Shimano Clarus rod....better than average or just average??

[The Rooster]

I'd like to get a new spinning rod and it really needs to be on a budget but I want to go a little better than the $40 or less I've spent in the past.  

Looking at my brother in law's Shimano Compre rods, they seem to be much more sensitive than the Quest LS-7 rods I got from Dick's last year, and especially more sensitive than the Quantum Dance Class (Bill Dance rod) that I've had for a while now.  All of those are IM-7 graphite and I thought they'd be more sensitive to light bites.  But Saturday fishing with my brother in law, I got stomped with his 30 bass to my 7!!! :'(  I wanna catch fish like he does!!!  

But my brother in law's Compre rods are out of my price range at $90 and $100 each for just the rod only.  

I'd like something similar though and the Shimano Clarus seems to be the next step down just based on price.   I want to know though if they are going to be noticeably better than what I'm used to or am I just wasting that money??  

[Garnet]

If 30 -7 is normal then buying a new fishing stick at any price will not help. If you are normally equal fishermen every dog has a day!

For me it's not price after checking all Shimano's the Clarus and the Compre had the action that I like.

The Clarus won because they have a little softer tip and lots punch in the middle.

Garnet

[The_Natural]

The Clarus rods are nice; maybe the best at that price point.  

[Raul]

Clarus rods are pretty good for the money, besides you can choose from a really large selection of lengths, powers and actions.

[SoCalRob]

I own (1) Clarus and use it mostly for reaction style baits where sensitivity isn't as important...I find when I really need sensitivity, I turn to something else.

I bought mine knowing I wouldn't use it every time out, so it was easier for me to justify buying this rod for $50 then spending >$100 like I usually would. But for what its worth, this rod has never let me down and comes with a warranty. So I'd say I'm pretty happy with it.

P.S. They might still have some on sale at Tackle Warehouse. I'd check it out.

[SoCalRob]

One more thing...this rod WILL perform better than the rods you listed above. The Compre would be a nice upgrade from the Clarus, but the Clarus offers a lot for the little you pay.

[21farms]

i think the clarus rods are the best at their price point.

by the way, the 2009 clarus rods are coming out so i've been seeing a few places liquidating the old model clarus rods for $20-$30 off.

[islandbass]

As one who has both a Clarus and a Compre, I can tell you that both are very decent.  The lifetime warranty that accompany's these rods is also a great plus combined with decent components for their price points.

I have a Casting Clarus and a Spinning Compre and while I will say that the Compre is more sensitive, it does not mean by any stretch that the Clarus is lacking.

You might want to shop around.  Shimano revamped those lines if I am not mistaken and the prices went up about $10.  You might be able to find the "older" models on sale for up to half off.  To illustrate this, I got my Compre, an $89 rod for $54 at Sportman's Warehouse.  Now that is awesome.  Another SW sold the compres for $45!  So some hunting around could pay off.  Good luck.

[Bassyak]

As one who has both a Clarus and a Compre, I can tell you that both are very decent. The lifetime warranty that accompany's these rods is also a great plus combined with decent components for their price points.

I have a Casting Clarus and a Spinning Compre and while I will say that the Compre is more sensitive, it does not mean by any stretch that the Clarus is lacking.

You might want to shop around. Shimano revamped those lines if I am not mistaken and the prices went up about $10. You might be able to find the "older" models on sale for up to half off. To illustrate this, I got my Compre, an $89 rod for $54 at Sportman's Warehouse. Now that is awesome. Another SW sold the compres for $45! So some hunting around could pay off. Good luck.

I agree....I found a older model (but brand new) 6'6" MH Compre spinning rod at Sportsman's Warehouse for $29.  Didn't really need it, but I couldn't pass it up.   It probably gets as much or more use as my Crucial spinning rods.

[The Rooster]

If 30 -7 is normal then buying a new fishing stick at any price will not help. If you are normally equal fishermen every dog has a day!

For me it's not price after checking all Shimano's the Clarus and the Compre had the action that I like.

The Clarus won because they have a little softer tip and lots punch in the middle.

Garnet

Thanks for all of your replies.  I wanted to respond to this one in particular though and to clarify for you guys what I normally do on a good day's fishing.

I am used to catching 7 to 10 bass on my home waters.  My brother in law has told me about catching 20 or 30, even 40 at times, all summer long on his lake.  I went to it and I still only did my normal range in numbers of bass, but I watched him boat 30 that day and it amazed me.  I figured up till now that he was just telling "fish stories".  Not so, he actually did it.  

I also have known for a while now that he uses only Shimano Compre rods.  He has 5 casters with Curado D reels on them and 2 spinners with Symetre reels on them.  After seeing him catch as many as he bragged about, I'm sure those rods must be helping him some.  

I don't want to take away anything from his fishing ability.  Clearly he's a better fisherman than me and I plan to learn a lot from him so I can be just as good.  But if a workman is only as good as his tools allow then a fisherman is only as good as his rods will allow.  I may not jump up to 30 fish immediately by just swapping rods, but if I could just double the number of fish I caught the other day, that would be 14 and would be a much better day for myself, though still less than 1/2 of what he got.  

I figure a nicer rod would let me feel more bites than I am able to now.  That would let me know when a bass is feeling of my bait.  As it was, the 4 out of 7 that I caught on the T-rigged craws, I had to wait till I saw the line running before I knew they were there.  There was one fish I never saw line running on, never felt a thing hit it, I was just reeling it in for another cast and felt something different and on a hunch I set the hook and got lucky on it.  

I played it off as if I knew he was there :(you would've too, don't lie ;D), but in reality I had no clue until after I set the hook and felt him on the other end.  

So anyway, I think I'm gonna look into this further now, and if the Compre's are gonna be more affordable then I might find one on closeout and get in on that instead of the Clarus.  Something to think about anyway.  Thanks all.

[The Rooster]

I'm not trying to be cheap, really I'm not. I'm just curious and wanting to gather information so I can make more educated decisions in the future about rod purchases.

How does the Shimano Convergence compare to the Clarus?? Being $20 cheaper, is it a huge step down??

[tyrius.]

There was one fish I never saw line running on, never felt a thing hit it, I was just reeling it in for another cast and felt something different and on a hunch I set the hook and got lucky on it.

LOTS of times this is how a bite feels.  The line just feels heavy when it shouldn't.  One key thing to remember is that hooksets are always free.  This may be one of the things that differentiates his catch rate from yours.  Next time you fish with him ask him how the fish took the bait.

[Grey Wolf]

I'd like to get a new spinning rod and it really needs to be on a budget but I want to go a little better than the $40 or less I've spent in the past.

Looking at my brother in law's Shimano Compre rods, they seem to be much more sensitive than the Quest LS-7 rods I got from Dick's last year, and especially more sensitive than the Quantum Dance Class (Bill Dance rod) that I've had for a while now. All of those are IM-7 graphite and I thought they'd be more sensitive to light bites. But Saturday fishing with my brother in law, I got stomped with his 30 bass to my 7!!! :'( I wanna catch fish like he does!!!

But my brother in law's Compre rods are out of my price range at $90 and $100 each for just the rod only.

I'd like something similar though and the Shimano Clarus seems to be the next step down just based on price. I want to know though if they are going to be noticeably better than what I'm used to or am I just wasting that money??

Rooster save up some money and get the rod . It will be worth the wait.

[The Rooster]

You think I should get the Compre over the Clarus??  I guess common sense should tell me that it would be better.  

The only thing I don't care for on that Compre is the foregrip on the spinning rods.  That cutout they use to expose the blank I mean.  The way I hold a rod, I grip the foregrip completely in front of the reel, all 4 fingers and thumb.  I also tend to have cramps in my hands from the type of work I do (construction, swinging a hammer all day driving nails) and the small grip seems like it would cause fatigue after a while.  Most of the rods I have now were selected for price range and foregrip comfort.  I know that Clarus isn't much different really, but it doesn't have that cutout on it at least.  

That and price are what make it the most interesting to me in the Shimano line.  It's affordable and I can have 3 Clarus's for the price of 2 Compre's.  And comfort would be better it seems.  

I'm worried about sensitivity though.  I wish I could know it would be better than what I already have.  It's IM-7 graphite which is what I already have now.  

[kikstand454]

maybe its not your rod. why dont you try to move to a hybrid line like yozuri or even go to pure flourocarbon on your spinning out fit. these lines dont stretch  as much or at all and can double your sensitivity. also..... esp if yout t-rigging......why dont you go one step heavier on your weight. that will drasticly improve the sensitivity of your presentation. next time you go- see what your buddy is using weight wise. if youre fishing 10ft or deeper chances are hes throwing a 3/4oz. lead at least on his baitcaster.

just some thoughts.

step up the rod too if you can find it on clearance. im going to.

[The Rooster]

We both were using a 1/8 oz. sinker on the T-rig.  His was tungsten and mine was lead though.  We were using casting rods.  Later we went to 1/4 when the wind picked up.  I did get a few on the T-rig, 4 in all.  He got a bunch more than that though.  

It was when we went to the 1/8 oz. shakey head rigs on spinning tackle that he was loading the boat and I got none at all.  

I'm definitely going to upgrade my rod and my line both.  Part of it is so I can improve my fishing some, and part of it is to appease my bait monkey.  I just like getting new stuff.    

[Certified Public Angler]

Maybe you should go with 1 Compre, 1 clarus, and 1 convergence.  This way you still get 3 good rods and you could stagger them with which reels and fishing techniques you reach to most often.

I kinda face the same decision as you because I could buy 2 clarus, 1 for the new BC im buying and 1 for my old spinning reel or I could get a compre for the BC and a convergence for the spinning.  Since the reel I'm purchasing will be superior I am opting to pair it with a better rod too.  It also takes into account that I will fish my main set up the majority of the time.  But if you think that the compre will increase fatigue and be uncomfortable then that would weigh heavily in favor of the clarus.  

Another one of those personal preference answers.  ;D

Of course if you are patient and don't mind used goods then just keep your eyes peeled on the flea market, there was a thread selling compres and a clarus just recently.