Help picking first better rod in a while

[BeenAroundAndBack]

Greetings all, I need some advice on a new rod. Up to this point I have been doing all my fishing with older or inexpensive rods. My last "good" rod was a Daiwa I bought in the 90s. I want to treat myself and upgrade my most-used setup to something nicer. I have a reel in mind but I am not sure what rod power and action suits my fishing best. I am looking at spinning rods.

I tend to fish rivers and smaller bodies of water for bass using hair jigs from 1/8 to 1/4 oz and similar sized jigheads with 3-4" curly tail grubs or similar. I've never had the chance to weigh the plastics to know how much they add to the jighead weight. Currently I use an older Shakespeare IM7 rod in medium power but with no action rating and I feel I could use a little more oomph in the hookset. A rod that can handle this well will fit 90% of my needs so that's the one I want to make special.

Since my experience is with lower quality graphite rods I do not know whether I should be choosing Medium Light or Medium for power and Fast or Extra Fast for action for jigs of the sizes I mention or how much I need to consider river vs lake into the decision. I could end up spending anything from $100 to $250 on this rod depending on what I find but I am hoping some advice here will help me narrow down what I am looking for.

Goodly thanks.

[roadwarrior]

https://www.fishusa.com/Okuma-Psycho-Stick-Bass-Spinning-Rod/?sku=196206&gclid=CjwKCAjw_uGmBhBREiwAeOfsd3d03cpRPtc2Bw4lqzkK8t2wj0xxj2greYNqYjIXV9nadUo5HQEPXBoCA94QAvD_BwE

 

Model: PSY-S-721M

[Bigassbass]

River fishing calls for a shorter rod 6'10" or shorter,  I would save some money and buy a St Croix mojo bass rod they are on sale right now most places for easy 125.00,  Fenwick makes a nice rod, just pick how much you want to spend, and ABU has some good rods, they are always stronger than they are listed (power) an UL is more like a Med.  Go to the sport shop take your reel and try some on, flick it, bend it hold it, see what you like.  And good luck!

[GetFishorDieTryin]

ML is good for 1/8, but once you get to 3/16 and 1/4 then a M is more effective IMO.  Not sure what the budget is, but for the money a 7' M F Tatula is incredibly hard to beat.  They just do everything really well, better then quite a few rods close to double the price point.  They offer them in 6'6 and 6'8, but Ive only handled the 7'.  The 7' M F feels like a lot like a ML in the tip with a little more power in the backbone, which makes the rod really versatile.

[WRB]

The 2 rod companies with good warranty and customer service are Dobyns and St Croix.

Dobyns Sierra SA693SF is 6’9” MF lure rating 3/16-5/8 oz.

SC Victory VTS68MXF is 6’8” MXF same lure rating.

What reel and line do you use?

Tom

PS, ALF offers 10% discount.

[BeenAroundAndBack]

Thank you all. Some of the bigger chains are currently discounting the St Croix Mojo and Bass X rods and I could see myself getting both the MLXF and a MF versions. I'm going tonight to scope them out and some other things.

 

I currently have a well-loved Pflueger President and have a source for a used Shimano Nasci. Those matched up with a pair of rods, maybe one with 6lb leaders and one with 8 or 10, would probably let me leave the quiver or cheap rods and home and cover everything between the two of them happily.

[BeenAroundAndBack]

I looked at a lot of rods and I am glad I did because what I have been using as a Medium action spinning rod is not nearly as stout as the Bass X and Mojo Bass rods I examined in person. Perhaps in the tip but not the backbone. The MLXF was closer to what I am looking for than the MXF versions and the MF might not toss the small jigs I sometimes deploy.

 

I still think I'd like to put my hands on some of the better St Croix rods. I always wanted one of their Avids or Legends and if I am going to treat myself I should really treat myself to something I enjoy owning.

 

Added info: I go between 6 and 8 lb line depending on the size of the creek or river.

 

Also, how does the ALF discount work? I assume that means American Legacy Fishing.

[santafish]

I would look seriously at the 6'9 ML Zodias. Very fast for solid hooksets on single hook applications but not so stiff that you're compromising the line integrity. I wish they had the elongated foregrip that the expride have but the handle isn't uncomfortable by any means and still feels very ergonomic. I bought one on sale thinking I might regret getting it instead of an expride but once I used it and felt how sensitive and crisp it was I never looked back. I fish on a kayak FWIW and while the zodias doesn't quite play in the same sandbox as my nrxs or adrenas I've never felt like I was lacking any feel or comfort while fishing them. Maybe step up to a medium if you're throwing 1/4 oz jigs a lot.

[Big Hands]

I have the 7'6" St. Croix Mojo Bass MLXF (they call it a hair jig rod) and it has become my favorite rod to fish with. I use it to throw weightless wacky Senkos on 10 lb braid to 7-8 lb fluoro leader. The 7'6" might be long for a kayak rod, but they do have it in a 6'10" version. . . . Sounds like that might be the one you've been fondling.

 

I've had a 7'2" M/XF rod and didn't much care for it for what I was doing with it. I think the ML/XF is still light enough to have some give beyond the tip section and keeps fish pinned really well and is so light and sensitive that I can sit there and let fish play around with the bait and they never know I am on the other end.

[BeenAroundAndBack]

Well what I did was find a retailer within a few hours drive of me who was closing out the outgoing St Croix Mojo Bass rods for $115 each so I did buy the 6'10" ML XF and the 7'1" M F versions. These feel far better than anything I've had even if not considered truly high end rods. They might prove a little longer than I'd like for bank fishing rivers but for the price this seems like a good way to test the waters of the St Croix lineup. If one of them gets a lot more use than the other I'll think about getting a Legend to really treat myself one day.

[DaubsNU1]

I've been fishing the same Cabela's branded rods since the 1990's....they serve me well.

 

Honestly, I have been avoiding new rods for quite some times...know my personality...fish one great new rod...feel the difference....and all my old Cabela's rods will be parked in the shop, and new rods will be in the boat : )

 

I am lucky to have Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Scheels in my town. Got to handle many rods including Loomis, St. Croix, Fenwick, 13 fishing, 6th sense, Megabass, Dobyns, and a few others.

 

I went with two Scheels branded rods that cost $49 and $79. They meet a need in my rod stable, and felt good in my hands. My brother just purchased two BP/Cabela's branded Fish Eagle casting rods. They have a good feel.

 

Good luck with your search!!

[Hulkster]

I would get a Loomis GCX SJR842

 

one of the best tapers for a spinning rod ever is the Loomis SJR series. 

 

I used to have the GL3 version and it was amazing. the GCX version is very similar. 

[dmiles]

I have a dobyns fury rod. It was about 120 I think

 

I also just got a st croix avid, which was I think 200. The dobyns fury is a better rod, in my opinion. The st croix has a more refined feel but not the 2x the price feel 

 

I also have the daiwa steez werewolf jdm rod. That one beats them all that I have in my stash so far, but I think the price was closer to 500 after the incredibly high paypsl fees

 

But really, If you haven't checked out the dobyns fury. It really is worth a look

 

[BeenAroundAndBack]

That Dobyns, or any other rod with threads in front of the reel seat, is a no go for me. That's where my hand goes.

 

Besides, reading the whole thread one would learn I already bought something.

[Kirtley Howe]

Interesting....I always prefer a rod with the threads (screw part of the reel seat) in front of the reel. Most likely since I am predominately a left had caster and I tend to unscrew the reel locking nut just by the action of casting if it is behind the reel.  I am trying to envision how you hold the rod so that your hand is resting right in front of the reel on a front threaded reel seat. Can you put up a picture of how that is? I must be dumb, but I just can't picture it in my mind.......

[dmiles]

for other people that might be interested in a new st croix rod. i got an email from them starting tomorrow the rods that are being discontinued are going on a big sale for 1 week. 

25 to 69% off

this is the link, but it says the prices wont change until september 1 at 7am central

https://stcroixrodfactorystore.com/collections/web-specials?utm_source=st.+croix+e+blast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=labor+day+retired+rod+sale&utm_id=labor+day+retired+rod+sale

 

also, i am not related to st croix or any other makes, and dont get endorcements or anything. i just thought i would share it in case anyone is looking. 

 

[dmiles]

15 hours ago, dmiles said:

for other people that might be interested in a new st croix rod. i got an email from them starting tomorrow the rods that are being discontinued are going on a big sale for 1 week. 

25 to 69% off

this is the link, but it says the prices wont change until september 1 at 7am central

https://stcroixrodfactorystore.com/collections/web-specials?utm_source=st.+croix+e+blast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=labor+day+retired+rod+sale&utm_id=labor+day+retired+rod+sale

 

also, i am not related to st croix or any other makes, and dont get endorcements or anything. i just thought i would share it in case anyone is looking. 

 

 

 

the deals arent that great on this. the bass rod has only 12 dollars off. 

[BeenAroundAndBack]

22 hours ago, Kirtley Howe said:

Interesting....I always prefer a rod with the threads (screw part of the reel seat) in front of the reel. Most likely since I am predominately a left had caster and I tend to unscrew the reel locking nut just by the action of casting if it is behind the reel.  I am trying to envision how you hold the rod so that your hand is resting right in front of the reel on a front threaded reel seat. Can you put up a picture of how that is? I must be dumb, but I just can't picture it in my mind.......

I thinks it's pretty standard for folks that cast with their dominant hand, at least where I grew up, and don't switch hands to reel. My rod is always in my right hand, even if I use a baitcasting setul meaning I have to buy LH retrieve baitcaster reels.

 

It's not always all four finders in front of the reel stem, it could be two, three or four depending on the setup. It's honestly the normal way folks use spinning setups around here.

[Kirtley Howe]

Now I understand. I was envisioning bait casting set ups, and just could not see how that worked. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense on a spinning set up, and is in fact, how I hold that type.

 

[BeenAroundAndBack]

10 hours ago, Kirtley Howe said:

Now I understand. I was envisioning bait casting set ups, and just could not see how that worked. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense on a spinning set up, and is in fact, how I hold that type.

 

Yeah where I'm from folks use spinning reels for everything except trolling and muskies and I forget that for a lot of Bass-centric guys that's not the norm.