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

[LonnieP]

21 minutes ago, txchaser said:

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. 

 

I also recommend the Kistler Helium. You won’t find a better rod in your price range.

[MidwestBassAttack]

My absolute favorite……Halo HFX 7’3 MH.

 

And this is coming from a guy who had an NRX+ 873CRR…..

[TheAnglerAquarist]

1 hour ago, PBBrandon said:

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

Thanks! This seems to be many peoples favorites!

55 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

I also recommend the Kistler Helium. You won’t find a better rod in your price range.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about kistler rods, thanks!

38 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

My absolute favorite……Halo HFX 7’3 MH.

 

And this is coming from a guy who had an NRX+ 873CRR…..

Dang. If it’s as good or better than a $500 rod, it’s in contention for me!

[MidwestBassAttack]

23 minutes ago, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Thanks! This seems to be many peoples favorites!

I’ve heard nothing but good things about kistler rods, thanks!

Dang. If it’s as good or better than a $500 rod, it’s in contention for me!

I have been very, very impressed with the HFX rods….build quality, blanks, sensitivity, actions, etc. 

[NorthernBasser]

2 hours ago, LonnieP said:

I also recommend the Kistler Helium. You won’t find a better rod in your price range.

I really wanna try the new model/blanks. Because my last generation Helium with the NFC blanks is one of the most sensitive rods I own. Very crisp.

[Columbia Craw]

You can get an NFC blank rod from NFC/Edge rods.  

[TheAnglerAquarist]

4 hours ago, txchaser said:

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. 

Thank you! Lots of good info for the different techniques.

Does anyone reccomend the g. Loomis gcx?

[Catt]

Diawia Tatula TTU711MHXB 

[dodgeguy]

14 hours 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.

 

Agree totally 

[TheAnglerAquarist]

18 hours 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.

 

I’ve heard the champion extremes are a big step up in sensitivity, is that true? I’d say the main tactic I like to do is finesse jigs, so that might be a big factor in the purchase.

[NorthernBasser]

You can get a Shimano Expride for close to $200 with the sales that are going on. Some sales end this afternoon, FYI. I know TW does. 

[TheAnglerAquarist]

35 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

You can get a Shimano Expride for close to $200 with the sales that are going on. Some sales end this afternoon, FYI. I know TW does. 

Unfortunately I cannot order today because of personal reasons I can’t control. But I’m still willing to spend money for it.

[Darth-Baiter]

i use a Sierra 733 for those applications.  i also use my Phenix Feather 7'1" Heavy for the exact same thing.  reaction baits, and bottom contact are with me all the time.  i need two bare minimum.

[TheAnglerAquarist]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i use a Sierra 733 for those applications.  i also use my Phenix Feather 7'1" Heavy for the exact same thing.  reaction baits, and bottom contact are with me all the time.  i need two bare minimum.

Thanks! Jigs and chatterbaits are my favorite lures, so I definitely want to make sure it’s an ideal rod for them.

[badfish79]

19 hours ago, txchaser said:

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

Agree with this here. 733 for Rod 1 and 734 for Rod 2, but if I had to choose one over the other, it would be the 734. The 733 doesnt feel good to me with lures over 1/2oz, but the 734 can manage the light stuff as well as the heavier stuff.

[TheAnglerAquarist]

39 minutes ago, fish_burrito said:

Agree with this here. 733 for Rod 1 and 734 for Rod 2, but if I had to choose one over the other, it would be the 734. The 733 doesnt feel good to me with lures over 1/2oz, but the 734 can manage the light stuff as well as the heavier stuff.

Thanks, I’ve heard Dobyns run a little lighter than other companies with the Same models.

[badfish79]

3 minutes ago, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Thanks, I’ve heard Dobyns run a little lighter than other companies with the Same models.

Yep. I consider the 3 power a medium, and the 4 power a medium heavy.

[MN Fisher]

20 minutes ago, fish_burrito said:

Yep. I consider the 3 power a medium, and the 4 power a medium heavy.

That's exactly how I look at them - for the general rods anyway. How Gary came up with his system I don't know...when a '703C medium heavy' is a 3 power, but a '705CB medium heavy' is a 5 power makes me scratch my head.

 

So I just look at the line/lure stats and ignore the 'words'.

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, TheAnglerAquarist said:

Thanks, I’ve heard Dobyns run a little lighter than other companies with the Same models.

FYI, the Sierra series has a little softer tip than the others. 

[new2BC4bass]

All my casting rods cost me less than $200.  Even the ones that were over $300 new.  The one in my hand while fishing is my favorite one at that moment.  Now given a choice before heading out the door, I'd still be unable to pick just one.

 

However, my RX7 Rainshadow is near the top of the list. 

[webertime]

Kittery Trading Post has 30% off 250. A Megabass Brailist will do what you are looking for and it's like 187.50 shipped.  

 

[DogBone_384]

22 hours ago, LonnieP said:

I also recommend the Kistler Helium.

I 'third' Kistler Heliums ... I have 24 Kistler rods. seven are Heliums, including two older ones.  I agree, when they're on sale, nothing else comes close.  Unfortunately, I believe the sale ended last night.

 

And remember, they're a small American company.  I once called to pay an invoice and Trey Kistler answered the phone.

[waymont]

On 11/28/2022 at 9:11 PM, txchaser said:

Kistler Heliums are $209 right now.

On the site they are $349

[LonnieP]

1 hour ago, waymont said:

On the site they are $349

They were 40 percent off, but the sale just ended.

[PotatoLake]

Find an Expride or a Megabass Diablo Spec-R on sale.