What's a good bait casting rod for under $100? Also what size line would be good?

*** *** 6'7" mh/f would be my choice for crankbaits around timber. At least that would be my choice for squarebills around timber. I'd use a good fluoro from 16-20lbs.

Wright&McGill Rick Clunn square bill rod with 17lb fluorocarbon. 

Fenwick hmg 7 ft m or 66 m pick your poison.  ( square billls smaller cranks not deep divers) 

either the W&M rick clunn square bill rod, or the st croix triumph 6'6" M for $80.00. both handle cranks in cover very well.

 

Mitch

I use a lews laser crankbait mh with 12 flouro for deep cranks in standing timber quite often.

for square bills in tje shallow timber I ise the same rod with 17 or 20lb flouro

the rod os rigjt at 100bucks

What everybody else has said, and a good lure retriever! No matter what I do, I always lose a few cranks to timber.

X2 on lure retreiver!!    Best purchase I made in last 6 months!!   

A few weeks ago I got a Fenwick AETOS - 7'4" Medium action.  Used it twice, it is my new favorite squarebill rod.  It doesn't cast 1/2 ounce baits on 17 lb line any farther than my other square bill rig, but I get the same distances with much less effort.  Kind of cool.  This summer I will switch it over to 14 lb abrasion resistant line and see how it works on deeper trees throwing a Timber Tiger DC 16.   Current reel is an older Curado D .