Berkley Lightning Rods? 2025

Misfit95 reply :

Good evening, everyone.

I want some new rods, and I'm on a budget. I have been eyeing the Berkley Lightning rods (NOT THE SHOCKS, I'm talking about the original ones, I hate the shocks because they have too much flex for me).

I once owned a Berkley Amp, which is a similar price point but the very first time I used it, I tightened the reel seat down on the reel because it was loose, and the reel seat cracked...it had this little plastic ring around it that cracked right in half. I was extremely disappointed. That's what I get for buying a 25 dollar rod. I'm concerned that the Lightning rod may do the same thing because I've noticed that the reel seat does have some plastic in it. But, at the same time, every time I read a forum online or hear someone talking about budget rods, they almost always bring up the berkley Lightning rod, so I figure there must be some reason for that.

Anyway, do any of you guys have any experience with the lightning rods? Again, not talking about the shock series, but the original lightning rods. Are they tough? I'm not necessarily looking for the absolute nicest rod in the world, but I am mostly looking for something that is TOUGH and reliable. Anyone ever use these?

Thanks in advance.

Raul reply :

I have a few, they were my everyday rods for many years, I still fish with them, for how long ? A little bit over 20 years, so whaddya think, are they tough enough for you ? Btw, I've caught many 10 + lbers with them.

Alonerankin2 reply :

The lightning rods of the 80's were quite popular and good sticks for the money, I used a couple spinning... I had no complaints.

Daniel Lin reply :

FWIW, I think many Lightning Rods are subject to some awful abuse on the store displays. Mine broke about 8 inches from the tip setting the hook on its second fish. Internet reviews suggest that the first foot or so of the tip seems to be particularly weak. Whether this is a design flaw coupled with awful handling, or just a straight up design flaw, it's hard to say.

Also, I've seen the front grip cork cracked into pieces on more than one Lightning Rod on display. Additionally, the skeleton reel seat design is awesome on a casting reel, but absolutely retarded in my book on the spinning reels. It's about as unergonomic as it gets. Which one did you have in mind?

Add all of this to the pretty sheisty QC you can see between rods, I'd suggest you save up a few bucks more and get something in the $60 range if you're on a budget. I'm pretty happy with my Shimano Sellus.

Tony L. reply :

I keep a lightning rod to throw into the suv when I want to fish ponds after work-- spinning version. Not a bad rod at all, though I wish it had just a bit faster action. Unfortunately, you just don't get a choice in that regard. For what it is worth, I hauled in a rather sizeable turtle with it this summer (15 lbs +)… I had no problems whatsoever.

I can respect what Daniel L said as well. A few weeks later I did manage to break one off in the last 9-12 inches. I blame myself though. I was testing the softness of the rod tip by tugging on the end of my line, but I made the mistake of having the rod pointed straight up while I was pulling straight down (the line was running just about perfectly parallel to the rod from tip to cork). This put a lot of unnatural strain on the end and it snapped like a twig- maybe a little too easily. Overall, yes the last section is a bit weaker than I would like, and another rod would have withstood it a little better. But that one was still on me because I still bent it in a way it wasn't designed to go. I think that under normal use-- when allowed to fully flex with the entire length of the rod, and at a more natural angle, it will do just fine. Didn't stop me from buying a new one to replace it. Caught several more large fish since then with no problems. Great sensitivity for the price, and I love the overall feel. You will be very happy with it.

If you have an extra 15-20 to spend consider the entry level Abu Garcia's as well. I get the vengeance and vendetta mixed up sometimes, but one of the two is near your price point. It feels quite a bit stiffer in hand though, so you'll have to decide if that is a good fit.

Misfit95 reply :

Thanks for all the responses so far.

So, Tony L, I'm thinking maybe I'll just pay the extra 10 bucks and get a vengeance rod. I am a HUUUUUGE Abu Garcia fan, I absolutely love everything they make because I feel that EVERYTHING they make is quality.

For example, I own an Abu Garcia Black Max low profile baitcaster...A lot of guys will probably laugh when they read that...but it's a $50 reel and it has BRASS GEARS...I mean, how often do you see a baitcasting reel in that price range with brass gears? That's crazy!!! And it reels very smoothly, casts very well....Anyway, my point is, with Abu Garcia, even if you buy something cheap from them, generally, it's still decent, because they just don't make garbage gear. Period. So maybe I'll go with the Vengeance...

The rod I'm wanting to get is actually a flipping stick to use out of my kayak. However, I also plan to use this rod for carolina rigging, and possibly some pike fishing with gigantic oversize spinnerbaits and the like, LOL. I'll probably pick up the Vengeance tomorrow, but maybe I'll wait to get some more opinions...

Thanks guys...

deep reply :

The Lightning was plenty tough for light punching for me. Not very sensitive (you get what you pay for), but with straight braid that wasn't a problem at all.

P.S. Off topic: Brass gears are good (love the Citica D), but doesn't that Abu reel have a graphite frame?

smalljaw67 reply :

The mid 80s was when Loomis started getting popular with the IMX but for every casual angler there was the lightning rod, and I can't remember the exact price but it was more than the lightning rods of today. I think what made it so good was there were very few graphite rods on the market, Loomis had the IMX and Fenwick had the HMG but both were extremely expensive for fishing rods. Todays lightning rods are ok but there are so many options if you spend a little more but if you stay in the same price range then the lightning rod is probably the best you'll get.

new2BC4bass reply :

My understanding is the Shocks have softer tips because they were designed for braid. I have one Lightning baitcast rod and one Lightning spinning rod. I got the BC rod for my grandson, but he won't even try it so it has become my spinnerbait rod. At 6' it gives plenty of feedback with these lures. The spinning rod is somewhere around 40 years old. I still use it.

There is a thread on the Berkley Cherrywood HD...a $25 rod. Josh was impressed with it for the price, but I believe he mentioned it has a softer tip.

I read that the new Veritas 2.0 is close to actual power rating, but it has been my experience that the others are all under-rated. Something to keep in mind if you go that route.

PersicoTrotaVA reply :

Get an ugly stick...

Dave P reply :

The lightning rod is the best rod at that price point, IMO. I have three that are still around for backup purposes. No issues with reel seats or broken tips or anything else. I recommend them without hesitation if that's your budget.

tholmes reply :

On 10/3/2014 at 10:43 PM, Dave P said:
The lightning rod is the best rod at that price point, IMO. I have three that are still around for backup purposes. No issues with reel seats or broken tips or anything else. I recommend them without hesitation if that's your budget.

I have 2 Lightning rods and, Like Dave P. said, they're great rods for the money. I did have one break about 8" from the tip. On closer examination, there was a flaw in the rod material where it broke. Since I bought it at Wally World, they replaced it with no hassle. I've used both of these rods a lot, and they've held up very well.

Tom

paleus reply :

I bought a spinning model from a member on here. I like it quite a bit. I put an Abu Orra S reel on it. I haven't found any other rod in the $50 to be as sensitive. I think I'm going to pick up one of the Lighting Rod Shock and another Orra S.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I had one a long time ago and it was still a great rod when I sold it. If you can get them on a sale the Academy Ethos rods are great rods for the money. I have 8 of them and have zero complaints.

Josh Smith reply :

On 10/3/2014 at 7:05 PM, new2BC4bass said:

My understanding is the Shocks have softer tips because they were designed for braid. I have one Lightning baitcast rod and one Lightning spinning rod. I got the BC rod for my grandson, but he won't even try it so it has become my spinnerbait rod. At 6' it gives plenty of feedback with these lures. The spinning rod is somewhere around 40 years old. I still use it.

There is a thread on the Berkley Cherrywood HD...a $25 rod. Josh was impressed with it for the price, but I believe he mentioned it has a softer tip.

I read that the new Veritas 2.0 is close to actual power rating, but it has been my experience that the others are all under-rated. Something to keep in mind if you go that route.

Hello,

I like the Cherrywood HD. I left off serious fishing in around 1998, and came back to it in 2013. There has been a lot of progression, and I don't like a lot of it. Some of it's awesome.

I have a newer 7' Lightening Rod. It's a good rod, but long for what I like. The Cherrywood HD I bought is 5'6" and more of what I think of when I think "Medium Heavy, Fast". Today's fast rods are more along the lines of what I think of when I think "super fast tip."

The Cherrywood is a hybrid design like the Ugly Stick, I believe. Still, it's super sensitive.

To answer your question, my MH/F Lightening Rod is a good rod. It's not the best nor is it the best for my needs, but it does fill a certain niche role.

The ones I fish regularly are a '90s Daiwa MH/F graphite, the Cherrywood HD MH/F, a modern Daiwa M/F 6'6", a BPS 5'6" MH/F, and a Berkely 4'6" graphite ultralight rod. All have Ambassadeur models on them except for the ultralight, which is a spinning outfit using a Pflueger reel.

Regards,

Josh

georgeyew reply :

On 10/3/2014 at 4:11 PM, Misfit95 said:

I'm thinking maybe I'll just pay the extra 10 bucks and get a vengeance rod. I am a HUUUUUGE Abu Garcia fan, I absolutely love everything they make because I feel that EVERYTHING they make is quality.

Not sure if you know this, but Abu Garcia and Berkley are both part of Pure Fishing. So they are in the same family.

Josh Smith reply :

I have heard this.

CCI and Federal are both owned by the same parent company, but their ammo is markedly different.

In the end, though, it's all Made in China. There are a few I'm looking at that are not.

Josh

buzzed bait reply :

i have a vengeance and a lightning rod. i actually really like and prefer the lightning rod... just my opinion, but for the $ they are excellent.

1201vilbig reply :

I, like most here, have upgraded my rod & reels over the years. It stands to reason that the technology has improved with weight reduction & sensitivity. That being said, I can honestly say I've probably caught 10 times the fish on my 7' MH Lightning Rod than any other I currently or have owned. It just works for me.

Misfit95 reply :

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys...just got home from work and I'm overwhelmed by all the advice and what not...

What a great website. =)

I'm really not sure what to do here. I'm headed to bass pro in a little bit, maybe I just need to play around with some rods for a while. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Shanes7614 reply :

I have two of them I've had for 15+ years.

OroBass reply :

Love mine

Misfit95 reply :

Nice picture, OroBass. A picture is worth a thousand words.

So, I went to Bass Pro today, and I was looking at the lightning rods, and happened to notice the Cherrywood HD rods right next to them.

Well, I examined them, tested out the tapers, played around with them a little, and decided that I actually liked the Cherrywood HD way more than the lightning rod. I love how stiff the cherrywood is, and the fact that it's incredibly light. Not an extraordinary number of eyelets, I think the ones I got only had like, 5 or 6 but for 25 dollars a piece, I figured I'd try them. Plus, I still have the receipts, so if something goes wrong and I need to return them to try something different, I do have that option.

Just wanna say thanks to everyone for all of your input. After all that, I went with a cheap $25 rod LOL but so far, it seems really nice. (the term 'really' is relative haha).

Josh Smith reply :

Just a word of caution: you will feel sort of wrong liking rods that inexpensive! It's just weird if you're used to being around higher-dollar stuff!

Josh

primetime reply :

The Rods you purchased will work just fine as long as you are using the right techniques and fishing in the right spot....Some of the best Angler's I know fish what most would consider "Entry Level Gear" but they flat out know how to use that gear, more importantly, they know how to find fish and how to get them to strike when traditional methods are not working. A $300 Rod is not going to help you if you are fishing in a bad area...I consider quality fishing line the most important link, and then drag setting as well as learning how to tie good knots and using the correct knots for each situation.

I see that advantage to using a high end rod, I can feel the differences when I borrow a super high end rod as they are so light, but for me, $100 is my max, and I prefer to pay closer to $50, and I spend more money on the reel so it lasts. I find many House Brand rods are the best deals as they are made from same OEM's that make more expensive rods, so many are actually really nice and Berkley is under Pure Fishing, so I have alway's felt the Berkley rods felt much better than the price tag says.

Misfit95 reply :

That's EXACTLY how I feel, Primetime. I can't afford nor do I need even a $100 rod (although I know that they are definitely better than cheaper rods usually are) but I DO feel that there are cheaper rods that are still dependable and fairly sensitive. The way I see it, I need something TOUGH and I need something that is sensitive, but I don't need it to be so sensitive that I have to spend 100 dollars on it. I fish for fun, and when I start putting hundreds of dollars into my gear, that's not fun to me anymore because I'm taking it too seriously. Taking my fishing too seriously is something I think I need to work on, because I think I often take it so seriously that I take the fun out of it. I often times have to step back and remind myself I'm NOT Kevin Vandam, have never been Kevin Vandam, and never will be Kevin Vandam, nor will I ever be HALF as good of a fisherman as he is. That being said, I heard good things about the cherrywood rods, they felt nice and seemed nice, and they were cheap, so I just decided I'd give them a try. If they aren't what I hoped, I can always afford to get a few rods more in the 50-80 dollar range if I need to. I used to have a Vendetta that I LOVED until the second eyelet decided to come 'unwrapped'. The eyelet is now on the rod still, but it can swivel any direction it wants to on the rod. Still casts, but just doesn't seem right for me to use a rod with a broken eyelet.

Raul reply :

On 10/5/2014 at 12:51 PM, Misfit95 said:
I often times have to step back and remind myself I'm NOT Kevin Vandam, have never been Kevin Vandam, and never will be Kevin Vandam, nor will I ever be HALF as good of a fisherman as he is.

1 No, you are not KVD

2 No you will never be KVD

3 Why you say you can´t be as half as good, even as good or even better than him ?

EGbassing reply :

On 10/6/2014 at 2:32 AM, Raul said:

1 No, you are not KVD

2 No you will never be KVD

3 Why you say you can´t be as half as good, even as good or even better than him ?

Legend has it that Raul is still waiting for an answer... (sorry for posting on a two year old thread ????)

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