Hi all,

 

I got back into fishing after deployment overseas and it has been the best thing ever! I also started using a baitcaster as well and started with and still use a skeet reese jig/worm 1/4 oz-1oz rod. It has served its purpose but after handling some higher end rods, the Skeet rod feels like a steel pipe. I am looking for guidance for a new rod, as I was told Santa Claus has approved delivery come Christmas. I run a revo s and will transfer that to the new rod. I was looking at the St. Croix avids, to give you a ball park in regards to $. I mostly fish wacky style, T-rigged, and jigs occasionally. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated!

 

I thank you all for your input!

 

The Avid is a nice rod and I'm sure many will suggest it. Personally, I like Powell rods in that price range. Phenix makes some quality rods as well. If you can up the budge 50-60 bucks I would check out the Dobyns Champion line.

You can't go wrong with an Avid. I have a cranking model and am in love with it. The Avids I held in the casting models felt great until you got up into the heavy models. They felt pretty stiff. Still great rods though.

I highly recommend the Dobyns Champion line. I have a Champion Extreme too, but verdict is still out on if its worth the extra money.

Make sure to look online during the holiday sales. Some places have 20-25% off for them.

Duckett and Fenwick (Elite Tech Smallmouth or Aetos) rods are great alternatives to an Avid.  I was looking for a rod in the same price range a few months back and my initial thought was to get an Avid, as St. Croix rods have a stellar reputation.  However, I was convinced by suggestions on this board to get a Fenwick, partly due to their limited lifetime warranty.   Very happy with it! 

 

Shimano Crucial rods also get a lot of mention here, and would be good if you don't like cork handles.

Avid AVC68MXF would be a good rod for you to start with.

As you build your collection I would recommend the AVC70MM

for crankbaits and the AVC66MF specifically for jerkbaits

and topwater.

 

Pinnacle is another alternative that has really impressed me and

just about everyone that has tried their new Tournament Series

equipment.

http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/PINNACLE-INTRODUCES-NEW-TOURNAMENT-CLASS-PERFECTA-RODS.html

Doc...

Check out the Phenix M1.

I have the 7' 2" MH/F casting rod and the 7' 0" M/XF spinning and I can't put them down..

 

The M/XF spinning is perfect for all finesse techniques, to me it really shines for wacky and shakey fishing.

The MH/F casting can be used for anything you want execpt flippin, punching or heavy spinners and jigs.

 

By the way..Welcome Home, Be Well

 

 

 

MIke

Hi all,

 

I got back into fishing after deployment overseas and it has been the best thing ever! I also started using a baitcaster as well and started with and still use a skeet reese jig/worm 1/4 oz-1oz rod. It has served its purpose but after handling some higher end rods, the Skeet rod feels like a steel pipe. I am looking for guidance for a new rod, as I was told Santa Claus has approved delivery come Christmas. I run a revo s and will transfer that to the new rod. I was looking at the St. Croix avids, to give you a ball park in regards to $. I mostly fish wacky style, T-rigged, and jigs occasionally. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated!

 

I thank you all for your input!

It really depends on a couple of things.  From the looks of the ratings of your Skeet, it's a Medium Heavy/F rod?

 

That is the perfect rating for an all purpose rod if you are only using 1 rod for everything.  My advice would be the following, but it's all personal preference.

 

1.  St Croix Avids are a great line and you will see a big advantage over the Skeet, however the MH/F I found was too "stiff" for me and didn't like the way it fished.  Overall though it performed well, just not my style.  But you won't go wrong if you like the way it fishes.  Not sure what type of water you will be mostly fishing, if you have a lot of cover then maybe a stiffer rod is a better idea.  I find imo the Avid's ratings are between a MH to H.  I sold off all my MH St. Croix Avids but kept my M/F one.  Great bladed bait rod, jerkbait and top water.  Love the performance for those techniques.

2. My second  recommendation would be to get a Fenwick Aetos rod 7' MH/F, I find it more true to it's power/action.  Very sensitive rod and light rod and for the price tag that you can find it for 150 it's a steal.  IMO it fishes in the 200-300 ranged rods.  Like I said though, it's personal preference, you may like the Avid's power/action than the Fenwick.

3. Crucial rods are great, but if you don't like the way the reel seat is by locking the reel from the rear then you may not like it, and I find that the 7' rods feel tip heavy.  The only knocks that you may consider are game breakers, which isn't for me.  It is a great rod though, very sensitive and fishes the way I like it.  That being said I'd pick the Aetos over the Crucial though.  IMO a better performing rod and I find it more sensitive than the Crucial.  Not knocking the Crucial it is still a great rod.

4. My other 1st suggestion if you can find one (hard to find since it is discontinued), if you can find a Gen1 Cumara (black not red and make sure it isn't the reaction series).  You can find them for that price range, most sensitive rod in that range I've ever used.  (retail)  So for 150 even better price!!!  If you're luckier if you can find a Cumulus which is even harder to find...the jump in sensitive between the Cumara and Cumulus is pretty significant.  In fact I find it almost as sensitive as my GLX.  (originally retailed about the same).  That is far as I'll go because I don't want to start a flame war. 

 

Anyway, in order this is the way I'd go -

 

1. Cumara/Cumulus

2. Aetos

3. Crucial

4. Avid

 

Remember this is personal preference because in the end it is how it feels in your hands. 

Thank you all for the info! As for where I fish, it is mostly So NH and the areas I frequent are full of pads and other stuff to hang up on. I am not looking for a "do all" just more so for what i usually reach for in my bag. Thanks again you guys are the BEST!

First - thank you for your service to your country, I'm sure you've made sacrifices and you deserve your nations gratitude.

St Croix rods are excellent, and the Avids are excellent at their price point. You won't be disappointed. If you fish total weights lower then 3/8 oz then you'll want a Medium power. The most versatile would be the Med power Fast action.

If you decide you're intereseted in Dobyns rods I'd suggest you contact them directly. I believe they offer a military discount, and a Dobyns Champion series might fit your price range with a discount. The folks at Dobyns can also help you pick the right rod for you, I've had some great communications with them.