What do you think is the best rod value for the money? This will mean different things to different people. To some it's the high end Loomis to others it is an ugly stick.
What's your opinion?
It depends. Value for money means different things to different people, depending upon a number of factors. There is no ONE answer to your question.
BPS Extreme, but only when it's on sale for $60 or in a combo with a Shimano reel.
As Long Mike stated, "value" may be assessed by several methods.
To my mind, the rod is the nucleas of the fishing experience, and I would sooner scrimp on the cost of the reel.
I believe that the Daiwa Light-and-Tough is the best bang-for-the-buck! Instead of paying for modulus overkill,
the Team Daiwa uses an IM6 blank that offers remarkable latitude that lives up to its name (light & tough).
It uses ceramic guides and the blank has a 'true' lure-weight range of 1/8 to 1 oz.
It wings a 1¼ oz Johnson Spoon without feeling mushy, while casting a 1/16 oz Rooster Tail with ease!
Roger
I like my BPS Extreme, however I did get it on sale for $59. But for the same price my Shimano Clarus is still my favorite. I like it almost as well as I do my Key Largo that I bought inshore saltwater. Althought this rod makes a great rattle trap rod.
Tony
I'll throw Allstar rods in the mix. I'd take a newer Allstar classic or the TAS rods over a BPS rod anyday. Not anything against BPS rods, I've got a few, for the money they're good rods just a little on the heavy side.
You just cannot beat a Team Allstar for the money. Another good one for the money is a Gator Rod.
I have several BPS rods, Extremes, Bionic Blades, Tourny Specials, and Cranking Sticks, have never paids full price for any of them. Great rods for a great price. Would never buy them at full price.........not because the are not worth it, but because it seems BPS has them on sale in one way or another almost all the time. Also any rod by Fenwick is a great rod at a very resonable price, I have had Techna AV's, HMG's, Eagles, and Venture's in the past. Still have quite a few Venture's and honestly use them alot. Sold most of the others, not because they dissapointed me, but needed $$ for other things. I never had a rod in there HMX line, but I am sure they are fine rods as well. I have 2 new St Croixs this year, a Triumph and a Premier, have yet to fish the Premier, but have used the Triumph a little, nice rod, well worth the $70 they list for. Last but not least, the good old Berkley Lightning Rod...........flat out just a great, probably the best rod you could buy under $40. Light, sensitive, durable.......I fished for years exclusivly with Lightning rods untill I upgraded a bit, but I still would have all the confidence in the world to pick one up and use them again.
I would say BPS extreme rod or a daiwa light & tough are the best bet for a nice rod without going over $200
Another vote for the Daiwa Light & Tough series. Light, tough and sensitive, they are all you could ever want for $120. Are they the absolute best rods? Probably not, but that was not the question. I believe they are the best value.
Cheers,
GK
St. Croix premier I think is the best value
In the way I look at this, the rod is the most fragile item in this equation, so the one that required the best warranty and support. I love the Daiwa L&T but after a year you are done......
I rather invest a bit more and stay with more back up, Airrus, GLoomis or Kistler....no questions asked.
BPS is forever
QuoteSt. Croix premier I think is the best value
Agree and I would add the avid for one step up.
BPS Extreme or St.Croix Premier
QuoteQuoteSt. Croix premier I think is the best valueAgree and I would add the avid for one step up.
Agree, as far as super cheap have had good luck with Berkley in the past
I said BPS Extreme, but this was before I went fishing yesterday and while setting the hook on a decent fish with 15 lb fluoro I snapped one of my 6'6" MH Extremes right in half. It was about three months out of warranty. I may have to vote for something with a lifetime warranty now.
Best value IMHO is either the Shimano Compre or Crucial line mainly because of their lifetime, no questions asked warranty. The fact that they're great rods doesn't hurt a bit either! A little pricier than some of the others mentioned but money well spent in the long run.
QuoteIn the way I look at this, the rod is the most fragile item in this equation, so the one that required the best warranty and support. I love the Daiwa L&T but after a year you are done......I rather invest a bit more and stay with more back up, Airrus, GLoomis or Kistler....no questions asked.
BPS is forever
actualy You get a 5 year warenty on the L&T
Been using airrus co-matrixes for 2 years, no complaints, great warranty
QuoteQuoteIn the way I look at this, the rod is the most fragile item in this equation, so the one that required the best warranty and support. I love the Daiwa L&T but after a year you are done......I rather invest a bit more and stay with more back up, Airrus, GLoomis or Kistler....no questions asked.
BPS is forever
actualy You get a 5 year warenty on the L&T
I don't know where you got that info from, not from Daiwa web site. Since I own a few hight end Daiwa reels I keep in touch with them frecuently. Only the Cielo, Tierra and Steez metioning a Limited Life Time Warranty, there is not such a thing for the L&T....I contacted them before I bougth my swimbait set and I was told this very clearly, that they will only covered 1 year......Go ahead and take your chances and let us know.
http://www.daiwa.com/Rod/freshwater.aspx
QuoteQuoteSt. Croix premier I think is the best valueAgree and I would add the avid for one step up.
I like my Avid, but for the same price you can buy a Powell rod that is much lighter, more sensitive, and just as strong to boot.
http://www.powellco.com/
I love my Shimano Crucial. Very light and sensitive and a no questions asked over the counter lifetime warranty. I think it is about $120.00.
Larry
P O W E L L
QuoteQuoteSt. Croix premier I think is the best valueAgree and I would add the avid for one step up.
Yes, I think the Avid is the best rod under $200
I think Shimano's are hard to beat too---the no hassle lifetime warranty sold me. Pretty tough and light as well IMHO.
QuoteQuoteQuoteIn the way I look at this, the rod is the most fragile item in this equation, so the one that required the best warranty and support. I love the Daiwa L&T but after a year you are done......I rather invest a bit more and stay with more back up, Airrus, GLoomis or Kistler....no questions asked.
BPS is forever
actualy You get a 5 year warenty on the L&T
I don't know where you got that info from, not from Daiwa web site. Since I own a few hight end Daiwa reels I keep in touch with them frecuently. Only the Cielo, Tierra and Steez metioning a Limited Life Time Warranty, there is not such a thing for the L&T....I contacted them before I bougth my swimbait set and I was told this very clearly, that they will only covered 1 year......Go ahead and take your chances and let us know.
http://www.daiwa.com/Rod/freshwater.aspx
The tag that came on both my L&T rods said 5 year limited warranty
depending on the money you want to spend, I honestly feel that ugly sticks are a very good value rod for the money. They are practically indestructible and have i think a 7 year warranty. For 39 bucks most places, you cant beat one...