Best rod for around $200 +/- $20 2025
dmac14 reply :
Alright looking to buy my first quality rod. I have yet to fish with a rod that is considered high quality so not really sure how much of a difference it makes. So before this season i wanna look into buying a decent rod (No G.Loomis"s...yet). Just started looking at a Few St. Croix, like the LT and Avid, also looking at the Quantums. The St. Croix seem like a better rod manufacturer, there rods look a little better and seem like they would be more sensitive. So if ayone has any opinions on the St Croix or any other rods in the price range of about $200 it would help greatly.
Thanks
-Dylan
burleytog reply :
Kistler Argon, Kistler Magnesium, Shimano Cumara
Dan: reply :
Check out the Legend Tournament from St Croix, the Dobyns Champion series, the Daiwa Zillions, Shimano Cumaras, Powell Max, and E21 Carrot Stix gold.
What type of techniques will you be using for the rod?
dmac14 reply :
Havent decided yet, either upgrading my Plastics rod, or my crankbait rod. Leaning more towards Crankbait tho.
mikeh88 reply :
St. Croix Avid $160.00 and still have money left over to buy some more stuff. 
chris fenk reply :
Dobyns and shimano cumara.
Big Tom reply :
I have two Powell Max's and at 140 bucks they are awesome.
David P reply :
The new Dobyns rods are the best rods I've found in that price range. Depending on rod lengths, they're $200 - $240 . TONS of models to fit every want and need you could ever have. Already know a few guys getting rid of some IMX Loomis rods and St Croix Legends for the new Dobyns. I sold my last Zillion rod and now only have Dobyns.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteThe new Dobyns rods are the best rods I've found in that price range. Depending on rod lengths, they're $200 - $240 . TONS of models to fit every want and need you could ever have. Already know a few guys getting rid of some IMX Loomis rods and St Croix Legends for the new Dobyns. I sold my last Zillion rod and now only have Dobyns.
I picked up a Dobyns Champion Series 683C last weekend and fished
it for a few hours Saturday and Sunday. I'm probably going to like it
for a couple of applications, but I won't be getting rid of my G. Loomis
or St. Croix anytime soon.
My suggestion is the Avid AVC68MXF. Better quality rods with greater
sensitivity are far more important for fishing soft plastics and jigs than
other techniques. Use the other equipment you have for everything
else.
If you really like the AVC68MXF, consider the AVC66MF for your next
upgrade. This is what I consider an "all-around" rod for treble hooks.
I'm sure you will be very pleased with the St. Croix line-up, I have
been for years.
Good luck!
8-)
bigfruits reply :
if you are interested in a loomis IMX for around $190 shipped:
www.ohya.com
register with them
log in with the following
username:customer
password:preferred
if you can save up a little more they have glx for about $260...
dodgeguy reply :
bass pro shops johnny morris signature or elite series rods.
SWMIBASSER reply :
Quotebass pro shops johnny morris signature or elite series rods.
You will have a hard time getting a rod that performs like the Johnny Morris Elite, for $200.
njbasser reply :
QuoteHavent decided yet, either upgrading my Plastics rod, or my crankbait rod. Leaning more towards Crankbait tho.
IMO a high end rod is more important for plastics than cranks. If you are set on getting a new cranking rod, I have an Avid cranking rod, 7' Medium Power, Moderate Action, and it is great.
rfrazier reply :
Daiwa Zillion
Stasher1 reply :
QuoteQuotebass pro shops johnny morris signature or elite series rods.You will have a hard time getting a rod that performs like the Johnny Morris Elite, for $200.
x3
I've got a Johnny Morris Signature Series spinning rod that's become my favorite spinning rod in the past few months. They're on sale right now, as are the JM Elite rods.
Picked up a Kistler Magnesium TS crankbait rod a little while ago for $150, and like it alot. Sensitive, light, and not as whippy as a lot of other crankbait rods.
Raul reply :
For that kind of money ---> GLoomis IMX
Kistler Magnesium ? next to an IMX ---> IMX hands down ( I had the Mag TS All pupose and it 's good rod ),
JM Elite ? good rod too, but not an IMX ),
Cumara ? good rod too, not an IMX either ),
Dobyns ?, can 't say anything about them, never owned or fished with one.
St Croix LT ? great rod but there 's something about them that I can 't define that doesn 't make me lean towards them.
Zillion ? haven 't tried one yet
Dan: reply :
listen to RW, you really don't need to spend as much on a crankbait rod as you do on other rods.
bass wrangler569 reply :
Listen to Raul's advice. Get an IMX. And go for a plastics rod, a high quality, sensitive rod is much more important for plastics than for cranks.
djmax22 reply :
Loomis IMX hands down.
Deputy Dave reply :
Take it from someone that's owned and fished most all of the high end rods over the last several years. (Loomis, St Croix, Kistler, Falcon, BPS J. Morris)
Kistler Magnesium at $179 is the best value out there.
I own 10 of them!
sal669 reply :
Plastics rod.
I would go with RW-s suggestion :Avid AVC68MXF.
I own the spinning version, AVS68MXF .Most sensitive rod I owned and fished with. The AVC68 has the same taper blanc (action).
Fishing Doug reply :
Don't rule out the Shimano Crucial. It is actually a little below your price range and, IMO, a great value rod.
Primus reply :
If buying an American made rod is important to you consider Loomis, Roque, St. Croix, Setyr & B nR Outlaw all these companies make a very good rod. I haven't used them yet but got a great deal on 2 Setyr rods to try for next year. Hopefully the ice will go away soon.
Chris at Tech reply :
First off, I agree with the comments above that an upgraded plastics rod will be a better investment than an upgraded crankbait rod.
And the above suggestions are all good ones. Here are mine:
--St Croix Avid or LT Bass, 68mxf -- casting or spinning
--Dobyns 3 or 4 power, depending on how heavy a weight you're using
--Daiwa Zillion MH 6'9" XF -- I like mine for jigs and 1/4oz + T-rigs
Georgia Jeff reply :
QuoteQuotebass pro shops johnny morris signature or elite series rods.You will have a hard time getting a rod that performs like the Johnny Morris Elite, for $200.
I will second that. They have them on sale at the spring classic for $150. Awesome deal and as good as many rods costing $100 more. The 6' 8 MH extra fast is an awesome plastics rod. I put power pro braid on it last year and was setting the hook when the worm landed on the bottom it is so sensitive. I had to get used to the extra sensitivity compared to the Extreme rods.
dodgeguy reply :
it's about time somebody besides me recognizes how good they are!!!
lubina reply :
QuoteI have two Powell Max's and at 140 bucks they are awesome.
Another vote for Powell
ejtaylor822 reply :
If you want optimal performance, you need to decide on which technique will be primary for this rod. As others have said, you are better off going with the more expensive and "technical high-end" for the plastics - very high modulus, extremely light and sensitive.
For cranks, in all honesty, fiberglass works best or at a minimum a composite - high modulus is a waste for cranks. Optimal action for cranks is a slow parabolic curve for hooksets and fighting. For the plastics you want a very fast tip for hook sets so you are getting into the blank's power. Also, the faster tip will give you much more sensitivity for detection the slightest of nibbles - both of which are benefits of high modulus.
BTW, and I am HUGE fan of quantum, but I would choose the St. Croix avids over the quantum rods.
Eddie
KYntucky Warmouth reply :
I wouldn't spend that much on a crank rod. As for a plastics rod I really like my Kistler Magnesium TS...Powell's seem nice too
Raul reply :
Quoteit's about time somebody besides me recognizes how good they are!!!
I said they were good rods .... but not an IMX.
21farms reply :
the second-generation dobyns rods are my favorite but they're probably $20 out of your price range. for my money, i'd buy a used g.loomis IMX which i see regularly between $140-$180...here's one example: http://www.westernbass.com/forum/ads_item.php?id=10144
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