So I'm starting to spend more time on the water, and am thinking about investing a bit more $$$ into some higher quality rods/reels. I can see myself spending more time over the years on fishing in the summers mostly because Lisa really likes to fish, but also because I truly love it and have really not spent time on the water in recent years due to target archery related stuff. 99.99% of my fishing will be bass, pike, and walleye fishing. I can see some occasional perch/panfish mixed in there as well. I'm thinking about adding a variety of rods to my aresenal that are technique specific rods. I just ordered a St. Croix Mojo Bass rod, the "Spinnerbait" specific rod. I thought it would be a good all around rod for my use, it's 7' with a fast tip and medium action. I thought this would be great for Senko's, larger plastics, and spinnerbaits (my confidence lures). I'd like to eventually add specific rods to the arsenal for pitching/frogs, crankbaits, and plastics/tubes/finesse lures. What are you guys using in the $100-$150 range that you like? I know we have some fishermen here and I'd like to know what you think are some of the better rods on the upper end of the spectrum. I'd also love to hear your thoughts on higher end baitcaster and spinning reels in the $100-$150 range. Any thoughts?
High end fishing rods are great...until you snap one in a car door. I like St Croix rods. Some of the higher end fenwicks aren't bad either. The one I just snapped was a St Croix PS63MXF. I liked it. The Premier series seems to cover a lot of applications, I can't see spending up for the Avid line. TOO pricey for my blood. As far as nicer spinning reals go, I am becoming a BIG fan of Quantum. I have a Energy pti & an Escalade? I think. Smooth & durable. I was a shimano guy for many years. Tried an Abu garcia but have really taken to these Quantums. All my reel experience is with spinning reels, I only have one mid range baitcaster, it could be awesome or it could suck & I'd probably not tell the difference.
Rods.. St. Croix make about the best as far as feel.. so put on a good spinning reel and use this for your jigging etc. As far as a bass rod.. something medium-heavy and about 6'6" to pull just about any size lure around.. but in my opinion.. and I wish you good luck.. look for fiberglass.. which they rarely ever make any more. NOBODY needs ultra sensitivity when flinging a baitcast with a 1/2 ounce lure burning through the water.. and these rods give better hook sets. That's all I gots.. cause I'm bored of typing. Oh.. but like Rybo already said.. I'm a big fan of Quantum too. Great reels.
I have been using G-Loomis rods for about 15 years and have loved them, until I picked up my dad's St Croix Tournament Elite rods. I gotta agree with the other guys and say that the feel of a good St Croix is hard to beat. I also have to echo the statments about Quantum reels. I have 5 PTIs and absolutely love them. Like Rybo, I used Shimanos for many year, but they couldn't handle the ammount of fishing I do.
All of my jigging rods are St. Croix, recently for my bass and striper fishing I've picked up some of the higher end All-Star rods and have been overly impressed for the $90 price tag. Definitely worth a look...
I have a hand full of St Croix Avids and a few Premiers. Avids are a great rod to upgrade to because of the life time warranty. The premier is only 5 years. I also have a couple All Stars and Fenwicks that I like that were a little less than the Avids.( in the $100 range) The Fenwick I really enjoy, I use it for pitching and light duty flipping. My go to rods are the Avid series though. I also never buy a 2 piece rod.... EVER.
I'm a big, big fan of All Star rods. A really good one will run about a buck twenty five.....For an all around, do just about everything rod I would suggest at least a 6 1/2', preferrably a 7, with the fast tip. Commonly referred to as a spinnerbait rod......They have a fast, flexible tip that allows great feel, but they have a ton of backbone to really muscle whatever fish you're about to lose right next to the boat. LOL But to be perfectly honest, St. Croix and Loomis are just as good. What's nice w/ the Loomis is it has a lifetime warranty, as opposed to a 5 year. Is that worth almost 3 bills? Not to me it's not, but it is to some.
Yeah, I'm with you on that one too. I see no reason, especially when others, IMO, are just as good for 1/3 the price. 3 bills for a rod is....ridiculous. But, I never thought I would spend 125 for a rod either though....But I can't see me ever owning a Loomis. I've used them, and they are nice, but not THAT nice. Reels. Here's where spending some cash is worth it. Think about it.....You're chunking and winding all day long.....The smoother the better. 10 bearings, no less. Johnny Morris reals are.....simply.......Incredible. The braking system is awesome, they are simple to adjust and smooth as glass. I've never thrown anything smoother. I have a JM and a Bass Pro Pro Qualifier, which I am pretty sure is the same real w/ a different name, and was a little cheaper.
I've owned 6 or 7, but will never buy another. I did break one of them twice, both times my fault, so the warranty did come in handy. I totally agree that you can find just as good of rod for a fraction of the cost.
Call me crazy but my favorite fishing rod that I own is my Quantum Torsion.... its cheap but it has a better feel to me than any of the Fenwicks, G-Loomis, or St. Croix rods that I have used. It's the only UL fishing rod that I have found that keeps it's stiff action throughout the entire rod. I can't stand any fishing rods like Ugly Sticks that have way too much flexability at the tip.
I make my own. But you can't beat St. Croix and also Falcon makes a great rod that you can find in that price range.
Between me and my fishing partner for my tournaments we have about ever brand rod from St. Croix,Kistler, Falcon, G-Loomis, and many others and both of our favorites are our Falcon Cara rods. They are about $200, but they are better than most of the higher end rods I've seen. I also have a $460 Kistler( I didnt pay that...perks of Bass Pro)and the Falcon is just as good if not better. I also just bought a Falcon Bucoo, which are new for this summer and it was $110. You cant go wrong with any of the higher end rods really, these are just what I prefer.
Thanks so much for the info guys. My new St. Croix Mojo Bass "Spinnerbait" (medium/heavy fast action) rod was sitting on the doorstep tonight. I really like it based on first impression, but will know more when I have some time on the water with it. It seems to be a good all around rod, but I still see myself wanting a specific rod for pitchin/flipping/frogs, something with a slower action for crankbaits, a baitcaster specific for plastics, and a higher quality setup for finesse/walleyes than my current spinning rod setup. I'll look into the suggestions you guys have for each, thanks for providing some input. When I have some water time with my new St. Croix I'll update as well.
Spinning and casting, Fenwicks. Fly Fishing, Winston. But I like the old HMG rod blanks just as well for fly fishing.
Save half the money you wanna spend on a rod and spend twice as much on quality line and you will have a lot more fun fishing.
