Berkley Lightning Rod?????

[Dalton Tam]

I'm about to buy a berkley lightning rod and was wondering if anyone has purchased one already and could let me know what they think about it.  I hear they are comparable to carrot sticks and kistler rods for an affordable price for the low budget fisherman.

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

I'm about to buy a berkley lightning rod and was wondering if anyone has purchased one already and could let me know what they think about it. I hear they are comparable to carrot sticks and kistler rods for an affordable price for the low budget fisherman.

whoever told you that was smoking some serious crack ,i have a few for when my nieces come over to fish the local pond by my house,they are nothing special by any means,there just cheap sticks not ment for much of anything.they say you get what you pay for and trust me what your paying for and getting is NOTHING even close or comparable to a e21 carrot stick or a kistler(maybe an ugly stick) out of the 3 i had 2 busted,one with tips breaking off and guides falling apart the other with the reel seat.but like i said they are for 7-9 yr old girls who could care less i got them on sale for $15 a piece.youd be better off with a basspro or cabelas house brand rod.

[sweet daddy]

I have two of the 7ft mh on my revos. I've never seen a kistler, and the whole hunter orange thing is lost on me. My rods work fine with mono, and floro, but never use braid on a lightning rod. They work just fine for red I shads and traps over grass. At forty bucks they work just fine, plus you don't look like a tool on the water.

[SirSnookalot]

Spinning or casting?

I have a ml lightning spinning rod( braid) and it's ok, worth the money but for a few bucks take a look at a shimano clarus.

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

I have two of the 7ft mh on my revos. I've never seen a kistler, and the whole hunter orange thing is lost on me. My rods work fine with mono, and floro, but never use braid on a lightning rod. They work just fine for red I shads and traps over grass. At forty bucks they work just fine, plus you don't look like a tool on the water.

true the carrot stick might be a little gaudy but with the amount they have sold and as popular as they are i dont think hardcore anglers are concerned about what their appearance is using a rod,im going to assume youve never handled a carrot stick,cause if you did the color wouldnt matter to you,nor "looking like a tool" cause for the price those sticks are AMAZINGLY light and VERY sensitive all backed up behind a lifetime warranty,you have nice reels (the revos) why would you spend that and then go and put them on lowend rods? to me that would make someone look more like a tool then a revo on a highend "orange" rod imo.

[sweet daddy]

The mojo bass rod at eighty dollars or so feels better than the orange tool sticker, for almost half the price, and a revo  sx works just fine on a lightning rod. But hey if you like being seen from a mile away, and looking like a tool, stick with that high dollar rod.

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

dunno maybe on your lake fishing is a fashion show,but i could care less about the color.if its quality equipment then its worth it.atleast i know my reels are on a good rod that i know wont fail on me or break in my hands sooner or later,more sooner.and as for the mojo @ $90 its a nice rod but comes with subpar guides,i love my mojos but however they dont compair to a c.stick.but you stay fashion forward with your berkley  

[Dalton Tam]

Thanks guys I'm still trying to decide whether to buy it or not. I'm just trying to find a decent fishing rod that I can afford. I'm only sixteen and paying gas and insurance is enough right now. But I'm sure I could wait till christmas and birthday and get a carrot stick or kistler but I was thinking I'd go get me a descent rod for a lower price.  I have an ugly stick light pro and I like it alot but I was looking for a rod that is a little more sensitive for worm fishing. I use baitcasting rods btw.

[dave]

Under your circumstance,  buy the Lightning Rod.

[roadwarrior]

Don't buy an Ugly Stick. Be patient and keep an eye on our

Flea Market. Better quality rods and reels at affordable prices

pop up all the time. Here is a perfect example that is currently

being offered for sale:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1245502207

8-)

[houston17]

I have had a lightning rod for about 3 months now, it's a 6'6 MH so far everything has worked great. It is very light weight and has a good feel to it paired with a baitcasting reel.  Obviously it isnt going to compare to the higher end rods but for the price you cant beat it.  

[ArcticCat500]

I'd say cut a couple lawns, push a few carriages if you have to, but save up till you have enough cash to buy somthing decent and the e21's are, as well as the Powells, St Croix, Shimano that fits your extended budget.

Definitaly keep on eye on our flea market, I have bought and sold with great sucess in here. Good Luck.  Take a look in here, great rods at an affordable price.

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/lgmitch58?_nkw=GBlanks&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0

[Daniel My Brother]

I like Lightning Rods. Good sensitivity, not great. A fast tip for solid hooksets, and plenty of backbone. The stainless steel guides are a great choice for a $40 rod...none of the cheaper ceramic guides that pop out of other lower priced rods.

On the downside, they are a bit heavy.

Bottom line; they are built to last, and are a good buy at your price point.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I have two spinning 6'6''M Lightening Rods and they are worth the money.  They are actually descently sensitive, not as good as the $150 rods that have been mentioned but for $30 they are a good deal.

[islandbass]

It is not a bad rod, but there are better at that price point. Look at Shimano's Convergence lineup. You will have the benefit of the lifetime warranty.

[ChiCityBasser]

I don't have the Lighting Rod but I do have the AMP and its a great rod at it's price point as well. It's my crankbait rod and is very decent as far as sensitivity.

You can always like the guys have said check the flea market or Cabelas clearance bin

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat21428&forcedId=cat21404&cmCat=cat21406_feat

or

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0052329122472a&navCount=0&podId=0052329&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true

or

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053033122637a&navCount=1&podId=0053033&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true

or

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0053453122697a&navCount=1&podId=0053453&parentId=cat21428&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=cat21406_feat&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21428&hasJS=true

all great rods and on sale

[21farms]

I'm only sixteen and paying gas and insurance is enough right now.

been there, done that! i fished lightning rods until i finished schooling and did fine. at this point, concentrate on learning as much as you can and improving your technique and presentation. you should also consider the new berkley amp rod too:

http://www.another site/reviews_article.asp?id=161

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Thanks guys I'm still trying to decide whether to buy it or not. I'm just trying to find a decent fishing rod that I can afford. I'm only sixteen and paying gas and insurance is enough right now. But I'm sure I could wait till christmas and birthday and get a carrot stick or kistler but I was thinking I'd go get me a descent rod for a lower price. I have an ugly stick light pro and I like it alot but I was looking for a rod that is a little more sensitive for worm fishing. I use baitcasting rods btw.

A shimano Convergance is a nice rod has a lifetime warrenty also at 39 bucks hard to beat

[Dalton Tam]

Thanks for the posts and I have a convergeince they are nice but I went back by the store today for some baits and looked at the rod again.  It's not only a lightning it's a lightning shock I looked at a regular lightning rod while I was there and this "shock" seems to look and feel way better. Here is a picture of the rod I've been talking about.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

The shocks are newer and said to be braid ready so their actions may be a bit slower than normal.  I had one backordered from cabelas for 1 1/2 months and finally called them abnd canceled the order.  I may still get one eventually if noone buys my Pflueger Asaro in the Flea Market.  I have yet so actually hold one in store, everywhere I have been that sells them has been sold out.  Now the Berkley Amp rods seem really nice for their price.  Actually looking to gety a cheap spinning rod for bank fishing and it might do it for me

[ChiCityBasser]

The shocks are newer and said to be braid ready so their actions may be a bit slower than normal. I had one backordered from cabelas for 1 1/2 months and finally called them abnd canceled the order. I may still get one eventually if noone buys my Pflueger Asaro in the Flea Market. I have yet so actually hold one in store, everywhere I have been that sells them has been sold out. Now the Berkley Amp rods seem really nice for their price. Actually looking to gety a cheap spinning rod for bank fishing and it might do it for me

Hey BRR,

The "Shock" and the "Amp" are pretty good for the price and I got to hold one of the few "Shocks" that the local bait shop had but they quickly sold out and had them on backorder also. They also sold out of the Amps and had to order one offline.

The Amp is my crankbait rod and feels good and is a nice rod for the price point of $39 shipped to my door. Some people don't like the reel lock down mechanism cause they say it tends to work loose during a fight and has to be contantly tightened down but I haven't had that problem at all. Again for the price its a pretty good rod

[sweet daddy]

Are the once coveted veggie rods still made out of carrots?

[Bernie Mac]

I have 2xLighting Shock Rods, a Med 7' Spinning and MH 6.5' BC. I actually like using them more than my Loomis (somone's gonna call me on that one). They are almost as light and just as sensitive and do have some nice back bone to them. No problem pulling a 2lb smallie out of some white water rapids. The amplified tip is said to slow the action and make them good cranking rods but IMO they are both fast action (with the spinning I would say is more moderate to fast). Not a bad buy at all, and the I've had no problems with the reel seats either.  The 6.5' is pretty well balanced with a Quantum Code Red on it.

[grimlin]

The amplified tip is said to slow the action and make them good cranking rods but IMO they are both fast action (with the spinning I would say is more moderate to fast).

Thanks for that information.I'm looking for a cheap spinning rod suitable for cranks....now comes the hard part in convincing the wife why i need one more rod.  ;D

Lightening rods are for budget anglers who really can't afford to spend big bucks right now.They do get the job done,they lack in some departments of quality and sensitivity.For their price range it's to be expected.

[DeBassin619]

Lightening rods are for budget anglers who really can't afford to spend big bucks right now.They do get the job done,they lack in some departments of quality and sensitivity.For their price range it's to be expected.

Ditto... It really is true about "You get what you pay for" and fish equipment is definetly no exception. One of the the biggest mistakes I made when I first started fishing was letting these two factors affect what a bought: 1. Availability 2. Price...

I was so impatient and not really wanting to take the time to gain the knowledge about the equipment I needed/was in the process in buying. It's really tempting to want to spend that 20 or so dollars you have or so on an outfit from walmart thats right in your home town, as opposed to waiting for a weekend trip to a Scheels or a bass pro shops 30-50 miles away. It's important to buy what you really want, instead of settling for something less due to those two factors outlined above. Reason being is, when you settle for less, you'll always be tempted to grumble or be disatisfied. BUt, when you buy what you've always wanted to begin with, theirs no reason to grumble.

I understand your circumstances about being sixteen and having these other financial responsibilities. Funny thing is, with the economy being the way it is, many others that are twice your age are in the exact same predictament your in.

I would offer these tips in saving up for what you want.

1. save change .... Its amazing how change adds up after awhile..

2. Prioritize.. Buy whats truly important. Alot of times we waste the most money a convience stores. whether thats your daily Pop or that bag of chips you pickup during your gass fillup or the stop to Mcdonalds. The truth is it all adds up.

3. Make due with what you have... Look at your current fishing inventory and see if you presently own 1-2 cheeper outfits that could be given up and sell privately.. If you are like me in anyway, you have a tendancy to be a pack rat and fill your garage with a bunch of cheeper, convient outfits/equipment..

4. Ask around for any odd jobs people need done. As someone stated "mowing lawns".. The money adds up and you get excercise in the process.

30-40 dollar rod on sale from cabelas/bass pro shops/scheels will go farther in quality, as opposed to things you would find in well known wholesale establishments.