I need some input on rod advice. I'm looking for a rod with a little versatility. It will be for heavier setups like jigs, spinner baits, flipping and pitching, and maybe a little cranking. Looking to spend $150-$250 on the rod. Already have a set up I use for plastics mainly that is a chronarch 200E6 on a 6'8" compre medium.

What is a good rod to go with here? I was looking at the cumara 7'2" MH and quantum exo 7' MH. I'm not as familiar with the g loomis rods but have heard nothing but great things about them. Any input on a good versatile rod from them?

Thanks

The Cumaras are currently on sale so that would be my pick

(null)

No experience with the Quantum, but love my Cumara 7'2" MHF. I wouldn't consider the 7'2" MHXF as it is not a versatile rod....so I was told. It is a great jig rod within the lure range listed, but I was told if you go outside that range the rod loses a lot of feel and performance. That is just hearsay, but from someone who uses it a lot and should know.

The price range you are looking at is filled with a lot of good rods, although a good Loomis rod in that range will be used. My only Loomis rod is a flyrod. I've heard it said that a good Loomis rod starts with the GLX series. I personally think those people may be Loomis snobs.

Take a look at the Denali Rosewood 7' MH Worm/Jig Rod for $200. I have two of them and I could use them for any of the things you mentioned, although it wouldn't be my first choice for cranking. I used Loomis IMX rods previously and the Denalis are every bit as good. They are very light weight with top of the line components.

There are a ton of good rods in that price range. Phenix Recon 714C, Powell Endurance 714C, Dobyns Champion 734C, and Shimano Cumara 7'2" MH/F are all great choices. I dont have all of those models, but I do own all of those rods and they are all great! I do own the Powell 714C and it is a super versitale stick, but if I were you I would go with either the Phenix Recon or Dobyns Champion. Both of these rods are great for bottom contact baits and have plenty of backbone, but the tip is soft enough for a crankbait if you had to throw it. The Shimano and Powell has a much faster tip and would be harder to fish a crankbait with.

St. Croix Avid, Powell Endurance, Dobyns Champion and Shimano Cumara are all great rods in that price range.

I don't want to bust your bubble but you are needing two rods, the jigs, spinnerbaits and plastics is all good but then you throw cranking into it and it while you can use a fast action rod to crank with it isn't the best choice and it will cost you fish. Now you can get a versatile set up for cranking and spinnerbaits but trying to jig fish with a moderate action rod that is anything less than a heavy or extra heavy power isn't going to work. I think you get a good MH-F for jigs, plastics, and spinnerbaits and buzzbaits and get a seperate cranking rod or you can get a spinnerbait/buzzbait and cranking set up and buy a seperate jig and plastics rod.

Thanks for all the input!!

I don't want to bust your bubble but you are needing two rods, the jigs, spinnerbaits and plastics is all good but then you throw cranking into it and it while you can use a fast action rod to crank with it isn't the best choice and it will cost you fish. Now you can get a versatile set up for cranking and spinnerbaits but trying to jig fish with a moderate action rod that is anything less than a heavy or extra heavy power isn't going to work. I think you get a good MH-F for jigs, plastics, and spinnerbaits and buzzbaits and get a seperate cranking rod or you can get a spinnerbait/buzzbait and cranking set up and buy a seperate jig and plastics rod.

x2

x2

Thanks for the advice small and pack. Think I'm going to focus on a cranking set up down the road.

I would really look at the Cumaras since they are on sale. Awesome rods. In that price range their are a lot of choices. St Croix, Dobyns, Powell, Daiwa, Loomis etc...