I found an older thread about this but nothing too recent. Anyway, Walmart is carrying these Lew's  Hank Parker Speed Stick rods-spinning and casting- for like $39.74 which is the same price as the Berkeley lightning rod shock at my Walmart. These Hank Parker speed stick rods are advertised as an im8 rod. Has anyone tried these out to see if they are any good? I can't seem to find any info whatsoever about these. None on lew's website or anywhere else online.

I would say never buy a rod or reel from Walmart. Almost every item there, even if it's from a reputable manufacturer, will be a special "for Walmart" model that is far inferior in quality. After a bunch of bad experiences with them I would heartily recommend looking elsewhere.

^^^ I agree I have a Lew's reel that was a "made for Walmart" it has never been on their website and not even listed on the page where you register for the warranty. I had to call to be told what reel to select just to submit the registration. Lew's acted like they wanted no part of it even though it had their logo/name on it. The woman explained the exact same "made for Walmart" story. 

I would assume the rods are the same. 

On ‎7‎/‎1‎/‎2016 at 10:27 PM, ww3869 said:

I found an older thread about this but nothing too recent. Anyway, Walmart is carrying these Lew's  Hank Parker Speed Stick rods-spinning and casting- for like $39.74 which is the same price as the Berkeley lightning rod shock at my Walmart. These Hank Parker speed stick rods are advertised as an im8 rod. Has anyone tried these out to see if they are any good? I can't seem to find any info whatsoever about these. None on lew's website or anywhere else online.

if its the white one I had one and it broke on a 3lb catfish....returned it for the 49.99 lews combo in black and blue, its my finesse rod now.

Not all rods in Walmart are total junk. They were carrying the Falcon Buccoo baitcasting rods a few years ago.  Several friends have gotten that rod (the trapmaster) and it is the exact rod as mine which came from elsewhere.  I do own 3 Lightning shock rods which work terrific for rattle traps and have caught some big blue cats and rock fish.  For small to mid size cranks and traps the 6'6" medium Lightning Shock rods work well. I own two casting and my wife fishes one spinning version.  We have fished them pretty hard for the last 3 years.

Go with the Shock.