Spinning rod for my brother-in-law, $100 budget

[Stasher1]

Ok, here's the deal. Every year the wife's family has a week-long family reunion, and it's always on a lake. Two of my brother-in-laws will be there, but only one of them will bring any fishing gear. I will supply the gear for the other one.

Now, here's where you guys come in. I need some suggestions for a decent spinning rod, in a 6'6" MF (possibly longer, but less than 7') for light t-rigs in open water. Since I'm supplying the rod, I'd like to keep it less than $100. I have several spinning reels around here ranging in weight from 8.5 oz to 11.2 oz, so I should be able to balance the combo well enough. It will also be spooled with 20# or 30# PowerPro which will help a bit with the sensitivity.

Your thoughts, suggestions, ideas...besides telling my BIL to buy his own d**n rod? ;D

So far the Quantum Energy PT has really caught my eye, along with the St. Croix Premier/Triumph.

[BlaineFred]

The new Abu Garcia Vendetta rods are highly regarded.  $79 at Tackle Warehouse with free shipping.  See:

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVSR.html

The Shimano Clarus is also an excellent value.

You can also use these rods yourself.

[Stasher1]

The new Abu Garcia Vendetta rods are highly regarded. $79 at Tackle Warehouse with free shipping. See:

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVSR.html

The Shimano Clarus is also an excellent value.

You can also use these rods yourself.

That's the main reason why I want to keep it to $100 or less. In all likelihood, I won't ever use it.

I go through this every year. I buy him a rod to use for the week, when the week is done I put it on the rack next to the others where it'll sit for about 6 months collecting dust. I'll eventually get tired of looking at it and sell it, only to find myself in the same predicament a couple months later.

Add to this the fact that I don't like split-grip rods, or foam/rubber grips, and you'll see that most of the rods in that price range really don't appeal to me. That's why I'm asking for help with this purchase. I'd buy a rubber/foam split-grip rod for him to use, but I wouldn't use one myself. ;D

[Nebraska Bassin]

Out of all the $100-or-less rods people talk about on here, the Falcon Bucoo is the one that seems to get the best reviews.

[Grey Wolf]

The new Abu Garcia Vendetta rods are highly regarded. $79 at Tackle Warehouse with free shipping. See:

http://www.***.com/Abu_Garcia_Vendetta_Spinning_Rods/descpage-AGVSR.html

The Shimano Clarus is also an excellent value.

You can also use these rods yourself.

X2.

[I.rar]

if it will be fished for a week or so , i would grab the clarus. when you decide to sell it , PM me  lol.

[K_Mac]

The BPS Carbonlite rods seem like a good value in the price range. The one I have is a BC. I don't have a spinning version, but that will probably be my next purchase.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10205013_100002002_100000000_100002000_100-2-2

[Stasher1]

The Bucoo gets really good reviews overall, but I keep reading that they feel lighter than they're rated...H feels like MH, MH feels like M, etc.  :-/

I'm leery of the Carbonlite and its guides. I live about 15 miles from the Atlanta BPS and have handled the Carbonlite a few times. It's a nice light rod, and overall I've been satisfied with the BPS-branded gear I've bought (with a couple exceptions), but the guides on the Carbonlite just don't seem like they'd last very long with the combination of braid and dirty water.

Maybe I'm over-thinking this. He fishes once a year, and probably couldn't tell the difference between a $25 rod and a $125 rod, but I want him to have a good time.

I blame it all on St. Croix. If they'd just make a 6'8" MXF Premier I wouldn't have to ask for help with my decision.  ;D

[Scorcher214]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_100394_100003002_100000000_100003000_100-3-2

Daiwa Regal XIA / BPS Graphite Series

I got this combo back when it came with a bionic blade instead of bps graphite series. I own two graphite series rods and have had no problem. My reel still works great too. I've had the reel for 2 years and all I've done clean it a bit and lube it up.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

How about the Bass Pro Extreme rods?  They are around $100 and many times they are around $70.

[BASSclary]

I blame it all on St. Croix. If they'd just make a 6'8" MXF Premier I wouldn't have to ask for help with my decision. ;D

Well they make a 6'8" MXF Mojo Bass for a cool $100  8-) and its only 3.9 ounces!!! ;D that is if you can get over having a split grip.

[fish-fighting-illini]

From what I've read the Premier's and Triumphs are overpriced.

Go with the Clarus or as Speedbead said an Extreme.

Or go with a Fenwick HMG or HMX

You should be able to sell any of these easily.

[K_Mac]

You have a point regarding the guides on the Carbonlites. I guess time will tell. I don't use braid so it's not as big a deal...

The last non-fisherman I had using my tackle did all he could to break an Extreme rod. They must be pretty tough. I was wishing he had an ugly Stik by the end of the day. :-/ The Ugly Stik Lite might make a decent beater rod. I haven't used one but some swear that they are not bad for the money.

[Jake P]

if it will be fished for a week or so , i would grab the clarus. when you decide to sell it , PM me lol.

And if he doesnt respond, pm me!

[endless]

If they (BPS) still have it for clearance, the Browning Citori originally 99.94 and I paid 47.88 for mine. Mine is a 7' M-F 50 million PSI graphite. Line weight 4-12lb, lure weight 1/8-1/2 oz. They had it in 6'6 at my store as well. I got mine paired with my Pflueger President XT. I like the rod used it yesterday wacky rigging. I'm not sure if what you like but a thought. Though the online store don't seem to carry the 40% off deal like the store.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98378_100002000_100000000_100002000_100-2-0

Does he get to keep the setup after the trip??

[Stasher1]

No, it comes home with me after the trip.

He's far from poor, as a matter of fact most folks would say that he's rather well-off. He actually has his own fishing gear, but he hasn't used it in many years. The last time he did, he had line/equipment problems that spoiled his fishing for the week. So, since he only gets to fish once a year, I just let him use my gear.

The problem is, much of my stuff is application specific. As such, I don't have any extra general-purpose spinning rigs laying around...with the exception of the Triumph/Mitchell 308 combo that I keep in the back of the car/truck for "emergencies". It's a functional setup, but definitely not one I'd feel comfortable making someone use for an entire week. 

I know, I'm picky.

The only other option would be to buy myself another rod and let him use my Avid...but I'd have to dip into my "new bass flyrod" fund to do that. I just don't think like him that much.  ;D ;D

[shootermcbob]

Cabelas has their Prodigy line of spinning (and baitcasting) rods on sale for 59.00 right now. That is 40 bucks off normal retail. I recently bought the 7 foot medium power fast action rod and so far, I like it.

It would save you some money and give your brother-in-law a decent to good rod to use.

Just an option, but at least 20 to 50 bucks cheaper than some of the other rods mentioned.

[OnthePotomac]

Hey guys, the line guides on the BPS Carbonlite are PacBay titanium carbide.  Top of the line inserts.

[Stasher1]

Hey guys, the line guides on the BPS Carbonlite are PacBay titanium carbide. Top of the line inserts.

I understand that there are a lot of satisfied Carbonlite owners out there, but there won't be one on my rack. For me, the split-grip and rubber grip are strikes one and two...and the guides are strike three.

I do appreciate the suggestions, though. 

[shootermcbob]

Sounds like your best bet would be to bite the bullet and get what you want, and let him use it. Doesn't make sense to spend a hundred dollars and have it sit when this trip is over vs. spending 170 and getting something you can use?????

[Stasher1]

That does seem like the most logical solution, but unfortunately I only have about $300 to drop on my new bass fly rod and a loaner spinning rod for my BIL. The fly rod will set me back $200 (Redington Predator), which leaves me a little over $100 to cover the loaner rod, without dipping into household funds...which I try not to do. 

[heavy M]

I recommend the shimano clarus or compre. I have versions of both of these rods and both are pretty nice.  The have the full cork grips, fuji guides and come in several different lengths and powers.  Also both have the shimano lifetime warranty.

[Stasher1]

I hit BPS on my way home from class and fondled the Vendetta, Bucoo, Premier, Mojo, Compre, Energy PT, and even the [gasp] Carrot Stick.

The Vendetta seemed well constructed, but was extremely tip-heavy in the 6'6" Med. I keep reading about how tip-heavy the Mojos are but the 6'8" MXF Mojo felt perfectly balanced compared to the Vendetta.

The Bucoo was nice, but they didn't have a 6'6" Med. in stock.

The Premier was well finished and, in typical SC fashion, had the best cork of any of the rods I looked at. I already own a 6'6" Triumph though, and really don't see a point in buying another rod almost exactly like it.

The Mojo was ok, I suppose, so I carried the 6'8" MXF around with me while I checked out the other rods. Like I said, it's an ok rod, but there's definitely nothing about it that jumps out and grabs me. It's just blah.

The Compre was a nice rod, well finished and light. Cork quality was good, as well. Not quite as good as the Premier's cork, but still pretty good.

The Energy PT was the surprise of the bunch. Very light feeling, well finished, with a nicely-shaped grip that fills the hand. The cork quality was rather poor compared to the Premier and Compre, but it had a very nice feel in the hand.

The orange thing was definite "no" as soon I picked it up. It was a four-strike rod (foam split-grip, crappy guides, and bright orange), but the price was good so I had to check it out.  ;D

After about 45 minutes of walking back and forth, I had narrowed it down to the Compre and the Energy PT. The Compre had better cork, but I found the stupid finger notch they grind into the foregrip very annoying.

So, they both have lifetime warranties, Fuji Hardloy guides, and cork grips. The Energy PT has a split-grip with mediocre cork, and the Compre has decent cork but an annoying cutout in the foregrip.

I wound up walking out with the Energy PT. I'll spool up a reel in a little while to see how well it casts different weights, and to see what kind of feedback I get from a hard plastic casting plug on the pavement. If I'm not satisfied I'll bring it back to BPS and pick up the Compre, but I think it'll do fine.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[endless]

Now my question is after all that searching time you just did are you willing to allow your brother in law to use it or you're going to Walmart and pick up the Shakespeare Tiger Claw for like $20??

[Stasher1]

Nah, it's his to use.  ;D

I'll probably spend the majority of the week with a fly rod in my hand, but when I use conventional tackle it'll be a 6'8" MXF Avid and a 6'10" MH Quantum Tour PT KVD spinnerbait rod. Those two rods can cover about 90% of my conventional fishing applications.