Light Lure Baitcast Setups

[drew03cmc]

How long a rod do you want? Academy has a 5'6" rod that they rate as a M power rod, but it handles 1/8 oz jigs well, and it is a great buy at $20.

[Jeremi414]

Drew03cmc, Im looking for 5'6. $20!?! WHAT?!?! Sounds like a winner!

[Mitch f]

Berkley makes a Cherrywood model for $25, it's sometimes at Walmart. 5'6" medium bait caster. It will work too as a knock around rod. The only problem is the reel seat won't work well with Shimano bait casting reels...no matter how much you tighten it, it will still wobble a little bit. Other than that it's perfect for a beater canoe rod.

Here's the link:

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/rods-and-combos/rods/cherrywood-hd

[ruthead]

I've got more expensive rods but the Berkley Cherrywood is a pretty good beater rod for the money. I always find myself bringing it and using it when the situation calls for it.

[Flysmallie]

I never understood the whole beater rod thing. I would carry any rod any where and do. Yep I have broke some really nice rods. But when I'm fishing I want something that I like to use, that I enjoy using. Not saying these two rods are bad, they might be awesome. I'm going to check them out.

Of course I'm the guy floating down the river with a ton of camera gear too.

[ruthead]

I guess it depends on your definition of beater rod. My definition of a beater rod is one that if I break it or damage I ccan replace it for about the same price of a family trip to McDonalds, not Red Lobster but everyone is prolly different. I don't take my Orvis flyrod out in our 12ft aluminum boat but will take my Eagle Claw "beater" fly rod bangin around in the boat. Everybody's different.

[Mitch f]

I never understood the whole beater rod thing. I would carry any rod any where and do. Yep I have broke some really nice rods. But when I'm fishing I want something that I like to use, that I enjoy using. Not saying these two rods are bad, they might be awesome. I'm going to check them out.

Of course I'm the guy floating down the river with a ton of camera gear too.

I guess it depends on your definition of beater rod. My definition of a beater rod is one that if I break it or damage I ccan replace it for about the same price of a family trip to McDonalds, not Red Lobster but everyone is prolly different. I don't take my Orvis flyrod out in our 12ft aluminum boat but will take my Eagle Claw "beater" fly rod bangin around in the boat. Everybody's different.

My problem when bringing a quality rod in a canoe is that personally I'm a little clumsy and know by past experience I've broken quite a few rods in a canoe. Not to mention, since I use a tandem canoe when I ever go out in a canoe, you have to cope with the other person's experience. I also think that you can slightly nick a rod in a certain area that will later break because of the damage in that spot.

I but feel your pain Ronnie about having to use a rod that's not what you're used to.

[Flysmallie]

I but feel your pain Ronnie about having to use a rod that's not what you're used to.

It's not so much "what I'm used to" it more of using something of quality that I enjoy using. And I probably look at it a little bit different because most of the fishing I do is out of a canoe these days. But I can tell you the rods that I carry in a canoe don't get anymore abuse than the ones that ride with me in a bass boat.

[drew03cmc]

Here is the link to the Academy rod. I like mine with crankbaits, small spinnerbaits, light jigs and a smooth reel with 8-10# mono or copoly.

http://m.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_761759_-1__true?color=Black&N=97010080+4294951535

[Seth]

I've had a 6'6" m/f Cherrywood casting rod that I bought on sale for $15 several years. It's been a great rod for such a cheapy. If I ever break it, I've definitely got my $15 worth! They are well worth the full $25-30 price tag. It's hauled in bass up to 6# and even a 45# blue cat my girlfriend accidentally hooked in a small local lake. I like it for small topwaters and jerkbaits.