Looking For A New Rod

[jb_adams]

I am thinking of buying another rod specifically for throwing carolina rigs. I know a 6'-6" or a 7' med. heavy action rod is typically preferred and I have one of each in that size but I'm not happy with the sensitivity or weight of the two I have. They are Abu Garcia Conolon graphite rods. Just a little too stiff in the tip (too thick also) and the sensitivity is hard to feel even a 3/4oz weight. I mean I can feel the weight OK but it's harder to feel a subtle bite.

Not wanting to buy a GLoomis for a c-rig so I'm looking for a budget concious model. I'd like to keep it around $100 or under. I thought about a Falcon (original series, not the Lowrider because they break easily and are similar to what I have already)

What are some options for a specific need in this price range?

(please no BPS rod sugestions, not interested)

[BASSclary]

I am thinking of buying another rod specifically for throwing carolina rigs. I know a 6'-6" or a 7' med. heavy action rod is typically preferred and I have one of each in that size but I'm not happy with the sensitivity or weight of the two I have. They are Abu Garcia Conolon graphite rods. Just a little too stiff in the tip (too thick also) and the sensitivity is hard to feel even a 3/4oz weight. I mean I can feel the weight OK but it's harder to feel a subtle bite.

Not wanting to buy a GLoomis for a c-rig so I'm looking for a budget concious model. I'd like to keep it around $100 or under. I thought about a Falcon (original series, not the Lowrider because they break easily and are similar to what I have already)

What are some options for a specific need in this price range?

(please no BPS rod sugestions, not interested)

Could you please elaborate? Because any falcon rod will blow a Conolon out of the water.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I would wait for a Labor Day sale and buy a Powell 704C or a 705C. Both are great rods. Light, sensitive, and just fun to fish with. I personally rather have the 704C for C-Rigs, but you may opt for the 705C if you throw heavier weights.

[jb_adams]

Could you please elaborate? Because any falcon rod will blow a Conolon out of the water.

My buddy used several Falcon Lowrider series rods for years and he broke many on hooksets. One sounded like a 22-mag when it snapped in half. I don't really care for the feel/weight of the Lowrider series either.

As for what I was calling "original", that's what it's called. Falcon "Original Series". I have a 6ft medium action with a Bass Pro Shops Prolite (original Prolite, not that thing they call Prolite now) and I really love that feel. It's light and super sensitive and it's only around $80. I feel I could get a 7ft Original in a Medium or Medium Heavy and it would probably fit the bill.

Why medium vs. med. heavy? I like the weight of a medium and I like the flexible tip which seems to be a little more sensitive than a super stiff/super thick med-heavy rod. Feels like you're fishing with a pool cue.

[jb_adams]

Could you please elaborate? Because any falcon rod will blow a Conolon out of the water.

I forgot to mention, I tried the Lowrider next to my Conolon and did not see that much difference in sensitivity or feel. I have some sensitive quality rods (Shimano is OK but I prefer my St. Croix Avid series (older Avids)) so I do know what a quality rod should feel like and how much feel/sensitivity I'm looking for.

I'm thinking of trying braid with a mono leader on a c-rig to increase or double the sensitivity.

[BASSclary]

Well if the sensitivity of the Lowrider and the Conolon are the same, why would you get a down-graded Falcon, the Original, over a Conolon? It would be cheaper to just get another Conolon since the sensitivity is the same to you. They have a 7'6" H that would be fine for c-rigs.

Also, a M will not be great for c-rigging. Thats a heavy weight technique and you want the right rod for it. You said however you don't like heavier rods because they feel like Pool Cues. That only happens with cheaper, heavier, thicker rods. The more money you spend, the smaller and lighter your rod will be, and not feel like a pool cue. For $100 my money is going to be on the Falcon Bucoo. The lizard dragger model is a perfect c-rig stick and is pretty light. Great tip action for c-rigs.

Also, a more flexible tip IMO has nothing to do with sensitivity. Sensitivity gas to do with how well the vibrations transfer throughout the blank and into your hands. A moderate action and extra-fast action should be the same sensitivity provided its the same rod

Also, if your buddy had broke several lowriders on hooksets, im inclined to believed it's him, not the rod. Maybe the blank was compromised from a ding or something. That will usually cause the characteristic gun shot when it shatters on a hookset.

I'd also recommend a quality reel for your rod. Your going to want to feel every tick and bump, tell what type of bottom your going over, etc. Thats kinda hard when all you can feel is your reel grinding. I'd say pick up a 6.x:1 gear ratio reel for it too. Maybe a closeout Citica for like $40 or a BPS PQ.

I'd highly recommend a Powell as mentioned above. Wait for the Labor Day sale and snag it up.

Dont want to sound harsh, sorry if it comes off that way. Just want to help you out

[guitarkid]

After breaking a Falcon Original, I am probably going to rotate my other one out. I would recommend a daiwa ballistic, I have the 6'9" MH, I would not recommend that particular model for heavy c-rigs, but they are a good rod in that price range. I would also recommend a St. Croix Triumph.

-gk

[SirSnookalot]

It isn't the bow it's the archer. Using braid for more sensitivity is probably the most sensible thing mentioned.

[ChiCityBasser]

Try one of the micro rods in or around that price range along with the braid. Cabelas has the XMLTi casting models on sale for $120 and normally around $200 in the MH/F and H/F. They also have the Prodigy Micro Guide rods on sale for $80 in the MH/F and H/F models.

[jb_adams]

Well if the sensitivity of the Lowrider and the Conolon are the same, why would you get a down-graded Falcon, the Original, over a Conolon? It would be cheaper to just get another Conolon since the sensitivity is the same to you. They have a 7'6" H that would be fine for c-rigs.

Also, a M will not be great for c-rigging. Thats a heavy weight technique and you want the right rod for it. You said however you don't like heavier rods because they feel like Pool Cues. That only happens with cheaper, heavier, thicker rods. The more money you spend, the smaller and lighter your rod will be, and not feel like a pool cue. For $100 my money is going to be on the Falcon Bucoo. The lizard dragger model is a perfect c-rig stick and is pretty light. Great tip action for c-rigs.

Also, a more flexible tip IMO has nothing to do with sensitivity. Sensitivity gas to do with how well the vibrations transfer throughout the blank and into your hands. A moderate action and extra-fast action should be the same sensitivity provided its the same rod

Also, if your buddy had broke several lowriders on hooksets, im inclined to believed it's him, not the rod. Maybe the blank was compromised from a ding or something. That will usually cause the characteristic gun shot when it shatters on a hookset.

I'd also recommend a quality reel for your rod. Your going to want to feel every tick and bump, tell what type of bottom your going over, etc. Thats kinda hard when all you can feel is your reel grinding. I'd say pick up a 6.x:1 gear ratio reel for it too. Maybe a closeout Citica for like $40 or a BPS PQ.

I'd highly recommend a Powell as mentioned above. Wait for the Labor Day sale and snag it up.

Dont want to sound harsh, sorry if it comes off that way. Just want to help you out

Not sounding harsh at all and thanks for the comments. I agree that a medium is probably too light of an action for c-rigs. Having that strong backbone of a rod for heavy weights is essential. I also see your point and I think I agree with you on the sensitivity issue between actions and how the should be equal. I think it may be a preference thing. I rarely use a MH rod because most of my other rods are around a medium action range.

As for my bud, he replaced several of the Lowriders and used them for jigs. After snapping off 4 of them, he was done with them. They are really light and the sensitivity of his MH 7' to my 7' MH Conolon was slightly better, not the same. They were pretty close but the lowrider felt better in your hands. As for the nick in the blank, that's quite possible. He know's what he's doing and doesn't abuse rods so I think the blanks were a bit too thin for his firm hooksets.

As for the Falcon original, I don't consider them a downgrade. They are a really nice quality rod for the price. I really enjoy my 6ft medium action Faclon. Super light, sensitive, and feels comfortable in your hand. I do recall the MH Falcon was quite a bit larger in dia. in comparison to the medium action when I bought my 6ft rod. It felt a bit more like the Lowrider because of the heavier action.

I haven't heard of Powell....they seem to be in the price range as other quality rods. Why Powell over St. Croix?

[FishinTN]

For the money, and labor day sale discount I think the Powell will be your best bet. Probably the best rod for their price range and below. St. Croix for that 100.00 mark, consider the Mojo bass. It's not a bad stick.

[new2BC4bass]

I purchased a couple used Falcon Originals last time I visited Florida. Got a Medium and MH, both 7' and a custom rod built on an Allstar blank (I think). The Originals were a lot more sensitive than the custom rod. I was dragging a 10 inch worm (no weight added) across the lily pads. I could feel the worm sticking to the pads and then giving. Had reel spooled with 40 lb. Sufix Performance Braid.

They may not be the latest technology, but they serve my purpose well which is to leave a few inexpensive rods in Florida to use during my yearly visits. Sensitivity is important to me when fishing there because my brother-in-law and I fish 10" worms the vast majority of the time. If I couldn't tell what the worm was doing, I would have to replace them with something else. Thankfully I won't have to.

[stkbassn]

I haven't heard of Powell....they seem to be in the price range as other quality rods. Why Powell over St. Croix?

[bwell]

Check out the Abu Garcia Veritas, by far my favorite rod I have held and used. They are 99 bucks but if you shop around you could find them cheaper.

[bwell]

I forgot to mention that all V series rods have a 3 warranty, that's pretty hard to pass up IMHO...

[hookingem]

Try one of the micro rods in or around that price range along with the braid. Cabelas has the XMLTi casting models on sale for $120 and normally around $200 in the MH/F and H/F. They also have the Prodigy Micro Guide rods on sale for $80 in the MH/F and H/F models.

Do you work for Cabela's!?

[ChiCityBasser]

Do you work for Cabela's!?

No I didn't get the last position I applied for but soon

Seriously cabelas is 10 min from my house and haven't had a bad experience with any of their products. The staff has always been friendly and helpful and they seem to always have decent sales on rods. Warranty is good and on the occasion I have broken a couple of rods they have exchanged them without a hassle. Plus I like a deal on my equipment and if they have one going and need something thats my first online stop.

[breezy]

If you have a strict $100 budget look at the BPS Carbonlite or the Abu Garcia Veritas. I prefer the Carbonlite between the two but they're both good quality so go with what feels best to you. If you're willing to go a little over $100 you have quite a few options. If you planned on purchasing this weekend you should be able to get 20% off which would put a Dobyns Savvy very close to your price range. A Savvy 734c would make a great c-rig and general jigs/plastics rod. The 734c is one of my favorite rods and very versatile; I throw everything from a senko, 3/8-3/4oz jigs, c-rig and swimbaits like RI skinny dipper.

On another note, if you couldn't tell a difference between rods you may want to reconsider your line. I like to use braid main line on a c-rig but fluoro would also be fine. It's a pretty night and day difference between mono vs fluoro/braid where sensitivity is concerned.

[jb_adams]

I forgot to mention that all V series rods have a 3 warranty, that's pretty hard to pass up IMHO...

My buddy broke his Veritas also! It's a super light rod and pretty sensitive. I think he set the hook a bit too hard on a bait that was hooked on a stump and it snaped in half. He replaced it and really likes it.

I may give that a look. I agree, the Falcon originals are pretty darn nice for what they are.

[gobig]

Powell rods have been around in the fly fishing world forever. I don't think they have made bass specific rods more than about 8-10yrs. They have an excellent product for the money.

[jb_adams]

Definately going to try braid with flourocarbon leader for greater sensitivity on my current rod. I use braid on other rods and love it.

All good suggestions for new rods and a few that I would not have considered so I will look into those. Thanks to all! I can always depend on this forum for good information.

(and opinions)

[Bass_Fanatic]

If you have a strict $100 budget look at the BPS Carbonlite or the Abu Garcia Veritas. I prefer the Carbonlite between the two but they're both good quality so go with what feels best to you. If you're willing to go a little over $100 you have quite a few options. If you planned on purchasing this weekend you should be able to get 20% off which would put a Dobyns Savvy very close to your price range. A Savvy 734c would make a great c-rig and general jigs/plastics rod. The 734c is one of my favorite rods and very versatile; I throw everything from a senko, 3/8-3/4oz jigs, c-rig and swimbaits like RI skinny dipper.

On another note, if you couldn't tell a difference between rods you may want to reconsider your line. I like to use braid main line on a c-rig but fluoro would also be fine. It's a pretty night and day difference between mono vs fluoro/braid where sensitivity is concerned.

I have both the Savvy 734 and a Powell 704C and they are both super sticks. That being said, the Powell is just a better C-rig rod than the Savvy. The Powell is more powerful and sensitive, which are the two most important things for a C-Rig. I do admit though, the Savvy fits the hand better and is slightly lighter. Like I said, both phenominal rods, but I would lean towards Powell.