Help me find the right rod.....

[Coach1310]

Here is what I am looking for:

7 foot

Medium/Light action

One piece

Big Eyelets

Without breaking the bank

Does anyone have any suggestions? I primarily bobber fish(80%) and rig(20%). I would like the rod to be able to function for both...

Thanks for any suggestions..

[walleyeseeker]

I would look at the Fenwick Elite Tech walleye rigging rod. It is 7' in either medium or medium lite. I think they are a great rod for the money.

[NCLaker]

+1 on the Elite Tech's. Life time warranty and they currently have a promotion for a free Fenwick Wind Jacket as a bonus.

[Mike Stark]

check out Limit Creek's "Smoothie". It is a very nice rod and with a very nice price. It has become one of my favorite rods to walleye fish with. Limit Creek is also a sponser of the forum.

[fishinfey8]

How much are you looking to spend?

[Chode2235]

The Fenwicks are great rods, and so are the St. Croix Avid series rods. Both are the best bang for the buck out there.

[solbes]

I would go with a Saint Croix Avid in the $150-170 range. You will keep it for life.

[muddpuppy]

I like the Garry Roach Mr. Walleye rods

[Coach1310]

Thanks for all the responses so far. To be honest, I wasn't looking to spend $150-$170, but the lifetime warranty and the feel of the Fenwick has me almost convinced... any other suggestions appreciated...

Anyplace I can hold a Limit Creek rod or do I just have to order and hope for the best???

Thanks

[DaMoose]

Check out their HSOforum, there are several bait shops that sell them. They have a list on their site.

[fishermatt]

Shimano makes some great rods now, and they have a lifetime free replacement warranty. I have a 7' "Compre" model, and I really really like it. Great feel, perfect action, and I'm not worried about it being stepped on or having an eyelit break off, because if it breaks I can bring it into my local sport shop and they'll hand me another one off the rack. The Compre was about $110.00, but Shimano has other models that are more or less $$.

I used to never spend more than $50 for a rod, just because they always get broke within 3-5 years, but I didn't mind spending over $100 knowing I have a lifetime warranty. (I also really like Shimano reels, I have a Symetre 2500 on my Compre that makes a killer combo)

[kdawg]

Shimano makes some great rods now, and they have a lifetime free replacement warranty.

I own 2 St. Croix Legend Elites and wanted to pick up some more rods that were less expensive. I picked up a Shimano that was $70.00 at Joes Sporting Goods and have been impressed with the value of the rod. I will be buying a few more of these rods.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

kdawg,

did you pick up one of the shimano clarus's?

[wolfman-k]

+1 for the Shimano compre 7'! I went in to Thorne Bros. prepared to spend more, but was convinced by a salesman to give this a try, I really like the feel, and have'nt looked back.

[ANYFISH2]

I personally would look at the Gander M. line of rods or the rapala line. For the usage of 80% slip bobber and 20% Rigging I feel spending st'croix and elite series money is pointless. I own a elite series rigging rod it doen't double as a bobber rod very well eyelets are small and there are alot of them, and I have found it is a superior jigging rod, and just a average rigging rod. My 7ft guide series rod in ultra fast/medium is a great bobber rod, and a great rigging rod built in one, and for $70 less.

[jwmiller33]

the compre is a nice rod but i think you can get a nicer st croix for the price

[kingfish689]

I think I would have to agree with anyfish. If you are not doing any jig fishing and very little live bait rigging.I am not sure I would spend the extra $$ as these are the places these rods shine.If you should go with the extra money try more jigging and live bait rigging as these methods WILL put more eyes in your boat in most cases.

[Coach1310]

I personally would look at the Gander M. line of rods or the rapala line. For the usage of 80% slip bobber and 20% Rigging I feel spending st'croix and elite series money is pointless. ......

I agree with you here, but it seems like a lot of manufacturers have gone away from BIG eyelets lately unless you get to the high end rods... I purchased a Cabela's model and will be returning it.... it didn't seem to have much of a backbone and the small eyelets were driving me crazy...

I have a IM6 7 foot UL Gander rod that I use for pannies and I love it, but trying to find a 7 footer that is a medium light and a one piece is challenging... at least it has been for me...

Thanks for all of the info... I will update you once I have settled on one.