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Berkly Lightning Rods, Opinions?

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if you have any of these rods i would like how you think they are, because I'm thinking of buying one at BPS!

They are good rods, though they are a little heavier than the more expensive rods. Nothing wrong with them. 

I have the spinning rod in 7' M action and really like it.  Do yourself a favor and check out your local Walmart.  They will be priced less there than at BPS. 

  • Super User

I had two brand new ones snap in less than 2 days. Since then I have never looked at them again. One was throwing a 3/8 spinnerbaits and the other was a t-rigged Senkos.

Either I was very unlucky or these rods are poorly made. Went to Abu Garcia and never looked back.

i have a shock and like it

  • Author

I had two brand new ones snap in less than 2 days. Since then I have never looked at them again. One was throwing a 3/8 spinnerbaits and the other was a t-rigged Senkos.

Either I was very unlucky or these rods are poorly made. Went to Abu Garcia and never looked back.

Wouldn't blame ya for that! are there any abu's that a about the same price?

  • Super User

Wouldn't blame ya for that! are there any abu's that a about the same price?

The Vengeance is $49 on Tackle Warehouse.  I have one of those in 7' Medium and use it for crankbaits.

Shimano Sellus is also around $50

 

I have a 7' MH Berkley Lightning Shock Rod. It hauled in 10lb catfish full of muck weeds into a pontoon and held up fine. I have not heard many question the reliability of these rods. If anything, I have read of more Abu's breaking, especially the Veritas series. Search "Veritas Break" and you will find many cases.

 

People usually beat up sub $100 rods, so the reliability of said rods is hard to accurately predict. For every case of a Berkley breaking I am sure you can find one of an Abu breaking. Do not steer away from the Berkley because of such an issue. Grab perhaps a Vengeance, a Sellus, and a Lightning shock & mount them to your reel and choose which one feels the best in your hand and fits how much you can and are willing to spend.

  • Super User

Back in the day (mid-80's) Berkley Lightning rods were the most readily available quality fishing rod around.  They really haven't changed.  Some of the graphics on the rod have changed and over the years different handle styles have come and gone, but basically they are the same rods as they were then.  They are good rods.

 

As mentioned on an earlier post they are a little  heavier compared, but compared to other rods at their price point, they are all about the same.  It is a good rod that will last  you until you decide you need a better one.   I've never broke one, except where it was my fault.  (car doors and whatnot.)

 

As mentioned in a prior post, Walmart might have some models of Lightning rods  and a lower price, but they might not have the one you are looking for.  They are still a decent deal at BPS, I think anyway.

Agreed with kylek dont just jump to bps they are really high on some of the stuff like the lightning rod shock its starting out for $50 and walmart $40 look around and their not a bad rod for the price

I have an old LR, no probs and had shocks without probs also. I brought in a few turtles with the shocks. My buddy uses his for frogging, bass/snakeheads and not a problem either.

Ive been using LR's since I started bass fishing in the 80's and think that for the money they're pretty hard to beat.

Ive broken two in probably 25 years and both were my fault.

Don"t forget the Berkley spend $40 get $15 rebate!!

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