23 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I bought 2 Rages but sold them both. Didn't care for the handle.

Abu Garcia Villain is $79.97 at Bass Pro right now.

Where do you see the Abu Garcia Villain for $79 at Bass Pro? When I type it in there's nothing but Vendetta's, Vengeance and Veritas.

Unfortunately you have to go into the store. Not sure if you have one near you.

You might want to call ahead and see what sizes they have left because at that price they are going fast.

On 2/25/2016 at 4:04 PM, Fishin' Fool said:

I bought 2 Rages but sold them both. Didn't care for the handle.

Abu Garcia Villain is $79.97 at Bass Pro right now.

That's where I'd be headed. The Villian is a darn good rod for $80.

Tom

9 minutes ago, tholmes said:

That's where I'd be headed. The Villian is a darn good rod for $80.

Tom

With a gift card and credit card points even a better deal for $35. Plus you can submit for a Abu Garcia sweatshirt too

On 2/26/2016 at 2:40 PM, tholmes said:

That's where I'd be headed. The Villian is a darn good rod for $80.

Tom

Just don't get the 7'6" MH if you want an all-around rod.  Although rated down to 3/8 oz., it will barely cast 1/2 oz. a decent fishing distance.

As mentioned, the Fenwick Smallmouth and Aetos are great rods.  The HMG will most likely be the older model.  Still a very good rod at the full $99.99 for that matter.

If you read through some of the links already given to other threads asking this question, you will come across Berkley Lightning Shock and H2O rods as possible options.  My standard Lightning is a decent rod for the money.  Other possibilities are the Berkley E-Motion and the Field & Stream Tec Spec Elite (sold by Dick's Sporting Goods).

No experience with the #8 rod, but have read a couple good reviews of it and a youtube video.

My choice is normally to go for the expensive rod on sale unless looking for a specific model  As it happens the last new rod I bought was the Fenwick HMG 7'2" Medium-Mod Fast after a friend told me how well he liked his and what he used it for.  Turned out to be a very useful rod for me as well.

My dad had 3 of his guides break off his number 8 last weekend and it's only had 4 trips under it's belt

On 2/26/2016 at 4:43 PM, Fishin' Fool said:

Unfortunately you have to go into the store. Not sure if you have one near you.

You might want to call ahead and see what sizes they have left because at that price they are going fast.

I went to my "local" Bass Pro (which is over 2 hours away from me) and they don't have any Villain 2.0's. Yes, I did call first to find that out but wanted to go any way. They said they never had the Villain and you can't find it anywhere on their web site either...just Veritas, Vendetta and Vengeance.

I got a MF 6'10" 13 Ohmen spinning rod for $65 at Gander once.  Also got I think a 7'1" MHXF Crucial for I think $75 iirc @DSG closeout .47 tag extravaganza.  

 

I'll be signing autographs later if anybody is interested.  

2 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

I went to my "local" Bass Pro (which is over 2 hours away from me) and they don't have any Villain 2.0's. Yes, I did call first to find that out but wanted to go any way. They said they never had the Villain and you can't find it anywhere on their web site either...just Veritas, Vendetta and Vengeance.

Weird. I don't know what to tell you. My receipt is right in front of me on my desk, I get to submit for a sweatshirt. Sorry you didn't have better luck.

Go Dobyns Fury. Order from American Legacy and sigh up for their mailing list which will get you $25 off your order. You'll still have to pay shipping but it will be under $100. 

5 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Go Dobyns Fury. Order from American Legacy and sigh up for their mailing list which will get you $25 off your order. You'll still have to pay shipping but it will be under $100. 

Yeah thats were I bought my Fury. Didn't think about that.

I really like the St.Corix Rage, one of my favorite rods. I jumped on a halo twilit series rod during the 25 days of christmas and really like that rod. Light, and loads up nice too. TW might still have them for like $60.