What is your favorite medium heavy Baitcasting rod under $200?

[TheAnglerAquarist]

Hello everybody, I’m looking to get a medium heavy rod to pair with my Shimano slx. Here are some techniques I’d like to use it for:

 

finesse jigs

 

chatterbaits

 

swim jigs

 

1/8-1/4 Texas rigs 

weightless Texas rigs

 

(maybe) light frogs.

 

id like to keep it $200 or less, but id be willing to go up to $250. Thanks!

[MN Fisher]

St. Croix Victory

 

[TheAnglerAquarist]

Thank you. Which model would you choose? I think there is more than one MH.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Thank you. Which model would you choose? I think there is more than one MH.

While I like a Mod-Fast for chatterbaits - those will work on a Fast action. The rest of the techniques you listed I use a Fast.

 

So, 'The Marshall' - 7'3" MH/F - should fit your needs...good, general purpose length/power/action.

[TheAnglerAquarist]

Thanks!

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon expert head turner. 6’10”. Labeled heavy but it’s closer to MH than heavy. Does all of the things you mentioned and then some. 

[scbassin]

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/dobyns-champion-extreme-casting-rods-all.html   Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 7'4" Medium Heavy Full Handle Casting Rod  I now have 4 of these rods. I fish Chatterbaits, swim jigs, 3/15 -1/4 oz. Texas rigs, Weightless stickbaits, 1/4 oz. Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits. The sensitivity on these rods is excellent. The price is more than you posted but look at the discount. This is one heck of a rod at that price.

[Eric 26]

Okuma TCS A, I have a 7’-3” hvy and it’s really versatile. Although I don’t use one the Okuma psycho stick receives a lot of praise from @roadwarrior. Both will be under your budget with the Tackle Warehouse sale going on now. 

[badfish79]

Dobyns 734. The highest series you can convince yourself to spend your money on. The Champ XPs are about $215 with the current sales.

 

[TheAnglerAquarist]

27 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Falcon expert head turner. 6’10”. Labeled heavy but it’s closer to MH than heavy. Does all of the things you mentioned and then some. 

Thank you, I’ve never tried falcon rods but have heard good things

13 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

Okuma TCS A, I have a 7’-3” hvy and it’s really versatile. Although I don’t use one the Okuma psycho stick receives a lot of praise from @roadwarrior. Both will be under your budget with the Tackle Warehouse sale going on now. 

Haven’t heard of the TCS A, but have heard great things about the psycho stick!

13 minutes ago, fish_burrito said:

Dobyns 734. The highest series you can convince yourself to spend your money on. The Champ XPs are about $215 with the current sales.

 

Dobyns are great, this is definitely in the top 3 choices at the moment!

[FrnkNsteen]

29 minutes ago, fish_burrito said:

Dobyns 734. The highest series you can convince yourself to spend your money on. The Champ XPs are about $215 with the current sales.

 

Agreed, but for the uses mentioned, I think I would go with the Sierra 734c due to it having a little slower action. Maybe even the Sierra 733c if you are looking at 1/8oz - 1/4oz or weightless plastics.

 

I really like my Sierra 734c for swim jigs and chatterbaits. Works good for the rest though too, except maybe the frogs.

[badfish79]

20 minutes ago, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Dobyns are great, this is definitely in the top 3 choices at the moment!

The Sierra 734 and Kaden 744 are also good deals at $150 right now. I am sure they are just as good as the Champ XP, albeit a tiny bit heavier and a tad slower.

1 minute ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Maybe even the Sierra 733c if you are looking at 1/8oz - 1/4oz or weightless plastics.

I agree with the 3-power for this application. I loads this weight much better than the 734.

[softwateronly]

I’m a fan of the expride A. They’re $209/217 at ALF right now.  I have the 7’6 MH and have thrown everything you listed with it and enjoy the heck out of it. Worth considering in my opinion. 
 

scott

[TheAnglerAquarist]

1 hour ago, scbassin said:

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/dobyns-champion-extreme-casting-rods-all.html   Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 7'4" Medium Heavy Full Handle Casting Rod  I now have 4 of these rods. I fish Chatterbaits, swim jigs, 3/15 -1/4 oz. Texas rigs, Weightless stickbaits, 1/4 oz. Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits. The sensitivity on these rods is excellent. The price is more than you posted but look at the discount. This is one heck of a rod at that price.

Thanks!

[TheAnglerAquarist]

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Agreed, but for the uses mentioned, I think I would go with the Sierra 734c due to it having a little slower action. Maybe even the Sierra 733c if you are looking at 1/8oz - 1/4oz or weightless plastics.

 

I really like my Sierra 734c for swim jigs and chatterbaits. Works good for the rest though too, except maybe the frogs.

Thanks, the frog isn’t a must, but it would be nice.

38 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I’m a fan of the expride A. They’re $209/217 at ALF right now.  I have the 7’6 MH and have thrown everything you listed with it and enjoy the heck out of it. Worth considering in my opinion. 
 

scott

Good to know, thanks!

[NavyToad]

Toss up between Dobyns Kaden 744c and Tatula Elite 7’2” Randy Howell.

 

[Deleted account]

6 minutes ago, NavyToad said:

Toss up between Dobyns Kaden 744c and Tatula Elite 7’2” Randy Howell.

FIFY...

[NavyToad]

13 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

FIFY...

I don’t speak text.

 

[Deleted account]

7 minutes ago, NavyToad said:

I don’t speak text.

LOL

[Glenn]

I'll be the courteous one...

FIFY = Fixed It For You

 

[TheAnglerAquarist]

Not sure if I could put a Shimano reel on a daiwa rod. It wouldn’t feel right LOL.

[Columbia Craw]

Kaden 744C

[king fisher]

1 hour ago, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Not sure if I could put a Shimano reel on a daiwa rod. It wouldn’t feel right LOL.

I have done it and not had any suffered any lasting negative effects, but what happens in Mexico stays in Mexico.  I'm not sure if I would be as brave north of the boarder.

[PBBrandon]

With current sales a Champion XP 734c is a great choice. I have one and it’s a phenomenal rod, there ain’t much that it can’t throw

[txchaser]

Kistler Heliums are $209 right now. (40% off) I don't think there's anything even close to the rod at that price point, unless it is also 40% off. Same blank as the zbone which is their flagship rod. 

Two of the tackle shops online are doing 45 and 40% off on St Croix, but it comes as a gift card. I don't have one, but if I were going to buy another rod it'd be a st croix legend x - I'd like to try that blank with titanium and torzite guides.  But you have to know you are going to use the gift card so there's that. 

 

Anyway find a $350 rod at 40% off and you'll be very very happy. 7'2"-7'4" - there's probably never been a better time to buy a really nice rod. 

 

IMO you are describing two rods

 

Rod 1:

finesse jigs (this one gives me the most concern)

1/8-1/4 Texas rigs 

weightless Texas rigs (I assume a senko? should be fine on a medium heavy but if you mean a trick worm, or something that light a MH won't do it

-this group is all under 1/2 oz

 

Rod 2:

chatterbaits 

swim jigs

(maybe) light frogs.

-this group is all well over 1/2 oz

 

I'm not telling you to buy two rods, just that you might have to pick your priorities between the two groups. 

 

And if you couldn't buy something on sale, the Tatula Elite 7'2" Med Hvy Howell is one of the most versatile rods I own. I've replaced it twice because I broke it (my fault both times). The tip loads really easily and it does just fine with just about everything. A 1/2oz chatterbait with a zako (.85 oz) starts to load this one a little much.  I can't find an upgrade for the action on this rod, I'd own it if I could find it, and I've looked.