Best Spinning Rods Under $100

[BrianSnat]

What are some of the best spinning rods for those of us on a budget? Looking for something under a $100, or better yet under $50 and for something in the 6'6" - 7' range. I'd like to get a MH or H, and a ML.

Any positive or negative opinions of the following?

Shimano Convergence

Shimano Voltaeus

St Croix Triumph

BPS Tourney Special

Fenwick Eagle GT

Okuma Celilo

Anything else to look at?

[I.rar]

Shimano Clarus

[SausageFingers]

The Abu Garcia Vendetta and Veritas are good options.

The Vengeance is also on sale at Tackle Warehouse for $39 (originally $50).

The Vendetta and Veritas are of much higher quality than the Vengeance though.

[j.bruno]

Love my 6'9 ML Vendetta!

[Packard]

Shimano Sellus

[VolFan]

Hit BPS or Cabelas and get one of their better house brands on clearance. You'll get three matching rods that way and you can go as high or low as you want.

[skunked_again]

Shimano Clarus

this and the Falcon Original.

[Grey Wolf]

under 50.00 try the berkley lightning rod.

[skunked_again]

under 50.00 try the berkley lightning rod.

this too. the best beater rod, bar none.

[ww2farmer]

Shimano Sellus

Really?? Based on what? They have not even hit the stores yet. Do you have one ?

[deep]

For $100, try to find one of the older close-out Compres. Not the lightest or prettiest rod, but it's quite sensitive, and will hold up to a bunch of abuse.

[Packard]

Really?? Based on what? They have not even hit the stores yet. Do you have one ?

I went to a local tournament to spectate my friend and Shimano had a station with their new rods. I like how they feel in my hand and they have some nice specs for a $50 rod. I really like the new compre though. But your right I haven't fished it and I'm not the first one to recommend Shimanos new rods.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

St Croix Premier are nice if you can find them on sale regular price is around $110 for ML Fast 7'. I got 2 on clearance under $50 a while back.

[Hooligan]

One of the best "Under $100" rods has got to be the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier. I've been pretty impressed with them on the whole, in comparison to a lot of rods. They have a great feel with quality components. If I only had $50 to spend on a rod, I'd save until I got the next $50. Most of the rods in that class are... well, you get what you pay for.

[ChiCityBasser]

Try the Field & Stream Tec Spec rods at Dick's which are right at $60. They have a couple of spinning rods that will fit your budget. I have a 7' MH/F tube/rigging rod that is light and sensitive and has worked well with weightless senkos and flukes to frogs without a problem. You might also try Cabelas and look at the Prodigy rods which are on sale for $60 and normally $100. I have one of the 7' M/F that is serving as a crankbait rod and could also double as a jerkbait rod as well.

[Mike__D]

For a good rod around $100 would be an Abu Veritas or a Fenwick HMG, both are great rods for money.

Mike D

[KYntucky Warmouth]

The rods I have used and would recommend are the Veritas, had a vendetta and the spinning rods are far from impressive, BPS rods, pro qualifier, extreme, and bionic blade, Field and Stream Tech Spec rods, and Lightening rods. Personally, I would keep a watch on TW for a more expensive rod to go on sale or just a site sale.

[Stasher1]

What are some of the best spinning rods for those of us on a budget? Looking for something under a $100, or better yet under $50 and for something in the 6'6" - 7' range. I'd like to get a MH or H, and a ML.

Any positive or negative opinions of the following?

Shimano Convergence Handled a few and have never been impressed, but haven't actually used any.

Shimano Voltaeus Shimano's answer to the Ugly Stik, and just as whippy imho. Probably fine for catfish or crankbaits, but definitely not for soft plastics or any contact baits.

St Croix Triumph Decent rod, comparable to the Mojo and Premier, and probably my pick of the ones listed here...but there are better rods for a little more $$.

BPS Tourney Special Out-classed by pretty much everything else on your list.

Fenwick Eagle GT Again, never fished them, but they have a pretty loyal following.

Okuma Celilo Heavy, like every other Okuma rod I've handled. I like their reels, but have no interest in their rods.

Anything else to look at?

Hooligan had a good suggestion with the Pro Qualifier. They're built with quality components, surprisingly sensitive, and their current price is about $30 cheaper than they were a couple years ago.

The Veritas and Vendetta have a pretty good following, but the build quality is hit-or-miss. Some of the Veritas I've handled have had excessive epoxy which, in a couple cases, made the hook holder almost useless.

In the ~$100 price range I also like the BPS Carbonlite and Browning HiPower. They're light, sensitive, and have a great feel in the hand. I'm not crazy about the guides, but they haven't been a problem on the ones I own (5 Carbonlites and 1 HiPower). I find their sensitivity to be comparable to the St. Croix Avid and previous generation Shimano Crucial, but at roughly 2/3 the price.

If you're really trying to keep it around $50, though, there's nothing wrong with the Lightning Rod.

[endless]

One of the best "Under $100" rods has got to be the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier. I've been pretty impressed with them on the whole, in comparison to a lot of rods. They have a great feel with quality components. If I only had $50 to spend on a rod, I'd save until I got the next $50. Most of the rods in that class are... well, you get what you pay for.

I do too like my PQ. It's 6'6 MH-F(casting) that I used for frogging but have used it for wacky. Now I use it for jigging since I got another rod for frogging. I also like my Carbon lite. I have 2 a 6'8 M-XF for shaky(spinning) and a 7' MH-F(casting) for cracks and rattletraps. I also like my Browning Citori spinning rod 7' M-F but now I think the only come in combo form?? I bought it when was on clearance and has to be one of my favorites. I do like howthe GSX Elite II felt in the store but now they raised the price to $100, sucks was $80 last year but might be worth it not sure. I would take a look at the GSX tournament rod as well. http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=419874&pdesc=GSX_Tournament_6_ML_Power_Spinning_Rod&aID=504AB1&merchID=4006 I have an older 6'6(well combo) that I use for wacky. Sadly they raised their prices too but maybe might be on sale in store, who knows. Also tried bargain bins never forget to look in the clearance bins or racks. That how I got my Citori and Carrotstix(casting).

[BrianSnat]

Thanks for the input so far. Keep it coming.