Im a big fan of dead sticking and twitching small (3" sticko's) in my local river. I want a good rod that will get the job done. I was thinking of the new Bass pro tourney special in 6'6 medium light. I pretty much use weightless 3" sticko's and craws and some spinners, if that helps at all.

You got several replies for $50 rods on your last post:

berkley shock rods are good for that price

Lightning Rod.

Go to Wal-Mart. They will have an assortment of rods at that price point and under. I'd pick a lightning rod, but thats just me. You'll have a choice of brands and actions under $50.

Those Berkley Lightning Shock Rods are pretty darn amazing for the $ if you ask me.

It was a throw up beetween the lightning rod and the tourney special. that $15 difference gives me room in my budget. i think i will pick the lightning rod. Is it a light(weight) rod?

Ive used them, and still have them. They are great rods, and very light. They rate up there with better rods. I havent had one break on me yet. I have 2 MH 6'6 that I can let go if you want them. Let me know.

It was a throw up beetween the lightning rod and the tourney special. that $15 difference gives me room in my budget. i think i will pick the lightning rod. Is it a light(weight) rod?

Good choice. The Lightning Rods are, IMHO, the best sub $50 rods out there. While I prefer the standard version over the Shock version, they're both great rods for the money.

Tom

I got my Berkley Amp spinning rod from Dicks for $40 and its a great rod. They make a casting version too.

I agree with the berkley amp rod.. I bought one years ago and still use it once in a while since its my only 2 piece rod and stays in the back of my envoy.. It is a nice rod and wont break the bank on ya

However, for a couple bucks more, you could pick up a 6'10 medium action Powell Diesel and you would have a killer weightless senko rod!

I say go with the Berkley Lightning Shock Rod in 7'MH. Great rod for the price. And a 7'MH rod is probably the most versatile one they offer. If you go to Wal-Mart they are $39.99 I believe.

Those Berkley Lightning Shock Rods are pretty darn amazing for the $ if you ask me.

X2,

I had 2 of em, used them for 1 season, passed them on to my son, and he still uses them.

Hootie

Listen up!!!! "You get what you pay for"....period. The choice you have is to purchase a $50 or less rod every year or purchase a $100 rod that you can use for multiple yrs. To me its a no brainer, go the latter route. In the long run it would be worth the aggreivation of the performance of the rod not to mention the feel. Cheap rods have cheap components, take that to the bank. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between. First rule...make sure you use only a one piece rod when fishing the lures you mentioned. They magnify the feel of the slightest bite. Second....use florocarbon unless you wish to use braid with a floro leader attached via a uni to uni knot, with a dab of superglue. Third....have a dependable spincast reel, one with multiple bearings and a dependable drag system. So the question is...are you willing to put high end components on a cheap rod? If so, then the performance will be flawed. Do yourself a favor...got to cabelas or BPS look around the bargain cave at the rods...chances are you can find a high end rod at a discount price (make sure they have the rod intact), get yourself a president spin cast reel, purchase 6 lb trilene professional grade floro and have a ball. You won't be disappointed! Remember to always use a polomar knot when attaching the hook to the line and dap it with superglue. Good luck.

Like I said, I used the $50.00 rods for a year, and my son has used them for 2 yrs. So explain this, buy a new one every year philosophy of yours.

Hootie

Those Berkley Lightning Shock Rods are pretty darn amazing for the $ if you ask me.

Don't have the Shock, but the regular Lightning rod is great. Best $25 rod I ever bought.

Don't have the Shock, but the regular Lightning rod is great. Best $25 rod I ever bought.

I had purchased (2) of the shock on sale for $15.00 each. I used them for specks, very happy with them

Like I said, I used the $50.00 rods for a year, and my son has used them for 2 yrs. So explain this this, buy a new one every year philosophy of yours.

Hootie

Amen Hootie !! I have lighting rods and some of the newer stuff, but the newer stuff in real fishing world isnt that much better .

I personally haven't fished them, but the Berkley Lightning Shock Rods are always mentioned in high regard when looking for an inexpensive solid fishing rod. My vote would go there.

mike D

Joseph_m, I will never use a spin cast reel. The system is to flawed in my eyes.

While I typically fish my small clear water creeks with a fly rod for spotted bass, I have a St. Croix Mojo bass that I love (M/XF, 6'8). Dicks has them for 80.00. Academy has their vendetta spinning rods around 39.99, and the Powell Diesel is an excellent 60.00 choice. The UL Bucoo is a great rod, but the lightning shocks aren't bad either. You have a lot of good options. Bring your reel, mount it up, and just pick which one fits you best. It's hard to go wrong with any of those great choices!

My pick overall is the Croix or the Powell, though.

An excellent choice would be the H2O ethos rod at Academy. Full price is 59.99 but they have their rod riot sales and you can pick them up for 39.99. You will not find a better built rod with the quality components than those rods for that price. The only drawback is the limited power, actions, and lengths that they come in.