Pleasantly surprised by Berkley Lightning Rod 2024

DaveT63 reply :

I typically fish higher end rods like GLX's and Legend Elites/Xtremes. But I also believe you don't have to have a high end rod for some moving baits.

I like to fish traps on a spinning setup for some reason. But I wasn't liking the BPS Extreme MH I was using. I went to Wally World looking for a 7'MH Lightning Shock, but they were out. So I took a shot on the basic Lightning Rod. I tried it this morning and was impressed!

This thing is light, balances VERY well with my Stradic 2500 FJ, and feels good in the hand. It will launch a 5/8 trap on light braid a country mile. I can feel vibration almost immediately upon starting to reel, and when I feel grass, it has plenty of backbone to rip it free, something my BPS Extreme lacked.

Overall, even though I've only fished it a few casts, and haven't caught anything on it, I'm very happy with it, and recommend it as a budget rod for moving baits like traps and spinnerbaits.

new2BC4bass reply :

7' rod? I have a 6' MH Lightning casting rod that I use strictly for spinnerbaits. A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait with Colorado blade vibrates the whole rod and the reel vibrates in my hand. Probably the best $17 I ever spent.

georgeyew reply :

I agree, the Berkely Lightning rods are a great value.....especially the newest version ones.

Ratherbfishing reply :

Bought one some 20 years back and would still be happily using if I hadn't broken it under a boat cleat.

lo n slo reply :

ssshhhhh

dont tell everybody

Paul Roberts reply :

You know, I've liked a lot of Berkeley rods over the years. I still have a few. In fact, the casting rod that has more miles on it than any other -and is still my GoTo crankbait and jerkbait rod- is a Bionix prototype given to me by a Berkeley rep back somewhere in the mid 80's. The graphite collet, he told me, could break if tightened too much on the reel foot. I've remembered that, to this day, every time I screw down a reel on it! By the time they went into production, they'd added an aluminum band inside to shore it up. Mine was a pistol grip model, and I stripped off the foam and added a full straight handle. Love that rod. It's still a starter for me.

greentrout reply :

Berkley Lighting Rod been around for a long time for a good reason...

good fishing...

bowhunter63 reply :

I have had one since they came out.Hank Parker used them alot in BASS Tourneys back in the day.

Bluebasser86 reply :

The original and the Shocks are some of the best value rods on the market IMO. I own a few of both and use them all regularly for a wide variety of techniques.

islandbass reply :

On 10/10/2018 at 12:15 AM, new2BC4bass said:

7' rod? I have a 6' MH Lightning casting rod that I use strictly for spinnerbaits. A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait with Colorado blade vibrates the whole rod and the reel vibrates in my hand. Probably the best $17 I ever spent.

Oh yeah? It’s the best $11 (with tax) I ever spent. Neener, neener, neener, lol.

I have an LR casting rod that somehow rang up for $11 at my Walmart and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s my default Jig rod because it seems so beefy. Honestly, I have not put it to much use if any these past 10 years or so other than converting to a split grip for the heck of it. Also, until this season, I pretty much signed off on spinnerbaits.

Thanks to this post, I’m going to give spinnerbaits a go next season. Sadly, bass fishing from the shore is pretty much over for me and I don’t feel like targeting salmon. Looking forward to seeing if I’ll also feel those spinning blades too.

TnRiver46 reply :

Field and stream magazine did a flipping stick comparison based on several variables years ago and the lightning rod graded out almost as high as all the other expensive ones. I seem to remember the article saying something like “virtually indestructible for horsing big fish out of heavy cover”

Catt reply :

Couldn't guess how many bass I've caught on Lighting Rods.

GReb reply :

My dad has an old Shimano bantam and lighting rod pistol grip combo from back in the 70/80s that has whooped my butt on many a day.

Djohn reply :

Got a 6ft medium casting about 8 years ago and I just don't notice much difference from my $150 rods.

WRB reply :

I remember the guys walking down the dock, the rod tips catching in planks and bending radically without breaking. Bet that add sold a few thousand rods.

I can say never fished a Lightening rod and have no plans to do so.

Tom

The Bassman reply :

The new Lightning Rods are a whole different animal than past versions. Look close and you'll see their relationship to Fenwick HMG's. Same parent company.

GeekFisher reply :

On 10/12/2018 at 6:54 AM, The Bassman said:

The new Lightning Rods are a whole different animal than past versions. Look close and you'll see their relationship to Fenwick HMG's. Same parent company.

The new LR looks like the new HMG, you are right ! I hope the HMG have better guides/reel seat and handle since its way pricier!

Boogey Man reply :

On 10/12/2018 at 6:27 AM, WRB said:

I remember the guys walking down the dock, the rod tips catching in planks and bending radically without breaking. Bet that add sold a few thousand rods.

I can say never fished a Lightening rod and have no plans to do so.

Tom

If memory serves, that was an old Ugly Stik commercial. Is a Lightning Rod just beneath your standards?

I still use a 5 and a half foot ultra light Lightning Rod that's 31 years old. I've caught thousands of fish on that little rod. Had a Lightning Rod 6'6 casting rod I used for years with no complaints. This thread makes me want to take a closer look at the newer ones

WRB reply :

On 10/12/2018 at 7:34 AM, Boogey Man said:

If memory serves, that was an old Ugly Stik commercial. Is a Lightning Rod just beneath your standards?

I still use a 5 and a half foot ultra light Lightning Rod that's 31 years old. I've caught thousands of fish on that little rod. Had a Lightning Rod 6'6 casting rod I used for years with no complaints. This thread makes me want to take a closer look at the newer ones

My time on the limited and have no interest in Lightning rods. You are right the ads were ugly Sticks.

Tom

Mobasser reply :

I'm curious about the newer models. I've never owned one, but have had Berkley Bionix rods, which which I still use sometimes.

greentrout reply :

check out fisherman's factory outlet pure fishing for rods and reels with deep discounts and reconditioned products...

good fishing...

scaleface reply :

I still have 3 or 4 of the originals. 5.5" and 6' pistol grips and a 6.5 straight grip"

LuffDaddy reply :

On 10/11/2018 at 3:42 PM, islandbass said:

Oh yeah? It’s the best $11 (with tax) I ever spent. Neener, neener, neener, lol.

I have an LR casting rod that somehow rang up for $11 at my Walmart and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s my default Jig rod because it seems so beefy. Honestly, I have not put it to much use if any these past 10 years or so other than converting to a split grip for the heck of it. Also, until this season, I pretty much signed off on spinnerbaits.

Thanks to this post, I’m going to give spinnerbaits a go next season. Sadly, bass fishing from the shore is pretty much over for me and I don’t feel like targeting salmon. Looking forward to seeing if I’ll also feel those spinning blades too.

Oh yeah? I got 3 lightening shock rods (two 7 MH and one 66 M both casting) for 15 TOTAL! 5 BUCKS A POP! NEENER ????????????????

Boomstick reply :

The Lightning and the Lightning Shocks are probably the best value rods on the market, even if you pay full retail.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

The new 2018 models have some of the most comfy reels seats on a buget rod ive felt .im buying a few more in spring ..they have a pistol grip tooo yeeeehawwww

If you cant catch fish with a 40$ and need a 400$ you may be a tool ..IMO

islandbass reply :

On 10/13/2018 at 4:42 PM, LuffDaddy said:

Oh yeah? I got 3 lightening shock rods (two 7 MH and one 66 M both casting) for 15 TOTAL! 5 BUCKS A POP! NEENER ????????????????

I’m outdone, lol.

BaitFinesse reply :

The new one are a big improvement over the previous generation. Gone are the chrome guides and old reel seat and lock nut that was prone to cracking. The new one has ceramic guides, dual lock nut, comfortable reel seat and full rubberized cork grips like the Fenwick rods. The rod can be mistaken for a higher end Fenwick on a passing glance. The rod is lightweight and balanced too.

I've got the 66M and it has a very light tip that allows it to pull double duty and work as ML casting rod in some situations. I was able to cast a 1/10 Shroomz head and 3" of Hula Stick with it no problem. The light tip and shorter handle also make it a great budget jerkbait rod for 90 and 110 style baits.

bayvalle reply :

Can they be used a a cranking rod?

new2BC4bass reply :

On 10/14/2018 at 3:55 AM, BaitFinesse said:

The new one are a big improvement over the previous generation. Gone are the chrome guides and old reel seat and lock nut that was prone to cracking. The new one has ceramic guides, dual lock nut, comfortable reel seat and full rubberized cork grips like the Fenwick rods. The rod can be mistaken for a higher end Fenwick on a passing glance. The rod is lightweight and balanced too.

I've got the 66M and it has a very light tip that allows it to pull double duty and work as ML casting rod in some situations. I was able to cast a 1/10 Shroomz head and 3" of Hula Stick with it no problem. The light tip and shorter handle also make it a great budget jerkbait rod for 90 and 110 style baits.

Sounds like I need to invest in another one........................or two.

1201vilbig reply :

On 10/14/2018 at 5:30 AM, bayvalle said:

Can they be used a a cranking rod?

The Shock is a great cranking rod. Since it was designed for braid it has a nice parabolic bend that helps keep 'em pinned.

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Pleasantly surprised by Berkley Lightning Rod 2024

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