sofarfrome

I keep my original packaging for this purpose. I remove the reel and wrap both ends with bubble wrap, slide the wrapped rod into the tube then tape the ends shut and I am all set. If you don't have the original packaging then a PVC tube and end caps from Lowe's or Home Depot seem to work very well.

If $100 or less is your primary limiting factor then I would recommend this one: *** *** Black 2 Cast Rod 6'7" Med Hvy. $99 and full cork handle. This is a lot of rod for $99. IMHO of course.

I own a couple of Powell's but not the 765 Inferno. They are very dice rods for the monies. If you think you are going to use 2-3 oz lures then by all means go with it. However, if you will use it more for jigs I would go with this: *** *** Black 2 Cast Rod 7'3" Heavy with the Omen2 Cast C handle. I love the full cork handles. Same price as the Powell Inferno.

Save another $20 and get this one: *** *** Black Casting Rod 7'1" Heavy. These are fantastic rods. IMHO.

I too have found that quality over quantity is the key, for me at least. I started off with rods in the $100 range (some damned fine ones) but once I got into the higher end Dobyns, St. Croix, and G. Loomis I realized that was the way I should have started. But I still use all of those $100 rods too to not real bid issue for me.

^^^What he said.

I own 4 Dobyn's rods. 2 Champions and 2 Champion Extremes. I own the 704C and the 735C and both are excellent. Go with the 704C, you won't be disappointed.

IMHO...*** *** Black Casting Rod 7'3" Med Hvy. $249 at TW. I have several of these in different power ratings and they are fantastic rods.

I own a Dobyns Champ Cast Rod 7'3" MH XF FH 735 and a Dobyns Extreme Cast Rod 7'3" MH XF FH 735. Both are amazing rods. Frankly, I like the Extreme better than the G-Loomis GLX Jig & Worm Rod I have. And it is excellent for throwing frawgs and heavier jigs and such.

I do a lot of Salmon fishing in the fall here in NY. The ONLY thing I will wear on the often fast moving streams and rivers are these: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Korkers-reg-Mens-Studded-Rubber-Soles/1514362.uts?productVariantId=3307077&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=43-81984308-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03558876&rid=20 I have never gone down. I have seen many others not wearing them go down. Even saved a couple from ending up in Lake Ontario. Just saying...

When I was a kid, 10 yo or so, I was out trout fishing in western NY on April 1st. I had a small tackle box full of "stuff" I was carrying with me. I was crossing the stream that was flowing pretty fast and slipped on some rocks. The plastic tackle box was dropped into the water and away it went. I had every fishing lure/tool I owned in that box. In 1970 dollars it was probably worth $50. Without doing the math I believe it was quite expensive in today's dollars.

Dobyn's Champion 735. Excellent frogging rod.

Dobyn's Champion 735. I have used this rod with great success for frogging.

*** Black

Here is a very nice reel that you can get for about $170 on ebay. Frankly, over the years I have found many great reels for about 30% less than retail on ebay. New and free shipping. I am a big Lew's fan. IMHO dollar for dollar they are as good as you can get. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lews-BB2-Pro-Speed-Spool-7-1-1-Bait-Casting-Reel-PS2SHZ-/131481265733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9ce4e645

I will use it for jigging and texas rigged worms/soft baits

I am about to pull the trigger on the G. Loomis NRX 853C, or perhaps the GLX 853C, and am curious about the real seat glue problem where the lock down nut has separated to where the reel will not stay on the rod. Has this issue been fixed with the more recently manufactured rods or will I have to plan on sending it back for a warranty fix? Also, is the NRX $100 better than the GLX? TIA

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will buy neither. I probably will go with another 13 *** or Dobbins Champion. A little more expensive but at least I know what I am getting.

Is the G. Loomis E6X Casting Rod $80 better than the Dobyns Fury Casting Rod? All things equal (length, power, action, etc.). I need another MH rod and am in the market. Also, will there be some 4th of July sales anywhere that might save me a few $$$ ?

I took possession of a Lew's Team HM85 Speed Stick MH 7'6" cranking rod and a Lew's Team Pro Speed Spool casting reel. I got the rod for $80 from a deal posted here and I found the reel for $200 on flea-bay. Then I bought a bunch of new Rapala square bill crank baits to break it in. I am a happy cranker.

FWIW...I have been using a 735C MH XF FH for everything this year (T-rigs, cranks, topwater, spinner baits, jigs) and love it. But of the three you list I would have to go 733 MH.

IMHO, right now THESE are the best deal. However, otherwise I would go with the *** Black.

I realize you have taken a lot of guff for this post. But all I want you to do is pick up a rod, without the reel, and look at it. Hold it in each hand and pretend to cast and perhaps perform some "jig" movements. Then think about the geometry. Fishing rods are symmetrical therefore theoretically there is no such thing as a "left handed" rod. I suppose you can have a custom handle installed or a custom rod built with a handle that fits you better but the reality is any mass produced rod will essentially be ambidextrous.

^^^ This but I place the knot 180 degrees from the "groove".

Two fingers both in front and behind reel seat. Seems both comfortable and functional to me.