Rod choice

[Dr. Watson]

Hi all,

I just wanted some opinions on two rods I have been looking at. I have been looking at the Falcon Bucoo in a 6'6" MH and the St. Croix Mojo bass in 6'6" MH and the 7' M. I'm looking to use them for mainly soft plastics (worms and such) with a few spinnerbaits and maybe a lucky craft or two. What are your thoughts?

P.S. I'm also open to suggestions, as long as they are in the same price range ($100)

[islandbass]

I have only had a chance a buccoo out at BPS earlier this summer and the mojo, while nice looking, didn't feel that great in my hands.

Since you are open to other suggestions in this price range, I think you ought to consider the Lamiglas Excel.  The Excel blank is their Certified Pro blank at a very affordable price from about $99 - $110.

So in this order of selection I would choose:

Lamiglas Excel

Falcon Bucoo - Not bad at all, actually quite nice. But feel wise in my hands and yours could be different, the Excel was like the Baby bear... Just right.

Mojo

I think you should get the feel of as many rods as you can at this price point and whichever feels the best in your hands is the one you should pick.

[Dockhead]

I don't think that Bucco would be ideal for plastics myself. Seems too soft.

I have the 7' m Mojo, I got it originally for light weight texas rigs and it did well for that purpose. I actually use it almost exclusively for shallow cranks these days however.

A great deal in that price range is the Okuma C3. It retails most places for around $150, but ebay has them for under $100 brand spankin' new.

I have the 7' MH, great for all plastics in light/moderate cover situations.

http://www.okumafishing.com/family/297593/C3

It is unique looking, but it feels fantastic so that makes it pretty easy to get used to...   

[roadwarrior]

Several Avids have been offered on our Flea Market

for around $115 delivered. Most recently, an Avid

AVC68MXF. That is the rod I would recommend.

8-)

[roadwarrior]

Here ya go:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1283811808

$90

[Dr. Watson]

Several Avids have been offered on our Flea Market

for around $115 delivered. Most recently, an Avid

AVC68MXF. That is the rod I would recommend.

8-)

That spinning rod you let me try was an avid right?, I really liked it. Today I went to bass pro to test out the two rods I have been looking at, I'm really leaning towards the St. Croix Mojo Bass "Jig and worm" which is a 6'6" MH. I also played with the avid 6'6" MH, to me it seemed very close to the Mojo in weight and sensitivity, one of the main differences was that the Avid has IPC tooling. Any opinions on this new delima? Avid or Mojo? the Mojo was $99 at BPS.

[roadwarrior]

The Avid series uses a better blank, but they are not split grip.

Avids are ~$180 MSRP. If you can buy one for about the same

price as a Mojo, the Avid is a better buy.

8-)

[Dr. Watson]

I'll keep on the lookout for one, I've been scouting. The link you posted was for topwater baits, would that work as well?

[BASSclary]

I have a Bucoo, and the tip is a little soft. They're great spinnerbait rods though IMO 8-) Also the Mojo's IMO feel very tip heavy, even with a ~10 ounce PQ on it. I say try to get your hands on a Lamiglass. But if you can spend 150 on a rod, I highly recommend it. The performance jump from a 100 to a 150 rod is noticeable in my eyes.

Also keep checking the flea markets you can almost always pick up an Avid for ~$100

[repper]

Those rods RW pointed out to you in the flea market, either the jerkbait or the topwater, are both great deals. And those rods are far superior to the Mojo or bucco. Far. if they are in the condition stated they would make you a great rod. I've got thetopwater rod, in LT, and it's a favorite.

[Senkoman12]

I have only had a chance a buccoo out at BPS earlier this summer and the mojo, while nice looking, didn't feel that great in my hands.

Since you are open to other suggestions in this price range, I think you ought to consider the Lamiglas Excel.  The Excel blank is their Certified Pro blank at a very affordable price from about $99 - $110.

So in this order of selection I would choose:

Lamiglas Excel

Falcon Bucoo - Not bad at all, actually quite nice. But feel wise in my hands and yours could be different, the Excel was like the Baby bear... Just right.

Mojo

I think you should get the feel of as many rods as you can at this price point and whichever feels the best in your hands is the one you should pick.

x2 love my excel and would not get another in that price except an excel

[roadwarrior]

I'll keep on the lookout for one, I've been scouting. The link you posted was for topwater baits, would that work as well?

This might help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141187546

This is something to consider as you build your

collection over time:

Technique specific rods are for "enthusiasts".

Almost all your fishing can be done with just

one rod. Beyond that, you only "need" three rods:

Spinning: 6 1/2' or 7', M or MH, Fast Action

(soft plastics and light lures)

Baitcasting: MH or H, Fast Action

(jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and all single hooks)

Baitcasting: MH, Moderate Action

(all treble hook lures)

The AVS68MXF is the spinning version; the AVC68MXF,

baitcasting. Either rod could be considered "all around",

but are targeted for single hooks. For treble hooks, the

Avis AVC66MF is my choice for topwater and jerkbaits

because it has a soft tip, but is still firm enough to work

these lures easily. For medium weight crankbaits, my rod

is a AVC70MM.

Back to YOUR next rod: 68MXF, spinning or baitcasting.

8-)

[Dr. Watson]

Thanks a lot for the help RW, I'm now looking at Avids I found one that just feels right at Bass Pro, its a 6'6" MHF, plus it has the lifetime warranty. Any thoughts?

[Dwight Hottle]

You can't go wrong with an avid.

[choupique]

I have an Avid AVC66MF, IMO they are not a step up from the Mojos but are in a different class.  This will not be my last Avid.