Best Casting Rod for Under $60? 2025

pjd412 reply :

Hi, to preface this I would like to say that this is my first post and I have been reading these forums since before I began fishing in 2015 and I'm looking for advice.

I'm planning to pick up a second casting rod for this upcoming season (I currently have spinning gear and a BPS Crankin' Stick 6'6" M), and I'm not quite sure what is the best rod for my money. I don't want to spend any more than $60. I plan to use the rod as an all purpose (jigs, t-rigs, worms, light frogging, maybe swim jigs/chatterbaits, and anything else that I can't throw on the Crankin' Stick or Spinning Gear), and I will be pairing it with a BPS PQ 6.4:1 reel with 50lb Power Pro braid.

Specifically, I want a MH/F rod that's between 6'6" and 7'0", I could stretch for a 7'3" but I'd prefer to keep it in the 6'6"-7'0" range as I will mostly be fishing from shore and anything larger can be quite unwieldy, especially as it is hard for me to fish a longer rod at 5'6" myself and long handles are uncomfortable for me. Ideally, I would like to be able to throw 1/4oz lures but this isn't absolutely necessary.

I have been looking at the Berkley Lightning Shock Rod and the Abu Garcia Vengeance (I can get both of these from Walmart for $40), but I am slightly on edge as I hear Abu's can be stiff and tip heavy but I have yet to handle one myself. I have been looking at the Abu Garcia Veritas and Vendetta, hoping one goes on sale during the BPS Spring Classic, but I'm not holding my breath and again I hear they can be stiff and tip heavy. I also am interested in the Okuma Reflexion, Shimano Sellus, and Shimano Convergence, but I don't know very much about them. Which of these rods would you recommend or are there others that you prefer and why?

Thanks,

roadwarrior reply :

Allen Der reply :

Fenwick Silverhawk when they go on sale at cabelas for $50 or $60; way better quality guides and cork than a lightning rod shock.

SMITTY0045 reply :

On 1/25/2016 at 5:30 AM, Allen Der said:

Fenwick Silverhawk when they go on sale at cabelas for $50 or $60; way better quality guides and cork than a lightning rod shock.

I agree, these rods really do fish like $100, but they seem to always be on sale

A fisher reply :

Silver hawk or h2o ethos(non micro guide) can't go wrong with either

Fishinthefish reply :

Silver hawk.

DogBone_384 reply :

On 1/25/2016 at 8:34 AM, Fishinthefish said:

Silver hawk.

pjd412 reply :

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll keep my eye on the silver hawk to see if it goes on sale any time soon.

I also like the look of the H2O Ethos, but I am very reluctant to order rods online and unfortunately the nearest academy to me is over 150 miles away.

Fishinthefish reply :

Spring sale, end of February through March depending on location. I spoke with the people and Cabelas, GM, Dicks, and BPS. They all told me the same thing, all of the spring stuff will be on the shelves by March 15th at the latest, the goal is March 1st.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 1/25/2016 at 9:12 AM, Fishinthefish said:

Spring sale, end of February through March depending on location. I spoke with the people and Cabelas, GM, Dicks, and BPS. They all told me the same thing, all of the spring stuff will be on the shelves by March 15th at the latest, the goal is March 1st.

Looks like I need to save some money. I'd like to catch some really good deals. Seems like good deals and me having money never jive.

the reel ess reply :

On 1/25/2016 at 4:06 AM, pjd412 said:

I have been looking at the Berkley Lightning Shock Rod

Thanks,

PJ

I have two plain older BC Lightning Rods that I bought when I was lower on funds than I am now. I use a 6'6" MH for single hook reaction baits and a 6'6" M for treble reaction baits and topwaters. Obviously, for $40, they're not the highest quality rods on the market. That's why I use them for applications where sensitivity isn't crucial. They have been durable and they're both still in my 6 combo arsenal. I think the integral lack of sensitivity is helpful in these situations because it keeps you from setting the hook before fish have fully taken the bait, especially with topwaters. This rods is great for TW baits. I have used the MH a few times for T rigs. If I pay close enough attention I can still feel bites.

I liked the older LR's enough that I bought a 7' M spinning rod about a year ago for smaller treble lures like jerkbaits. So now I have 3. I do get the need for sensitivity with other presentations, but there is no call for a $100 for these applications.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I have 8 or 9 Ethos rods, you can't beat them for the money.

ww2farmer reply :

Shock and Vengeance are both good. Pick the Vengeance if your going to be fishing plastics/jigs/etc...and the Shock for moving baits.

Brayberry reply :

I just picked up another Abu Garcia Veritas from Bass Pro yesterday for $60.

Racerx reply :

Been eyeing up the Veritas lately, but now the BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlite has popped up. Anybody have personal experience with both in about a 7' M or MH?

FloridaFishinFool reply :

Berkley shock. Can't beat it for the price!

KDW96 reply :

Those shock rods are a nice rod! Id also look for a regular lighting rod. But the new ones(2015), have a crappy forgrip that cracks very easy when you tighten it down on reel. Atleast mine did. Find a older one,and your good.

ChrisD46 reply :

On 1/25/2016 at 8:52 AM, pjd412 said:

Thanks for the quick feedback! I'll keep my eye on the silver hawk to see if it goes on sale any time soon.

I also like the look of the H2O Ethos, but I am very reluctant to order rods online and unfortunately the nearest academy to me is over 150 miles away.

Do NOT order Academy rods on line to ship to your home !!!! ...They shipped to me in a rectangular flemsy box twice with minimal random padding and arrived with broken .* Unless it's TW , BPS who ship in heavy duty crush proof cylinders - I steer clear of buying on line rods !

ChrisD46 reply :

DSG will have store sales where you can get a Veritas for below $50 .

The Fenwick Silver Hawk on sale at Cabela's would be interesting although some of their bend profile of modified fast and modified seem a little funky . Based on other replies of the Silver Hawk feeling about one flex stiffer - I would opt for a 7' M Fast or a 6'6" M Fast for all - around purpose unless I wanted a frog rod or flipping cabbage rod - then I would opt for a MH rated Silverhawk .

* How many would rather wait for a $100 rod from TW (such as a *** 2) to go on sale when TW offers a 15% discount down to $85 ? Would you rather have a *** 2 at $85 or a Fenwick Silver Hawk at $60 ?

pjd412 reply :

Ok so it looks like it's down to the Vengeance, Silver hawk, and Vendetta depending what goes on sale. I'll consider a Lightning Shock later for a Chatterbait/Swim Jig/Spinnerbaits Rod as I hear it has a slower action. Of course I won't get a Rod without holding it first, but thans for your help everyone!!!

smalljaw67 reply :

It is no secret that I'm a fan of Fenwick but that isn't why I'm going with the others and recommending the Silver Hawk too. Fenwick is owned by pure fishing and if you hold a Silver Hawk and a Vendetta side by side, you're likely to notice a very similar feel. I believe the 30 ton blank the Vendetta is built on is the same used for the Silver Hawk since that too is built on a 30 ton blank. The Vendetta isn't a bad rod at all at the price point, but the Silver Hawk uses better grips and guides by far, you get Fuji alconite guides on a rod that goes on sale for $60 with regularity. Wait for a sale at Cabelas and grab a Silver Hawk, it is basically an upgraded Vendetta that is less expensive when on sale.

robster80 reply :

wait for cabelas sale on the tournament zx rods. they usually go on sale for $69 here and there

31Kilo reply :

I've had a few Shimano Sellus rods I thought were a great value at 59.95

Wurming67 reply :

I hate the reel seat on those sellus good sensitivity though for the price

NYWayfarer reply :

My vote is for the Abu Garcia Vengeance. Medium action is a great all around rod.

BaitFinesse reply :

On 1/26/2016 at 9:13 PM, KDW96 said:

Those shock rods are a nice rod! Id also look for a regular lighting rod. But the new ones(2015), have a crappy forgrip that cracks very easy when you tighten it down on reel. Atleast mine did. Find a older one,and your good.

There are new LR as of last year that have a different reel locking mechanism. They feature a new reel seat, blank with carbon wrap, ceramic guides and a rubberized cork handle. I've got the 66 M and it is a nice jerkbait and finesse casting rod.

Riazuli reply :

If you can catch it before the sale ends (which may be by the end of today in a couple hours) the bionic blade by bps is on sale for 60 bucks. Had you been able to make it to a store before the sale ends with a trade in it would have been 45 to 50 bucks. 60 for a bionic blade is still a great deal down from 80. I've had the same bionic blade for almost 20 years that I've just retired in great condition with no breaks.

fishnkamp reply :

I will give you another nice option I fish a lot of expensive baitcasting rods that run well over $200 each but I fish 2 Berkley Lightning Shock rods and two Dick special rods. Take a look at Dicks Sporting Goods. They carry a line called a Quantum Escalade, I own a 6'6" medium spinning rod and a 7 foot mh baitcaster. the baitcaster is perfect for what you are looking for. It fishes a lot like my Falcon Buccoo Micro rod which cost almost 3 times the Escalade. The Escalade is an IM8 rod that retails for $99 but is on sale for $49.99 most of the year. It lists 1/4 to 1 1/2 ounce baits and 10 to 25 pound line. It makes a terrific bottom contact rod. As I say, I fish it as well as the spinning rod and am happy with both.

JoshFromBolo reply :

Abu garcia silvermax best bang for your buck at like 50 dollars at some places

Riazuli reply :

Er, just realized this is from January 2016...I imagine the OP has gotten his rod by now

MichaelJ7 reply :

For that price range I’d buy an Abu Garcia Vengeance and use the extra money left over on tackle.

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