Happybeerbuzz

I think roadwarrior is right. Without a budget, the survey turns into either a question of brand loyalty or just about the most expensive, high end rods each individual has been exposed to. For example, my contribution to the conversation would be Bass Proshops Tourney Special 2017 edition, but I do not really think that is what you are asking, and it really is not useful. Note, I am speaking from recent experience. I made a similar post to yours not long ago only without a survey, and it did not provide much feedback.

The Mustad Fastach is a good product. However, I feel like you have to commit to it. By 'commit', I mean it is best to take all your split rings off. It is possible to use them with split rings if you use a big enough Fastach or you are willing to find the gap in the split ring, but I found that to be too tedious. Really, split rings are not necessary if you are using conventional snaps or Fastach clips. One other problem I have found with conventional clips and Fastach are cup faced lures. Sometimes the way the line tie sits in the cupped face can be a challenge to use get at with anything bigger than the smallest clips or Fastach which can be hard to open and close.

Some points of clarification: I am currently at Daiwa Aird-X level of rods. It is all I have ever known. I wish to begin upgrading my rods significantly. It is sounding like there is consensus that 'significantly' means in the $200-250 range by the responses I am getting. I can live with that. It will take me years to replace my entire rod unless I come into money, but I am patient person. If a case could be made for spending less because $150 rods are almost as good as $250, I would love to hear it, but after my initial post, everyone jumped straight to the $200+ range. Ideally, I am looking for rods that will last me the rest of my life. I will be 50 in March. It is Black Friday soon, conveniently. I told the wife that I am picking my own XMas present this year and that she owed me the same courtesy. I have until the 27th of November to figure this out if I want to take advantage of Black Friday. By the way, thanks again everyone for all the input. I really appreciate it. A lot of people know lots of fisherman. I do not. I only fish with a few people, and none of them have the passion that exists here on Bass Resource. They would not be interested in this sort of conversation.

I plan on throwing T-rigs with this rod, and I do not care for the hook keepers on the Avid and Champion XP.

Any thoughts on an ALX Zolo rods. Research has led me to be intrigued by a Toadface rod specifically. It seems like it would be best to upgrade my jig/t-rig rod first.

I think I know what you are talking about. I have them for all depths, many of them brand new. I have rods set up for them. I put them on my deck. However, I never throw them nearly as much as I might plan to the day before going fishing. Part of it is because the water I have been fishing this year (California Delta) and how much vegetation there is, but I guess I just have more confidence in other things.

Are they the same rod blank? Once I get a better understanding of rods over$60, I will start working out specific details.

This is the same thing I am attempting to work out. I am start to sense the St. Croix Avid X or equivalent is a benchmark for a bang for your buck rod.

A couple points of where I am coming from in order to clarify what I am asking for. 1) I am comfortable with all my gear. I have enough Fuegos and Curados to fill the arsenal of reels. My rods consist mostly of Daiwa Aird X level rods. 2) I am not in a hurry so I am willing to take my time and save/spend more or patiently shop used. 3) I appreciate bang for your buck. I am not looking for a marginal upgrade from Aird X nor spend a lot more for a rod that is only marginally better than the model below it. 4) I am not loyal to any particular brand as long as it is not manufactured in China. At the same time, I am open to buying all the variations of a single brand/model. The way I view reels is that there is the $100 tier reel like the Fuego CT or SLX. Then their tiers of quality above it like the various Tatulas other SLXs and Curados. What I am looking for is insight on the best value rods that are two tiers or better than what I amusing. Where is the threshold for the greatest leap in terms of value or am I looking for this to be too tidy?

Any and all baits I work with my rod + buzzbaits. Everything else I use a 7.x:1 or slower.

Lucky Craft Lightning Pointers are friendlier to the budget as well. They run about $10.

I have one, but Megabass is a bit steep in price for me. The alternatives I have settled on tend to be the ones that have weight transfer systems in them. It makes a difference when it is windy. The Jackall Rerange is my favorite, but I got some of the new Yo Zuri suspending jerkbaits to try out. For $10, I figure they are worth a try. I have not run into a really windy day to say how they cast in the wind yet, but the action on them is good.

Medium Power, 7' spinning rod, 15# yellow braid to an 8 or 10 pound mono leader. I can not skip a baitcaster.

I want to start taking my deep cranking more seriously. To clarify, I am talking about Strike King 3XD to 8XD type lures. With all the pull that comes along with the deeper cranks, I find my 15" handle cranking stick to be inadequate. Are there any rods that have 20"+ handles that I can get under my armpit pit that are not swimbait rods which are typically specced for 3+ oz. lures? Could it be that I am doing something wrong with my technique? I am open to those suggestions as well.

By the time it gets hot, I tend to fish the mats for a bit and then go home. I can only deal with the recreation boaters for so long and the heat brings them out.

Also, who is Melanie?

China is evil, like really evil, and regardless of how we might feel about China, China does not love us. People can decide for themselves how much difference there is between the CCP and the culture, but Xi Jinping and the CCP are popular in China. I am not going to tell anybody who to love or not love, buy from or not buy from. However, I personally will go through great lengths to not buy stuff made in China if at all possible which it is frequently not.

I just bought a Shimano Cardiff 300A at the recommendation of WRB from a thread going back 2-3 years. I have not been able to give it a ride though do to boat troubles. Hopefully, in a few weeks though, I will have more details to contribute.

I take the split rings off my hard lures and use snaps, but never with plastics or jigs.

I think there is truth to this. I scored a bunch of Sammys, Gunfish, and Pointers off a discount rack early this year.

I still kick myself for not loading up on Fuegos when they were listed on EBay for $60, and I was finding 10% off coupons in my email. They were not charging sales tax back then either.

I the summer, I will always have a popper and either plopped or a buzz bait for topwater. I will always have 5” stick bait tied on. After that, I tie on some things to fish deep if I am going to a reservoir or things that are vegetation friendly if I am going to the delta.

I went to the San Joaquin Delta yesterday and this is what was tied on. Culprit ribbon tail worm, wacky rig 5” Senko, Booyah Poppin Frog, H2O Jerkbait, finesse jig, buzz bait, Heddon Lucky 13, and a Zoom Z Craw on a punch rig.

Whoops. I meant to say “less than $100 MSRP”. I have 3 Fuegos in my arsenal, and I shop eBay hoping for the deals of yesteryears. I don’t know much about pflueger baitcasters beyond the one Supreme XT I bought on sale. It’s good but I won’t be getting another one when Fuegos are $50 cheaper.

That’s an amazing value. With that said, I generally do not advocate baitcasters that have a MRSP of $100. They just do not last long enough because of either durability or user satisfaction. Instead, get a M/F or MH/F spinning setup for less and have a good amount of your budget left over for all the other stuff. Save up for a baitcasting setup and get it at a later date.