Need opinions on this rod

[bp_fowler]

Broke my spinning rod today.  Was eyeing a replacement rod which is a Lew’s Hank Parker Speed Stick.  It is readily available and within my budget.

 

Through the search function I’ve seen that the casting version has a positive reputation on this board and wanted to ask if folks felt that the spinning version was an equal value.

[Eric 26]

Although I don’t own the spinning version only the casting I don’t see how there will be a huge difference in spinning vs casting models. I’ve eyeballed the carbon Fire spinning rod’s which I’m 99.99% are the same blank as the Hank Parker rods and they’re pretty nice for the asking price.

[bp_fowler]

50 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

Although I don’t own the spinning version only the casting I don’t see how there will be a huge difference in spinning vs casting models.

I’m not an expert on the blank manufacturing process but I was kinda hoping that there wouldn’t be a difference.  Just wanted some confirmation before I pulled the trigger.

[Eric 26]

@bp_fowler If you don’t mind my asking what is the price and power/length you’re looking for? For instance I paid around $40.00 for my Hank Parker casting rod and I feel it was more than fair. Conversely I paid $45.00 for my Carbon Fire on sale from at the time ? $65.00 and again I’m happy. Conversely I have a 13 fishing fate black spinning rod (7’-1” med light)  which Tackle Warehouse has only 2 lengths available around the same price $60.00-$65.00 which I feel is a much nicer rod and if you look around might find more options.

[MyKeyBe]

Falcon hd 6'6" for $46.00 on amazon. You will not find a better new rod for less than $50.00. As far as the lews goes I have no idea. I do know that they recently changed the rods. Might be just graphics that changed. I think most people here have the older gray and orange rods, myself included. If you have to get a rod locally for around $40.00 dollars I think all the lews rods around that price point from Walmart get pretty good reviews. Another to look at might be the eagle claw insight rods. I don't have one but I looked briefly at them when they first showed up at my local Walmart. Seemed decent and pretty light but I think they are/where around $50.00.

[Eric 26]

I have 3 of the Eagle Claw (Brent Chapman) Insight rods. First one bought at my local Wal Mart next 2 online and I will say if they’re available at the $50.00 price point they’re are well worth it imho. Although I have never used the Falcon rods @MyKeyBe is referring to, Falcon rods in general get more than their fair share of praise both on this site and in general on plenty of other websites. 

[bp_fowler]

7 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@bp_fowler If you don’t mind my asking what is the price and power/length you’re looking for? .

I’d like to keep it around $50.  I could go as high as $75 if it’s a good value.  My preference is for a medium or medium light/extra fast or fast depending on manufacturer.  6’6”-7’ ft, really just a multi purpose spinning outfit.

 

 The Lew’s was my first choice just because it was cheap(er) and was easily had at my local Wally world.  However I’m certainly willing to entertain other options and you guys have given me a few suggestions.

[MediumMouthBass]

Lews is a great band and i own many of their rods/reels, that being said their budget stuff is the opposite, their rods/reels under $80 fail soon if used too hard. A Carbon Fire was mentioned and while they are really cool rods, i bought the combo awhile ago used at a good price, had it out a couple times and then checked the reviews, the rod and reel are now in storage. So if you do buy a budget rod do alot of research on the reviews first.

I own 43 rods, from $25 Berkley Cherrywoods, to $375 St Croixs. Most of my expensive stuff is in storage because of not wanting them to break, so i needed some rods that would have sensitivity, quality, and be good all around rods that had great reviews and if they did break they would be cheap enough to buy another.

I did some research on TW and here on the forums, the Daiwa Aird X comes highly recommended, and is $55 so i picked 2 up. They had good sensitivity, good quality, and are great all around rods, TW had a promo awhile ago (not doing it now) where if you buy 5 or more of those rods you got them for $38 each. So i now own 14 of them. These in my opinion are the best rods $55 and under. Do some research on them here. (btw if you had any Tatula CT reels the rod matches in color).

On a sale though i spent a bit more and got 2 Lews rods, the KVD Cranking rod and the TP1X casting rod, these rods run around $100-110 but i got them on sale for $66. Havent used the KVD yet but the TP1X rod is a very good rod if you can get one on sale and like Lews rods/reels. The place i got my Lews at is still running the promo but they arent a sponsor so youll have to do research to find the deal.

 

[bp_fowler]

18 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Lews is a great band and i own many of their rods/reels, that being said their budget stuff is the opposite, their rods/reels under $80 fail soon if used too hard.

 

I’ve had a few issues, I mostly blame myself because I definitely fall into the “use too hard” category lol.  Not wedded to Lew’s though.

 

Either way I’ve got a few more options to mull over.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

Hate to resurrect an old thread. When we moved into this subdivision it came with two small bass ponds so I bought Lew's "American Hero" Speed Stick Spin and Baitcast Combo for us to use which is very similar to the rod mention by the OP.

 

I don't care for the spin rod. It works. It's a two piece which I hate and it needs some wax. The casting rod on the other hand is/was awesome. It was the 6 foot 6 medium heavy version. It was light as hell, felt great and I loved where the hook keeper was. I liked it better than my other "nice" Shimano Setup.

 

So anyways I stepped on that rod the the other night so it's no longer with us lol. I was pretty broken up about it because it became my favorite over the years so I went to Wal Mart to look for a replacement and decided on the Lew's Hank Parker 7 foot medium heavy model. And I like it even better. It's lighter and cast fantastic. I've never cast a G. Loomis NRX or GLX. But this rod is great for 40 bucks.

 

If they offer this in combo I would definitely try to avoid going that way and just buy a better reel seperately. But the rod is fantastic imo.