Brent1 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 I know a Berkley Lightning Rod isn't the greatest rod, but I'm a budget fisherman so I like to utilize whatever I've got. I currently have it paired with a Quantum 7.0:1 baitcaster. I'm looking to make more combos in the near future and so far the only combo I have is a BPS Crankin' stick paired with a BPS Extreme 5.4:1 baitcaster that will be my crankin' combo. I need to find uses for the Quantum reel and the Lightning rod. I'm planning on buying 2 more rods and 2 more reels. I get a discount on Daiwa products so my next rods and reels will probably be Daiwa's. I was wondering what you guys think I could do with the Lightning rod and the Quantum reel. Should I keep them together? or should I use the reel on a pitching and flipping rod and use the Lightning rod for something else? Basically I just need to find a use for the Lightning rod. What do you guys think? Quote
Super User skunked_again Posted January 16, 2011 Super User Posted January 16, 2011 i like the Lightning rods. my old man has has 3 of them and he uses them for everything from cranks to plastics. no reason you cant find a good use for the rod. rod specs would help with techniques. Quote
Dave P Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 I used a 6'6" MH lightning rod for most of last summer as a Texas rig plastic rod. I caught hundreds of bass on that rod using fluorocarbon line up to 5 pounds. In spite of what others might tell you, you can use it to fish plastics. It is the best "cheap" rod that I've ever used. Mine is now going to be a general purpose rod since I've gotten two new rods for worms. Quote
Brent1 Posted January 16, 2011 Author Posted January 16, 2011 i like the Lightning rods. my old man has has 3 of them and he uses them for everything from cranks to plastics. no reason you cant find a good use for the rod. rod specs would help with techniques. The rod is a 7ft. Medium action casting rod with the single grip (not the split grip like the new ones). Hope this helps. I've tried throwing some weighted texas rigged worms using my Quantum baitcaster spooled with 10lb. fluorocarbon on this rod and I just couldn't cast the worms very far at all. Quote
Bigbarge50 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 I use one. Caught my PR on one using a johnson baitcaster. That is a medium action rod and it handled an 8lb bass in heavy reeds..... was beyond impressed with the strength of the rod. I read an article a long time ago by woo davies about using a spincaster for texas rigged worms. He suggested using a light tip rod, and the berkely lightning rod fit the bill so gave it a shot and worked often like a charm, so have stuck with it. When I hooked the 8lb-er a few years ago, figured should not stop now. I do not know a lot about Berkley rods, and got my as a present, but I have always been impressed with the tip's sensitivity. Can let the worm just sit and twitch and can see a bluegill nipping at the tail via the tip. Again it held up to an aggressive 8lb-er that run under the boat and bent it to a "U" and still pulled him up and out. Seems they have a bad reputation.... cause of price? Bad experiences? Have only used a handful of Berkley products, and they have all produced well for me. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted January 16, 2011 Super User Posted January 16, 2011 The best cheap rod on the market. JMHO. The one you have got would be ok for cranks/spinners. Quote
Super User Lund Explorer Posted January 16, 2011 Super User Posted January 16, 2011 Absolutley nothing wrong with Berkley's Lightning rods or their Cherrywoods. I have one Lightning rod that I use as a backup worming rod, and several of the Cherrywoods that are used for a number of applications from topwater to livebait fishing for perch/crappie. Don't let the fact that these rods are priced towards the lower end to keep you from using it. Quote
Brent1 Posted January 17, 2011 Author Posted January 17, 2011 Absolutley nothing wrong with Berkley's Lightning rods or their Cherrywoods.I have one Lightning rod that I use as a backup worming rod, and several of the Cherrywoods that are used for a number of applications from topwater to livebait fishing for perch/crappie. Don't let the fact that these rods are priced towards the lower end to keep you from using it. I agree. They are great rods for the price. I'm thinking about using it as a spinnerbait rod or a backup worm rod. Thanks for all the help guys! Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted January 17, 2011 Super User Posted January 17, 2011 I use mine for a sabiki rod. Quote
Super User Raul Posted January 17, 2011 Super User Posted January 17, 2011 Lightnings were my first good rods a loooooooong time ago, btw, back then they were some of the best rods your money could buy, I still have them and still fish with them, now they are left for the less glamorous chores ( like cranking or spinnerbaiting ) but I can still fish a worm with any with good results. So what can you use them for ? ----> for anything. Quote
zero limit Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 I still have a Lightning rod (Hank Parker) spinning I bought around the mid 90s and it still gets used quite a bit Quote
tholmes Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 Another "budget" fisherman here. I use a 6'MH Lightning Rod with a Ambassadeur ProMax 3600 ($5 yard sale special) for T-rigged plastics and it works just fine. My crankbait rig is an old Cherrywood rod and an Ambassadeur 5500 C3. Not the latest and greatest, but both have served me well. Tom Quote
Super User fishinfiend Posted January 18, 2011 Super User Posted January 18, 2011 The best cheap rod on the market. JMHO. I have one that is probably 17 years old. I landed a 9# bonita on it in 100' of water. To this day, it is the best fight of my life. It is still in good shape and I like to throw topwater with it from time to time. Quote
triwbass Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 I can tell you the cherrywood is a pretty dang decent treble hook rod,,,ive got a pond im allowed to fish that has 5-10 lb bass in it ,,,,i dont fish it a lot cause it ruins you or spoils you for the real deal,,,,however ive caught several 5+ bass on a 7ft medium cherrywood rod and a silvermax reel on 10lb cajun redline,,,,my pond setup if you will and its held up for three years now,,,ive thought about getting another cherrywood for my tourneys just to tie on a 2ft bomber crank i throw so often,,,,,, Quote
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