Good rods for under $100

[gspman]

Hi folks,
This type of question may already be somewhere in the archive so I apologize if it is. I can't spend $150 on a rod but I can stomach $100 or less and maybe pick up 2 rods. I can think of several makers of rods under $100... St. Croix, Falcon, Cabelas, Gander Mtn, Galyans, Bass Pro, Rapala, and the list goes on.
What are your opinions and experiences on good spinning and cranking rods for under $100 for walleye and/or bass? I'm looking at sensitivity, durability, warranty, and all-round use.
Thanks.
gspman

ps. I posted this in the bass forum too.

[Mr Special]

I don't have one yet, but from what I've seen and used. The Berkley Lighten series is a very good rod for the price. I think you can probably get two for the price of one. Will be picking one up soon here.

[Finlander]

Check out the Rapala series rods!
Really impressed about the quality of rod, and they don't ask top dollar for them!

[Matt Breuer]

Croix, spend the money and get the quality! Otherwise a Fenwick HMX.

------------------
Matthew J. Breuer
Northcountry Guide Service
[email protected]
-----------------------
Custom Jigs and Spins
Phelps Tackle
Stone Legacy
Ice Leaders

[leechlake]

I'm partial to Fenwick myself. Like Matt said the HMX is as good a rod as you can find for about 60-70. I've got 3-4 of them and just got one delievered the other day with an HMG. The local BIG stores in the cities do not have them though I bought mine on line from Reeds in Walker. One of the guys in town said they didn't handle them for some reason like the company was being bought out, but Reeds said no they are not. I've always always had them replace for free when they've broke, right at the store too.

[Guest]

Another good option is Hagen's rods. If I remeber right they make the rods for Scheels, but also have their own line of rods. Someone else might know, but I think they use Criox and Loommis blanks. Good rods for the money.

Matt Breuer,
I finally found those Mille Lacs Pics. I will get in touch by e-mail.
mw

[This message has been edited by Walleye Pimp (edited 03-03-2004).]

[Matt Breuer]

Walleye Pimp, I didn't even know you visited the site! Small world! I sent you a reply, I'm happy you found thise pics! What a day on the lake, thanks for the guiding!

Back to the rod question, I got an HMX for $30 at Gander here in Bemidji on clearance, what a deal! The only reason I bought it actually! Glad I did now!

------------------
Matthew J. Breuer
Northcountry Guide Service
[email protected]
-----------------------
Custom Jigs and Spins
Phelps Tackle
Stone Legacy
Ice Leaders

[walleyehawk]

I love St Croix Avid Rods. Lifetime warranty. And easy to work with on warranty from what I have heard.

If you go during the off season, you can get some great deals. I usually hit Reeds in the late fall and they have 25-35% off each rod, bringing it under $100.

Hitting the clearance rods at Gander Mountain also has gotten me some great deals. Just have to go often and watch for off season values.

[This message has been edited by walleyehawk (edited 03-04-2004).]

[Matt Johnson]

Yep, Fenwick makes a great rod and you can buy them for under $100. I have a couple I use for jigging walleyes and smallies.

Goos Fishin,
Matt Johnson

------------------
First Choice Guide Service

[email protected]
Iceleaders
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait
MarCum
Stone Legacy
JR's Tackle

[willowcat]

I got sick of spending alot of money on rods so I learned how to build them myself. I was suprised how easy it was and its a fun hobby as well. Now I can build a rod for under $50. that would have cost me $150. to buy in a store.

[gspman]

willowcat,
Wow! That's quite a discount. How do you learn to make rods? Do certain stores offer classes? Being sent to a rod building class would be a good fathers day gift.
gspman

[willowcat]

I've herd that there are on-line directions on rod building. I made my own tieing table with wood, eyeletts, and a thread tensioner from a sewing shop. The dryer I made out of a BBQ rotissery. Cost me about $35. to make them both. As far as rod blanks thread handels etc. go, try some tackel shops they might be able to help. Or Cabela's. If you get real serious into it, you could make a drive over to the St.Croix factory in WI. You can get some great deals on blanks handles etc there. Depends on where your located as to where the closest suplier would be.

[LocalGuide]

Walleye Pimp, I am totally with you on the hagens rod thing! I have about 8 of these rods already and I love every one of them.
I think most, if not all, of the newer rods have a St.Croix blanks on it with Fuji guides. They used to have loomis blanks but if I remember right they droped them.
Scheels is a great place to find some of these great rods on sale too. I found one last year that was mismarked. It was $45 for a $100 rod, that was a huge deal. Otherwise you can get them straight from the factory. Thats what I mainly do.

------------------
AKA PikeEye 300
And keep those hooks sharp!

[willowcat]

I forgot to mention if you're near the Rochester area I know a couple of places in town that you can learn how to build rods as well as get everything you need to get started.

[gspman]

willowcat,
I live in Eagan up in the cities here and rarely get to Roch. Anyone know of rod building classes in the metro area.
gspman

[rockhardinmn]

check with Thorne Bros. think they might have a rod building class.

[walleyehawk]

Was at Gander Mountain yesterday and noticed they have some new Gander Mountain brand rods. They are the new high end rod of theirs and they look like G Loomis makes them. Same look and the price label is very similiar. And they feel extremely sensitive. And all for $70 dollars. They may even qualify for $10 off now.

I really, really wished I could convince myself I need a new rod but when I took my rods out of storage yesterday and counted 13 of them, I figured I needed other things more.

[Big Ick]

I got into building my own rods a couple of years ago becuase I too didn't want to spend $150 on a St. Croix Avid. As it turns out, I can build the rods cheaper for myself and the quality is better (threadwork, guide placement and prep., handle design, etc.). I have to warn you though, it's an addicting hobby. Because of it, I now own a power wrapper, wood lathe (custom handles and inserts), 360 degree thread loom, and countless guides, blanks, and threads.

Building your own rods gives you the design freedom to come up with a truly unique fishing tool. I've done rods that were designed with an aesthitic emphasis (holographic zirconia rings on the guides, wood handles, weaves of names or fish) to rods that were designed to purely be used to catch more fish. In fact, my current project is an extremely light rod consisting of a 7 foot St. Croix Legend Elite blank (MLF), custom cork handle (front hood is recessed into the cork foregrip), and the guides are single foot Fuji Titaniums with SIC rings.

I hope this helps and let me know if you like some help getting started.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 03-30-2004).]

[gspman]

Big Ick
Thanks for the reply. I think I may try building a rod. Just have to get the okay from the "chief" to get the components, supplies, and equipment. I've been to the HSOforum you mentioned before it was edited out. It's a very good site with a lot of good info. I also have Tom Kirkman's Rod Building Book so I have a pretty good idea of how it's done. Now it's time to just take the plunge. I'll probably try a couple of "low end" blanks first before ramping up to an Avid blank. Thanks again.
gspman

[Northlander]

The Rapala rods are very nice for the price. They even come with a over the counter return policy if I remember what the guys at Marine General told me.
I run them for board rods and Im very pleased.

[fishbite]

Build your own rod. I have built 4 rods in the past 2 years, 2= 7' St.Croix SCV's, 1= 6'6" St. Croix SCV, 1= 6'6' St.Croix Avid two piece, in that order, and I am very happy with all of them. The first two are not as beautiful as the second two, but very functional. Cabelas has a deal for $82.00 (about $100.00 including cork sealer and shipping)for a 6'6" St.Croix Avid SCIII complete kit, which I believe is a great rod. The internet has plenty of instructions, though I would recomend buying a book from hsolist or Borders online used (10-20 dollars)for the pictures and easy reference. It is simple to make the equipment you need and the BBQ rotisserie works great. Look at pictures on the internet for ideas. Just make sure you get the "spine" right which is easy to do. This Avid pole sells for 160.00 built. So it is either your time or your money, but I believe it is time well spent.

[Big Ick]

Spine really only becomes a concern when the guides are positioned on the top of the blanks, like a casting rod.

Building your own rods is definately the way to go. I picked it up by finding and reading as much information on it as I possibly could.

[Jay R]

My experience with the Rapala rods have been nothing but positive. I really think for the money they are very hard to beat. I fish with a 6 and 3 year old most of the time and accidents do happen. Replacing a $30 rod is alot less painfull.

Jay R

[Guest]

I concur with the previous posters. I found Rapala Signature Series rods (their best rod) at fleet farm last year for $70 each on closeout. ($100 regular price). Needless to say after spending $150 a rod on my St. Croix Avids I bought 6 of these rods and they are every bit the rod that the Avids are. You can see the specs on the rapala HSOforum for all their rods, the only problem that I have found is that I have yet to see the signature series rods at any retail location since I purchased the last of them from fleet farm. I have seen them online though so that may be an option.

Good luck in your search!

SUNNYD

[slick814]

Never had any problems with my Berkley and Quantum rods. For the price they're quite good, and you can get 2 for the $100 you're looking to spend.
However, for $100, I'd be looking Loomis or St. Croix. You can't beat the complete performance of either one.
Oh, and if you're looking for something even less expensive than the Berkley's, there's always Ugly Sticks or Rhino's.
------------------
Fishin' is life
The rest is just details

[This message has been edited by slick814 (edited 04-30-2004).]