OT: Baitcast rods

[AlSwearengen]

Is Duckett a pretty good brand. I am limited to academy sports here in Hattiesburg as far as I know. I checked gander mountain and saw nothing. I'm looking to spend around $100, little more or a little less. I need to buy today.

 

[aTotal360]

Duckett's aren't bad. They are made from the exact same dremmels as carrot stix. I can't remember what exactly academy carries, but any falcon or st criox in that price range would be a better stick imo.

 

[mcdawg22]

The St Croix's are awesome, plus they are made in 'Murica.

 

[BulldogBacker]

I've fished with St. Croix rods for 30 years. They make the blanks for most other American made rods sold in the USA. The Premier is as good as I have ever had to get.

 

[AlSwearengen]

Ok. I think I saw some St. Croix rods at gander Mountain. Back when I used to bass fish, the popular brands were Garcia, Diawa, Berkeley, and a few others. Never heard of St. croix, but I will head back to gander mountain and look.

 

[mcdawg22]

On the cheap side, I'm a big fan of the Lightning Rods by Berkely. The thin design is great for setting hooks on bass caught by worms. I just use the St Croix now because I mostly fish salt. If you decide to go the Gander Mountain way pull up prices from other stores. They are known to mark up prices, but according to a manager down here, they will price match. I don't know if they have them in store but Academy is showing an online selection. http://m.academy.com/shop/browse/fi...roix/_/N-588720144+4294957405?deviceType=true

 

[KurtRambis4]

Some of the

best reels I've had were the $50 bass pro specials.

 

[PineGroveBully]

Abu Garcia Veritas

They are about $80. Best value in a rod. They are white. Best casting and most sensitive rod you can buy. I own 5 I think. I've used about everything else mentioned in this thread and most are good rods, but I will never buy anything else after using the Garcia Veritas. My fishing partner was a die hard skeet Reese rod guy and I turned him onto these and he sold all his and bought garcias

 

[weblow]

They are about $80. Best value in a rod. They are white. Best casting and most sensitive rod you can buy. I own 5 I think. I've used about everything else mentioned in this thread and most are good rods, but I will never buy anything else after using the Garcia Veritas. My fishing partner was a die hard skeet Reese rod guy and I turned him onto these and he sold all his and bought garcias

I 2nd this. Fish every weekend and this is the rod I reach for every time. Have a couple of them. Fantastic rods. I have several also mentioned in this thread but this rod in a 7 foot MH is the best I have ever used for the money.

 

[Digging dog]

I have often tried different baitcasters but always seem to go back to my curado.

 

[SanfordRJones]

The Shimano Clarus is about $80 and isn't a bad rod. The Shimano Crucial is probably closer to $170 and is a great rod.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

I use Garcia Round reels (old style)

and Shimano for spinners...

But he's looking for a ROD.

I've never met a rod that I could not break, so I generally move to the $75/80 range or less.

Less painful that way.

 

[aTotal360]

Shimano rods are garbage.

 

[SanfordRJones]

The cheap ones are. I like the Crucial and Clarus, though, for their price points, especially the Crucial. Crucials also have a lifetime warranty and are as good as anything in the $170-ish range. I don't have any experience with any of their rods above a Crucial.

 

[PineGroveBully]

I still have 1 round one I use also

Probably 20 years old a 5500 I think, I like to use it for Carolina rigging or frogging. I prefer the Garcia low profile reels though. If you wanna stay in the $80 range I like the Garcia pro max. If you can splurge up to $150ish, the Garcia Revo is unbeatable.

 

[esplanade91]

delete

 

[jibaro]

I love my Ducketts. Shelton's clothing in Alabama has been selling last year's micro magics ($160+) for $100 on their website. I've gotten great customer service from them. The micro magics also have a better warranty than the ghost model that you see in stores for $100.

For reels, I'm partial to Lews. Super smooth and well built. Sheltons also has some great deals on them if you call and ask.

 

[aTotal360]

IMO, the best "cheap" rods are BPS Bionic Blades.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

The gander in hattiesburg carries st croix, abu, duckett, shimano, and probably s couple others. Academy should carry falcon. Go with a St Croix or a Falcon. St Croix's blanks are the most sensitive you'll find for your price range. I took a seminar with St Croix and several other companies and I haven't bought anything but St Croix since. I probably have 15 rods right now; I have a Falcon Coastal XG and a Ducket Micro Magic and both are fine rods but nothing beats St Croix. I have several of their models - the triumph is the entry level and around $100, Mojo Inshore or Bass are about $120 and the premiere is around the same I believe, maybe $150. My favorites are the Avid and Tidemaster though. The Avid is a little more but I've caught several 25lb+ red fish on a 7'M with no problems. You'll be fine choosing any St Croix just because of their awesome blanks.

 

[AlSwearengen]

Update: I went with the Abu Garcia. Gander mountain had

A few St. Croix, but they didn't have the right size in the right model. Gander Mountain is a complete cluster 17 and academy is worse. Academy is so picked through that it is ridiculous.

Im not saying the veritas is any better than anything else, but I caught a couple bass with it last night and it seemed to be pretty sensitive.

The next time I buy, I will have time to find a St. Croix and I will get one of those.

 

[PineGroveBully]

I don't think you will regret it

Like you said, I'm not saying it's head and shoulders better than anything else out there, but for my fishing style and needs, I couldn't be more happy with mine. I normally fish 2 fruit jar tourneys a week on pickwick and then a couple club tourneys a month plus just messing around so I need something that will hold up to heavy use. Plus I'm throwing a jig or worm 80% of the time so I need something super sensitive. I love their balance and feel. Hopefully you'll catch a lot of fish and get a lot of pleasure out it.