im looking for a rod that i can use for all around baits to be paired with my citica.
St. Croix Avid AVC68MXF
8-)
What's your budget?
under 100 bucks
How much under 100 bucks ?
Cuz exactly at 100 bucks ( or 1 cent below 100 bucks ) you can purchase a Shimano Compre, very nice rod for 100 bones.
At around 70 bones you can get a Shimano Clarus, very good rod for around 70.
i have a 6' M/F compre on my 201d. great all around rod imo.
i also have a clarus spinning rod. either would be a great choice.
so im gonna get the compre paired with my citica. but for basically fishing all different types of techniques how long should i get my rod?
I would say 7'MH-F
Quoteso im gonna get the compre paired with my citica. but for basically fishing all different types of techniques how long should i get my rod?
Think about power and action more than thinking about length.
while i agree you should concider the power/action of the rod before length , i find that i grab my 6' rod before anything , mainly because i fish from shore and trees and brush can determine how im casting. with the 6'6 rod , i limit myself. it may not sound like much , but that extra 6" does makes a difference imo but that 6" will cast my baits further.
You did this all backwards.
First you get the rod you want, and 'then' get a reel for it.
The reel only needs to not backlash, not break, and have a smooth drag. Everything else is just the warm fuzzy feeling you get from having a nice reel. Kind of like a guarantee on a box.
The rod on the other hand WILL help you catch more fish.
QuoteYou did this all backwards.First you get the rod you want, and 'then' get a reel for it.
The reel only needs to not backlash, not break, and have a smooth drag. Everything else is just the warm fuzzy feeling you get from having a nice reel. Kind of like a guarantee on a box.
The rod on the other hand WILL help you catch more fish.
Quality reels make fishing more fun!
8-)
I'm sure they do. But with a given budget, I'll buy the absolute best rod I can afford, and then put a cheap reel that I feel performs fine...
My $200 J/M Elite rod has a $40-50 (on sale) BPS Extreme reel on it. And the combo is GREAT.
Would I like to have a nicer reel on it? Sure. But given the fact I want more rods, I'll stick with my current formula.
With that said, IMO you do need to spend a moderate amount of money on a good spinning reel. But again this comes down to the above criteria. Drag, prevent line twists and tangles, and not break.
But I don't spend big bucks there either. I'm happy with the Pflueger Supreme and that's what I'm gonna put on the 7'4 Loomis Bronzeback that I'm gonna get this winter.
I just haven't told the wife yet. ;D
I totally understand and suspect the vast majority
feel exactly the same way. However, I have
a different take.
For "moving" lures, I fish moderately priced rods
(St. Croix Avids) matched with higher priced reels
(Calais, Core, CH50MG, etc.).
For soft plastics and jigs, St. Croix Legend Elite
and G.Loomis GLX. I match these with comparable
reels (Stella, Curado, Scorpion, CTE200GT, etc.)
So, the reel is always most important to me, but
the rod comes into play big-time for techniques
requiring a subtle feel.
8-)
If your reel fells like crap, makes no difference if it's on a GLX or an ugly stick, it's gonna limit your fishing ability and the pleasure of so. I say if you spend $150-200 on a reel, might as well spend that on the rod too.
I spend the money on a reel, not a rod. I really don't think you need a $400 rod to catch fish. Right now I'm using Lightning Rods, and am a happy man. But, I have a Citica 200e and a Sahara 2500 that I really love. As long as you keep a finger on your line, you don't need a top of the line rod.
QuoteI spend the money on a reel, not a rod. I really don't think you need a $400 rod to catch fish. Right now I'm using Lightning Rods, and am a happy man. But, I have a Citica 200e and a Sahara 2500 that I really love. As long as you keep a finger on your line, you don't need a top of the line rod.
That is just one persons opinion. If you are a soft plastics person , the rod is every thing.
QuoteI totally understand and suspect the vast majorityfeel exactly the same way. However, I have
a different take.
For "moving" lures, I fish moderately priced rods
(St. Croix Avids) matched with higher priced reels
(Calais, Core, CH50MG, etc.).
For soft plastics and jigs, St. Croix Legend Elite
and G.Loomis GLX. I match these with comparable
reels (Stella, Curado, Scorpion, CTE200GT, etc.)
So, the reel is always most important to me, but
the rod comes into play big-time for techniques
requiring a subtle feel.
8-)
well said...been learning that lesson for awhile now.
QuoteI totally understand and suspect the vast majorityfeel exactly the same way. However, I have
a different take.
For "moving" lures, I fish moderately priced rods
(St. Croix Avids) matched with higher priced reels
(Calais, Core, CH50MG, etc.).
For soft plastics and jigs, St. Croix Legend Elite
and G.Loomis GLX. I match these with comparable
reels (Stella, Curado, Scorpion, CTE200GT, etc.)
So, the reel is always most important to me, but
the rod comes into play big-time for techniques
requiring a subtle feel.
8-)
I agree with you on the moving lures. Why in the world anyone pays over $200 for a Loomis crankbait rod is beyond me.......But as I type this I remember that I'd like to have one of the Quantum KVD crankbait rods.
For spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater, swimbaits, frogs, or any other moving lure, or lure that doesn't require any sensitivity....I just don't see the point of the expensive rods.
IMO. And you know what they say.
QuoteQuoteI spend the money on a reel, not a rod. I really don't think you need a $400 rod to catch fish. Right now I'm using Lightning Rods, and am a happy man. But, I have a Citica 200e and a Sahara 2500 that I really love. As long as you keep a finger on your line, you don't need a top of the line rod.That is just one persons opinion. If you are a soft plastics person , the rod is every thing.
True, but I catch a lotttt of fish, and all I basically use are plastics and jigs.
Powell 683c 8-)
QuoteQuoteQuoteI spend the money on a reel, not a rod. I really don't think you need a $400 rod to catch fish. Right now I'm using Lightning Rods, and am a happy man. But, I have a Citica 200e and a Sahara 2500 that I really love. As long as you keep a finger on your line, you don't need a top of the line rod.That is just one persons opinion. If you are a soft plastics person , the rod is every thing.
True, but I catch a lotttt of fish, and all I basically use are plastics and jigs.
For plastics the rod is everything and I catch a lottttttttttttt of fish, 322 LMB so far this year and over 250 of them on plastics. I credit my very sensitive rods for my success.
QuoteFor plastics the rod is everything and I catch a lottttttttttttt of fish, 322 LMB so far this year and over 250 of them on plastics. I credit my very sensitive rods for my success.
You have stated on other threads that you fish every day, since we are 300+ days into the year, you are averaging but 1 fish a day, imo hardly a lot of fish. Seldom a day goes by I don't catch over 5( conservative as I fish salt and fresh daily) fish and I really don't considered that to be a lot, I know guys that out fish me, I'm a lousy fisherman. Lucky for me my fish are sizable enough where sensitivity is not issue but backbone is, I mostly use plastics, DOA being my go to. For fresh water one of my rods is clarus spinning, sensitive enough to detect any little dink.
regardless of which is more important, go with a St. Croix Avid 7' M power F action and be happy.
QuoteFor fresh water one of my rods is clarus spinning, sensitive enough to detect any little dink.
x2.
Find a nice used St. Croix Avid 7' Medium Fast. They can be found in your price range. You can throw a wide range of baits with this stick.
*Oops, just saw the previous 7'MF post. x2 then.
QuoteQuoteFor plastics the rod is everything and I catch a lottttttttttttt of fish, 322 LMB so far this year and over 250 of them on plastics. I credit my very sensitive rods for my success.You have stated on other threads that you fish every day, since we are 300+ days into the year, you are averaging but 1 fish a day, imo hardly a lot of fish. Seldom a day goes by I don't catch over 5( conservative as I fish salt and fresh daily) fish and I really don't considered that to be a lot, I know guys that out fish me, I'm a lousy fisherman. Lucky for me my fish are sizable enough where sensitivity is not issue but backbone is, I mostly use plastics, DOA being my go to. For fresh water one of my rods is clarus spinning, sensitive enough to detect any little dink.
I didnt start fishing this year until April so Ive only been fishing for 200 days this year and even though 320+ fish is not that much, since I only get to fish for maybe an hour most days, its a decent amount of fish caught for time spent fishing and I do not consider myself a very good fisherman.
For under $100 I would buy a St.Croix Mojo Medium fast rod
"MBC70MF / Plastics
A great rod for fishing soft plastics including Senko®-style baits. Ideal for tubes, grubs, small worms, light jigs, small spinnerbaits and buzzbaits."
It is lacking in power a little bit for power fishing but you will be able to throw a variety of lures and use different techniques from small baits to large. They cost $89.00 and are available at most all major retailers. I have one of their 6'8" MHXF spinning rods and I use it for nearly all my spinning applications. I have caught fish with everything from a small 1/4" crankbait to a 1/2 oz jig skipped under docks. I know you are looking for a casting rod for your citica and I have only used the spinning rod, but the MBC70MF would be the closest comparable rod they have in casting. I would highly recommend their line of Mojo Bass rods.
Looks like everyone is chiming in with their favorites. And that's to be expected with a question like "what's the best rod?".
I highly doubt any of this has been useful to the original poster.
....this thread could be endless. :-/