Need a new rod

[prov1900]

Got a Stradic 2500 for Christmas, but am thinking of new rod choices to go with. Always been a St Croix guy, but in the end am not real particular on brands, just actions and preferably USA manufacturing. Most of my current rods are better balanced with 1000 size reels so a new one is a necessity (or at least that is what my wife will hear for an explanation)

Ive been looking at 'in-shore' rods online. I want something that can handle large pike and bass, but yet be practical enough for walleyes. Anyone own an 'in-shore' rod? Are they that much heavier that the normal walleye blank? Would they be impractical for vertical jigging/rigging?

I have a load of "flipping size" baitcast outfits, so am not looking to throw huge baits with the Stradic...I just seem to catch all my big fish on spinning tackle.

[Larson15]

Whats your price range?

[Northlander]

I started using using The Limit Creek rods this past summer and have been very happy with all of them. I have a few "Smoothies", "Shorties" and longer leadcore rods. All have been surprisingly good performers for the money.

[prov1900]

Price range - less than 200. As much as the G-loomis rods call me, I can't get myself to do it, although lifetime warranties sometimes outweigh initial costs. Northlander, I will look into the Limit Creek rods, I have heard good things about those...and probably on this site.

Like I said, I'm not looking for a pool cue, but like the way the in-shore rods have that long handle. I bought a Fenwick 7 footer a couple of years ago at the Berkely Outlet store for cheap because it had a burn mark on the handle that isn't noticeable. The rod is a great rigging rod for me because it has an 'abnormally long' handle. I was looking at something in the 7'6" range, or longer and it seems the inshore ones might fit the bill.

[Larson15]

If you want to go with Loomis I recommend the mossyback bsr852 or the IMX/GL3 843. The GL3 and the mossyback will run around the same price. The 852 is 7'1" and has a nice soft tip with an extra fast action and good backbone. The 843 is 7' with a stiffer tip and is more of a brute.

I would also consider looking at the Shimano Crucial 7' medium heavy and the Shimano Cumara 7'2 medium heavy.

[harvey lee]

Maybe a custom built rod would be the best avemue.

[Shawn Kellett]

Check out Kistler Rods. Some are made here and some "over there". If you want to spend under $200 it seems like you're looking at a Chi-com rod anymore. If you subscribe to the Kistler news letter they have a ton of deals that come up every month. There's a lot of opportunities for buy 1 get 1 if you're patient enough.

[dobiel]

You deserve something nice to match with that Stradic. I think if you're looking for American made and under $200 it's gonna be tough to beat a St. Croix Avid. Lots of lengths, powers, and actions to choose from and a lifetime warranty.

[Hory]

I think the St. Croix Avid would have to be right up there. If you are willing to pay on the upper-end of the price range, I would go with the Loomis however. They are truly the best fresh-water rod out there in my opinion.

[jigginjim]

The nice thing about St.Croix warranties you did have to add $50.00 for shipping your new rod. I have several avids, along with others, had a loomis but when it broke too many hassles to replace it so went to St.Croix. I have bought a X-factor by Gander which 6'6" for spinnerbaits and heavier fishing but son works for gander he Bought discounted for my b-day. nice rod,

[prov1900]

I do like the Avids and am leaning in that direction. I was a Scheels awhile back and they had them marked down quite a bit, making me wonder if they aren't coming out with a new version. That being said, I would imagine those might be easy to come by at a better price at Reeds. Anyone have any positive/negative things to say about the Mojo's? I realize that they are probably quite a bit less in quality (and 100 bucks, give/take) than the Avid, but they feel pretty nice in the hand. I have a number of the Premiers and have been really happy with those as well.

Jigginjim, did you mean that St Croix has a $50 shipping fee? Or that they didn't? Scheels told me that with the Loomis, I could always just replace in store...for life, however I have gotten mis-information there before.

[OnAFly]

You can get a Fenwick Elite Tech 6'6" med jigging that will cover pretty much cover walleye/northern/bass pretty well. Not USA made, but very good rods. ~$150

They also make longer rigging and bobber rods in that line up. Though, a long rod probably won't be as good for jigging as it would be for casting, bobbering, and rigging.

If you want to go nicer, look at G Loomis. Really nice rods.

[Fish Head]

Whatever rod you decide on... The Northwest Sports show at the Mpls Convention Center in late March is a great place to buy one. Generally they're all 20% off.

[DeBo101]

I just got an 8'6" BPS Extreme Inshore spinning rod. I bought it for swimbaits and what not I think its a medium heavy and rated for 1/2-2oz or something like that. Seems the action is a bit lighter than what it says. WOuld be a great rigging rod I would think. Paired it with a 3000 daiwa exceler. Plenty of tip for bombing berkely swimbaits hopefully it has the backbone.

Seems like the inshore rods are your best bet for longer spinning rods. Thats where my search landed me.

[prov1900]

DeBoe,

Is that rod a 2 piece or retractable? I have an 8'6 2 piece casting version of that same rod. I use it for deadsticking mostly. It is pretty light, but it has been a really good rod for the price and have had it for years. It doesn't get a lot of duty, but when we are on the walleyes, it has been beneficial for people that don't quite get the hang of jigging, as it sets itself.

[DeBo101]

The one I bought is a single piece. I'm not a fan of the 2 piece ones I have held. Even if it ends up being too light for larger swimbaits I think it will be great for stick baits or pitching jigs for eyes/smallies.

[JohnMickish]

I've got Avids and I've got Mojos, and I can tell you that the Mojo is NOT half the rod for half the price. IMO "for the money" (there is that little statement that can get a guy in trouble) the MOJO is hard to beat. It now comes in a ton of different legths/actions for just about anything you want.

There are a ton of rods out there in the $100 range, including Limit Creek (which is real nice rod too, and worth looking at if they have they action your looking for), and again IMO most of the rods in this price range are pretty equal so find the one that fits you and your needs.

Deans Tackle Box in Hagar City Wi. carries both St. Croix and Limit Creek and he will let you test drive a rod on the water. If you know somebody that fishes the river tag along and talk to Dean. Take them out and use them to see what will work for you.

[JohnMickish]

To clear up some warranty information, both St. Croix and G. Loomis have to be sent back to the factory. The cost is different for each, but on their lifetime rods you will get a NEW up to date replacement FOR LIFE. That can be a pain the butt but the bright side is you can get it replaced anywhere you live, you don't have to drive back to where you purchased it. I hear that Shimano is now doing this too and no longer doing the over the counter thing.

Cabelas now makes you keep your reciept to exchange a rod too.