kschultz76

Kistler Helium H3 are all on a nice sale on their site right now, I’m a *** fan of my H3rods but I’ve not tried a spinning rod from them yet. Those Tatula Elite AGS look so nice, I can’t get paste Eva grips myself, but I’ve considered them a few times. St Croix recommendation is a good one for sure, the medium light powered finesse blanks I’ve owned and handled were not tip heavy like the medium and medium heavy blanks.

Of those options I’d go Kistler H3 out of those options, the Light MH of the two powers you listed. While I have the MH/XF and the Light MH I’ve not specifically thrown light weight trigs. But the Light MH throws a weightless 5” senko on a 4/0 ewg nicely. If you’re going really light you might want to consider a medium power. What kind of cover would you throw into? I love the lightweight and balance of my H3 and KLX rods. I personally like the tapers on my H3s a lot, they versatile but still well suited to trigs and jigs. In in fairness I haven’t tried any of the other rods you listed so I can’t compare. ALX also look really good and seem to get good feedback here from those who have experience with them.

I was very interested in them well when I first saw them on TW. Looking forward to hearing what you think of it in the future and from others. What model did you get and how’s the build quality?

As others have said biggest bang for your buck is a professional cleaning and super tuning of your real. In my experience this makes a very noticeable improvement in castability - ease of casting, less effort, less backlashing bc of effortless casts, and much better accuracy. Aftermarket bearings can can be fun, but won’t necessarily improve pure distance. At most they help decrease effort on a cast. If you really want to play with them start with Hedgehog ZRs. I think they’re the best bang for your buck.

They’re likely very close to each other in performance and quality, and really comes down to preference. I have a couple of the two latest versions of the Stradic CI4+. I continue to those them over the Daiwa because they have a real bearing under the line roller not a bushing. I’ve been amazed at the way they manage line. Although I haven’t checked schematics on the latest Ballistic LT to see if Daiwa went back to a bushing.

I’ve never used a NRX so I can’t comment on how much better the NRX is. You’re right once you’re spending that much what’s another 50-70 bucks. But for me the NRX just isn’t appealing, I hate skeletal reel seats. I can tell you I’m very happy with my 2016 GLX MBR 844 and would see no need to go beyond the GLX line based on how it performs. For me me while I love love high end gear, and don’t judge anyone for dropping $$$ of their hard earned money on a rod, I’ve learned about $350-400 is my max. I’ve also learned that I don’t love taking my most expensive brand new sticks in my kayak. When I first got my MB FMJ the way my rods store it got wedged up agains my seat and d**n if I didn’t get impatient pulling it out to use and scar the blank on a screw head. Totally avoidable, and totally my fault.

Should work just fine for crigs.

Are you only looking at options you can buy in person at BPS or Cabelas? Or are you interested in options you can purchase online as well?

Do some reading and research first, then see if you can get to tackle shop and hold a glass cranking stick, a hybrid cranking stick, and a graphite cranking stick. Even better try to actually find some that you can cast with and demo first. Lots of pros/cons for each type of cranking rod, and you should know what you’re getting into before laying down a lot of cash. I myself elf am in a growing minority and prefer full graphite cranking rods, so my recommendation will be wildly different then those who prefer glass.

Take some time to read New2BC4Bass’s long post above, then do some research on the lower weight limits of the baitcasting rods and reels you’re looking at. I completely agree with his input, for the range of weights and lures you’re talking about you really need two different rods. I’d recommend going with spinning gear for the lighter lures up to 1/4 of an oz or so total weight. Then casting for anything over 1/4 oz. total weight. Yes you can throw lighter lures with BC gear, but anything below a 1/4oz tw is going to require more specialized rod and reel built for that purpose, not general purpose beginner or budget gear. Even 1/4 oz without the right rod and technique can be challenging. What total weights are are you able to cast with your son’s Shimano Curado effectively?

Agree with a couple others, 3/8 oz to me is not a finesse jig. For 3/8 jigs I’d look at the Kistler Helium 3 MH/XF 7’1”. For consistently fishing 1/4 oz or 3/16 oz finesse jigs I’d suggest the Kistler Helium 3 Light MH/F 7’0”. The St Croix LTB series and Megabass Orochi XX as others have noted are great options in your price range. Agree with @Bluebasser86 on power/taper for St Croix based on jig size.

Legend X are basically a Legend Elite with a split cork grip. If you’ve fished a Legend Elite or a Legend Extreme then the X should handle nearly identically.

You don’t mention what weights you’ll be throwing or to what cover, which for me impacts the decision. I’d be looking at the appropriate power in either: Kistler Helium 3 Loomis GLX MBR Megabass Orochi XX St Croix LTB I own all of them and I like them all, but the Kistler and MB are really tied for my favorites. I love casting with the GLX MBR but it’s reel seat is not as comfortable for pitching as the others. All my MB Orochi are gen 1 models.

Hard to quantify any advantage in absolute terms. Pros of the Zillion for me are a lighter spool with less restrictive braking profile but still well controlled. More versatile in selection of compatible spools across the Daiwa and aftermarket spool lines. And with the Zillion having the free floating spool design I can service and swap out spool bearings without partially tearing the reel down. How that all translates to on the water performance will vary based on many other factors. Price wise and and I believe spool weight wise the Zillion is a closer comparison to the Chronarch MGL. I have a Tat SV as well, and it’s a great performer but I had mine tuned and stick bearings swapped for HH ZRs, so it’s a different animal then stock. My Zillions have ZPI bearings in them.

I’ve got a rack full of first gen Orochi XX, and two 2017 US Destroyers. Knock on wood no issues with breakage on any yet and been very happy with them. Ive no hands on experience with the gen 2 Orochi XX rods yet and seems they handle different them the first gen from what I’ve read. Obvious choice would be the Braillist. My gen 1 Diablo can actully be used to casting and pitching up the 3/8 jigs and trigs, super versatile. Not sure how comparable the new version is though. Good luck on your choice.

The St Croix Avid or Avid X in the 6’8” M/XF is a great choice, I like it in both spinning and casting for Senkos. An LTB or Legend Elite would be even better . Another great senko rod rod in my arsenal is the Kistler Helium 3 Light MH/F, I have a 7’0” and it also comes in a 7’3”. Very versatile and great taper. Id be looking at the Zillion SV TW for Senkos or the Tat SV if budget is tight.

I’ve never used a Zodias so can’t really recommend anything that I know in comparison is better. But in or close to that price range some very good options are the Kistler Helium 3, or the St Croix LTB - on sale these will be close to $200. I’ve heard good things about ALX but have never used one.

I think the Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch rods are worth a look, I really like mine, I’d recommend the 7’3” MH version which is a Medium Fast taper. I also have the 6’9” version which is good if you like a little shorter rod but the handle is shorter so not great for deeper baits. These are both likely a stiffer feel then your Loomis, but still versatile enough with the right line to really cover the gamut of moving baits. I also really like my Orochi XX Flatside Special but mine is the first gen, and it’s just as versatile. Last year i also bought a Hammer Rods 7’3” MH ModFast rod out of their regular line up, not the crank specific rod, and is a great cheap and light crank rod, very sensitive. The tip is very supple easily throwing 1/4 oz baits with my Tatula SV. Build fit and finish not the finest and I’ve seen some posts/reviews on quality as well. But if you get a good one it’s a great multipurpose moving bait rod. This rod is the lightest power and most mod action of the ones I’ve listed. My Dad loves the 6’6” Avid MH/Mod Crank rod I got him a couple years ago, full handle, more traditional build, great sensitivity. He personally likes shorter rods but you can get that in a 7’0”. Good luck I’m sure your Dad will love whatever you choose.

Start with function over form upgrades. Have it professionally cleaned and supertuned as a starting point. Then upgrade spool bearings with the HH ZRs, then add bearings under the knobs to replace the plastic bushings, and while having it professionally cleaned add level wind bearings. Not all of those are required upgrades, and some of them will be barely noticeable on their own, but put it all together and the result is a really smooth and high performing reel in my experience with my Tatula SV.

I’ve never used the Airs, only the ZRs. Haven’t noticed any problems with smoothness and the spool runs really fluidly on them on the cast. They’re a bit noisier, but any aftermarket ceramic bearings that’s properly oiled is going to be louder then stock bearings. Especially stock bearings that are over oiled/greased.

Totally agree and exactly my experience, the Tatula SV really comes to life and shines with some HH ZR bearings. The Zillion SV also does well with the ZPIs installed.

For a beginner and for the control it offers I’d go Tatula SV in that price range. Get the bearings flushed and properly lubed, get the reel tuned, add a couple extra knob bearings and it’s a killer reel. Ive not used the Curado K, but it looks like a solid offering and I’m also happy with all the Shimanos in my stable including my Curado Is. The learning curve maybe a bit steeper but you’ll train your thumb faster.

Buzz baits are not very aerodynamic and not the best casting lures. To give you versatility and ease of control when you need it I’d suggest the Tatula SV or find a good deal on a Zillion SV.

Check out the Kistler Helium 3 Light Medium Heavy/Fast spinning rod. Should handle all of that well it’s a really versatile all purpose kind of stick. If you get one of their good sales it’s right around $200. As mentioned above St Croix is always a solid bet and still offers spinning rods like you’re looking for.

You really can’t go wrong with St Croix LTB or the Helium 3. I prefer the Helium 3 bc of its lighter weight, better balance, and unfinished blank. Every LTB I’ve owned has been tip heavy, and for the time period they had the SK reel seats I wouldn’t consider them. Certainly St Croixs customer service and service plans are of value. But it really you should buy one of each and decide for yourself!