The 100-dollar rod dilemma.

[leo]

I went to BPS today, decided to get a 'multi functional' baitcasting rod. After a nice convo with the folks on the forum, I knew I wanted a 6'6''MH Fast action rod. It is safe to say this has to be one of the most versatile configurations out there.

My budget was set at 100 bucks. I spent a good time playing with the following:

1. St Croix Mojo Bass. If feels like a quality rod but after mounting a Citica to it, it felt heavy and tip heavy (which I know is something some guys like!). 110 bucks.

2. Shimano Compre. Lighter feel than the Mojo, nice finish, REALLY nice reel seat and short comfortable handle. 100 bucks.

3. Bass Pro Shop Carbonlite. Aesthetically the least appealing of the bunch but it felt A LOT lighter and more balanced than the others once I mounted a reel to it. It was on sale for 80 bucks.

This was a tough decision since I had my eyes on the Shimano and its lifetime warranty but after some pondering I decide to go with the Carbonlite. The line is nice and there is a lenght and action for most techniques you can think of. The selection online is better than at my local store.

I ended up with the 6'6'' MHF and soon will get a 7' MMod for spinerbaits and cranks and I think I will have most of what I fish covered with 3 rods.

I have the baby Curado on the rod (not the Citica) and it feels really balanced and light. Let's see how it fishes...

Cheers.

[Steelyak]

Thanks for the write-up I need to pick up a couple more affordable rods soon. One question though: why would you use a mod action rod for spinner baits?

[Linc]

Factor this in.... some rods (Shimano for one) have over the counter lifetime warranties. That's pretty durn nice. Walk into the shop, and they just give you the same rod. Just had to do it with my Shimano Teramar, it was $130, and worth every penny. Just my .02

[leo]

Thanks for the write-up I need to pick up a couple more affordable rods soon. One question though: why would you use a mod action rod for spinner baits?

Well, that is a very debatable issue. Some guys, including our own Plasticpirogue AKA Grand Master Spinnerbaiter uses a fast action rod for spinnerbaits. Usually the faster action allows for more accurate casts. I like throwing spinerbaits and cranks but don't fish them often enough to have a dedicated rod for each so, considering that spinnerbaits (also) fit the 'reaction bait' category, I would use a moderate action rod for both.

Factor this in.... some rods (Shimano for one) have over the counter lifetime warranties. That's pretty durn nice. Walk into the shop, and they just give you the same rod. Just had to do it with my Shimano Teramar, it was $130, and worth every penny. Just my .02

That was something I thought about long and hard when considering maybe busting the budget and upping to the Shimano Claurus BUT I mostly dunk my rods in the water, not so much break them But you are correct, the over the counter life time warranty is a VERY attractive feature.

[ReelYankee]

I fish with three different BPS rods. One of them is 5 years old and is my toad rod which catches the majority of my bass for the season. None of my BPS rods has ever failed me, I can't say the same for some of the other brands I use Oh and I just put a whoopin' on a bowfin that went over 5# with my 7'MH Carbon Lite.

[Neo]

I have four soon to be five CarbonLite rods. I looked at several rods from $100 - $150 and decided bang for the buck it was gonna be tough to beat. I agree they aren't the prettiest rod out there but its not about pretty its about performance. I have two that do the majority of the heavy lifting. A 7' H XF that I use for frogs and toads and a 6'9" MH XF for soft plastics. These rods go with me every time I go out no matter what.
I have a 7' Med Mod that I was going to use for the same thing crank/spinnerbait rod. I love it for as a crankbait rod but it doesn't have enough backbone and the action is a little too slow for spinnerbaits. This is just my preference but I ended up going back to my old 7' All Star MH F for spinnerbaits. I wish it was a touch shorter but is better for that application than a 7' med mod. Just my opinion.
I think you'll really like your CarbonLite.

[oubassman]

Sounds like a good choice. I have a Mojo spinnerbait rod that I really like for spinnerbaits & buzz baits. Haven't thrown many cranks on it though.

Thanks for review. Next time I need a multi-function bait casting rod, I'll think about the carbon lite.

[mattbowers01]

There is something to be said for store brand rods. I have 3 Gander Mt rods in my arsenel, and they all have a place. It is difficult to match any rod to your needs based on mfg's specs, because they all vary. Top end rods give top end performance when you match them to the proper purpose. Certain applications only lend themself to a certain rod, while other rods lend themselves numerous applications. Don't give up on less expensive rods, if you have the time to actually test them for your needs. Matt

[Nuclear Fishin]

I was in the same delema last year, and I went with the Dicks tech spec rod, and was extremly satisfied. Light, dependable, and asthetically pleasing.

However, I think this year I am going to go with a shimano rod. I dont have a ton of experience picking out rods, so I'm casting a large net.

glad you like the carbonlite!

[flyfisher]

I also went through the same thing last year and i decided with the mojo series. I tried out the Abu veritas and one of the shimanos but really liked the mojo.

I now have 3 of them...6'6" MHF & 7'MHF casting and a 7'MF spinning. I will probably add another spinning rod to my arsenal here soon though and i am thining of going up a little in price as this will be a very technique specific rod for me....weightless soft plastics, flukes, stick baits etc....

It seems like the $100 price point is where you start tog et into some real quality rods that are huge step up from the lower price points.