The newly retired guy (me) and his wife will be taking some Fri-Sat-Sun trips this summer. Anywhere there's a casino in the northern Midwest is a possible destination. I need advice on a do-all, jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none two-piece spinning rod. All these places will be new, unknown water for me. Although I like rivers, I might find only still waters. Don't know. I had thought of a ML rod, and then wondered whether that would have enough "authority". All fishing will be done from shoreline. I can use both braid and mono lines. I've always divided my rods into hard-tip and soft-tip groups. I'm not used to thinking "do-all". First target will be smallmouth, but I'll have to take whatever's there. Any advice? Thx.    jj

Not sure what your price range is, but if I was looking for a 2-piece do-it-all, I'd look at the St Croix Avid X.  They have both 6'6" and 7' M offered in two-piece

St Croix has the Premier, Avid and AvidX series of rods available in two pieces.  ML or Medium will work fine  In Abu Garcia take a look at the 6'9" two piece Vendetta.  It says ML but all Abu rods run a little stiffer than they say. The lure rating is ML  extra fast tipped 1/8 to 1/2.  I think that would be a great all a round rod.  G Loomis offers a bunch of rods also.  Your wallet may have to make the decision.  The Abu costs $79.99 but has a rebate of $16 if purchased by 6/25  from Gander Mountain.  The St. Croixs will run you anywhere from $120 to $250.  

There are lots of good reels out there, but for $60 consider a Pfluerger President. It is a really smooth reel and contains 10 bearings. I have several that have almost 10 years of use.   

I believe you can get the Fenwick HMG or HMX in two-piece.  I have a MHXF HMX two-piece that I've been using for inshore striped bass fishing for a few years.   Also, check out the Daiwa Ardito travel rods.  They're three-piece, and great rods.  I bought two of the casting models this spring and have been enjoying them.

Tight lines,

Bob

I use a shimano sellus with  sienna reel for traveling or bank fishing and i love that setup. Its a medium leaning on medium heavy

My HMG and Aetos are both two-piece rods. Haven't had any issues with either. 

    Thanks for the replies. I have the MF 6'6" Avid. Great rod, but too stiff for an all-rounder. Fenwick is interesting. I noticed that in the HMG line, both the ML and Med are fast speed. Can someone tell me how fast the Fenwick "fast" is compared to the Avid? In an unknown situation, my first crankbait would be a Rapala Countdown. Next would be a Senko.   jj

    Don't want to dredge up old threads, and I don't now whether anyone cares, but I think I found my rod. I went into my favorite store to look at Fenwicks. Came back out with a Shimano Compre Travel, CPS70M2C spinning rod. Not a stiff tip, but not too soft either. Had it out on the river this afternoon (bought it this morning)  and got 2 bass on cranks. Tried mono and braid, both. I think I'm gonna like this one ....   jj