Convince me 2024

RickB reply :

Alright guys need you help to spend my money. Shouldn't be a problem right. I'm looking to upgrade a rod currently using an UglyStik 6' MH for my TX rig worm set up. The thing is just plain wore out, reel hold down is stripped out had to drill it out and put a large sheet metal screw it just to hold and finished up last year with it. Thing is I have had that rod for 20 years or more and just liked the way it feels. I picked up a Lew's 7' MHWR at the store the other day and it just felt so light I couldn't believe it could be any good. $80 is a lot for me to spend on a rod, compared to an UglyStik or Lighting rod that I currently use. Guess I need to get with the 21st century but I'm old and of the feeling if it's heavy it's got to be quality. Reviews were good on it, is this a quality rod for the price.

Thanks Guys

NHBull reply :

I am sorry, but what's the question?

the reel ess reply :

SPEND MONEY!!!

There. Convinced?

LionHeart reply :

Rods today can be very light and very strong at the same time. Never heard of a MHWR. What does that mean? What model lews was the rod?

RickB reply :

Medium Heavy Worm Rod

Lew’s Mach Speed Stick Series

Worm

MHWR

7'0"

12-20

3/16-5/8

8+TIP

$79.99

TylerT123 reply :

I don’t haven’t heard great things from Lew’s rods. I’ve mostly heard that they just break. I’d put my money towards a better brand like St. Croix, Dobyns, Daiwa, or Fenwick but that’s me. I don’t know your price range but based off the price of the rod you mentioned I’d look at Dobyns Colt and Fury lineup, Fenwick HMG and Lunker Stik, St. Croix Bass X, Truimph and Premier, and Daiwa Triforce and Procyon. The Lew’s rod isn’t a bad rod but to me there are also other good rods at that price point. I’d just look around and compare.

YaknBassn reply :

At or around the $100 range, you've got plenty of options bud. I'd look for something other than Lews. For $80, you can do better. Add another $20 To that and you can do a whole lot better.

As mentioned before, St. Croix, Dobyns, Daiwa, Falcon, etc are all superior in their build quality. It seems I'm the only one here that pushes them, but Ark Rods are fantastic for their price range, which is $80 - $200.

And don't be fooled by the weight of the rod. If you fish often, you'll really learn to love a lightweight rod.

LAO162 reply :

You'll find rods are very different now. Light weight and sensitivity, plus hook setting power are valued qualities. Many of the currently popular techniques benefit from these same qualities. You won't understand how much you've been missing until you get a truly sensitive rod in your hands out on the water. You also need have to accept that new rods may not take the abuse of you old Ugly Stik

Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :

NOthing wrong with lightning rod, it is affordable and reasonable quality.

Angry John reply :

Budget is 80 for a medium heavy fast

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-Tatula-XT-73-Med-Heavy-Casting-Rod-TXT731MHFB/351562242663?epid=2255085220&hash=item51dabe1a67:g:tDAAAOSwy1VZusZr

LionHeart reply :

Not trying to make you change your budget. The lews would very likely be a step up from the ugly stick. But I hate to see someone 's budget be so close to the point where quality really takes a jump for the price you pay. It seems that the 100 dollar mark is that point. Basically you will get more than 20 dollars more worth of rod by getting a 100 dollar rod over an 80 dollar rod.

Now the tough part is picking the one you like, because there is a lot of competition at the 100 dollar mark. Again, not trying to make you change your budget, but another 20 bucks for a rod that you will have for many years.....

FishDewd reply :

The difference comes down to materials. Ugly Stiks are composite fiberglass rods, hence why they weigh so much, but are so legendarily strong. They are great for brute-forcing and most general non-sensitive, non-finesse fishing, like catfishing, or fishing in the ocean. These newer graphite rods are much less weighty and more sensitive. While Ugly Stiks have their use, if you want to get into bass fishing or crappie fishing, etc, you'll need something with more give, that is lighter weight and more sensitive to shy bites. I agree with others though, shop around before settling on the Lew's. I have 2 of them, and they are okay, but I find the lure weightings to be off on them, and the tips are too stiff to do the kind of finesse fishing I want to do. I'm hardly an expert at rods, but I'm learning slowly but surely about them.

New River Addiction reply :

Fenwick has some nice rods within your budget so check them out. IMO they are extremely sensitive and hard to beat value wise.

kingmotorboat reply :

Although I don't fish with them anymore, Powell inferno 683 is 89.97 on tacklewarehouse with free shipping. At 89 dollars you couldn't ask for more

bigfruits reply :

if you have been fishing t-rigs on an ugly stik, youre going to love a $100 rod. you will wish you'd tried one sooner.

CroakHunter reply :

Daiwa fuego 7ft mh. Under $70 on Wal-Mart.com with free shipping.

Catt reply :

Academy has H2O Express, All Star, Berkley Lighting, Lew's, Falcon, Cast Away, Garcia, & Quantum all for under $80!

RickB reply :

Thanks Guys, you have given me more options. St. Croix Bass X is in the mix and another $20 I can put in the budget. Just didn't see one at any of my local stores I could lay my hands on. I'll be mounting my old trusty ABU UtraMag XL Plus to it. What power and action would y'all recommend for a TX worm rod in a St Croix Bass X.

Thanks again

TylerT123 reply :

On 2/9/2018 at 9:51 PM, RickB said:

Thanks Guys, you have given me more options. St. Croix Bass X is in the mix and another $20 I can put in the budget. Just didn't see one at any of my local stores I could lay my hands on. I'll be mounting my old trusty ABU UtraMag XL Plus to it. What power and action would y'all recommend for a TX worm rod in a St Croix Bass X.

Thanks again

MHF or MF

kingmotorboat reply :

On 2/9/2018 at 9:51 PM, RickB said:

Thanks Guys, you have given me more options. St. Croix Bass X is in the mix and another $20 I can put in the budget. Just didn't see one at any of my local stores I could lay my hands on. I'll be mounting my old trusty ABU UtraMag XL Plus to it. What power and action would y'all recommend for a TX worm rod in a St Croix Bass X.

Thanks again

The bass x I felt was pretty tip heavy. I'm so used to Dobyns balance now that it's hard to go back. But I digress, what size weight do you usually throw?

Can't Catch Bass reply :

If you're not in a hurry I'd suggest doing one of these 2 things... Check Dobyns store and look through the refurbished fury rods and keep checking back in until one becomes available, or check eBay and look for a 20% off coupon code to use with a new Dobyns rod. There's one vendor in particular that regularly gives this discount.

The refurbished will cost you $80 shipped and the new will cost you around $88 shipped. The refurbished and the new both have the same great warranty.

If you want a suggestion for a good all around rod from this manufacturer I'd go with a 734c

RickB reply :

On 2/9/2018 at 10:30 PM, kingmotorboat said:

The bass x I felt was pretty tip heavy. I'm so used to Dobyns balance now that it's hard to go back. But I digress, what size weight do you usually throw?

1/4oz weight 7 1/2" culprit worm on 14# mono. 90% of the time. Will also throw a 3/8oz jig on the same set up sometimes.

ClackerBuzz reply :

Stick with big name companies that will back their warranty. A store brand in ur area is even better b/c you can walk in a get a new replacement rod. Both @Catt and @Bluebasser86speak highly of the Academy H2O Express line. If you have a store near you I would highly consider them b/c you can feel them in ur hand (take ur own reel so you can test its balance), return and/or easily exchange if failure. St Croix is another great choice b/c they have some of the best customer service in the industry. Fenwick is owned by Pure Fishing and they back rods however you do need to cover return shipping costs. They've always sent me replacement rods free of charge. Berkley is another large reputable company. @ww2farmer turned me onto Daiwa Aird X rods last year and they are amazing for $55. 20% off sales puts them at $45. They feel like a $300 rod in the hands. I've never used Daiwa warranty but they are a huge company so I'm confident they will back their products.

If I were on a budget i would stay far away from boutique companies like Powell and Dobyns. If the rod breaks you'll have to pay $30 to ship it to them for inspection plus $70-90 replacement fee once they determine the failure was 'your fault'.

LxVE Bassin reply :

U can get a mh/f Lews rod with IM8 graphite for $40 at Walmart which is same graphite used for the Lews TP-1 Speedstick which is $100. The Lews Mach Speed stick you mentioned has lower quality IM6 graphite and runs $79.99. Like others have save said, at the $100 mark there are better options. St Croix Bass X and Triump are good choices that I personally own. Nothing against Lews as I have 2 set ups with their gear.

Link to $40 Lews Rod with IM8 graphite:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Hank-Parker-Casting-Speed-Stick/51284685

LionHeart reply :

On 2/9/2018 at 9:51 PM, RickB said:

FishDewd reply :

Surprised no one has mentioned Carbonlites. I went to BPS today and found one that I might buy next week during their Feb 16th seminar and sale. I can get credit for bringing in old rods, which I have a few of The one I like, which is 1 6'6" medium-light for weightless finessing, will be right about $99 with their sale, minus the credit I will cash in. I haven't seen anything I like better tbh.

Drew03cmc reply :

For an affordable stick, Berkley Amp has my $$ at $30. I can't say much else, other than the Abu Vengeance rods are nice for the dough.

LOTR88 reply :

I have two Lew's Carbon Fire casting rods and I like them a lot. I did get them at 50% off on sale at Dick's $40.00 for each rod. They have held up well for me and I like the action, they have a nice sensitive tip. I don't think I would pay $80 bucks for one though, I also have a St Croix Mojo Bass and will say I like that rod better then my Lew's but the Lew's are not terrible.

anderb54 reply :

If you're willing to shell out $100 for the BassX, I'd highly recommend looking into a Fenwick HMG. Well built, and VERY sensitive at that price point. I still use a 7' ML HMG as one of my finesse rods and have zero complaints about it.

LionHeart reply :

I have used a Bass X med heavy moderate-fast for the past year and love it. I've used it for just about everything and it would make an excellent worm rod in my experience. Very versatile rod.

fishnkamp reply :

RickB Have you ever been to this shop. Give them a call and see if they still carry Powell rods., I believe you are not that far from them. Put a Powell inferno in your hand.

ANGLERS CHOICE

6771 A.L. Philpott Hwy Martinsville, VA 24112

276-632-5600

LCG reply :

Bass pro shops will have a heir spring sales coming up soon and their carbonlite rods go on sale for a decent price, hear its a good rod.

Otherwise fenwick hmg or st Croix bass x. Might be able to find something higher end used for a good deal as well.

FishDewd reply :

On 2/10/2018 at 1:16 PM, Luke G. said:

Bass pro shops will have a heir spring sales coming up soon and their carbonlite rods go on sale for a decent price, hear its a good rod.

Otherwise fenwick hmg or st Croix bass x. Might be able to find something higher end used for a good deal as well.

Yep, and their taking old rods/reels for credit towards new gear! Guess who has about 10 old set-ups he doesn't need anymore? This guy! I think the guy told me they are worth like 20 a piece. I already have some points, so I'll be making a swing at a carbonlite for sure. Every cent helps!

RickB reply :

Man you guys really make it tough with all of the options out there. The only thing I have been able to lay my hands own other than the Lew's is a Mojo Bass 7'1" MF and a MHF. I can get either for less than $120. I just blows my mind coming from a heavy Ugly Stik that these new rods are so light but tough. I guess I'll just have to accept that technology has changed that much in 20+ years. Still looking, thanks for all of the replies.

On 2/10/2018 at 12:05 PM, fishnkamp said:

RickB Have you ever been to this shop. Give them a call and see if they still carry Powell rods., I believe you are not that far from them. Put a Powell inferno in your hand.

ANGLERS CHOICE

6771 A.L. Philpott Hwy Martinsville, VA 24112

276-632-5600

Haven't been by there but I know where they are. May have to check them out this weekend.

Thanks

RickB reply :

Looks like it's going to be a Mojo Bass, more money than I wanted to spend but tired of flipping back and forth and Dicks has it on the shelf. Now which one to get MH F or M F both are 7'1". Mostly using 14# mono 1/4oz weight 7 1/2" Culprit worms now and again I'll tie on a 3/8 jig. Thanks guys for helping spend my money.

bigfruits reply :

are you pitching to cover? the 6'8"MXF is my favorite st croix rod but i dont think id throw 3/8oz jigs plus plastic on it. st croix rods are typically heavier in power than most other brands however. because you fish mono, id recommend MH. throw on some braid and you will be in for a surprise when you drag the jig over a rockpile or dead tree.

good choice. st croix has a plan where they will replace the rod should you break it for a fee. you can even upgrade at that time if you wanted to.

OnthePotomac reply :

Minnow, to your question on that Lew's model you are looking at, I bought one two years ago at Dick's on sale and have given it a workout on the Potomac grass beds and it has been just great. I have a nice reel on it spooled with Invizx 15lb flouro and it is used for plastics. It has hauled bass out of really thick grass with no problem. I too was attracted to its light weight. Mine is a 7' MH. No breaky yet.

Arlo Smithereen reply :

I've got all kinds of rods from Ugly Stiks to St Croix. My favorite frog rod is my 7' MH Ugly Stik Elite. You don't need sensitivity to see a bass slam your frog. The rod is tough as hell, has a 5 year warranty. Yea it's heavier than other rods, but it works for me. In that application.

RickB reply :

Thanks for all of the input guys, picked up a SC 7'1" MF Mojo Bass last night. I blame y'all for spending my money.

FishDewd reply :

On 2/13/2018 at 3:51 AM, RickB said:

Looks like it's going to be a Mojo Bass, more money than I wanted to spend but tired of flipping back and forth and Dicks has it on the shelf. Now which one to get MH F or M F both are 7'1". Mostly using 14# mono 1/4oz weight 7 1/2" Culprit worms now and again I'll tie on a 3/8 jig. Thanks guys for helping spend my money.

Can you blame us? It's much more fun to spend your money than it is to spend our own!

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