Fishing rod

[Gregorym38]

What kind of fishing rod should i upgrade to? I have a penn fierce combo, the reel is amazing but the pole kind of sucks. I want something sensitive and will Be a good all around rod. Nothing too expensive but i want something that will do good. I fish ponds and lakes for bass, pickerel, etc. i use lures ranging from whopper ploppers to senko worms, what should i consider? 

[Big Hands]

Budget range?

 

Break down of percentage of time fishing your techniques of choice?

 

Boat or bank?

[volzfan59]

If you're on a tight budget, a Berkeley Lightening Rod is hard to beat for the money. I used them for years before upgrading.

[WRB]

Spinning rod & reel combo...what size?

Tom

[Gregorym38]

8 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Budget range?

 

Break down of percentage of time fishing your techniques of choice?

 

Boat or bank?

Budget is tbd, but ideally i would consider 30-80. Any recommendations will be considered tho. I dont really have a percentage, i just switch it up based on what i feel will work. I mainly fish from the bank, but occasionally i go out on my kayak. Should be made for bank fishing tho. I also live in a dorm room, i can fit a 1 piece pole, but i get less stares in the hallways if i can split it in half and put it in my backpack. 
i have looked at st croix rods and could possibly consider getting one, if they are worth it

 

54 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

If you're on a tight budget, a Berkeley Lightening Rod is hard to beat for the money. I used them for years before upgrading.

Definitely worth considering, but my budget isnt too tight, i want something that is considered an upgrade so i wont have to do that in the near future. What did you end up upgrading to from that rod?

 

48 minutes ago, WRB said:

Spinning rod & reel combo...what size?

Tom

The rod and reel combo is a penn fierce 3 6,6” medium light xtra fast rod, the reel is 2000

[Fishlegs]

Since it's late October I would recommend waiting until black friday and try to find a rod on a good sale. You could get a better rod and still stay in your price range.

[Gregorym38]

6 minutes ago, Fishlegs said:

Since it's late October I would recommend waiting until black friday and try to find a rod on a good sale. You could get a better rod and still stay in your price range.

I like that idea!! Do any online stores have good sales? I wasxthinking of ordering from bass proshops because i also have other fishing stuff to order as well. Also, what rod should i get? And if they are on sale i can get a better rod

[volzfan59]

54 minutes ago, Gregorym38 said:

What did you end up upgrading to from that rod?

 

All I use is Bass Pro Shops, Platinum Series graphite rods, Crankin' Stick crankbait rods. Both with Platinum Series reels. I also use BPS Patriot Series spinning rods with Shimano reels. 

I've tried them all and those rods and reels work best for me. I do own a St Croix panfish rod that I like a lot for panfish and trout. Shimano spinning reel on it too. 

 

Edit; I am in no way saying that my rod and reel picks are the best for everyone, they aren't. They are the best for me, my budget and fishing style. I've owned Loomis, St Croix, Shimano and other highet end rods and they are great, high quality, sensitive rods. I just like the others better. I'm very much a "to each his own" kind of guy. Once you find your budget, go to different mom and pop tackle shops, go to a BPS, heck go to Walmart and find what feels best for you. Take your reel with you and stick it on the various rods to see how it all feels together.

Edited October 26, 2022 by volzfan59

[WRB]

Academy has Daiwa Arid-X 2 piece spinning rod 7’, Medium fast for $50. Keep the reel.

Tom

[Fishlegs]

1 hour ago, Gregorym38 said:

I like that idea!! Do any online stores have good sales? I wasxthinking of ordering from bass proshops because i also have other fishing stuff to order as well. Also, what rod should i get? And if they are on sale i can get a better rod

I imagine that there will be plenty of online sales. There's a thread about sales on the tackle forum that has cost many of us more money than we'd like to admit. lol

 

Latest Tackle Sale Thread

[Luke Barnes]

25 minutes ago, WRB said:

Academy has Daiwa Arid-X 2 piece spinning rod 7’, Medium fast for $50. Keep the reel.

Tom

I was going to mention the Aird-X as well. Good rod at a good price. You could do just about anything with a 7' Medium so it is a great option for a do-all rod. 

[Deleted account]

I really like the Aird-X BC rods, but IMNSHO the spinning ones are just another stick in the ocean of rods.

[Luke Barnes]

1 minute ago, Deleted account said:

I really like the Aird-X BC rods, but IMNSHO the spinning ones are just another stick in the ocean of rods.

I think they will be up there with the most sensitive rod for the money. Especially compared to something like an Ugly Stik. My favorite spinning rod I own is a Diawa Procaster Tournament and from what I have seen they are pretty similar is cost and quality as the aird-x. For $50 there isn't much better out there in my not super knowledgeable opinion unless you find a rod on mega clearance. 

[Gregorym38]

How does that compare to an ugly stik? Is there much of a difference between high end rods and an ugly stik?

 Also, what action should i get? I was thinking a 6’6” - 7’ rod, maybe medium action?

 The fish i catch range from .5 lbs to 8 pounds, i want it to have the sensitivity to have a good fight with the smaller fish while having the backbone to handle anything 5 pounds and up

[MN Fisher]

I'd second the Aird-X - I have a 6'6" Medium spinning that I still use for bass shore fishing.

 

Not too much more and you can get Okuma Relexions - I've got 2 of the 'A' series spinning rods. One is part of my crappie arsenal (7'0" ML/MF) and the other is one of my bass rods (7'0" MH/F).

[Luke Barnes]

2 hours ago, Gregorym38 said:

How does that compare to an ugly stik? Is there much of a difference between high end rods and an ugly stik?

 Also, what action should i get? I was thinking a 6’6” - 7’ rod, maybe medium action?

 The fish i catch range from .5 lbs to 8 pounds, i want it to have the sensitivity to have a good fight with the smaller fish while having the backbone to handle anything 5 pounds and up

Night and day compared to an Ugly Stik. Ugly stiks, if I remember right, are composite graphite and fiberglass. They are stupid durable but the longer ones felt whippy and floppy compared to an all graphite Diawa. 

 

After fishing 6'6 and 7' medium spinning rods I wish all of mine were 7'. Better control once you catch one and helps whip small, light baits out there a good ways. Also yes on medium if it Is going to be a do-all rod. 

[Fishingmickey]

 Gregorym,

     You've gotten a couple of great recommendations, The Diawa Aird-X and Berkley Lighting. I don't think Berkely is still making the lighting rod. Berkely is now calling it the Shock rod.  It has some bad reviews due to the plastic reel seat breaking.

     Shimano has the Sellus for about 50 and the Convergence for 80. I have had a Sellus for several years (baiutcasting rod).  Falcon has an HD model that is 70-80 depending on which one you get.  If it is anything like the higher end Falcon rods it would be a very nice rod for the price. 

     Shakesphere/Pure Fishing has the Uglystik relabeled as GX2.  It is probably a lot more sensitive the the earlier composite "unbreakable" ones. It's about 50 or so.

     As far as size and action. Something between 6'6" and 7'  Medium/fast or MH/Fast. If your fishing much for smaller panfish. I'd go with the medium if you do much crappie or panfishing.

FM

 

 

[Luke Barnes]

22 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

 Gregorym,

     You've gotten a couple of great recommendations, The Diawa Aird-X and Berkley Lighting. I don't think Berkely is still making the lighting rod. Berkely is now calling it the Shock rod.  It has some bad reviews due to the plastic reel seat breaking.

     Shimano has the Sellus for about 50 and the Convergence for 80. I have had a Sellus for several years (baiutcasting rod).  Falcon has an HD model that is 70-80 depending on which one you get.  If it is anything like the higher end Falcon rods it would be a very nice rod for the price. 

     Shakesphere/Pure Fishing has the Uglystik relabeled as GX2.  It is probably a lot more sensitive the the earlier composite "unbreakable" ones. It's about 50 or so.

     As far as size and action. Something between 6'6" and 7'  Medium/fast or MH/Fast. If your fishing much for smaller panfish. I'd go with the medium if you do much crappie or panfishing.

FM

 

 

Berkley still makes the lightning rod. They also sell the Lightning Shock rod, which is what you are talking about and I agree, I would stay away from those for the reason you mentioned. The original is not a bad rod still but I would still go the Diawa route if it was me personally. 

[Gregorym38]

1 hour ago, Fishingmickey said:

 Gregorym,

     You've gotten a couple of great recommendations, The Diawa Aird-X and Berkley Lighting. I don't think Berkely is still making the lighting rod. Berkely is now calling it the Shock rod.  It has some bad reviews due to the plastic reel seat breaking.

     Shimano has the Sellus for about 50 and the Convergence for 80. I have had a Sellus for several years (baiutcasting rod).  Falcon has an HD model that is 70-80 depending on which one you get.  If it is anything like the higher end Falcon rods it would be a very nice rod for the price. 

     Shakesphere/Pure Fishing has the Uglystik relabeled as GX2.  It is probably a lot more sensitive the the earlier composite "unbreakable" ones. It's about 50 or so.

     As far as size and action. Something between 6'6" and 7'  Medium/fast or MH/Fast. If your fishing much for smaller panfish. I'd go with the medium if you do much crappie or panfishing.

FM

 

 

Definitely. The daiwa arid x seems like a viable option, but if given an option between that and a st croix rod what would you choose? Either way i think i will get a medium fast action 7’ rod. Also, is a 1 piece rod much different from a 2 piece? 

[islandbass]

9 minutes ago, Gregorym38 said:

Definitely. The daiwa arid x seems like a viable option, but if given an option between that and a st croix rod what would you choose? Either way i think i will get a medium fast action 7’ rod. Also, is a 1 piece rod much different from a 2 piece? 

I have the spinning Airdx medium in a 2 piece and for its price it’s an EXCELLENT deal. 
 

To your other question, if you mean is there a difference between 1 and 2 piece rods these days, I’d say yes, absolutely. 1 piece are 1 piece and 2 piece rods come in 2 pieces, lol. 
 

Kidding aside, I suppose you mean a difference in sensitivity and in that case, for modern rods, I believe if there is a difference, it is negligible. I use 2 piece rods for convenience sake and I have my 1 piece bass rods. If you need a 2 piece for practicality and convenience, the go for it.  If going 1 piece is convenient go for that. 
 

The rods you use the most will be the ones that will catch the most fish. Peace out. 

[Gregorym38]

Im thinking of getting the st croix, i dont really want to have to upgrade after, i want something a little bit higher quality. That being said, any recommendations on which one specifically? Right now i have my eye on the mojo bass spinning rod

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Gregorym38 said:

Im thinking of getting the st croix, i dont really want to have to upgrade after, i want something a little bit higher quality. That being said, any recommendations on which one specifically? Right now i have my eye on the mojo bass spinning rod

Wait for the Black Friday sales and you can get a Victory for just a little more than that Mojo is now.

[Gregorym38]

24 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Wait for the Black Friday sales and you can get a Victory for just a little more than that Mojo is now.

Yeah, for sure, its only a month away, my current setup will do just fine until then. But when i do go through with buying it the victory series is a good option? 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Gregorym38 said:

Yeah, for sure, its only a month away, my current setup will do just fine until then. But when i do go through with buying it the victory series is a good option? 

Second latest series released, latest is the new iteration of the Legend Tournament.  Victory line first came out early last year with a new blank process. I've got the 7'3" H/MF and it's light and well balanced...have two more Victory's on my wishlist for BF...definitely a step up from the Mojo.

 

If it matters - the Mojos are built in Mexico at a St. Croix owned facility - the Victorys are built in Wisconsin.

[Gregorym38]

24 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Second latest series released, latest is the new iteration of the Legend Tournament.  Victory line first came out early last year with a new blank process. I've got the 7'3" H/MF and it's light and well balanced...have two more Victory's on my wishlist for BF...definitely a step up from the Mojo.

 

If it matters - the Mojos are built in Mexico at a St. Croix owned facility - the Victorys are built in Wisconsin.

Ok, that sounds good!! US made is better, but not a deal breaker tbh. Sounds like the victory line is pretty good, i will probably go with it