Help me pick a rod $100-$200

[jazzwannabe]

I am looking for the most lightweight, comfortable baitcasting rod in the $100-$200 range. I keep coming back to the Shimano Cumara, and I've been told the E21 Carrot Stix are about same weight. Are there any others I should look into? I'm going to use Revo Premier reels.

I want a couple of all-around trigger rods in the 6-6 to 7 foot range for just about everything except flipping and frogs. I don't care about other technique-specific models. But I want feather-light and sensitive, pro quality.

Any suggestions? They gotta be as light as I can get, but not wimpy.

[DL]

Check this one out: http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/KR/c-mt-sp ... WMH70.html

Its an all purpose rod that can do just about anything you want. I own three of them..

[bassmaster89]

Check out the Dobyns lineup

[201Pro]

The new Diawa Zillion rods are great. the 7' M (actually more like a MH) is as good a stick for the money as I've found. It's extremely sensitive, some say almost as sensitive as the Steez rods!! I've use all others (Loomis, Lamiglas, Dobyns, Kistlers ... ) and this is my go to stick for bubba-shotting, texas rigging, senko's, etc. Extremely light weight and balanced. Would pair up great with the Revo Premier (I'm using the Skeet version).

[lunker punker]

Check out the Dobyns lineup

Pretty tough to beat the Dobyns lineup. Dont waste your time with a carrot stick. They are great to eat but suck for fishing.

[basslayer]

check out powell rods. Very light and sensitive and you cant beat the price.

[chadbass]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

[jazzwannabe]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

[offduty]

Kistler magnesium series

[blkdog812]

look at the new skeet rods. casted one the other day and they feel real good for 89 bucks

[jazzwannabe]

Is that Skeet rod nice and lite? I know the Cumaras are super lite, but if I can spend less and get a rod just as good, I'm there.

[biteme]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

Anyone that says Powells are heavy are crazy.

[Susp3nc3]

carrot stick or zillion are my preference

[texas john]

I am a big fan of the BPS rods. I have this rod which is there top of the line rod.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_100-2-6

Make no mistake if you pay attention to the BASS tournaments you will be surprised at how many anglers are using this rod. It is super lite, super sensative and an all around good rod. I use mine for carolina rigging, texas rigging and senkos. It is a very versatile rod. I would recomend the 7' MH rod.

There is a ton of guys with a ton of opinions about rods, I own a bunch of different rods and this is the one I prefer in my hand when throwing any type of plastic.

[felonyk9]

Powell all the way. There is no better customer service out there and the rods are great. You can't beat the price. You will enjoy spending your money on Keith's products.

[Greg_Cornish]

Powell
Carrot Stick
Rogue (search for a deal)

[Paul W]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

Who told you that? They are light as can be. My picks would be (in this order)

-Powell
-Daiwa Zillion
-Cabelas Prodigy or MagTouch (yes I'm serious)
-Carrot Stix
-St Croix Mojo Bass

Paul W

[jazzwannabe]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

Who told you that? They are light as can be. My picks would be (in this order)

-Powell
-Daiwa Zillion
-Cabelas Prodigy or MagTouch (yes I'm serious)
-Carrot Stix
-St Croix Mojo Bass

Paul W

It was someone else on an earlier post.

[Austen]

Dobyns 734c

You can do anything with this rod. Most versatile rod ever.

Austen

[TJ]

I use Daiwa and have for years...incredibly sensitive to even the VERY SLIGHTEST bites, which makes a big difference during those tough times when it's hard to get 5 bites a day.

Definitely worth checking out before making a transaction.

Here is a link...and you can also find a dealer closest to you on the site.

http://daiwa.com/

[jazzwannabe]

I use Daiwa and have for years...incredibly sensitive to even the VERY SLIGHTEST bites, which makes a big difference during those tough times when it's hard to get 5 bites a day.

Definitely worth checking out before making a transaction.

Here is a link...and you can also find a dealer closest to you on the site.

http://daiwa.com/

Hi TJ,
Which Daiwa models do you like?

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

Maybe because i started with this rod and I still use it, I would buy a G Loomis IMX 843.

[TJ]

I haven't tried them all...but the ones I really LOVE are:

Light & Tough Series http://daiwa.com/Rod/detail.aspx?ID=81

Team Daiwa -S http://daiwa.com/Rod/detail.aspx?ID=83

I love all of them that I have tried...but those are a few worth checking out.

[acm95301]

A Dobyn's rod is my new favorite, but at 199-239 average and some as much as 299, you may exceed your budget.

I like st. croix too but that definetly will run over 200.

My best guess, If you can't swing a dobyn's then try out the Kistler or powells.

[chadbass]

You can pay up to 600 or 700 dollars for a rod, but I have used almost every rod out there and for 139.99 for the powell you can blind fold anyone you want and they could not tell the difference between a powell or a megabass rod at 600 something other than the design of the handle Period!!!! Call Tackle Warehouse or any of the tackle stores you trust and ask them about rods. i.e.( warranty, replacement charges, quality or any issues with any of the rods out there. They deal with rods everyday and will tell you first hand.) Remember they sell them all and want your business. Also take a reel with line on it and a bait and put it on each rod. Every rod feels different once you put a reel and lure on it. Feel for yourself, don't take everyone's word as gold. Good luck which ever way you go.

[Greg_Cornish]

You can pay up to 600 or 700 dollars for a rod, but I have used almost every rod out there and for 139.99 for the powell you can blind fold anyone you want and they could not tell the difference between a powell or a megabass rod at 600 something other than the design of the handle Period!!!! Call Tackle Warehouse or any of the tackle stores you trust and ask them about rods. i.e.( warranty, replacement charges, quality or any issues with any of the rods out there. They deal with rods everyday and will tell you first hand.) Remember they sell them all and want your business. Also take a reel with line on it and a bait and put it on each rod. Every rod feels different once you put a reel and lure on it. Feel for yourself, don't take everyone's word as gold. Good luck which ever way you go.

I called Powell and told them I had to modify the butt of my rod so I could use it and asked if it would void the warranty. They said, "No". Great customer service. Some manufactures will use anything they can to get out of a warranty.

[Phil]

MY PICK WOULD BE
DOBYNS
FENWICK
BERKLEY
BPS EXTREME
PROBABLY IN THAT ORDER
I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH ANY OTHERS

IF NO HURRY TRY A CUSTOM ROD
B2 CUSTOM
STEVE'S CUSTOM

[scott h]

Powell rods! you get all the quality,a good warranty & at a price that makes sense.

[jazzwannabe]

Well, I got my hands on a few Powells today with my reels, and I am impressed. I think I'm sold on Powell. Now I just need to figure out exactly which ones I want. Might get a chance to actually try a few of them this weekend.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

[DanIsaac]

In my opinion, you had it right the first time. Over the counter LIFETIME warranty is hard to beat, especially these days, and they are as sensitive if not more so than anything I've ever fished. Light is one thing. Light and sensitive don't always go together.

Yes, I do work for Shimano just for the record. Even more of a reason
I can speak to these rods. I've seen them from the inside out, and how Shimano bends over backwards to support their product.

One rod to cover all specs is difficult but I'd go with either the CUCX72MH or CUCX72MH.

Good luck either way,

Dan

[201Pro]

Powell has plenty of rods in the 6'8" to 7' range to cover all your needs best warranty out their also. Do a little research and you will find all the components on these rods to be top quality, from tip to butt. Check out their website at Powellco.com. If Dee Thomas uses them, then there must be something to these rod!!!

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

Who told you that? They are light as can be. My picks would be (in this order)

-Powell
-Daiwa Zillion
-Cabelas Prodigy or MagTouch (yes I'm serious)
-Carrot Stix
-St Croix Mojo Bass

Paul W

Let me first say that I'm very sensitive to rod balance. I own a Powell 766 flipping stick. To balance that rod, I had to put nearly 3 oz of weight on the butt. By the time you add that weight, the whole rod is extremely heavy. Even if you don't, you are in essence flipping wiht an extra 3oz of weight as that's what the tip would weight.

Overall, I would say if you simply weight the rod, it would be light. But in 'fishing' weight, it is heavy because of it's tip-heaviness. Good blank .... they just need to fix the rod balance.

I do own a couple of their cranking rods (702CB & 703CB). Those balance out pretty good. But most of their graphite rods, are too tip heavy.

[Greg_Cornish]

Well, I got my hands on a few Powells today with my reels, and I am impressed. I think I'm sold on Powell. Now I just need to figure out exactly which ones I want. Might get a chance to actually try a few of them this weekend.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Good choice for the bux

[Greg_Cornish]

Let me first say that I'm very sensitive to rod balance.

What exactly does rod balance do for you?

[jazzwannabe]

I've looked into Powell, but someone told me they are heavy, or relatively heavy anyway. But I will give it another look.

Who told you that? They are light as can be. My picks would be (in this order)

-Powell
-Daiwa Zillion
-Cabelas Prodigy or MagTouch (yes I'm serious)
-Carrot Stix
-St Croix Mojo Bass

Paul W

Let me first say that I'm very sensitive to rod balance. I own a Powell 766 flipping stick. To balance that rod, I had to put nearly 3 oz of weight on the butt. By the time you add that weight, the whole rod is extremely heavy. Even if you don't, you are in essence flipping wiht an extra 3oz of weight as that's what the tip would weight.

Overall, I would say if you simply weight the rod, it would be light. But in 'fishing' weight, it is heavy because of it's tip-heaviness. Good blank .... they just need to fix the rod balance.

I do own a couple of their cranking rods (702CB & 703CB). Those balance out pretty good. But most of their graphite rods, are too tip heavy.

That's why I don't want anything over 6-9 or so. Any longer rod I've tried is tip heavy no matter what I do.