All Purpose Smallmouth Casting Rod

[d3bf48]

Hi everyone,

I just recently bought my first bass-sized baitcaster: citica 200e. I am looking for an all purpose casting rod under $150. I will throw anything under 1/8 on my spinning rig, but plan on using the casting set up for spinner baits, beaver/craw stlye lures, crankbaits, and topwater. I typically wade and kayak fish so I don't want a rod for each application, just one all around rod. If anything, I would like the rod to be more on the "light" side in terms of power because I'm fishing a small river most of the time, not tons of 20"ers. Will probably throw 8lb mono/flouro or 20lb braid. Thinking between 6'6 and 7' and want something sensitive.

Thanks everyone!

[ww2farmer]

St Croix makes a 6'9" ML X-tra fast casting rod in the Avid line up. I have never owned/fished that rod...so I don't know about it, just a heads up. Personaly I don't think it would be a good all-purpose rod, for that I would want a 7' M power/fast St Croix...pick a series that fits your price range, they are all good.

[00 mod]

AVC70mf, but I AM biased and it is about $20-30 more than your price range! You will get a TON of opinions! Just wait!

Jeff

[OkobojiEagle]

I would never buy a rod without handling it in person, but if you have an opportunity check the Fenwick EliteTech smallmouth rods or the HMG series.

oe

[BradH]

I would never buy a rod without handling it in person, but if you have an opportunity check the Fenwick EliteTech smallmouth rods or the HMG series.

oe

I snagged one of the 6'10" M Fenwick Smallmouth rods off amazon for $77 to the door. I have not fished with it yet but it feels nice and with a 50e and line the whole package is 11 ounces. I'm guessing I'll like it.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/95644-fenwick-elite-tech-smallmouth-series-in-depth-review/page__p__1058614__hl__fenwick__fromsearch__1#entry1058614

[Hooligan]

St. Croix Rage 7'MF.

[roadwarrior]

AVC70mf, but I AM biased and it is about $20-30 more than your price range! You will get a TON of opinions! Just wait! Jeff

This is a fine rod. You might find one "gently used" in our Flea Market for

around $125.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Since you said "All purpose" I'm going to say that If I were you I would stick to a 6'6 rod.

The 6'6 rod will still work for all other things, but for me the shorter (than 7') 6'6 rod makes working a jerkbait, hard or soft, much easier.

When fishing the river, I really like using the shorter rods also.

[webertime]

Lamiglas 703 or 704, or the Rage stated above.

[Tmmytomato]

There are some good suggestions here and we all have our favorites of course.

I'd consider a few things: your height, what baits you are most likely to use most often, what size line you generally fish, what is the typical structure/makeup of the waters you fish.

I am "vertically challenged" at 5' 7" so a 6'6" or 6' 9" rod is easier for me to use as an all purpose rod although I have flipping and cranking rods that are 7' 6" and 8'.

Better rod manufacturers all have excellent rods in your price range and there are some good used rods available on line also. Because of my physical make-up I would go with a 6'6" to 6'9" rod in either a medium or medium heavy action with an extra fast tip. This kind of rod will give you plenty of backbone and a good tip to accurately throw most of your baits and have good sensitivity.

Fenwick, Shimano, St. Croix and even the new Wright & McGill Skeet series rods would be good for what you need. I have more than 40 baitcast combos of all lengths and actions and if I were to pick just one rod it would probably be either a Shimano Crucial or St. Croix Avid in MH power with extra fast tip.