Jigging Rod: Best Value Under $100

[gates52]

I'm a bank fisherman looking for a new casting rod. My last rod was a cheap ($30) 6'6 m action field and stream rod. At this point anything is an upgrade. I dont want to spend a lot of money because I want to get a rod with some features I've never tried so when/if I do decide to buy a really nice rod in the future I'll know more about which features I want in a rod. I'm looking at a 7'0 MH, preferably split grips and a foam handle (haven't had a rod with either of those) but those last two features aren't deal breakers.

I dont have a BPS or Cabellas nearby, just dicks sporting goods. I would prefer to hold the rod before I buy it, but at the same time I'm new to the details of rods and it's hard for me to tell the difference when I do hold multiple rods.

I'm looking at getting the Vendetta. I know for 20 bucks more I can get the veritas but I hate the looks of that rod. As much as we dont want to admit looks do play some role in rod selection dont they? lol

What rods under $100 are good value rods? I've heard the dicks tec spec rods are good for $60, the BPS carbonlite (with shipping thats about 120 which is more than I want to spend)

[gates52]

Does anyone know of a link or website that I can find the weight of the veritas and vendetta. I keep hearing the veritas is lighter, which would be a huge advantage but I have no idea how much lighter it really is.

[The Rooster]

I say wait until the new Shimanos hit the racks here soon. The Clarus is under $100 and should be fantastic. The Convergence should be nice too. Both rods are on either an IM7 or IM8 blank, made very well, and will have split grip foam handles too. Check out ***.com to see them.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Does anyone know of a link or website that I can find the weight of the veritas and vendetta. I keep hearing the veritas is lighter, which would be a huge advantage but I have no idea how much lighter it really is.

I don't know exact weights of each rod but just holding them side by side the veritas is lighter and overall much nicer feeling. I have never fished a vendetta but I have fished veritas and they are very good for the money. I really like my veritas rods but I am also a fan of shimano rods so like the other guy said it would be a good idea to look at their new lineup as well. Especially the compre for $100

[gates52]

I don't know exact weights of each rod but just holding them side by side the veritas is lighter and overall much nicer feeling.

I just find it very hard to believe that many people can tell the difference between a few ounces of weight which equates to something like a 2-5% difference in overall weight. Sometimes that difference in feeling may very well be the difference in tip heavy vs butt heavy not the overall weight. I'm assuming lighter isn't always better because I'm sure the weight of the reel plays a huge factor, a lighter rod on a heavy reel may balance very poorly. That was kind of a rant, but any thoughts on that?

I will take a look at the shimano rods, when does the new line comeout?

[LuckyHandsINC.]

I just find it very hard to believe that many people can tell the difference between a few ounces of weight which equates to something like a 2-5% difference in overall weight. Sometimes that difference in feeling may very well be the difference in tip heavy vs butt heavy not the overall weight. I'm assuming lighter isn't always better because I'm sure the weight of the reel plays a huge factor, a lighter rod on a heavy reel may balance very poorly. That was kind of a rant, but any thoughts on that?

I will take a look at the shimano rods, when does the new line comeout?

If a few ozs was not noticeable then people wouldnt pay hundreds of dollars to get rid of those ounces would they.

[gates52]

If a few ozs was not noticeable then people wouldnt pay hundreds of dollars to get rid of those ounces would they.

I believe they would. I'm not saying no one can feel those few ounces, i'm just suggesting it's mostly the real experienced anglers who can feel those ounces. Just like anything in life, usually the people who know a lot about a particular subject can pick up on small details than many other people could not.

[Hooligan]

The difference is noticeable, experienced or not. A single ounce is enough to throw a rod completely out of balance. I'm a shimano guy through and through, but the Veritas still edges the lower end of Shimano's line.

[deep]

I wish you could buy online. I don't know about the Dicks Sporting Goods you plan to go to, but the one near in Charlottesville (the town I live in) sort of sucks. They have some Avids, but that's about it as far as decent rods are concerned.

The tec specs are supposedly good.

My Dicks sells St Croix Triumphs for around $70. Not the best sub $100 rod, but it's all right; I have one. They also have Mojos, which is an upgrade from the Triumphs (around $100).

Could you make a trip to your local Dicks, and maybe provide a little more info on the rods they have there?

P.S. You're spot on with your observation about that white Abu rod. Couldn't agree more.

[K_Mac]

A high end 7' MHF rod will weigh in the 4 to 4.2 oz range. An entry level rod of the same power and action might weigh .5-1.0 oz more. The cheaper rod is 10-25% heavier, not 2-5%. The difference is apparent to most anyone picking up the rods. I agree that weight is not the only factor in rod selection. Material, components, construction, and balance are all part of what makes one worth $500 and the other $50.

I don't have any high end or entry level rods, and I catch my share of fish. What I have works for me, but I have used enough high end rods to know there is a difference, esp when it comes to contact baits like jigs. The older I get the more I realize an extra "few ounces" is very big at the end of a long weekend of fishing.

The Bass Pro Pro Qualifier rods are being clearanced now. For $79 I don't think you can by a better rod. JMHO.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-XPS-Trigger-Rods/product/98314/-1432342

[guitarkid]

I would also pick up a veritas. If you are willing to buy online, check out the daiwa ballistic.

-gk

[gates52]

A high end 7' MHF rod will weigh in the 4 to 4.2 oz range. An entry level rod of the same power and action might weigh .5-1.0 oz more. The cheaper rod is 10-25% heavier, not 2-5%. The difference is apparent to most anyone picking up the rods. I agree that weight is not the only factor in rod selection. Material, components, construction, and balance are all part of what makes one worth $500 and the other $50.

this topic isn't about high end rods, i'm talking about weight differences in the price range I suggested. Where is a link to weights of rods? It seems you know what some rods weight. The only rod in my price range I can even find the weight on is the Bass Mojo,

[K_Mac]

gates52 I responded to your reply to NY36 in which you stated that it would take an experienced or discerning angler to feel a "few ounces". You brought up the Veritas and then challenged NY86 when he gave his opinion based on experience with it. The point is slight differences can be huge when it comes to rods at any price point.

Unfortunately most manufacturers do not publish rod weights. I've read hundreds of rod reviews on many different rods where weight is given. The numbers I gave you are based on those reviews and years of experience. The St. Croix web site gives rod weights and will give you weights for their rods priced from $80-$400.

Those of us who have responded to your post have done so with the desire to help. Sometimes we may wonder off track a bit, but the desire is to help you make an informed decision. Take it or leave it, it's up to you. Good luck.

[GrippinLips]

Cant go wrong with a St.Croix Mojo Bass rod for $100. They're durable, sensitive, and light. Not as light as the veritas, but imho the veritas feels like a bamboo stick that would snap when i set the hook.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Cant go wrong with a St.Croix Mojo Bass rod for $100. They're durable, sensitive, and light. Not as light as the veritas, but imho the veritas feels like a bamboo stick that would snap when i set the hook.

I'm a fan of the veritas but I do agree with that it feels like a bamboo stick, when giving it the shake test. However the rod does handle fish very well and works great in live fishing situations.

[gates52]

I'm a fan of the veritas but I do agree with that it feels like a bamboo stick, when giving it the shake test. However the rod does handle fish very well and works great in live fishing situations.

I was able to go to a local outdoor store today which only had a couple of rods, the veritas and vengance. They only had medium action but the Veritas felt like a MH, that thing had some backbone to it. However I think I hated the color even more seeing it in person. I did feel the weight difference in the veritas and vengence. I'm current casting reel is a daiwa exceller which weighs 8.8 oz. Would that be really butt heavy on a lighter rod?

It sucks that I wont be able to hold the vendetta as no stores around me carry that. I'm still planning on going to dick in a few days. However more suggestions on rods would be great. How good is the vengence for a $50 price rod?

[Flywatersmallie]

Denali Jadewood 843WJ.... Just sayin. Everything you are looking for, great sticks, right at $100. Problem is you wont find them at Dicks either. Similar in weight to the Veritas only the dead feeling is gone.

[philsoreel]

The difference is noticeable, experienced or not. A single ounce is enough to throw a rod completely out of balance. I'm a shimano guy through and through, but the Veritas still edges the lower end of Shimano's line.

100% agreed. I bleed Shimano, but their lower end rods suck. I've never even considered buying one. Wouldn't even pick up a Shimano rod below the Crucial. The gap between the Crucial and the next lower rod is alot.

[gates52]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I ended up going with F & S tec spec. 6'10'' MH xfast. It is definitely a heavier rod as compared to the veritas and carrot stick, but it feels good in my hand and pretty well balanced with my 8.8 oz casting reel. Thanks for all the advice guys. I caught my first fish on a frog with it today, never even used a frog before.

Maybe during the winter I'll look for a high end rod on sale if I decide this is the style of rod I like.

[ChiCityBasser]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I ended up going with F & S tec spec. 6'10'' MH xfast. It is definitely a heavier rod as compared to the veritas and carrot stick, but it feels good in my hand and pretty well balanced with my 8.8 oz casting reel. Thanks for all the advice guys. I caught my first fish on a frog with it today, never even used a frog before.

Maybe during the winter I'll look for a high end rod on sale if I decide this is the style of rod I like.

I have the Tec Spec 7' MH/F Rig&Jig spinning rod and its a great rod. It's perfect for weightless senkos and fat ikas and the like. Very sensitive as well for the price and sure you will enjoy your rod as well.