Cool! Thanks!

A Crucial would be a great option at its sale price.  A *** Black *** on sale would be hard to beat from all I've read.  There is one on my horizon..............somewhere. 

 

The Tatula rods are getting good reviews.  The *** 13 would be another good choice.  I really like both my Smallmouth rods...a 6'10: MF and 6'9" MXF.  A friend tells me the Aetos is a super rod in its price range.  Haven't been out locally except for a little casting practice earlier this year with mine...a 7' MHF.  Also look at the Powell Endurance and Pinnacle line.  Way too many good options.  I think you need to invest in at least 6 rods.   

Another vote on the Smallmouth and Crucials.

The carbonlite is a good rod with respect to its price range, with your budget you can certainly look at rods that out perform it. St Croix Avid, some of the Dobyns and Powell rods are within your price range, the bottom line is with 200 dollars to spend you have a lot of options.

x2 Lots of good options @$200

I used my new rod today. Caught bass and pickerel on a spinnerbait and chatterbait. I also fished some other baits. The light weight of it is a huge upgrade over my previous rod. I can cast and cast much more easily, and its easy to handle. Like the microguides and my cast distance. One negative is that the trigger you put your fingers around is kind of small, i would prefer a longer one. Its my first rod with a split grip. When i gut the rod i can feel the vibration on my gut. Didn't notice that with my other rod. The finish is matte. Good rod but we'll see how it holds up over time. 

I got both of my St Croix LTBs for under 200 a piece and that right there is an absolute awesome stick

 

           tight lines 

 

               Andrew