It will either be paired with a Daiwa Tatula or a Lew's Speed Spool LFS...
Rods I'm already considering:
- St. Croix (Triumph X) MH/F 7'0" Casting Rod
- *** (*** Black) MH 7'1" Casting Rod
- Duckett (Ghost) MH 7'0" Casting Rod
Any other suggestions? Also, which do you think is best, of the ones I've already listed? I'm looking for an all around type rod, because I don't have enough money to buy multiple rods for different fishing techniques...
UPDATE: If I get a St. Croix, it's going to be a premier 7'0" M/F...
Ghost or *** with the tatula
Grab both rods and get a feel for them. I wanted the *** but once i grabbed both the ghost felt better to me. I combo'd it with chronarch e7 and i dont regret it.
Thin handle of the *** bothers a few. No experience with the Ghost, but it seems to be a popular rod. Another rod at that price I can suggest is the Fenwick HMG. Although I don't have any of the new models, I've been told they are lighter than my older models, and well built with excellent components for the price. I like my older models just fine.
There are so many good rods at the 100 dollar price range. My personal favorites are the bps carbonlite, ducket ghost and ***. These rods are light, balanced and will be a joy to fish with. My advice is if you can, mount them on a reel you like and feel them out. I like st croix a lot in the upper end range, but at the 100 dollar price range, I feel like there are a lot of good rods to research that you might enjoy even more.
You may want to check out Rapsody Rods Hot Rod model. It starts just under $100. I fish St. Croix rods and tried some of these because they were based off some of the St. Croix models. They were even made in St. Croix facilities for a while, not sure where now a days. The Hot Rod series feels like my premiere models and much better construction than the Triumph series.
I tried out an *** Black and did not like the feel in my hand. The Ghost I have never tried.
If I was only going to have 2 rods mine would both be 7', one MHF and one M. I could get by fishing a bunch of different techniques and enjoying my day on the water. We re-tie often up here anyway because of Zebra Mussels so two rods would go a long ways. As far as length, you need to pick one that is comfortable for you to throw all day. I have some friends who are either short or have ailments and the 7' rod just wears them out after a day of fishing, so they switched to 6'6". There are some techniques that a longer rod is just plain more ideal for. We fish a lot of 9 hour tournies so I always tell people to fish what is comfortable to their body. After making 1000 casts in a day you will figure it out real fast.
The search is half the fun, good luck!
I'd check out a 7' M/F triumph, very traditional looking rod. St Croix rods run heavy.
hold off a month and maybe try a dobyns fury.
I have had great luck with berkley Lightning rod shocks and halo starlight and day lite rods. I much prefer the halo rods. There worth looking at
Ghost mh is a great option for the price. I have the 73 mh
I took my ghost rod back 3 times. Loved the rod. Ballanced good, quite sensitative but running braid with this rod made a horrible noise. I just couldnt stand it. 3 rods and they all made the same noise
I would strongly consider the *** black or ther veritas rods
phenix maxum or *** *** black
Running braid on the ghost i heard has problems. I talked duckett and they reassured that the chrome insretsnon guides wont fail with braid. As far as noise i dont have braid on mine. Im running flouro on my 6-10 m rod.
Another good rod is TFO signature series. Run about 100 bucks as well. They are gary loomis rods.
It all goes back to take your reel load it and see what feels best. Goodluck
I would say anything but the St. Croix Triumph.
On 4/10/2015 at 2:32 AM, Eloy Hernandez said:Running braid on the ghost i heard has problems. I talked duckett and they reassured that the chrome insretsnon guides wont fail with braid. As far as noise i dont have braid on mine. Im running flouro on my 6-10 m rod.
Another good rod is TFO signature series. Run about 100 bucks as well. They are gary loomis rods.
It all goes back to take your reel load it and see what feels best. Goodluck
Thanks for the tip! I ONLY use braid, so that would've sucked! I appreciate it, man!
On 4/10/2015 at 5:17 AM, FishTank said:I would say anything but the St. Croix Triumph.
Have you had issues with it?
On 4/10/2015 at 2:29 AM, fisherrw said:phenix maxum or *** *** black
Where would you find the best price for the Phenix Maxum?
probably TW ^
On 4/10/2015 at 7:03 AM, DCfishing said:Have you had issues with it?
To be fare, I had the first generation of this rod. I purchased two, one spinning and one casting, both ended up breaking on me at the reel seat. I would like to think it was user error but I have heard others having the same issue. They also did not have any sensitivity to me at all. The cork on one was bad and the other had issue with the guides. I did spend a few extra bucks and picked up two St. Croix Avids to replace them that I found clearance out. I have fished these rods for almost 7 years, no issues.
Out of what I have used over the years, there are several I would recommend before this series of rods. For instance and in no order, the ugly stick, berkley lightning rod, anything from falcon, fenwick HMG, (been awhile) BPS Carbonlite, Shimano Calarus, Gander Mountain Tournament (this being my favorite). They may have improved this rod over the years but the X rods have not impressed me so far.
On 4/10/2015 at 9:35 AM, FishTank said:To be fare, I had the first generation of this rod. I purchased two, one spinning and one casting, both ended up breaking on me at the reel seat. I would like to think it was user error but I have heard others having the same issue. They also did not have any sensitivity to me at all. The cork on one was bad and the other had issue with the guides. I did spend a few extra bucks and picked up two St. Croix Avids to replace them that I found clearance out. I have fished these rods for almost 7 years, no issues.
Out of what I have used over the years, there are several I would recommend before this series of rods. For instance and in no order, the ugly stick, berkley lightning rod, anything from falcon, fenwick HMG, (been awhile) BPS Carbonlite, Shimano Calarus, Gander Mountain Tournament (this being my favorite). They may have improved this rod over the years but the X rods have not impressed me so far.
That helps a lot, man! I appreciate it!
I think that lightning rod may give you a lot of nose with braid as well. I haven't ran braid on my ghost but I could see it being noisy.
On 4/10/2015 at 9:05 PM, CRANKENSTIEN said:I think that lightning rod may give you a lot of nose with braid as well. I haven't ran braid on my ghost but I could see it being noisy.
Thank you! That's very helpful!
i got an *** Black as my first "good" casting rod and couldn't be more pleased. Its a super light setup paired with my Lews Speed Spool LFS. I haven't had a lot of time on the water with it yet but I cant for see any problems happening any time soon, also I use braid exclusively and it isn't loud going through the guides. But I'd definitely hold one before you go out and buy a rod, personally I love the thin style grip but it seems as if a lot of people don't like it.
St.Croix mojo bass
On 4/11/2015 at 12:49 AM, Cameron211 said:St.Croix mojo bass
It's only $10 more than the Triumph rods that people are telling me NOT to get. Do you actually have a Mojo(if so, then what are your thoughts on it?) or was that just a suggestion... ?
On 4/11/2015 at 12:41 AM, ThatFishin said:i got an *** Black as my first "good" casting rod and couldn't be more pleased. Its a super light setup paired with my Lews Speed Spool LFS. I haven't had a lot of time on the water with it yet but I cant for see any problems happening any time soon, also I use braid exclusively and it isn't loud going through the guides. But I'd definitely hold one before you go out and buy a rod, personally I love the thin style grip but it seems as if a lot of people don't like it.
I was looking at them and wondering, why are all of the rod lengths so awkward? Also, do all of the rods have a fast action tip? I didn't see anything about the action on their website...
On 4/11/2015 at 5:01 AM, DCfishing said:It's only $10 more than the Triumph rods that people are telling me NOT to get. Do you actually have a Mojo(if so, then what are your thoughts on it?) or was that just a suggestion... ?
I have two mojo rods and I love them one for plastics 7'0 mf action and the other frog rod 7'0 hf. Plus st.croix has a great warranty. Always great service. I don't think you'll be disappointed
Plus they have an array of length power and action
Carrot Stix.
On 4/11/2015 at 5:20 AM, Cameron211 said:I have two mojo rods and I love them one for plastics 7'0 mf action and the other frog rod 7'0 hf. Plus st.croix has a great warranty. Always great service. I don't think you'll be disappointed
Ok, thanks! I'll check it out!
Let us all know what you get
I'd say just about every rod at that price point today will be good so look at things like reel seats, guides, and basically the looks of the rods and decide which length, action, and power you need and choose what you like best as all will be decent. If you want another suggestion, I'd say Fenwick HMG, I have the Aetos, Elite Tech Smallmouth and the new model HMG for $99 dollar and I can tell you it is a fantastic rod and at the price point it is actually a bargain. The rods are very responsive and balanced with a lifetime warranty, I think it will work for you but as I mentioned, just about every rod at that price will be good as all rods have gotten better and are less money than they use to be so pick what looks good to you.
On 4/10/2015 at 9:35 AM, FishTank said:To be fare, I had the first generation of this rod. I purchased two, one spinning and one casting, both ended up breaking on me at the reel seat. I would like to think it was user error but I have heard others having the same issue. They also did not have any sensitivity to me at all. The cork on one was bad and the other had issue with the guides. I did spend a few extra bucks and picked up two St. Croix Avids to replace them that I found clearance out. I have fished these rods for almost 7 years, no issues.
Out of what I have used over the years, there are several I would recommend before this series of rods. For instance and in no order, the ugly stick, berkley lightning rod, anything from falcon, fenwick HMG, (been awhile) BPS Carbonlite, Shimano Calarus, Gander Mountain Tournament (this being my favorite). They may have improved this rod over the years but the X rods have not impressed me so far.
Was this supposed to be an april fools joke or what?
On 4/11/2015 at 6:53 AM, Penguino said:Was this supposed to be an april fools joke or what?
HAHA! I mean, the Lightning Rod, Carbonlite, and HMG seem to be pretty good!
I had two, sold one, still have the drop shot rod. They're good workhorse rods but kinda heavy and bulky.On 4/11/2015 at 5:01 AM, DCfishing said:It's only $10 more than the Triumph rods that people are telling me NOT to get. Do you actually have a Mojo(if so, then what are your thoughts on it?) or was that just a suggestion... ?
*** black is what I would go with, just ordered 2 from TW.
I've got the St. Croix Triumph, haven't had any problems with it. Only had it for a year but its been fine. Would also recommend the Veritas.
On 4/11/2015 at 11:03 PM, MichiganBass80 said:I've got the St. Croix Triumph, haven't had any problems with it. Only had it for a year but its been fine. Would also recommend the Veritas.
I mean, I wanna get a Triumph X. I like the grip a lot, but everyone's saying they break... Hmm... How's the original Triumph? What's the biggest fish you've caught on it?
On 4/12/2015 at 4:01 AM, DCfishing said:I mean, I wanna get a Triumph X. I like the grip a lot, but everyone's saying they break... Hmm... How's the original Triumph? What's the biggest fish you've caught on it?
I like it. It wasn't one of my go to rods, last year but when i did use it i had no troubles. I use it for some cranks that run in the 6-10 foot range. Haven't caught any monsters, a bunch of 2+ pounders and a few pike in the 20inch range.
On 4/12/2015 at 4:16 AM, MichiganBass80 said:I like it. It wasn't one of my go to rods, last year but when i did use it i had no troubles. I use it for some cranks that run in the 6-10 foot range. Haven't caught any monsters, a bunch of 2+ pounders and a few pike in the 20inch range.
Sounds like it's capable of catching fish that are the size I fish for, haha... Well, thanks for the info, man!
All of my rods are in the 100$ range
BPS Extreme
BPS Carbonlite
Powell Diesel
Shimano Sellus
Shimano Clarus (got in sale)
Berkley Lighting Shock
St Croix Mojo Bass
On 4/12/2015 at 6:26 PM, mrc.in.wi said:All of my rods are in the 100$ range
BPS Extreme
BPS Carbonlite
Powell Diesel
Shimano Cellus
Shimano Clarus (got in sale)
Berkley Lighting Shock
St Croix Mojo Bass
Which do you like best? Also, have you had any trouble with any rod in particular?
They are listed in my order of preference. BPS Extreme being #1On 4/12/2015 at 9:37 PM, DCfishing said:Which do you like best? Also, have you had any trouble with any rod in particular?
Sellus reel seat could be better. I haven't broken any of them yet.
On 4/11/2015 at 12:41 AM, ThatFishin said:i got an *** Black as my first "good" casting rod and couldn't be more pleased. Its a super light setup paired with my Lews Speed Spool LFS. I haven't had a lot of time on the water with it yet but I cant for see any problems happening any time soon, also I use braid exclusively and it isn't loud going through the guides. But I'd definitely hold one before you go out and buy a rod, personally I love the thin style grip but it seems as if a lot of people don't like it.
I just picked up that reel and I'm very interested in the *** Black... What type of fishing do you plan to use it for?
On 4/18/2015 at 5:14 AM, Bostonstronggggg said:I just picked up that reel and I'm very interested in the *** Black... What type of fishing do you plan to use it for?
On 4/18/2015 at 5:14 AM, Bostonstronggggg said:I just picked up that reel and I'm very interested in the *** Black... What type of fishing do you plan to use it for?
I use it for everything as I do not have the money to have multiple combos. But I mainly fish Texas rigs, weightless plastics, jigs aswell as any hard bait. Seems to work fine for all those techniques. I just try to keep the lure weight within the guidelines. Also I have the 6'10" M/F.
I just tested the Okuma 6-9 TCS APC and its a little above the budget, but it's the first do all rod I've used in a long time.
On 4/9/2015 at 2:15 PM, DCfishing said:It will either be paired with a Daiwa Tatula or a Lew's Speed Spool LFS...
Rods I'm already considering:
- St. Croix (Triumph X) MH/F 7'0" Casting Rod
- *** (*** Black) MH 7'1" Casting Rod
- Duckett (Ghost) MH 7'0" Casting Rod
Any other suggestions? Also, which do you think is best, of the ones I've already listed? I'm looking for an all around type rod, because I don't have enough money to buy multiple rods for different fishing techniques...
UPDATE: If I get a St. Croix, it's going to be a premier 7'0" M/F...
Who manufacturers the *** Black?
phenix maxum
I recently picked up a no8 tackle blackout 7 ft 3 inch baitcasting rod to pair with my lfs, and here is what I think: