Tell us what you like and why.. For value I see the new Diawa XT and the Lews Custom Lite. I have found the Daiwa online for about $100.00 and the Lews CST Lite for $120.00. Regardless of the suggested list/buy prices both rods seem to be a workhorses you don't have to worry about scaring them. 

anything above aluminum oxide is good enough for braid.

the higher the price, the lighter the guide, its for weight saving.

anything above aluminum oxide is good enough for braid.

the higher the price, the lighter the guide, its for weight saving.

 

I moved the guide ring thread to tackle making and edited this thread accordingly.

 

Please re-post your answer/opinion. I have questions... 

 

Wayne

Well I was never into the higher prices fishing rods. I'm frugal. But when I seen the still brand new LEWS SPEED STICK spinning rods for 50% off a year back I ordered them. These are the older model a year old I guess but there still nice and have a smooth feeling blank from the handle to the tip. I can't pass up a deal on a decent quality rod that's affordable.

I know there are better quality rods out there for a higher price but for now the LEWS will do.

Well I was never into the higher prices fishing rods. I'm frugal. But when I seen the LEWS SPEED STICK spinning rods for 50% off a few years back I ordered them. These are the older model a few years old but there still nice and have a smooth feeling blank from the handle to the tip. I can't pass up a deal on a decent quality rod that's affordable.

I know there are better quality rods out there for a higher price but for now the LEWS will do.

 

I bought a Magnum One casting rod last year. It has served me very well. It's great for flipping/punching heavy cover.. Hook sets are just so sweet. It really drives the barbs home!

Are we talking rods released in the last year?

 

If so, Shimano Zodias. Beautiful rods. I have a 672MH and a 1610M and those sticks do a lot of things well....

Well I was never into the higher prices fishing rods. I'm frugal. But when I seen the still brand new LEWS SPEED STICK spinning rods for 50% off a year back I ordered them. These are the older model a year old I guess but there still nice and have a smooth feeling blank from the handle to the tip. I can't pass up a deal on a decent quality rod that's affordable.

I know there are better quality rods out there for a higher price but for now the LEWS will do.

Bill, I know you say you're frugal, but I don't think you are. You don't buy high end stuff but you seem to buy low priced stuff by the crate. You've always got something coming in the mail. I'm not saying this as a criticism, because I don't believe you can be involved in this sport and be frugal. Some like to have a few high end rigs. Others like yourself would rather have a ton of inexpensive outfits. To each his own. Hey, it's all fun no matter which path you take.

Hootie

I'm disabled I can't walk far. I fish not too far from the car. I mail order all of my stuff. I would like to wander in cabelas, dsgs, even Wal-Mart. I have three bad discs in my back, I'm recovering from prostate cancer. I have a golf ball sized kidney stone, bad knees. I purchased new rods just to see if I like them. Either way my family will get them. I just had a disc pop in my back the other day.

I'm dying to go fishing. But I need to get better first.

My son's do stop by and take me fishing. I didn't want to tell this but now some will understand. Please I'm fine. I'm down but not out. I will fish.

I don't drink, smoke or drive all my extra money goes into fishing stuff for me and the kids. For every lure I buy I buy six so everyone in the family gets one. I even gave them new spinning setups. They all fish even there spouses and my grandchildren. Money means nothing family makes us rich.

I hear you Bill. Been through the prostate cancer thing myself. I am officially a five year survivor. Other than that, I am in excellent health. Plenty to be grateful for.

Hootie

I don't have a favorite new rod but I think the new St. Croix Mojo's are going to be pretty sweet.  SC3 blanks on a $120 rod is tough to beat.

I don't have a favorite new rod but I think the new St. Croix Mojo's are going to be pretty sweet.  SC3 blanks on a $120 rod is tough to beat.

Do you know which guides will be on them ?

I hear you Bill. Been through the prostate cancer thing myself. I am officially a five year survivor. Other than that, I am in excellent health. Plenty to be grateful for.

Hootie

I'm on my third year with prostate cancer the PSA is zero.

The female hormone injections are killing me. Cold sweats, hot flashes, wake up soaking wet sweats. Crabby, grumpy.

All I think about if fishing.

I wouldn't worry about braid grooving guides. It's the particles of dirt/rock/sand that can get trapped into the braid which is generally what may cause grooving. This might be a concern if you fish very dirty water.

I would worry about braid grooving guides. It's the particles of dirt/rock/sand that can get trapped into the braid which is generally what may cause grooving. This might be a concern if you fish very dirty water.

Grooving what guides?  Standard aluminum oxide should be braid safe.

Grooving what guides? Standard aluminum oxide should be braid safe.

Meant to say wouldn't. I was talking about any guide really but people have had some rec guides grove, which I like to use.

anything above aluminum oxide is good enough for braid.

the higher the price, the lighter the guide, its for weight saving.

I've got two Diawa Team rods. Both have Aluminum Oxide guides.

The 6' weighs 4.1 and the 6'6" is 4.4. Both IM7 blanks.

There fine for moving baits. I use Power Pro braid on both rods.

The guide rings are fine.

Meant to say wouldn't. I was talking about any guide really but people have had some rec guides grove, which I like to use.

Gotcha, makes perfect sense now.

I'm on my third year with prostate cancer the PSA is zero.

The female hormone injections are killing me. Cold sweats, hot flashes, wake up soaking wet sweats. Crabby, grumpy.

All I think about if fishing.

 

 

Are you saying menopause is a beech, Bill?    Just jokin'.  Sorry about your problems.  Life's a beech, then you die.  Doctor thought I was going to lose a leg in 2008.  Clots caused by not being able to move for 3 days because of my back pain.  Got up and down the stairs by (carefully) sliding on my butt because I couldn't walk the 13 steps.  A female Brahma would have been impressed by my cojones at that time.    Yeah, life sure sucks sometimes.  I still love to get out and fish, but recently another interest is taking up a lot of my time.  Started taking guitar lessons.  Talk about an expensive hobby.  Look up the prices on acoustic guitars from Martin, Gibson, Collings, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Huss and Dalton, etc.  We won't even mention custom built guitars such as Froggy Bottom. 

 

I've got way too many rods and reels.  Couldn't see myself spending the big bucks, but have just as much money into what I have......just spread out over 6 years and about 30-35 too many rods (and reels).    Now I'd like to downsize, but 1) which ones do I sell, and 2) how much am I going to lose?  Sure would be nice to get rid of about 30-35 of them and invest in about 8 top tier rods.  Not knowing the cost, the wife would be very appreciative when she saw how many I had sold off. 

 

My newest rods are Tatulas and a Hurricane Redbone.  All were $100 or less, yet both are ones I'd keep.

New2bc4bass, after going through the female hormone injections I feel bad for all women who go through this too.

I even had the crying part over nothing. I'm still here.

Guys young old get your prostate checked. I'm a lucky one. I have a second chance at life. All I thought about was my 5yo grandson. The sleep overs and the 4am fishing trips I can wait. He likes fishing already.

I hear you Bill. Been through the prostate cancer thing myself. I am officially a five year survivor. Other than that, I am in excellent health. Plenty to be grateful for.

Hootie

Congrats on beating cancer.  My parents are 6 years free.  

Getting back to topic, I just picked up a MH/XF Kistler Ti from T***W*** and a 9.1:1 Zillion on flea-bay (CHEAP!). Casting it in front of the house, it feels great.  I'm going to take it trout fishing with me tomorrow just to play with, maybe throw a wacky Senko or Jig.

 

I'm glad all you guys are feeling better now... 

Congrats on beating cancer.  My parents are 6 years free.  

Getting back to topic, I just picked up a MH/XF Kistler Ti from T***W*** and a 9.1:1 Zillion on flea-bay (CHEAP!). Casting it in front of the house, it feels great.  I'm going to take it trout fishing with me tomorrow just to play with, maybe throw a wacky Senko or Jig.

 

 

Nice rod... did you weigh it?

Nice rod... did you weigh it?

No, I didn't weigh it.  I have a MH/F Veritas (my #1 favorite) and a MH/M St. Croix Premier and figured I'd give it a try to round out my MH rods.  You're likely to find me testing it out at Little Pond, or Long Pond tomorrow morning if I can't catch any trout.

 

I really like the short handle length.  The rod itself reminds me of my *** Black.

No, I didn't weigh it.  I have a MH/F Veritas (my #1 favorite) and a MH/M St. Croix Premier and figured I'd give it a try to round out my MH rods.

 

I really like the short handle length.  The rod itself reminds me of my *** Black.

 

How much $ was the Kistler?

How much $ was the Kistler?

$117 & change, shipped 2nd day.