Good rod to go with a Abu Garcia 5500C Ambassadeur

[DaveInGA]

I'm picked up a couple of the Abu Garcia reels the local Wal Mart has on close out at an excellent price.  One is a Abu Garcia 5500C Ambassadeur and the other is a 5600WS.  The reason for two different types is I want one for fast retrieve for crankbaits and one with slow retrieve for worms.

What would be a couple of good rods for these reels?  I plan on using 12 pound test and my two primary fish sought are spotted and largemouth bass in Lake Lanier, Lake Oconee and various watersheds in Northeast Georgia.  Most fishing will be done by boat, with some shoreline fishing.

Thank you,

Dave

[flechero]

Help us a little bit... got a ball park price range?  Tell us what you want to spend, not what you "could" spend.... there are good selections in almost every price range... the higher the price normally the better the selection.  ...lol  Anyway, we need an Idea of where to start.

[DaveInGA]

Help us a little bit... got a ball park price range?  Tell us what you want to spend, not what you "could" spend.... there are good selections in almost every price range... the higher the price normally the better the selection.  ...lol  Anyway, we need an Idea of where to start.

flechero,

I paid fifty bucks for the 5500C and 64.00 for the 4600WS.  I'd like to keep the price down to a reasonable level, matching durability/quality/price, etc., with the reels I've purchased.  I only plan to purchase these  two rods and reels as my bass fishing combinations at the present, as I'm just getting back into serious fishing after a 20 plus year layoff of anything but panfishing with my children.  So I have a good bit of gear to buy to get back on the water.

My tackle box/lure purchases are pretty complete as of now for bass, but to give you some idea of where I'm at budget wise, I'm planning on spending around $3000.00 to $3500.00 for my boat, trailer, outboard motor and trolling motor.  (A Riverhawk B60 w/trailer $1400.00, Used 15HP Merc two cycle outboard $1500.00 and 40-50 ft.lb thrust Minn Kota troller.)  So basically I have a good bit to buy

I plan on crappie fishing as my primary fish (I like to eat em.), bass fishing as my secondary fish, then flyrod for bluegills and finally tightline for catfish.  To do this, I'm going to purchase appropriate tackle for each types of fishing.  So in the addition to the above, I plan on purchasing:

1. Several crappie specific rods/reels and a jigs gear for crappie.

2. Two bait casting rod/reel combinations for bass (Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs and good solid rods to go with them.  I may buy more later, but the spotted bass is the primary on Lake Lanier (Fish there in my buddy's bass boat.) and so crankbaits and topwaters along with worms seem to be the better combinations.  One slow and one fast should do it for those for now

3.  Basic fly rod combination outfit for bluegill, anybody got a recommendation?

4.  Two spinning rod/reel combinations, one fast and one slow retrieve.  Anyone have any recommendations.

So there's what's on the to get asap list.  As you can see, it's a pretty good amount of stuff to buy.  So I'm avoiding top end price stuff and going for medium prices and trying to get reasonably good stuff with solid durability.

thanks for your help,  the choices have gone up so much since I last fished seriously I can't believe it.

Dave

[flechero]

So your looking for rods in the $50 or less range?  If it were me, I'd look at the All Star classic line (Academy sells for under $50) The berkley lightening rods, and maybe some others.  I know that Daiwa and Shimano have rods in that price range but I haven't used them.   Hopefully others can help with specific models of other brands.  The bass pro and cabela's house brands are usually on sale and lots of people here love them.

Length is your preference, 6'6'' or 7' (I wouldn't go longer or shorter than that for now)  I'd get a MH for worms/jigs/spinnerbaits and a M for the crank rod, but stick with a fast action, it will be fine in a M and you can also use it for senkos, flukes, topwater and much more.

When you get it narrowed down to a couple rods specifically, you might want to post again for specific model to model comparisons... someone here has whatever you will be looking at!  

[mj]

If you have a cabelas nearby go there. they have their IM7 tourney trail rods on sale 2 for 1. they're normally 60-70 each and great rods to begin with for the price range. they arent top of the line or anything, but they good solid rods and have good feel as well, which kinda matches the ambassedeurs (solid, long lasting). I have 3 of these. A 7'H, 7'MH and a 7'6" ML spinning rod and I can feel all the subtle ticks and bites that I can when fishing with rods 2-3x the price. And they come in all shapes and sizes so you should be able to find what you're looking for.

[DaveInGA]

So your looking for rods in the $50 or less range?  If it were me, I'd look at the All Star classic line (Academy sells for under $50) The berkley lightening rods, and maybe some others.  I know that Daiwa and Shimano have rods in that price range but I haven't used them.   Hopefully others can help with specific models of other brands.  The bass pro and cabela's house brands are usually on sale and lots of people here love them.

Length is your preference, 6'6'' or 7' (I wouldn't go longer or shorter than that for now)  I'd get a MH for worms/jigs/spinnerbaits and a M for the crank rod, but stick with a fast action, it will be fine in a M and you can also use it for senkos, flukes, topwater and much more.

When you get it narrowed down to a couple rods specifically, you might want to post again for specific model to model comparisons... someone here has whatever you will be looking at!  

Yes, I think you've got it sized up that a $50.00 to $60.00 uppper limit is about where I'm at price range  wise.  We don't have an Academy in this area, though one is being built in nearby Athens, Ga, but won't be ready until late fall.  I'm probably looking at the Berkley rods, the BPS and Cabella's house brands from what I've seen so far.

And I think you've hit the nail on the head length and size wise.  I went to WalMart today and this is what I found, with all rods tried with an Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5600 mounted on them:

1.  7 foot Berkley Bionix Rod, Medium, 1/4-3/4 oz., 8-20 lb - On closeout for $49.00.  (This rod felt real well balanced with a 5000 or 5600 on it, but seemed a bit on the heavy side and maybe a little whippy, for my right arm, bothered by arthritis and tendonitis, to swing all day.)

2.   7 foot Berkley Cherrywood, Medium, didn't get the other specifications - $18.87 standard price.  (This rod felt really good, light and well balanced.  I wish I could have tried it out in the medium weight.)

3.  7 foot Berkley Lightning, Medium Heavy didn't get the other specifications - $28.94 standard price.   (This rod felt real well balanced, light, but couldn't find it at this store in a medium action.)

4.  6' 6" TeamDaiwa V, MH 1/4-1oz., 10-20 lb - On closeout for $40.00.  (This rod felt light and well balanced.)

5. 7 foot Abu Garcia Conlon, MH, 3/8 - 1 1/2 oz., 10-20 lb, $35.00 standard price.  (This rod felt well balanced and seemed well made for the price.  Am interested in other's evaluation of this rod.)

I can't get to an Academy or a Cabella's, so those rods are out of consideration.  I do, however, have a Bass Pro Shop within reasonable driving distance.  They may be my next stop to check out rods.  Do they carry the Berkley Lightning lineup?  If so, I can compare their house rods with the Berkley Lightning.  

mj,  

It's a shame I don't have a Cabella's nearby.  Those sound like the rods I would really like and the price is right.

Regards,

Dave

[Aaron]

I would go with a St. Croix Triumph.  I have a spinning rod in that lineup and I LOVE it.  I don't know of a better rod in the 50-70 range.

[boatlesswonder]

I use lighting rods on all of my reels, except 1 ugly stik crankin rod. Catch fish every time I go out. Yes BPS carries them, their graphite series are nice too. I would wait until the rods go on sale, you can usually get them 2 for 1.

Have a nice day

John

[fish-fighting-illini]

I own a Cherrywood and 2 Lightning rods. I like them all but the Cherrywood is a little on the cheapo side. The Lightnings feel better to me. The Cherry is a M and the lightning's are both ML and they always go on sale a couple of times a year for around $20 at Wallyworld, Gander mtn and BPS.  I also own a BPS extreme but haven't had it long enough to judge it. The only drawback to this rod is it doesn't come with a hook keeper but BPS sells keepers 4 for $4 so pick them up while you are there. These rods always go on sale for a nice discount. If you are poss thinking of adding any reels they give great combo prices.

[Triton21]

May I suggest the BPS Extreme.  It is normally $99.95 but you can catch the on sale from BPS several times a year for $59,95-$69.95.  I would buy a Med-Hvy and a Med action for your application.

Kelley

[Red]

i have 3 5501's...two are on berkley cherrywood's ($20) the other is on a berkley bionix ($50)..they all work great for me but i do like the bionix rod better than the cherrywoods

[Guest SkyChimp]

If you have a BPS nearby, I highly recommend the Browning Medallion GT rods.  I have 4 of these rods.  They cost around $50.    My two casting rods have Abu Garcia 5600 C4s on them.   These are my most used rods.  They have great actions (they feel a wee bit softer than they are labeled) where a Medium Heavy is more like a Heavy Medium  (if that makes any sense).  

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_51801_100002006_100000000_100002000_100-2-6

[moby bass]

Dave, I have the AbuGarcia Conolon in a 7' M spinning and it is, without doubt, one of my favourite rods.

I love the weight, balance and action and for the price, I do not think you can go wrong.  I am looking to pick up another,(like I really need it), one of these days.  

[BigAL]

May I suggest the BPS Extreme. It is normally $99.95 but you can catch the on sale from BPS several times a year for $59,95-$69.95. I would buy a Med-Hvy and a Med action for your application.

Kelley

Ditto on BPS extreme rods just bought 3 of them with 3 abu garcia 4600.Hard to beat those lighting rods for the price just not crazy about there eyes.

[Bankbeater]

I picked up a 6'6 BPS Bionic MH over this past Father's day sale. I started off with a Abu 3600 black max on it, but that was too light. Recently I put on a 5600C4, and I am able to cast crankbaits from 3/16 to 1/2 ounce without any problem. I was really surprised that this new set up could handle baits that small.

[Olebiker]

Lightning rods. They are just about all I have used for nearly 20 years. They are a tremendous value.

Dick Durbin

Fishing cheap in Tallahassee