

[Diggy]

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Casting Rods ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Fantasista_X_Casting_Rods/descpage-AGFX.html?from=basres

Ark Invoker Limited Edition Cast Rod 7' Med Hvy XFast ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ark_Invoker_Limited_Edition_Casting_Rods/descpage-AIZ.html

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon expert. Head turner. Great for a 3/8 oz jig +/- weight range. If you want to be that and heavier then amistad. 

[Jrob78]

13 hours ago, Diggy said:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Casting Rods ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Fantasista_Premier_Casting_Rods/descpage-FPC.html

This is what I would take a look at too

[KP Duty]

I'd get an abu fantasista on sale @ TW...as mentioned above.  I purchased the 7'6" M spinning rod last night.

[Jrob78]

1 minute ago, KP Duty said:

I'd get an abu fantasista on sale @ TW...as mentioned above.  I purchased the 7'6" M spinning rod last night.

I should have a 7'6" MH being delivered on monday. I've never used a Fantasista but it seems like a lot of rod for $159

[Gorris317]

I jumped on the Abu Fantasista rod. Seems like a really good deal.

 

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. 

[Catt]

I not only looked at but fished the Dobyns Champion XP Full Grip, Falcon Expert & Lowrider.

 

They're not in the same league as the Tatula. The Tatula has a lot of the attributes of the old Shimano Crucial.

[KP Duty]

9 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

I should have a 7'6" MH being delivered on monday. I've never used a Fantasista but it seems like a lot of rod for $159

Nice.  I may buy that MH as well.  

[Born 2 fish]

Daiwa tatula is a great rod.

[TNBankFishing]

16 hours ago, Gorris317 said:

After looking into the St. Croix rods I don't think that's what I'm looking for. How are the Dobyns Champion rods?

Like most brands the bang for buck range is 200-300 in my mind. The rods usually include the higher end blanks and also have better guides and handle materials. 
 

That being said St. Croix really comes into their own with the Legend series. I’ve fished the Victory and they are great, but the Elite/X/Xtreme are an entirely different level. 
 

Just for me with a budget of $200 for a serious bottom contact rod I’d look used. You could get your hands on IMX Pro, Megabass Orochi, and Expride. 

[casts_by_fly]

5 hours ago, Catt said:

I not only looked at but fished the Dobyns Champion XP Full Grip, Falcon Expert & Lowrider.

 

They're not in the same league as the Tatula. The Tatula has a lot of the attributes of the old Shimano Crucial.

which crucial do you mean?  My dad fishes the im-10 series (and I have one of the crankbait rods) and I’ve fished his next to my experts. I prefer the experts personally. 

[Cbump]

Anyone fished a fantasista next to a Megabass destroyer? 

[Catt]

On 7/31/2022 at 10:57 AM, casts_by_fly said:

which crucial do you mean?  My dad fishes the im-10 series (and I have one of the crankbait rods) and I’ve fished his next to my experts. I prefer the experts personally. 

 

Sorry momma's birthday I'll circle back on this one.

[Eric 26]

10 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Sorry momma's birthday I'll circle back on this one.

Happy Wife = Happy Life?

[newapti5]

On 7/30/2022 at 9:06 PM, Diggy said:

Abu Garcia Fantasista Premier Casting Rods ($159.98)
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garcia_Fantasista_Premier_Casting_Rods/descpage-FPC.html

 

Wow, this is a GREAT price! I was gonna recommend Dobyns, but this is a no-brainer. 

[Catt]

9 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

Happy Wife = Happy Life?

 

My first Crucial was purchased more by accident than on purpose! I was browsing the aisles at our local K-Mart back when they had a decent tackle section. I noticed a little sales girl grab 4-5 rods & start marking them down. The last rod was a 5' 6" medium heavy fast Shimano Crucial & marked it $24.99! 

I picked it up walked to the register & paid for it!

This was 30-35 years & I'm believe it was a first generation rod (green colored).

 

I fished every generation Crucial until Shimano discontinued them.

[GReb]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

 

My first Crucial was purchased more by accident than on purpose! I was browsing the aisles at our local K-Mart back when they had a decent tackle section. I noticed a little sales girl grab 4-5 rods & start marking them down. The last rod was a 5' 6" medium heavy fast Shimano Crucial & marked it $24.99! 

I picked it up walked to the register & paid for it!

This was 30-35 years & I'm believe it was a first generation rod (green colored).

 

I fished every generation Crucial until Shimano discontinued them.

I had a 6’ medium green Crucial that was my favorite rod throughout my teenage years. 
 

The Fantasia looks like a great deal on paper but I’d be hesitant to say it’s better than some of the other rods mentioned here just because it MSRPs for more. I’ve never been impressed with Abu’s rods. 

[TNBankFishing]

On 7/31/2022 at 11:58 AM, Cbump said:

Anyone fished a fantasista next to a Megabass destroyer? 

They aren’t really in the same ballpark. The Fantasistas are built to be all around rods. The Destroyers are focused usually on one or at tops two techniques. 

[Cbump]

23 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

They aren’t really in the same ballpark. The Fantasistas are built to be all around rods. The Destroyers are focused usually on one or at tops two techniques. 

So yes or no?