Currently I've been using a 7' M/F Abu Vengeance rod with a pflueger president and I really like it.  It fits my needs and is a good all around set up.  I only fish for fun and I only fishing from the bank, but I would like to upgrade possible for next year and I like having a spare rod and reel with me.  My vengeance rod is also a 2 piece rod so I would like a 1 piece for my next choice. As for right now, here's what I would like for my next rod.

 

- $100 range, $150 is my max budget

- 7' M/F because it suite my techniques the best

- Something sensitive with a good amount of backbone

- Casts well/far with braid

 

As for some candidates I've been looking at

 

- IKE series rods from Abu Garcia

- Abu Garcia Veracity

- Fenwick Elite Tech 

- Fenwick HMG

- Fenwick HMX

 

Those are just some of the rods that caught my interest, I'm leaning towards one of the Fenwicks because of the things I heard about their products.

 

Please resond with any input or knowledge about the rods I've been looking at or other options that fit my specifications! Thanks guys!

 

The Fenwick Elite Tech and HMG are really good options, I have 3 Elite Tech Smallmouth rods and to bad they aren't made anymore, awesome rods at an awesome price. The Elite Tech bass has a 7' medium power, fast action rod that will serve you very well, but the HMG is no slouch either, a lot of rod for $100. If you want to get a rod right now, American Legacy Fishing still has the Team Lews HM85 spinning rods left for $79.99, these rods retail for $199.99 and the guides on them cost almost as much as the rod you are using now. I just did a review on the one I got, and I suggest that is what you will want, the 7' ML-F, it is rated as a medium light but it is a medium power, Lews rates their rods a little different than most but it is a big step up from what you have. I'm not sure how long these will be around at that price so act now if you want won, it really is a great rod and at that price it is a steal and you'll have a good rod and save some cash.