Just picked up 2 new baitcasting reels. I had one when I was a kid (11 or 12 years old) d**n thing frustrated me and i never thought of using one since. I purchased the Abu Garcia Black Max 2 6.4:1 ratio and 4+1 bearing system. I also purchased a Okuma Krios 7.3:1 ratio and 5+1 bearing system. I need to buy rods for them both, any suggestions?

Thanks

Man, sky's the limit with the variety available today.

If I were you, I'd head to a local BPS, Cabelas, or other sporting goods store with your reels and ask if you can put them on some rods to see how they feel.

If money's no issue, have a look at G. Loomis rods, St. Croix Avids, Legends, Shimano Crucials, Compre's (over the counter warranty). Even house brands can be pretty good. Just to name a few.

Would hate swearing by something that you *HAVE* to buy and then you buy it and hate it. Hope this helps...

I've got a bass pro carbonlite I use for texas rigged plastics and an Abu Garcia veritas for carolina rigging. I really like them both and theyre reasonably priced!

Can also look @the Powell Diesel line of rods as they seem to be getting pretty decent reviews and the price is right!

One other rod that looks interesting is the *** *** Black. Seems like a lot of rod for the money.

Of course make sure to match your rod with the application you're going to use it for.

It always helps to give a price range and an idea of what techniques you normally fish. I assume you don't want to spend a lot of money...based on the reels you bought. If you like to throw crankbaits, then one rod should be a long one such as 7'6" to 7' 11" with a Moderate action. Medium or Medium Heavy power would depend on whether you fish shallow or deep. The BPS Crankin' Stick gets high marks in this category. Just passing along what I've read because I don't own one. A good all-around rod is a 6'6" to 7' MH Fast...or Medium Fast depending on lure weight and type of water normally fished (open water, plenty of slop, or somewhere in between). I prefer a 7" MH Fast that handles lures from 1/4-1 oz.

Besides Cabela's and BPS, you could check out the Tec Spec and Tec Spec Elite at Dick's Sporting Goods. Also the H2O Express Ethos rods at Academy Sports The Daiwa T is endorsed by BASSclary. It is also a very nice looking rod. It is the same price at TW as the Daiwa Jupiter rod is at Walmart, but may have a better warranty. I like the MH Jupiter I have, but probably would have gotten the Diawa T casting rod had I known at the time I purchased it that the prices were the same....only because I like its looks better. I don't worry about a rod's warranty at that price. The warranty should be long enough on any rod to find out if it is defective or not with a couple times out fishing.

Thanks everyone, I didnt even think about taking them to BPS to do such. I think ill do that once I receive the Okuma in the mail.

Ill take a look at those rods that where mentioned also.

I do alot of texas riggin and jig fishing. I use swim baits alot also. Drop shot fishing ill stick to a spinning reel.

Ill spend $130-140 on a rod.

Thanks again

I have my black max 2 on a 6'6 medium Vendetta rod and it looks and fishes awesome. I'm about to evict my BMAX2 from that rod though, as I just got a new Revo SX gen 2 I got on sale. I really like the Falcon Bucoo micro guide rod, and I fell in love with the BPS carbonlite rods. Not sure if I can name sites on here, but one site in particular is having a good sale on some nice rods right now. PM if any of you want to know which one.