I'm going to get a $130ish baitcasting combo. I'm going to get the h2o xpress mettle ( I guess the new mt2 ) and I'm looking at rods now. I've been looking at the lightning rod, Powell diesel, h2o xpress ethos, and some abu's. What do you guys think is the best rod for the money?

Cody, easy question but you are opening Pandora's Box regarding the replies.

 

We all have our favorites.

 

What you need to do includes the following:

1.  Know what techniques you want to use the rod and go for a "technique specific" rod in your price category.

2.  Longer the rod the father you can cast.

3.  The shorter the rod the more control you have for casting, pitching, flipping and skipping.

4.  Match the line test with your reel's line test and check the bait weight parameters on the rod.

5.  Stay with a name brand with a good warranty.

6.  Look for on-going sales at your local tackle shop, Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops plus Academy if you have one in your neck of the woods are having sales now.

 

For me to say go with Browning, Abu, BPS, Cabela's, G. Loomis, Shimano would be easy. 

 

Your challenge is to consider every one's input; bring your reel to the tackle shop and put it on a number of rods you are considering to get the feel of the entire package; and then make up your own mind as you start your rod arsenal.

 

Remember, you can never have enough rods!!!!!

P.S.  Is that you in the photo getting ready to be slammed to the ground????

i would spend an extra 15 bucks and go for a carbonlite (On sale) or an abu garcia veritas. Also, the powell diesels are on sale for 54.99 on TW

I'd grab up a lightning rod shock from your local bps or walmart. Both places will warranty it. You didn't give us a lot of info so I'm going to suggest a 7' mh since it's a good all purpose rod. It's a great starter rod and if you look around on here it's been recommended a good bit. It was the first casting rod I owned and it's still in use today by my friend.

The diesel is an ok rod for the money but has no warranty at all and it's kinda heavy. I sold the 2 I had. I'm a huge Powell fan at that.

I was surprised to find falcon bucoo micros at my walmart for $50!  This is a $129 rod.  Too bad they didn't have the one I needed.  They were in the clearance section of the fishing dept.  Some people said they have seen them for $40.  These rods would blow away any other $65 rod imo.

I'm a powell guy myself never fished the diesels but I'm sure they r great for there price ..of I didn't fish powells the bps carbon lites and Abu veritas r great the veritas r rated a little on the heavy side in my opinion meaning a med heavy feels like a heavy and so forth but they r extremely sensitive there guides r kinda not so good but the rod is also under a 100 bucks to .. The vendettas are also a fantastic rod for there price ... One good thing about the carbon lites if u break 1 just take it back to bass pro and they'll give u a new one .. They r also sensitive ... Any of those rods I mentioned above are great rods u can't wrong

i would spend an extra 15 bucks and go for a carbonlite (On sale) or an abu garcia veritas. Also, the powell diesels are on sale for 54.99 on TW

...

I've seen some of your posts and we think a lot alike wish u were closer I need a partner to fish tournaments with ..I'd love to fish a team trail in Texas but need a partner that's into fishing as much as me lol

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I've seen some of your posts and we think a lot alike wish u were closer I need a partner to fish tournaments with ..I'd love to fish a team trail in Texas but need a partner that's into fishing as much as me lol

haha, i fish arizona and michigan! i would love to fish for them big texas bass one day!

And I'd love to fish for them brownies !!!

I'm used to big jigs big rods and big line I wouldn't know how to act in water over 5ft and a spinning rod with light line ...I suck in deep water I'm trying to learn to fish deep wish I knew someone who could give me some lessons lol

I'm going to get a $130ish baitcasting combo. I'm going to get the h2o xpress mettle ( I guess the new mt2 ) and I'm looking at rods now. I've been looking at the lightning rod, Powell diesel, h2o xpress ethos, and some abu's. What do you guys think is the best rod for the money?

 

I picked up a Vertias and Pro Qualifier for $65 a piece during the BPS classic with rod and reel trade in.  I couldn't be happier.  

 

You may have to just go the Lightning Rod route for that budget if you can't find any good sales or clearance items.

 

If you're willing to bump up the budget by $5 then the Diawa Jupiter at Walmart is your best bet.  It's a Walmart exclusive and is a fantastic rod for the money. 

Im just worried about the verita breaking, and the powell having no contract. Im leaning towards the ethos. And I will be using it as an all purpose casting set up. Thanks for your input!

I believe the quality control issues with the Veritas have been mostly ironed out. There was a bunch with breaking and guide issues but not so much recently. The powell has no warranty. If you break it then you are just out $55. Trust me when I say it's not that great of a rod. I just can't give the diesel the nod.

Are you opposed to buying used? A bunch of good deals can be found in the flea market. Sometimes you have to be patient though.

Im just worried about the verita breaking, and the powell having no contract. Im leaning towards the ethos. And I will be using it as an all purpose casting set up. Thanks for your input!

I love my Veritas. They also have a 3 year warranty.  I have had no issues with breaking on the Veritas but i have heard people say that Abu Garcia's customer service is great

I have Cabelas fish eagle 50 rods which I like. I got mine for $45 down from $90. This way you would be able to spend more on a reel which is probably more important to spend money on.

I have a couple of the H2O ethos and zero complaints for the price.  MH and an extra heavy for an umbrella rig pole.  The MH has pulled in lots of 2 thru 5lbs black bass and several 10+ hybrids.  I like em, but I stare and dream about Ducketts and G Loomis....