Rod for Pitching Jigs & Texas Rigs

[Aaron Carrell]

Ok guys, I'm in the hunt for a new favorite rod for use with jigs primarily and some tubes or texas rigs thrown in the mix. My hopefully price range is anything between $100-160 (knowing what rods fit in that category anyways). With the fact that the NW Sports Show is right around the corner (I'll be there), and the potential for discounts, what rod would you be looking at for this application.

My personal preference for the rod action would be 7'-7'6" MH and Fast or XFast tip (probably depends on the manufacturer). Oh, and this would probably be paired with a Curado 200e7 or a slightly older Castaic SF. I'm really hoping to find somewhere to put the rod in my hands before buying, though I do know I can find better prices online alot of the time.

I'm kind of hoping for opinions on Powell(RK I think it was got me thinking about these), Shimano(hard to beat their warranty), Loomis & St. Croixs the most, but I'm open to anything with quality parts & a reasonable warranty. The biggest reason I ask this is because I had a chance to handle the new St. Croix Rage rods which I had previously just assumed I was going to get (I'm all St. Croix in the boat so far), and I liked certain things about the rod but other parts were cheap looking and feeling (guides, reel seat). And the Mojo Bass rods are just plain heavy. So, this is my next best attempt at getting some input.

I've read alot of reviews, but sometimes those just feel biased... Who has some experience with the stuff in this price range?

[TR21HP]

Aaron, you've listed some nice rods and when you're at the show make sure you check out Temple Outfitter rods. That's where Gary loomis went after Shimano bought him out and he has made some really nice rods with quality materials for the price range you're looking at.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I had a chance to handle the new St. Croix Rage rods which I had previously just assumed I was going to get (I'm all St. Croix in the boat so far), and I liked certain things about the rod but other parts were cheap looking and feeling (guides, reel seat).

Where did you see the new rage rod? Im kinda in the same boat. Have mostly St. Croix rods and looking at adding a new rod, probably a Rage but you're the second person Ive heard knock the Rage series. First guy said he didnt like the reel seat or handle. I really want to try a micro guide rod but Im not aware of many manufacturers making them currently.

I cant wait for the sportshow. Missed it last year and too bad I did, some of the deals I heard about were pretty crazy. If it goes anything like last year I bet you could get a $200+ rod in your price range.

[Wayne Ek]

Aaron, I fish both Okuma and Quantum rods. I'm currently on the Okuma field staff. Last season I used two C3-Carbon Cone rods (C3x-C-721XH) as my primary pitching and punching sticks. I beat both rods pretty hard all season long. Both held up to the punishment. No guide or reel seat problems. They retail a little out of the range you listed as the MSRP is 169.99. I'm also using some Quantum rods for T-rigging that are 6 years old and still going strong. An invite to all. If you go to the Sportsmen's show (end of March) stop in at the Okuma booth and chat.

[Slob_Samurai]

shimano crucial CRC72MHA

[kt]

I've got a couple of kistler rods that I picked up online real cheap. One is an argon and the other one is a magnesium. I really like both of them. One i use for weedline jig fishing and the other i use for texas rigs/pitching. I got both of them for close to 50% off the retail price and would highly recommend them.

[thatoneguy]

shimano crucial CRC72MHA

very good rod for the money - that's what i use for pitchin jigs most of the time.

[HellaBass]

When at the show, take a look at the Dobyns Savvy Series 734C

[bASS_BLASTER]

A few of my rods: texas rig rod is 7'1" heavy glx, 1/2oz - 3/4oz jig rod is 7'2" destroyer, 1/8-3/8oz jig is 7'3" mh nrx and a 7'5" glx heavy flipping stick. Personally, I think 7'5" and up are heavy, doesn't matter what brand and modulus is used. I'm liking the newer shimano rods and their prices.

[slopmaster]

When at the show, take a look at the Dobyns Savvy Series 734C

That was going to be my suggestion as well. Another rod in the same price range but with better components is the phenix bass recon. Personally I've heard that Dobyns balance better than Powell, especially in the longer rods, maybe worth considering since it'll be a pitching stix.

[RK]

Hiya -

I'd look hard at the Powell Endurance 764. It's rated as a 'mag medium' but that's relative to flipping sticks, and, to me, the Endurance series seems to run 1/4 to 1/2 a power heavy. So it's a great rod for exactly what you're talking about in most situations, although maybe not extremely heavy cover (I use a Powell Max 735 "Frog rod" for that stuff). The 764 has an X-fast tip that's got great flex for loading up and pitching baits accurately. I use it for all kinds of other stuff besides - might be the most versatile rod in their whole lineup.

If you're in Minneapolis, I'm right across the river - track me down on IM or something if you want to check one out. I don't like buying rods sight unseen either.

Cheers,

RK

[RK]

Personally I've heard that Dobyns balance better than Powell, especially in the longer rods, maybe worth considering since it'll be a pitching stix.

I can't compare them to Dobyns, but I will say that when it comes to rods over 7', the Endurance series does balance better than the Max series. Max is still way better than some other rods in the same price range, but with a Max over 7' you're looking at the same $ as the Endurance either way...

RK

[Larson15]

G loomis 844 IMX.......best jig and Texas rig rod I have rever used. Can't find anything else like it.

[bASS_BLASTER]

Another rod I've been wanting to try are the Power Team rods.

[Basschaser]

The rods that I have in that price range are Shimano Crucials and Cumaras and Powell Endurance series. You'll have to find a Cumara on sale to get to your price range though. I love all three of these rods. I can't imagine needing anything better.

[Aaron Carrell]

Where did you see the new rage rod? Im kinda in the same boat. Have mostly St. Croix rods and looking at adding a new rod, probably a Rage but you're the second person Ive heard knock the Rage series. First guy said he didnt like the reel seat or handle.

Gander in EP had 5 or 6 on a rack, both spinning and casting. That was really the only reason I went in, hoping to get to feel a couple rods I've never used. Its a unique rod, and I personally like the Neoprene handle. My only concern with that part is how it handles if wet in the cold.

[Aaron Carrell]

Awesome tips guys, and I love hearing the personal experience. You've given me a good list of rods to look out for probably when I go to the show. I'm kind of picky on the shape of the handle, so that usually knocks a couple brands out of the running, but I'm not going to base that off of a model I used 4-5 years ago.

I'll see about contacting a couple of you prior to then as well. If you've got any other suggestions, keep em coming.

[TonkaBass]

I was not impressed by the rage rods at all. Those actions they came out with were sub par. I think they released them to try and get their stab at the "crappy rod that looks like a sports car" craze.

[TR21HP]

Another series of rods to look at are the Temple Outfitter rods. These are the rods Gary Loomis has designed after he left Loomis and have quite a few rods in the type of fishing you are looking at at half the price of the G Loomis rod.

[Larson15]

TR, no offense but its a shame that the TFO rods have the Gary Loomis name on them. I think they paid him some money to put his name on them and thats it. I know a few people who are very dissatisfied with them in quality and warranty. They do not have any of the same characteristics that the actual G Loomis rods have. I know that there a ton of people from other bass boards who will agree with me. In the 100 dollar price range there are much better options out there.

[TR21HP]

Larson, I don't have any TFO rods but talked with Gary Loomis at last years show and you couldn't be further from the truth in his involvement with the design of the rods. You may have heard criticism about the first series of rods made but new models have come out and that's the ones I was talking to Gary about. They seemed like nice rods when I was holding them but I can't say how they fish as I"ve never used one, just throwing out another rod to look at.

[olski]

I do think the 734 Savvy is a great rod for quite a few things, another one you might look at if you want a little more meat for pitchin would be a Savvy 766 flip. Nice flippin rod for the $

[Larson15]

TR, I can't speak for the new series of rods but will take your word for it as I was only speaking for the first series of rods. I hope that the new generation of rods are a different story. Thanks for the clarification.

[TR21HP]

Larson, no problem, I, like you, prefer G Loomis rods for everything but I noticed the poster had a price range of $160 max. and just about takes a G Loomis out of the equation I would think.

[HellaBass]

G loomis 844 IMX.......best jig and Texas rig rod I have rever used. Can't find anything else like it.

Maybe he can buy some of yours for $160