cheap ned rig rods?

[Allen Der]

Anyone have an inexpensive rod they really like for throwing 1/16oz ned rigs?  I can get a St Croix Reign for $75 so looking for any options less expensive than that.  I have an older lightning rod shock 7ft ML that works well but have read the new shocks aren't any good.  These would be loaner rods/backup rods with a 30 size Pflueger reel and 10lb braid

[ironbjorn]

A M or ML Fenwick Eagle. It makes for a very good beater rod for wading rivers, where I throw a Ned Rig most of the time. 

[Allen Der]

46 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

A M or ML Fenwick Eagle. It makes for a very good beater rod for wading rivers, where I throw a Ned Rig most of the time. 

do you have the current blue model?  I have a 3pc fenwick eagle travel rod that has a really soft tip.

[ironbjorn]

Just now, Allen Der said:

do you have the current blue model?  I have a 3pc fenwick eagle travel rod that has a really soft tip.

No I don't. I have a couple of the old greenish models with Trions slapped on them. They're actually some of the very few rods I kept around after switching to all Dobyns awhile back. I love an Eagle in the creeks throwing Neds.

[FrnkNsteen]

Daiwa AirdX is the cheapest ML I am aware of that is light and sensitive. I have a ML I use for working light hair jigs. They typically run about $50.

[Eric 26]

I know my recommendation is a few dollars higher but I enjoy my 13 fishing 7’-1” med light fate black at $79.99 but they also have the defy black at $59.99 in the same size and both are available shorter or longer in length in the med light as well as med powers. 

Edited August 2, 2022 by Eric 26
Spelling/Grammar general stupidity

[Obi_Wan]

7' ML Denali Prime $59

 

 

[Allen Der]

18 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Daiwa AirdX is the cheapest ML I am aware of that is light and sensitive. I have a ML I use for working light hair jigs. They typically run about $50.

Where did you purchase from?  

[FrnkNsteen]

8 minutes ago, Allen Der said:

Where did you purchase from?  

I believe I got mine at a local shop by me, but I know they carry them at a lot of places. Seems to me I have seen them at Academy Sports. I don't think BPS stocks them, but Tackle Warehouse has them.

 

I just checked and they have the 7' ML for $54.99. I'm sure many others carry them as well.

[NYWayfarer]

A medium light Fenwick Eagle is a great choice. The new blue version is stiffer than my old green one. 

[uglyasheck]

I use the daiwa arid x also in M/L. Tackleware house has them . I don't think you can beat it for $59.00

[Allen Der]

5 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

A medium light Fenwick Eagle is a great choice. The new blue version is stiffer than my old green one. 

6'6' or 7'?

[Lead Head]

I caught A LOT of fish (including multiple 4lb and 3lb) using a ned with a $15 Academy brand rod. Basically the cheapest 7' ML rod I could find. Neds don't require a great deal of sensitivity to be effective. I believe I have read on these forums that Ned himself typically uses cheap Walmart rods, but I can't confirm this.

 

As to length, the longer rods typically cast farther and shorter rods are more convenient when storing/transporting, or if casting space is limited. 

[Allen Der]

34 minutes ago, Lead Head said:

I caught A LOT of fish (including multiple 4lb and 3lb) using a ned with a $15 Academy brand rod. Basically the cheapest 7' ML rod I could find. Neds don't require a great deal of sensitivity to be effective. I believe I have read on these forums that Ned himself typically uses cheap Walmart rods, but I can't confirm this.

 

As to length, the longer rods typically cast farther and shorter rods are more convenient when storing/transporting, or if casting space is limited. 

it's definitely possible to use that cheap of a rod and have good success.  but I don't want a heavy rod that balances like crap and is fatiguing to use.

[Lead Head]

If I wasn't on vacation, I would go get the weight on that cheapo rod. It definitely isn't overly heavy, and balanced very well with a older cheap reel (the reel is probably heavy and maybe that made it balance well).

 

Having said all that, I totally understand wanting a nicer rod. After a year with the budget setup I committed to building a ned rod with a rainshadow immortal ml blank. 

[Cgolf]

I honestly still use an old Ugly stick 6"6" M 2 piece on the river all the time. I also have an Ugly GX2 with the same specs that works well too, but I was less impressed with the build quality of the GX2 which is a trend I am seeing with newer products sadly. Yes they are uglies, but I have caught so many fish on that old rod, that it is my most productive by far and I don't feel guilty about leaving it in the truck on a hot summer day.

 

I do use an older reel on it that isn't super light and I can fish the rod all day if I have it on the boat. It is a touch tip heavy, balance point at the front of the grip, but not enough I feel I need to balance it out.

[NYWayfarer]

21 hours ago, Allen Der said:

6'6' or 7'?

6’6”

[Allen Der]

On 8/1/2022 at 2:21 PM, ironbjorn said:

A M or ML Fenwick Eagle. It makes for a very good beater rod for wading rivers, where I throw a Ned Rig most of the time. 

 

On 8/2/2022 at 12:21 PM, NYWayfarer said:

A medium light Fenwick Eagle is a great choice. The new blue version is stiffer than my old green one. 

 

I wanted to follow up and thank you guys.  I purchased a Daiwa Aird-X and a Fenwick Eagle to test.  The Fenwick is far and away the better rod.  The Eagle has a much more comfortable reel seat than the Aird and unbelievable balance.  It may balance better than my St Croix's that cost 2-3 times as much.  I'll be looking to purchase another one soon