Which Low End Rod? 2025
hooah212002 reply :
PLEASE PLEASE don't let this turn flame fest!
I am looking to get a new rod as I just broke the front tip insert on my el-cheapo and it wouldn't pay to fix it. I stopped by my local tackle shop and they have St.Croix Mojo rods that are refurb (branding removed) due to minor flaws or repairs (new rod tips or something) and Walmart has Lightning rods, but usually not in the size/action combo I want (~7' MH/F preferably). The tackle shop has two ~7' for $40, which is the same price as the Berkly's. No, I can't order online because I don't want to hear it from my wife. I would like an Abu Vengeance, what with only being $50, but nowhere around me sells them.
So it boils down to: which of these two rods is the better deal, all things being equal? What should I look for in the St.Croix to determine if it was "refurbed" to quality? Granted, I would get somewhat of a "warranty" with the lightning rod, but I hear a lot about St. Croix being the bees knees. Secondly, I doubt I will ANYTIME soon be buying a rod that costs more than $50, so these two rods appear to be my best options right now.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Got a Gander Mountain near you?
MarkH024 reply :
What if you order online and have it sent to work or a friends house? Or does she do your book keeping too? 
I'm a St. Croix guy, so my choice is at that. I have 3 Mojo's that I love. I'll be glad to discuss Croix rods with you privately as I don't care to voice my opinion on rods and reels much anymore here. I'm tried of the flame fest as well. The way I see it, fish what you like...not because Jon Doe from Bassresource claims is the best of the best and everything else is inferior.
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/19/2012 at 11:57 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:Got a Gander Mountain near you?
Hmm. I actually do (sorta). I forgot about that. What do they have in this price range?
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/19/2012 at 11:58 PM, MarkH024 said:What if you order online and have it sent to work or a friends house? Or does she do your book keeping too?
Friend??? What's that? I work too much to have these elusive "friends" you speak of.
Arv reply :
Of the two I would pick the Mojo. I've got one MH/F and I like it. I'm not sure what to look for on a refurbishing so I'm not really a whole lot of help there, but I have heard they're usually just a tip replacement or something minor of that nature. Like I'm sure you've come to the conclusion, don't sacrifice the rod just for the name. A Lightning rod in one piece is a lot better than a Mojo in two pieces.
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 12:28 AM, Arv said:A Lightning rod in one piece is a lot better than a Mojo in two pieces.
I've been hearing this a lot. Are one piece rods generally a lot more sensitive?
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 12:08 AM, hooah212002 said:Hmm. I actually do (sorta). I forgot about that. What do they have in this price range?
I should have been more specific and asked if the refurb rods were at Gander Mountain. GM offers a type of "warranty" that would have gone well with the refurb rods.
Most of their house brand sticks are decent, if not a little tip-heavy for my liking. The factory rods that I own and fish are St. Croix LTB.
LgMouthGambler reply :
I have 2 lightning shocks that are M that I can sell to you for cheap. They are pretty heafty rods.
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 12:39 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:I should have been more specific and asked if the refurb rods were at Gander Mountain. GM offers a type of "warranty" that would have gone well with the refurb rods.
Most of their house brand sticks are decent, if not a little tip-heavy for my liking. The factory rods that I own and fish are St. Croix LTB.
No, it is a Lakeside bait and tackle shop. The gander mountain is somewhat out of my way and I would have to go there with something in mind.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Guide-Series-Casting-Rod-66-1-Piece-Medium-Heavy&i=419915&aID=504AB2&merchID=4006
Decent rod for the money, if you go the Gander route.
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 1:20 AM, SPEEDBEAD. said:http://www.gandermou...B2&merchID=4006
Decent rod for the money, if you go the Gander route.
So you would recommend this over the other two I mentioned? Admittedly, I do like the aesthetics of split grips and both the Berkley and St. Croix have one. I know that doesn't make a lick of difference, but I learned long ago that confidence is key and anything to help boost that is a good thing even if it's just liking the way your rod looks in your hand. I'm shallow like that, I guess. Plus, the Berkley and St. Croix are at least $10 cheaper.
However, if the Gander rod is far better, I will go that route.
tholmes reply :
On 9/19/2012 at 11:48 PM, hooah212002 said:PLEASE PLEASE don't let this turn flame fest!
I am looking to get a new rod as I just broke the front tip insert on my el-cheapo and it wouldn't pay to fix it. I stopped by my local tackle shop and they have St.Croix Mojo rods that are refurb (branding removed) due to minor flaws or repairs (new rod tips or something) and Walmart has Lightning rods, but usually not in the size/action combo I want (~7' MH/F preferably). The tackle shop has two ~7' for $40, which is the same price as the Berkly's. No, I can't order online because I don't want to hear it from my wife. I would like an Abu Vengeance, what with only being $50, but nowhere around me sells them.
So it boils down to: which of these two rods is the better deal, all things being equal? What should I look for in the St.Croix to determine if it was "refurbed" to quality? Granted, I would get somewhat of a "warranty" with the lightning rod, but I hear a lot about St. Croix being the bees knees. Secondly, I doubt I will ANYTIME soon be buying a rod that costs more than $50, so these two rods appear to be my best options right now.
It really wouldn't cost more than a few bucks to fix your rod if the tip is the only thing that.s broken. Just go to Wally World (or your local tackle shop) and get a rod tip repair kit.They come with several different size tips and a little stick of hot-melt glue You can heat the old tip and GENTLY pull it off, select a tip of the appropriate size, heat the glue stick until the glue melts, put a little dab of glue in the part of the tip that slides over the rod, line it up with the other guides and your done.
It takes a lot longer to type it out than it does to do the job. It's really, really easy to do.
Unless, of course, you just HAVE to have a new rod 
Tom
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 3:06 AM, tholmes said:It really wouldn't cost more than a few bucks to fix your rod
Unless, of course, you just HAVE to have a new rod
Tom
SHHHH. I need an excuse.
But seriously, it's a $15 Shakespere and I just can't justify spending money to fix it unless it's going to be less than a dollar. I'll hang on to it and maybe down the road, after I have purchased a rod tip repair kit for a future higher quality rod that I buy, I'll fix it.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Personally, I'd take the chance on the St. Croix.
To be honest with you, it sounds as if your mind is set that way already. Not a bad choice whatsoever.
hooah212002 reply :
My mind is not set at all. Quite the contrary: I can't decide between the two (Berkley/St. Croix). I'm sure I'd be even more confuzzled if there was a 3rd/4th/5th option at this price point. I just want to make sure I get 1) the best quality for the money and 2) something I will like to look at.
Arv reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 12:34 AM, hooah212002 said:I've been hearing this a lot. Are one piece rods generally a lot more sensitive?
Haha, I meant between a broken rod and one that's still together. I have two 2-piece rods that I use for traveling (a M/F Comrpe spinning rod and a MH/F Veritas casting rod) and, to me, I can't really tell a difference. Maybe its inexperience, but either way, I like the ability to take them apart and pack them up.
rockchalk06 reply :
On 9/19/2012 at 11:48 PM, hooah212002 said:PLEASE PLEASE don't let this turn flame fest!
I am looking to get a new rod as I just broke the front tip insert on my el-cheapo and it wouldn't pay to fix it. I stopped by my local tackle shop and they have St.Croix Mojo rods that are refurb (branding removed) due to minor flaws or repairs (new rod tips or something) and Walmart has Lightning rods, but usually not in the size/action combo I want (~7' MH/F preferably). The tackle shop has two ~7' for $40, which is the same price as the Berkly's. No, I can't order online because I don't want to hear it from my wife. I would like an Abu Vengeance, what with only being $50, but nowhere around me sells them.
So it boils down to: which of these two rods is the better deal, all things being equal? What should I look for in the St.Croix to determine if it was "refurbed" to quality? Granted, I would get somewhat of a "warranty" with the lightning rod, but I hear a lot about St. Croix being the bees knees. Secondly, I doubt I will ANYTIME soon be buying a rod that costs more than $50, so these two rods appear to be my best options right now.
Check out the flea market. LMG just posted 3 rods for sale really cheap. MUST RESIST>>>>>>>>>
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 7:44 AM, rockchalk06 said:Check out the flea market. LMG just posted 3 rods for sale really cheap. MUST RESIST>>>>>>>>>
He offered them to me before he put them up, but I have nowhere to get packages delivered in stealth and I would prefer 7' or longer.
Darren. reply :
Hard to go wrong with the Croix, but I know folks who have the Berkley Lightning (had one once, too) and love them big time.
Personally, Mojos are tip-heavy to me. Have a buddy who picked up a St. Croix Premiere 6'6" ML at Dick's for around $60 on clearance.
If you can compare side-by-side once and for all, eyes closed and feel them in your hand. Then pick the best one.
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 8:59 AM, DarrenM said:Personally, Mojos are tip-heavy to me.
That's kinda what I like most about it, aside from the name. It feels really well built and solid.
On 9/20/2012 at 8:59 AM, DarrenM said:If you can compare side-by-side once and for all, eyes closed and feel them in your hand. Then pick the best one.
I wish I could. I've done my share of "window shopping" with the lightning at Walmart (pretend casting it in the aisle with no reel lol), just waiting to have the need/money to pick it up. friday I have both. They feel really good and look superb.
Darren. reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 9:05 AM, hooah212002 said:That's kinda what I like most about it, aside from the name. It feels really well built and solid.
I wish I could. I've done my share of "window shopping" with the lightning at Walmart (pretend casting it in the aisle with no reel lol), just waiting to have the need/money to pick it up. friday I have both. They feel really good and look superb.
Sounds like the "need" is there. Broken tip = must replace. I'm sure your wife will understand like mine does.... 
hooah212002 reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 9:10 AM, DarrenM said:Sounds like the "need" is there. Broken tip = must replace. I'm sure your wife will understand like mine does....
HAHA! Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but I bought like 6 jigs from my neighbor and she said "so now you have enough lures for a while, right?". I have 3 combos and she thinks THAT is enough. Never mind that my spinning reel is shot. Usable, but shot (no drag and the handle constantly locks up). I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of convincing her that there is a "need" for more fishing stuff.
Darren. reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 9:15 AM, hooah212002 said:HAHA! Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but I bought like 6 jigs from my neighbor and she said "so now you have enough lures for a while, right?". I have 3 combos and she thinks THAT is enough. Never mind that my spinning reel is shot. Usable, but shot (no drag and the handle constantly locks up). I have a better chance of winning the lottery than of convincing her that there is a "need" for more fishing stuff.
I was dripping with sarcasm. My wife is pretty much the same way. All my gear should last forever. And I should never NEED new worms of that color when those other colors I already have should work just fine. But she does complete me. And is my much better half without whom I'd be lost. And I'd spend us out of house and home if she didn't keep the bait monkey in check.
hooah212002 reply :
Never mind both of those. I just got a clearance Veritas at Dicks for $45!
Darren. reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 9:59 AM, hooah212002 said:Never mind both of those. I just got a clearance Veritas at Dicks for $45!
There ya go! See! Dick's has some pretty great deals on clearance when you can find 'em!!
Congrats!
Arv reply :
On 9/20/2012 at 9:59 AM, hooah212002 said:Never mind both of those. I just got a clearance Veritas at Dicks for $45!
dam0007 reply :
Any chance you live in CT? I have a decent Shimano rod you can either borrow/or keep.
dam0007 reply :
S*** I didn't read the posts went to scroll up saw u got one, congrats. Sorry I was late to the party.
hooah212002 reply :
Yea, it was strange. They had only 2 on clearance. I asked the guy if he knew why those two were on clearance and he said they were probably being discontinued(?). I pointed out that they had a slew of other Veritas' on the shelf as new, only different sizes (the 2 on clearance were 6'6" MH. Yea I settled. But it's hardly "settling" when it's a freakin Veritas lol). He then said maybe they were just not stocking that particular rod anymore. I THEN asked if the other sizes would be clearanced, but he didn't know. Oh well. I stop every night almost so I'll see if they do go on sale.
I didn't actually "get" it yet: I had him hold it because I didn't have my $10 off $50 coupon which will actually make this rod, along with something else that costs $5, only cost $40.
I think I scored.
The Rooster reply :
Yeah you scored. I'm glad I read this thread now though because I clicked that Gander Mountain link that was posted and I love the way those house brand rods look. They remind me of the Shimano rods from when they had full cork handles. That's what I like. I have a GM store about less than 2 hours from here that I've never been to. Time for a trip.
tugsandpulls reply :
i love my shock rod
roadwarrior reply :
Here's a deal that just popped up in our Flea Market:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/107703-unloading-some-extra-rods/
hooah212002 reply :
Got to take the Veritas out for a spin today. One word: light! I couldn't believe how light it is. I can't say for sure how sensitive it is since it was windy and weedy (constantly ripping through thick weeds doesn't lend itself to touch). It casts a good ways further than the rod of the same length/action as well, so that's another positive. I do like that the reel seat is open so you can feel the rod itself when holding it.
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