kschultz76

Go grab that Legend Xtreme from the flea market. That is a beautiful high performing rod. That's the exact rod I use for smaller lighter poppers and jerkbaits that are too light for my casting gear. I also love it and fish it with great success using weightless Senkos, shakeyheads, etc.

I just saw some one has a St Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF for sale in the flea market. Looks like a great deal and in nearly new condition. If I could justify owning a second one I'd be all over it.

St Croix 6'8" M/XF, works very well for all the techniques you've listed.

Personally I'd spend a bit more of your budget on the rod rather then the reel... A few rod options I'd consider St Croix LTB St Croix Avid X Kistler Helium (probably the lightest and can be gotten at least 12% off when they run sales) Shimano Zodias *** *** Black Fenwick Aetos Megabass Levante Jackson wretched Lighter weight reels I'd consider Shimano Scorpion 1000XT Daiwa Alphas SV Shimano Curado I Shimano Chronarch 150 CI4+ For your budget I don't think you'll get the absolute lightest combo but you can get a heck of a nice combo that will be fairly lightweight. Lots of good options out there and I'm sure others will offer even more.

If I was looking in the Expride price range it just couldn't pass up another Orochi XX.

Also be sure you are looking at the specs on the Expride closely, many if them are 2 piece designs which may not always be obvious.

I think at the $300 price point you have several options that will all perform well, each will have different strengths. Having not personally fished the Helium yet I have no basis for comparison between it and say an Orochi or a Legend Elite. I've also not fished an Expride either. So my opinion on this will not provide any real objective feedback. I went out on a limb trying the KLX because I was looking for a length and action that seemed to be a niche. If I could have gotten an Avid in a similar specification it would have likely been my first choice. In your price range I have more confidence recommending the Orochi XX or a St Croix bc I have more time on the water with them. I've only had my KLX about 3 weeks. I will say I see far more discussion and feedback about the Orochi line then I do about the Exprides, while they look nice they just don't seem as popular as the Orochis. Sorry I can't help more on that direct comparison. I think given your recent disappoint you should go with the purchase you have the most confidence in and don't look back.

My Kistler KLX build looks better in hand then in photos. Also if you contact them for an up charge they'll do some customizations like full cork handles. All that said from a pure cosmetics perspective my MB Orochi and Legend Xtremes have more style and beauty. But what's more important to you, the sizzle or the steak? I like a little of both

The Zodias/Expride and Poisin Adrena use two different blank constructions. As I recall reading on a different forum where a Shimano rep posts both constructions are different ways of achieving the desired power characteristics, and prevent ovaling and twist. I believe the Poison Adrena construction leads to a better strength to weight ratio and lighter rod. Try googling Zodias Hi Power X to find more info. In the Zodias there is just an extra 2 layer of carbon tape wrapped around the blank at different angles to reinforce, that's hi power x. Spiral x in the Expride the carbon sheets are laid at alternating angles during they layup and rolling of the blank, with one layer of carbon tape. At least that's how I understand it. This is all about strength and construction, not the materials used in the construction. Again it's my understanding that the materials used in the Zodias and Expride are not the same, but can't find confirmation of that. The 40 ton carbon reference of the Invicta is a specification of the materials used in the construction. Shimano doesn't seem to publish this for the Zodias or Expride. Generally it's accepted the higher the ton rating the higher quality the blank. But not all materials manufacturers or blank manufacturers publish that rating so very hard to use it as an industry standard for comparison.

Might be helpful to the OP if you share what $250 rods or above you've owned and are comparing with the Rage. I'm a big St Croix fan and in my hands on experience there is definitely a step up from the Avid, to the LTB, to the Legend Xtreme/Elites. I've not fished a Rage, but I've held them and scrutinized them in the store and my experience says the Avid/Avid X is worth the premium, and I wouldn't compare them to anything above the Avid. The leap from Avid to LTB is not as significant as the step up from the LTB to Xtreme/Elite.

In your price range I'd look at the Megabass Orochi XX - EMTF or Diablo Spec R depending your preference on length, St Croix Legend Elite (update being released this year so you find a good deal at some point), or a Kistler Helium. I have 4 Orochis in the stable and they are mostly my favorite rods, and I have a bunch of St Croixs including Avid, LTB, and Legend Xtreme all great rods, but the feel of the Xtremes is fantastic. I recently got a KLX and am pretty impressed with the build quality and really enjoy the blank, it's one of the crankbait models. I've not had the pleasure of trying an NRX or any of the other recent Loomis updates. I've got some hands on experience with Dobyns and am underwhelmed. The MB Orochis might be more attractive bc of their versatility. With the Diablo you can throw everything you mentioned plus chatterbaits, swimjigs, lipless, squarebills, horny toads...but it might be a tad long for poppers and walkers. Good luck

Well while you won't like it I will echo the comments about the Curado I. Depending on your spool capacity needs and presentations another couple options I'd look at are a Scorpion 200, Scorpion 1000XT, 2015 Daiwa Alphas SV, Shimano Casitas, Shimano Citica I. Those are just interesting options out there, I don't have experience with all of them.

Glad to hear they took such good care of you, ashame they broke but in these things it's the recovery that matters. If you don't mind please provide a review of that MHMF Spinnerbait rod after you get some seat time. I'm very curious about it and wondering how wide a range of moving baits including cranks it may handle.

The M/XF is a rod they suggest for weightless soft plastics, topwater, wacky rigs. I have it in LTB casting and it's a great rod. I've used it for weightless plastics, shakeyheads, lighter trigs no problem. I wouldn't expect the Avid to be noticeably stouter then the Premier. You might want to look the MH/XF in the Avid for the bottom contact lighter trigs but I'm not sure how well it will work throwing chatter baits. Tackle tour did a review of that taper in the Legend Xtreme shortly after it was redesigned. Also depends on what kind of cover you're fishing. I'm sure you could manage with the MH/F but I'm not sure it will load that well. If you can get over the handles the Rages are on clearence in the st Croix bargain room for 89 with free shipping, same blank material as the Avids. Cheap way to find out what works for you.

The new orange one is the Triumph X, very different build then the original Triumph.

In general a MH in a St Croix tends to fish and feel a bit heavier then other manufacturers MH. Unfortunately there are no real standards in the industry to make for easy comparisons. Based on my experience that rod wouldn't be my first choice for anything under that 3/8 total weight mark.

You'll catch more fish with left handed reels and chicks will dig you! Just kidding, mostly it's a matter of preference. While I'm a right handed person I prefer left handed reels for spinning and baitcasting. It is far more comfortable and natural for me to work the rod with my dominant hand. And the bonus is I don't have to switch hands after the cast. Try some out in the store to see what "feels" good for you.

I've got one in the arsenal that was bought for my wife and used by guests as well. I sometimes use it in my kayak. I feel for the price they perform very well and are a great budget rod. I've landed many bass on it with 5" senkos.

Sorry was referring to another rod grip visible in the photo that looks like ask avid grip.

I'm with you, cork all the way for me. Have tried Eva a few times and always dumped the rods. I'm done trying and sticking to cork. Is that an Avid handle I see in that picture?

Differences between the Avid and X are the handle design, reel seat, guide train, and warranty. Mostly that decision is a matter of preference and either will perform well. I recently checked out the Avid X casting at cabelas and was impressed, I think they've improved balance and weight on the Xs with the new guide train and handle design.

There is no difference in size between the 2500 and 3000, they are identical. The 3000 just has a deeper spool and as a result higher line capacity. Only go with the 3000 if you really need the higher capacity for some reason. I would highly recommend the Avid based on my hands on experience with them.

Is it the best? Maybe not because that's highly subjective and dependent on price range. But for a general purpose jig rod it should get the job done. As A-Jay said you don't need the best. Get the rod that is best for you, and go enjoy it.

Lots of good options in your price range. St Croix Avid or Avid X, Kistler KLX, Shimano Zodias, Megabass Levante coming out has the Spinnerbait Special and Diablo Spec R...

Let us know your unbiased opinion once you have time on the the water to review and compare them.