Spinning rod question

[Travis89]

I am looking for a new rod that will mainly be used for soft plastics maybe some cranking. Since I do all my fishing from shore I am looking at a 6'-6" M/F or MH/F. I've been looking at the Shimano Compre and Crucial as well as the St. Croix Premier which I've read on hear isn't all that good- the Avid's out of my price range. Looking for something in the $100-$150 range. Is the crucial that much better then the Compre? Or are there any other rods I should be looking at? Right now I think just about anything is better then my Ugly Stik. I'm going to be pairing this with a Shimano Sahara FD 3000 reel. Any feedback will be much appreciated, Thanks.

[BigMoneyGrip]

I just got a Premier 7"MF and I like it.

[islandbass]

I have a compre and a crucial. The compre is an excellent rod for its price. I would go with the MH to ensure I get maximum fishing pleasure for the times I fish with single hook applications. I have the spinning MH at 6'6" and it is the two piece version. It is my "all arounder and I have used it for just about everything from weightless applications, jigs, medium and small cranks, and even drop shotting. It does all of these things very well. There is a one piece version of this rod that you could opt for.

Yes, the compre is awesome, and it will fit your bill quite well. So is the crucial bettter? I don't have comparable models as my crucial is a casting rod designed for jigs and t-rigs but I would have to say it just feels more refined.  The sensitivity is a little better, but with that said the Compre IS NO SLOUCH whatsoever. You will be satisfied with it. Since your budget pretty much takes the price of a crucial, then go with the crucial but if your budget is for both, get the compre and a decent reel.

As for the st croix rods, I am sure they're good rods, but the shimano lines of rods just seem to feel better in my hands. 

[Travis89]

Thanks guys. Thats what I figured so it looks like I'll be getting a new Shimano Compre in the near future!!!Unless I can find a good deal in a Crucial... I went to gander mountain today and checked out the Premier, it's not a bad rod but I think I'd rather have the Compre.

[bandsr4me20]

check out powell rods

[tbird]

Thanks guys. Thats what I figured so it looks like I'll be getting a new Shimano Compre in the near future!!!Unless I can find a good deal in a Crucial... I went to gander mountain today and checked out the Premier, it's not a bad rod but I think I'd rather have the Compre.

There are some on Ebay cheap

[BassThumb]

IMO, the Premier is one of the best $100 MSRP rods out there. I've owned numerous of them in the past. They are a great first step toward the higher end rods.

It's awfully hard to beat used rods in the BR and other site's flea markets when it come to getting the most bang for your buck. You might be able to find a used Avid or Crucial for a little over a hundred bucks if you're patient. People are always selling off their stuff at 50 to 70% retail because they want to upgrade or because it doesn't suit their technique specific preferences.

On another site, at least this morning, there were a pair of barely used Loomis Mossyback 804s that were available for $110 apiece, shipped. They appear to be sold now, but that just goes to show that $110 can get a lot more rod than what the Compre offers, if you're patient and persistent.