Rod suggestions (on a budget)

[Champ188]

I use a fairly cheap Shimano Compre 6-8 medium power/fast action rod for my jerk baits. Sometimes you want hi-tech, sometimes you want lo-tech. With a jerk bait, you sure don't want to feel a fish breathe on your lure. Like a crank bait, you want him to have time to take the bait fully before your brain engages and you start pulling back.

A fast action actually has a softer tip than extra fast, for those unfamiliar with the terminology. It also bends farther down into the rod, which is called a parabolic action. The end result is it "gives" more when you and the fish are pulling against each other, hopefully preventing you from losing the fish. But you still need to never "horse" a fish on a treble hook lure --- or any lure for that matter unless you just HAVE to get the fish out of heavy cover.

[dtrs5kprs]

Yep. For a variety of baits a crisp rod can be a detriment.

[Travis Swift]

I'm a big falcon fan as well as I have around 20 of them. I have caras, bucco micro, regular bucco, Jason Christie and original models. For around $100 the buccos are absolutely awesome rods to me. I love my Caras as well but they are double the price. I continue to buy both models depending on my needs in rod.  You can buy used ones on Texas Fishing Forum and Bass Boat Central as well. Sometimes some awesome deals if your willing to wait and then fast on the trigger when you see something you really want.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

2 hours ago, Champ188 said:

I bought a 7-2 MH Lew's Custom Speed Stick casting rod a few months back and have been totally impressed with it. It's the most sensitive $130 rod I've ever owned. Really great for FB jigs and wobble heads.

And you can send in for a very nice free hoodie.

As for spinning rods, I have a couple of the St. Croix Premier series (about the same price point as above) and am pretty fond of them.

If you buy at Sportmans factory outlet in Springfield they will usually give you the hoodie right there which is nice to not have to pay shipping. Just a thought if your in the springfield area.

[96 CHAMP]

I am all over the place with rods, name brand & price, technique specific and not. I have Falcons, Ducket that Champ advised me on, thanks again Champ, Lews, Bobby Lowe, & Shimano, my favorite is a 2 piece, medium action 6' Fenwick spinning rod I bought at wallmart a 100 years ago. It's my fav. For dragging a split shot rig, I use it for drop shot, used to use it for my shakey head rod, I Also use it for throwing small spinners for crappie and white bass. One thing they all have in common is they all catch fish. Good luck

[Old plug]

I fish Berkly Cherrywood almost exclusively the past few years because of arthritis. Another uncool thing I am sure in this place. Its not that I could not afford to load my boat tomorrow with a bunch of 100 buck plus rods. I just was raised to look for practical useful value. I see a lot of that in a $25 dollar Cherrywood. I am way past the age of running After the Jones. 

[96 CHAMP]

Plug, may I ask what the benefit of cherry wood in a fishing rod does for your aches and pains of arthritis. I would take any help I can get.

 

[fishinwrench]

Champ,  OP doesn't have to fight as hard with his wife when he buys one, so the muscle soreness, bruises, and black eyes are less frequent.

Those Berkely rods are actually pretty darn good for the money.  A little soft for my taste, they could use a few more guides and better attention on spacing, but for 30.00 they may be the best low priced rods out there.    The old "Made in Mexico" Lightening rods were surprisingly nice for their cost.

Quantum has a line of low priced IM6 rods that are pretty decent too.  

What alot of people don't pretend to know is that many of the higher priced rods are just fancier handles, real seats, and guides put on standard old "blah" rated blanks.  Some are even painted, probably to hide the inferior/uneven scrim wrap.   I am really skeptical of any bass rod with a price in the 200.00-300.00 range, because I know that a truly fine blank and good components cannot be bought for that.    

Rods in the 80-150.00 range are usually the best deal. And perfectly sufficient for bass fishing.

200-300.00 rods are gouging you somehow.  You're paying for something other than actual quality throughout.

400.00+ rods are really sweet....but are a gross overkill for bass fishing IMO.  That kinda sweetness has no business on the deck of a bass boat.

[marcus]

you get what you pay for .

 

[96 CHAMP]

That's funny wrench, I had to think for a second on that, he better be spending that money on her I reckon if he wants to stay healthy. Good call Old Plug!!