Need a good 2-piece spinning rod for $100 or less. Suggestions?

[Stasher1]

I've got a bunch of one-piece rods in my "arsenal", but I've decided to pick up a two-piece spinning rod to keep in the truck for those 'spur of the moment' fishing trips. Since it'll only be used a handful of times a year, I'm not looking for anything expensive. I've set aside $100, but I'd really rather keep it around $50-75 if possible.

I'm looking for 6'6"-7' M/F that I can pair with a new Mitchell 308xe that I picked up for $15 on clearance along with a $4 spool of 20# PowerPro.

I'm less than 15 miles from BPS and have three Dick's within a 20 mile radius, so I'd much rather buy local if at all possible.

Any ideas?

[esoxangler]

Couple of good rods to check into:

Fenwick HMX -7' med. 2pc. - Action Fast -  Rated 4-12 lb. line, 1/8 to 3/4 lures. (89.99)

St. Croix Triumph - 7' med. 2pc. Action Fast - Rated 6 -12 lb. line, 1/4 to 5/8 lures. (70.00)

[OK Bass Hunter]

Bass Pro Bionic Blade

[islandbass]

Shimano's Clarus or Convergence, or if Cabela's is close, their Mag Touch line has a few two-piece rods on sale starting at $49.99 depending on the model. I bought a casting one but I know that some spinning models are also on sale.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20374_TGP&id=0053452122696a&navCount=3&podId=0053452&parentId=cat20374&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

[aarogb]

Damiki Angel EX 2 piece spinning rod:

http://www.***.com/descpageDAMSPINROD-DAEX.html

You might find this in BPS, I posted the Tackle Warehouse link so you could see what it looks like.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Damiki Angel EX 2 piece spinning rod:

http://www.***.com/descpageDAMSPINROD-DAEX.html

You might find this in BPS, I posted the Tackle Warehouse link so you could see what it looks like.

Not gonna find that in bass pro but if it is anywhere near the dark angel it's a good choice.  Also gonna add the BPS extreme,  a great spinning rod that has a good selection of 2 piece choices.

[JWR075]

After using a Damiki Angel Blade this is the rod to buy. It has SIC guides and the feel is great. You would have to order it but a great rod. I have on with a Dawia Tierra 2000 series reel on it and love this combo.

[Stasher1]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I hit one of my local Dick's this morning and fondled the St. Croix Triumph, Shimano Convergence, Berkley AMP, and (at the insistance of their salesman) their store-brand Field & Stream IM7 rod. Surprisingly, the F&S actually had the best feel of the four. That's about all they had in a 2pc. 6'6"-7' M/F, besides their F&S IM6 rods and some Ugly Sticks.

I guess I'll make the trek to the local BPS tomorrow morning to see what they have to offer. None of their store-brand rods are on sale in the configuration that I need, but I'll go see what else they have to offer.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I hit one of my local Dick's this morning and fondled the St. Croix Triumph, Shimano Convergence, Berkley AMP, and (at the insistance of their salesman) their store-brand Field & Stream IM7 rod. Surprisingly, the F&S actually had the best feel of the four. That's about all they had in a 2pc. 6'6"-7' M/F, besides their F&S IM6 rods and some Ugly Sticks.

I guess I'll make the trek to the local BPS tomorrow morning to see what they have to offer. None of their store-brand rods are on sale in the configuration that I need, but I'll go see what else they have to offer.

I have a friend with a 6'M Quest rod which used to be the Dicks in store brand, not a bad rod at all.  I think that the rods are basically the same, just with a new name.  Probably wouldn't be a bad choice, especially for the price they are.

[Stasher1]

After spending about an hour and a half at BPS, handling every two-piece rod I could find...I went back to Dick's and bought the F&S IM7. It's definitely not in the same league as my Kistler or Crucial, but I'm sure it'll be fine for the occasional golf course pond. The combo is bit heaver than I'm used to, but it casts fairly well.

It also left me with a bit of extra cash to spend on hooks, weights, worms, etc. This was supposed to be an inexpensive setup to leave in my truck, but I've already spent more on that stuff than I spent on the rod, reel, and line combined. ;D All I need now is an inexpensive worm binder, and I'll be all set.

[Stasher1]

Well, so much for the F&S rod. Used it two times and the tip has already snapped off.  >

Was hoisting a little 1.5-2 pounder over the weeds along the shoreline of a little county pond and I guess the rod just couldn't handle it. : Snapped once right at the second guide and again between the second and third guide. Good thing I kept the receipt.

Hopefully the Triumph will last a bit longer, because I'm definitely not taking a replacement F&S.

[spinnerbaitalways]

UGLY STICK

[Stasher1]

UGLY STICK

Ugly Sticks definitely have their uses, but they lack the sensitivity necessary for soft plastics, IMHO. I have a four of them on the racks in my shop, but even my boys (7 and 10) have stepped up to nicer rods. If I was looking for a decent inexpensive crankbait rod, the Ugly Stick would definitely be on the list, though.  

[Bryce Hagar]

I know this isnt a highly tested product yet but what about the shimano voltaeus

[Stasher1]

I've handled them in the store and walked away unimpressed. They're just as whippy and soft in the tip as a standard Ugly Stick. Probably fine for cranks, but definitely not suitable for soft plastics. I really like Shimano products, but I'd pass on that one.

I brought my broken Field & Stream rod back to Dick's and exchanged it for a St. Croix Triumph. Seems like a decent rod so far. Hit a local county pond yesterday and caught a few 1.5-2 pounders and it's still intact, so it's already outperforming the F&S. I've already experienced the loosening reel seat I've read about, so it'll need a few wraps of teflon thread tape before my next outing.

It's definitely not my first choice in rods, but given the choices available locally and my budget constraints, it may be one of the better choices right now. The only other possibilities would be the St. Croix Premier (basically the same as the Triumph for $30 more) and the Shimano Compre, which has never really impressed me. For some reason they just don't feel good in my hand. I think I expect it to feel like my Crucial, but it just doesn't.