Larry C. Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Hello everyone what a great place for info this place has been. I have decided to get the Shimano Sahara reel and am completely lost as far as rods go. I usually do freshwater fishing and ususally catch 3-10lbs bass where I go and haven't used crankbait yet jet use the tsunami pro lures that look like real fish and are rubbery like. I'm not willing to invest too much in a rod yet. I fish maybe 2-3 a month and was looking at a rod in the $50 or LESS to match my reel and the fishing I do. Can anyone please recommend me some decent rods for that price? Are the cheaper Shimano rods any good? Quote
SmokeRise1 Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 I had a Shimano Voltaeous a few years ago that fit into your price range. It was nothing special, but it did the job. I just picked up a Berkley Lightening Shock for a spare rod, which is also in your price range, and I like it a lot. There are a lot of choices in this price range. Try out as many as you can and buy one that you are comfortable with and will have confidence with. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted June 8, 2011 Super User Posted June 8, 2011 I was going to suggest the Lightning Shock also. There are 2 Lightning models. The Shock is the more expensive at $10 more than the base Lightning. I'd pay the extra $10 myself. It is still under your $50 price. I don't think you can find the Shock at Walmart. I called around when visiting in Floriday earlier this year. They only carried the base Lightning. You can find used rods occasionally for less. I got a couple Falcon Originals for less than $35. Picked up these rods at a regular fishing tackle store. They are more sensitive than the custom built rod I picked up at the same time (for the same price, hehe). I picked up the base Lightning on closeout at my local Walmart for $17. Got it for my grandson who isn't really into fishing yet, but I keep hoping. The eyes are stainless. None of those fancy ceramic inserts or whatever they are. However, it should last him a long time considering how much he has gone fishing so far. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted June 8, 2011 Super User Posted June 8, 2011 Buy yourself a Berkley Lightning rod in MED/HVY FOR 40.00 . How many 10# bass have you caught so far ? 2 Quote
Super User grimlin Posted June 8, 2011 Super User Posted June 8, 2011 Buy yourself a Berkley Lightning rod in MED/HVY FOR 40.00 . How many 10# bass have you caught so far ? Yup,about as good as you'll get for under $50. Quote
ROCbass Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 A self proclaimed noob who usually catches 3-10 lb'ers? I need to fish where this guy is fishing. 1 Quote
daiwa junkie Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Good rods can be found at that price, Take your reel with you and try it on the rod before you buy it, The lower end shimano stuff can be heavy, maybe not all, but the ones i held, I saw a berkley amp rod for like $40, It was a 1 piece and seemed ok. The shimano clarus 1 piece spinning rod is good for a little extra, its like 70 i think, but it is in the quality zone,,, Try to get a 7 foot 2 or 7 foot at the very least. Quote
Larry C. Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 Come to Miami we have tons off them. Whats funny is that I am using a $13 shakespere firebird combo from walmart. My buddy snapped the rod jamming it in my trunk and I have been having sooooo much fun lately and catching lots of fish that I can see myself wanting to go more and more so I wanna get something that will last longer and not feel like a toy. I have caught 5 really big ones at least to me in the 5-8 range maybe not 10 but my buddy that goes fishing often says there close. Quote
endless Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 If remember correctly Gander Mountain have GSX tournament for you price. I know the combo is on sale for $64 here. Nice combo at that though I know you just looking for rod. Also bargain bin shop at bps, gander, etc. My brother got the Xfactor from gander for $70 I think. Original price is $150. Last year I got a Citori rod from bps for $40 which they go for $99 and a Carrotstix for $80 I think, original price $149. So clearances pays off. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted June 8, 2011 Super User Posted June 8, 2011 Buy yourself a Berkley Lightning rod in MED/HVY FOR 40.00 . x2 and get a decent scale. I think you'll be surprised when you weigh your fish. Quote
Scorcher214 Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 x2 and get a decent scale. I think you'll be surprised when you weigh your fish. X3, I love having a scale. I used to think fish were much bigger than they were and now its like "OH LAWD 4 POUNDER, oh, 2lbs 5oz 1 Quote
Larry C. Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 x2 and get a decent scale. I think you'll be surprised when you weigh your fish. I think you might be right Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Try the Dick's Field & Stream Tec Spec line of rods. They are $60 and sure you can find a $10 off coupon online and add the warranty and the rod would be right around $60 again. I have the 7' MH/F Tube/jig spinning rod and it works great. Nice and sensitive with plenty of backbone and I've been using it as my topwater rod with plenty of success. Quote
Larry C. Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 One piece is better than 2 piece? I would like to keep it in my trunk but if 1 piece is way better I will go that route. Quote
Larry C. Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 Also if I go with the Lightning Rod should I go with the regular or the Shock? Quote
Teal101 Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 I have a Shimano Scimitar in M 7' one piece. Got it for like $35 or so. Absolutely great rod for the price. Nice and light, decently sensitive, works awesome for all around fishing and a loaner. Quote
Super User islandbass Posted June 8, 2011 Super User Posted June 8, 2011 Go two piece for convenience. That will greatly reduce the chance for trunk mishaps. All of my "trunk" rods are two piece for convenience. Quote
baluga Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Also if I go with the Lightning Rod should I go with the regular or the Shock? Shock is better, it's Graphite with Glass tip. Looks better also with the split rear grip. IMHO Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 One piece is better than 2 piece? I would like to keep it in my trunk but if 1 piece is way better I will go that route. I have both one and two piece rods and they both fish very well to me so I would go with ease of transport. Quote
fishingkidPA Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 larry c. go on dickssportinggoods.com and check out the field & stream tec-spec rods. there 60$ i heard they are really good for the money. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted June 9, 2011 Super User Posted June 9, 2011 Also if I go with the Lightning Rod should I go with the regular or the Shock? Buy the regular , the shock is too wimpy. I own them both and the shock is a noodle , good for only small cranks. JMO Quote
Larry C. Posted June 10, 2011 Author Posted June 10, 2011 Ok I want to thank all of you for your help. I finally went with the Shimano Sahara and the Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6" Fast Medium 2PC with some 10lbs clear mono trilene. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted June 11, 2011 Super User Posted June 11, 2011 Ok I want to thank all of you for your help. I finally went with the Shimano Sahara and the Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6" Fast Medium 2PC with some 10lbs clear mono trilene. That should serve you well but I would down size the line with something like Yo-Zuri Ultra soft in 6 lb which has a 10 lb. breaking strength and more managable on a spinning reel. JMO Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted June 12, 2011 Super User Posted June 12, 2011 I would use 10# braid on that sahara and mount it on a calico jack med 8/17 rod I've caught larger bass on that rod not mention snook that were even bigger. Quote
ChiCityBasser Posted June 13, 2011 Posted June 13, 2011 What zize Sahara? I wouldn't go any heavier than maybe 8# line on a spinning reel unless its braid. I tried 10# Yo Zuri once before on a spinning reel and too many memory issues. Quote
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