Advice On A 2-Piece Casting Rod To Go With Curado E201?

[scubasteve3]

Hi,

So I took your advice and picked up a Curado E201 reel and realized I need a baitcasting rod to go with it (I'm new to baitcasters, only used spinning setups). I already have a 7' MH, Fast Spinning Rod and Reel (20lb Braid + Flourocarbon Liter, Use for senkos and other plastics mainly) and a cheap 6'6" Pflueger Trion Rod and Reel Combo (Mono for Crankbaits and other hard lures).

I'm not sure what to use another rod for, I'm fairly new to bass fishing but have had lots of success fishing plastics, mainly senkos and throwing Rapalas. Any suggestions? I want something that is fairly versatile, not looking for a rod that is only used for 1 application. Trying to keep the budget under $150...

If you could give me suggestions and include what application the rod could be used for, it would be greatly appreciated! I also need a 2-piece rod, yes I am one of those people! I just find it so much easier to store and travel with...Thanks again!

[Packard]

I'd look at the Dobyns, Savvy, St Croix Rage, St Croix Premier, and the Shimano Crucial. But if you are set on a 2-piece then your options are a lot more limited. I see at BPS that they have the Abu Garcia Veritas in 2-piece in 6'9"MH/F and 6'6"M/F. But that is all I could find that's decent in your range on BPS. I suggest you go with a one piece because 2-piece casting are rare.

[scubasteve3]

So I think I'm looking at two St. Croix Premier rod. Which would you recommend?

-6'6" MH, Fast (2 Piece)

-7'0" H, Fast (2 Piece)

Also here are two Cabelas:

-7'0" MH, Fast Cabelas XML (2 piece) - $139

-7'0" M, Fast Cabelas XMLTi (2 piece) - On sale ($119 instead of $199)

Interested in an all around rod that can be fished multiways (flipping, frogs, spinnerbaits, plastics, etc)

[islandbass]

Take a look at the Cabela's Mag Touch line.

I have the medium 7' 2-piece and have used it against, largies, smallies, trout, pink salmon and silver salmon. I've fished treble baits and single hook baits. It is a great all around rod. It's about $99 but goes on sale @ 50% off about twice a year.

It will handle those lure types you listed very well.

Just like you're looking for, it is my trunk rod. Ironically it gets more action by far than my "true" bass rods because they don't fit in the trunk. I usually also have a Curado 101D or 201DHSV depending on the species targetted. The E will feel at home on it.

If not the Damiki line looks killer too, but I have not fished with one.

[I.rar]

Iirc , Shimano has some 2 pieces in their new line up...

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

MH/F is the most versatile power/action for bass fishing. If you can fit it in your budget, the Rage line from St Croix uses a much better blank than the Premier line.

[Packard]

So I think I'm looking at two St. Croix Premier rod. Which would you recommend?

-6'6" MH, Fast (2 Piece)

-7'0" H, Fast (2 Piece)

Also here are two Cabelas:

-7'0" MH, Fast Cabelas XML (2 piece) - $139

-7'0" M, Fast Cabelas XMLTi (2 piece) - On sale ($119 instead of $199)

Interested in an all around rod that can be fished multiways (flipping, frogs, spinnerbaits, plastics, etc)

All my baitcasters are 6'6". I love that length and MH is a great all around rod. I own the St. Croix Premier 6'6" MH Fast 1 piece and it is a awesome rod. It is sensitive, nicely priced, and durable. I have a Daiwa Viento with 12 lb. P-line Cx on it and it has been a good for squarebill, spinnerbait, jig, t-rig, swimbait, and the occasional topwater rod. I don't flip or pitch often so I can't comment on that. The 7'0" H is a bit big for everything except flipping and swimbaits. The cabela's rods are okay but I wouldn't compare them to the st croix. The Magtouch rod mentioned has no rear grip which I find anoying as I own the spinning rod, tricky to hold especially when fighting a fish with wet hands let alone trying to pull him into the boat.

[Khong Y.]

There are so many to choose from within that range of price. But if it was me, I would either go with these 2.

Duckett rod or St. Croix rod.

[ChiCityBasser]

All my baitcasters are 6'6". I love that length and MH is a great all around rod. I own the St. Croix Premier 6'6" MH Fast 1 piece and it is a awesome rod. It is sensitive, nicely priced, and durable. I have a Daiwa Viento with 12 lb. P-line Cx on it and it has been a good for squarebill, spinnerbait, jig, t-rig, swimbait, and the occasional topwater rod. I don't flip or pitch often so I can't comment on that. The 7'0" H is a bit big for everything except flipping and swimbaits. The cabela's rods are okay but I wouldn't compare them to the st croix. The Magtouch rod mentioned has no rear grip which I find anoying as I own the spinning rod, tricky to hold especially when fighting a fish with wet hands let alone trying to pull him into the boat.

The Xmlti is a great rod and a upgrade from the xml. I have one of the spinning models and it is very light and sensitive. I've never fished a St. Croix but I would give the Xmlti a try at the sale price and not look back.

[Hyrule Bass]

So I think I'm looking at two St. Croix Premier rod. Which would you recommend?

-6'6" MH, Fast (2 Piece)

-7'0" H, Fast (2 Piece)

Also here are two Cabelas:

-7'0" MH, Fast Cabelas XML (2 piece) - $139

-7'0" M, Fast Cabelas XMLTi (2 piece) - On sale ($119 instead of $199)

Interested in an all around rod that can be fished multiways (flipping, frogs, spinnerbaits, plastics, etc)

if you want a good all around multi-use rod i would be looking at the MHs. as for length, are you fishing from shore or from a boat? if from shore a 6'6 rod might be more advantageous, if youre near trees and stuff it will be easier to cast. if from boat it wont matter as much but i would go with atleast the 7'0 rod.

i got two 6'6 MH casting 2 piece rods, but theyre nothing in the $150 range. mine come from cheap shakespeare tiger spincast combos, one still has the spincaster on it and is my lucky reel, the other has a abu garcia 5601 bcx on it. i use them for everything though. plastics, cranks, jigs, live bait, dropshotting, etc...while i love my shakespeare rods(i have more than those two in other models) im not neccesarily recommending them to you, moreso, just giving you an idea of how versatile my 6'6MH 2pc rods have been for me.

those recommending 1pc rods maybe arent privy to your needs. personally i cant fit 1pc rods in my car comfortably, so i go with 2pc rods myself. and maybe its just me, but personally i find rod sensitivity to be overrated and not vastly different between similar rods. i once started a thread asking for rod recommendations here, stating specifically what i was looking for as far as specs, and got a bunch of recommendations for rods that were only made in 1pc, didnt match the specs, and/or didnt suit the reel i had said i wanted to put on it. dont get me wrong, people listed some fine rods and i appreciated them taking the time to recommend a rod, but the best thing you can do is research them yourself, maybe go to a store and get the feel for a few of them...

[VolFan]

I would do one of the Cabelas. The XMLTi is a fantastic rod, and the Mag Touch is no slouch for $100, even better on sale.