Looking for a new squarebill rod in the $150 range. I have owned the Powell Max squarebill rod in the past but lost it in the water. Considering the Tatula 7M regular, St. Croix Premier 7MH, Team Lews HM85 7M, Lucky Craft 7M Fat Mini Magic, and what ever else is near my price point. Willing to spend a little more if need be but wont get anywhere near $200. Any suggestions welcome.

I like my BPS Extreme 6'6" MH I use for squarebills pretty good. Can't really speak to other rods as this is the only one I've fished Squarebills with. Good luck finding your rod.

Save yourself a few dollars and grab this 7' Medium Power Medium Fast Action Shimano Crucial I have in the Flea Market

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/159620-shimano-crucial-casting-rod-for-sale/

Get the Tatula.

Two rods I suggest that with a sale or rebate come close to your budget:

1. St Croix Avid 7' MHM crank rod, a true mod taper if that's what you're looking for, will throw all cranks down a KVD 1.5 or 3/8 oz.

2. Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch 6'9" or 7' MH. I just got the 6'9" and am very impressed with the quality of the blank, overall build quality, balance, and action of the blank. It is a mod fast, and more on the fast side of that spectrum. Great taper for squarebills around cover. I've only had it a week though, but was highly recommended by others.

Kistlers less expensive Magnesium TS and Carbon Steel lines have similar power actions I've heard good things about but haven't seen or used myself. Kistler is also running a 15% off over 99 and 25% off orders over 299 right now. And Gander Mtn had a $30 or $40 rebate off St Croix rods, not sure if they still do.

The St Croix is also an awesome rod with a great warranty and customer service backing. I have the Legend Xtreme version with recoil guides and love it, and got my Dad the 6'6" Avid version which he also loves. You can't go wrong with the Avid.

Two rods I suggest that with a sale or rebate come close to your budget:

1. St Croix Avid 7' MHM crank rod, a true mod taper if that's what you're looking for, will throw all cranks down a KVD 1.5 or 3/8 oz.

2. Kistler KLX Crank Rip Twitch 6'9" or 7' MH. I just got the 6'9" and am very impressed with the quality of the blank, overall build quality, balance, and action of the blank. It is a mod fast, and more on the fast side of that spectrum. Great taper for squarebills around cover. I've only had it a week though, but was highly recommended by others.

Kistlers less expensive Magnesium TS and Carbon Steel lines have similar power actions I've heard good things about but haven't seen or used myself. Kistler is also running a 15% off over 99 and 25% off orders over 299 right now. And Gander Mtn had a $30 or $40 rebate off St Croix rods, not sure if they still do.

The St Croix is also an awesome rod with a great warranty and customer service backing. I have the Legend Xtreme version with recoil guides and love it, and got my Dad the 6'6" Avid version which he also loves. You can't go wrong with the Avid.

 

x2... I have an older Kistler Magnesium TS Crank, Rattle, and Roll model... Its a 7' MHM. Perfect for Square Bills. Also doubles nicely as a topwater, spinnerbait, heavy jerkbait (pointer 100s and vision 110's). Highly reccomend it. Dont let the Kistler warranty scare you. Great rods for the money.

 

As far as St. Croix's, I have a 7' MF Avid, which is also a good Square Bill rod. The fast action is great for fishing around cover.

 

In my opinion, you cant go wrong with either!!! 

Phenix XG series glass crankbait rod!  If you're shopping around find a store that carries them and at least pull on the rod to see if you like it...they're tons of fun to fish.

Duckett Terex 7' M

I think I have the perfect one but it is less than $150 so you may not want it. I use, and absolutely love, my Fenwick HMG 7'2" M-MF. It is a crazy rod in that it is a medium power but it is rated 3/8oz to 1oz and I can rip my square bills off of cover and bang them through rocks with no problems. I have even thrown 1/4oz Sebile Cranster SR baits and it had no problem, no overpowering or anything like that, just a perfect square bill rod, not quite parabolic but a little more forgiving than a fast action. The best part is it cost $99.99, I love mine and I use it quite a bit, and even though most of my rods cost more, this rod will hold its own, for square bills and medium diving cranks it is awesome!!

I think I have the perfect one but it is less than $150 so you may not want it. I use, and absolutely love, my Fenwick HMG 7'2" M-MF. It is a crazy rod in that it is a medium power but it is rated 3/8oz to 1oz and I can rip my square bills off of cover and bang them through rocks with no problems. I have even thrown 1/4oz Sebile Cranster SR baits and it had no problem, no overpowering or anything like that, just a perfect square bill rod, not quite parabolic but a little more forgiving than a fast action. The best part is it cost $99.99, I love mine and I use it quite a bit, and even though most of my rods cost more, this rod will hold its own, for square bills and medium diving cranks it is awesome!!

 

 

My rod arrived after about a 5 week wait.  Picked up some squarebills Dick's had on sale last weekend.  Now to get out and try all 3 new-2-me...rod...reel....lures. 

 

Just wish I had a decent chance of actually catching a nice bass or two. 

Halo Fishing Cranking Rod, 7' MH.

My rod arrived after about a 5 week wait. Picked up some squarebills Dick's had on sale last weekend. Now to get out and try all 3 new-2-me...rod...reel....lures.

Just wish I had a decent chance of actually catching a nice bass or two.

With a squarebill, you just might.

Also, I can't speak to them, but in that range are the Enigma Aaron's Edge series. I'd kinda like to know how they are.

I use my 6'6 or 7' Lews Team crank bait rods. Works for me.

Both on sale at American Legacy Fishing. Great deal..

Looking for a new squarebill rod in the $150 range. I have owned the Powell Max squarebill rod in the past but lost it in the water. Considering the Tatula 7M regular, St. Croix Premier 7MH, Team Lews HM85 7M, Lucky Craft 7M Fat Mini Magic, and what ever else is near my price point. Willing to spend a little more if need be but wont get anywhere near $200. Any suggestions welcome.

 

 

 You could have a custom Rainshadow E-Glass cranking rod built in that price range.

Because I don't throw a squarebill a ton I'm using my Powell Diesel 705 Glass. It's pretty sweet and keeps fish buttoned up well. I paid a whopping $49 for it. It's great to have this as a dedicated rod since I don't have much invested. I wish Powell hadn't discontinued that red max series. I want another 7'11 crankbait rod like I had before. It was the best cranking rod I've owned. Just ordered another Halo cranking rod for crankbaits, mid-deep.

An absolutely great rod at about 120-130 is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass cranking rods. Glass is a lot more suited for crankbaits than graphite and the rods have a true moderate action. I can throw anything from a Series 3 up to a 6xd on mine and I love it.

An absolutely great rod at about 120-130 is the St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass cranking rods. Glass is a lot more suited for crankbaits than graphite and the rods have a true moderate action. I can throw anything from a Series 3 up to a 6xd on mine and I love it.

You do realize he said squarebill right? Looks like you're talking about standard crankbaits. Little bit different situation IMO

You do realize he said squarebill right? Looks like you're talking about standard crankbaits. Little bit different situation IMO

Sorry I missed that. But Mojo Glass does have a Squarebill specific rod that would work amazing for that application as well. It's a 6'10" MM. The normal cranking rod would work as well just as good and is a 7'4" MM. Both rods are great and the comparisons I accidentally made work good to show what both the rods can handle

Sorry I missed that. But Mojo Glass does have a Squarebill specific rod that would work amazing for that application as well. It's a 6'10" MM. The normal cranking rod would work as well just as good and is a 7'4" MM. Both rods are great and the comparisons I accidentally made work good to show what both the rods can handle