Hey everyone, I want to gather your opinions about something. I'm currently searching for a rod to fish jigs, weighted plastics, etc with. I'm going to pair it with an Abu Garcia 7.1:1 Pro Max reel. I'm going to purchase a BPS Pro Qualifier 2 5.6:1 for Squarebills, medium crankbaits, chatterbaits, etc and pair it with the Medium-Heavy/Moderate rod that came with the Pro Max reel as a combo. 

     But for the jigging rod, I've narrowed it down to 3 possibilities; which do you think is best? 

-Fenwick HMG Med-Heavy Fast Action

-St. Croix Bass X Medium-Heavy Fast Action

-*** Fate Green Medium-Heavy Fast Action

(not exactly sure whether I should go with around the 6'6" I'm used to or go for 7'

 

I'd appreciate any advice you could provide. Also, If you think there's a better option for around ~ $100, please mention it! I'm not dead set on these just yet. I'm also aware the St Croix Mojo's retail for about $130, but unless they are significantly better, I'd like to stick to around the $100 price point, as I've given myself a $200 budget for a rod and reel for this purpose and the BPS PQ2 is $100, itself. I forgot to mention that I do the majority of my fishing from shore. Thanks!

I own a Bass X med-heavy in moderate fast and absolutely love it.  I have used it for just about everything and it is super versatile.

 

If 100 bucks is your budget, I'd highly recommend a Diawa Tatula (original, not XT model). I use the 7'2" med-heavy for Texas rig and jigs up to half ounce plus trailer.

 

It is labeled as a 'Regular taper but is a fast to moderate fast rod all day, and would be considered fast action by many.  IMO perfect for these baits.

 

Can be had brand new shipped for $100-$110 from EBay.  Very sensitive as well.  On the low end it tosses 3/16 bullet weight and trick worm quite well.  I say easily your best option.

6 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I own a Bass X med-heavy in moderate fast and absolutely love it.  I have used it for just about everything and it is super versatile.

 

If 100 bucks is your budget, I'd highly recommend a Diawa Tatula (original, not XT model). I use the 7'2" med-heavy for Texas rig and jigs up to half ounce plus trailer.

 

It is labeled as a 'Regular taper but is a fast to moderate fast rod all day.  IMO perfect for these baits.

 

Can be had brand new shipped for $100-$110 from EBay.  Very sensitive as well.  On the low end it tosses 3/16 bullet weight and trick worm quite well.  I say easily your best option.

Thanks for the reply! As I've done more research on a good jig rod on the forums, the Daiwa Tatula consistently comes up and is mentioned. I'll start checking those out, as well. Previously never heard of them. Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate it.

Yeah man, it retails for $150 on a lot of places but for $100 it's a no brainer.  I couldn't decide between the heavy and medium heavy so I got both.  The medium heavy is the one you want.  The Heavy is pretty dang stout, more of a frog and heavy jig rod IMO.

 

The medium heavy has plenty of back bone and a tip that is just right.

I throw my jigs, as well as several baits, on a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 MH fast tip. $119 free shipping.  On my other 2.0 I throw all plastics, to include Senko style worms.  They are incredibly light and a pleasure with which to fish with those Winn grips.

Love my Tatulas!    No experience with any of the Heavys other than the 7'4" HF which I wouldn't use below 5/8 oz. if looking for any distance.  It will do 1/2 oz. (I used a hollow-bodied frog), but distance isn't great.  Much, much better with the 5/8 oz. frog.  I agree the 7'2" MHR should do well with the jigs LionHeart mentioned.  Really nice rods.

 

You could look at the Daiwa Fuego.  Can be found for around $70 on ebay, and sometimes less.  I have seen it as low as $56....but not lately.  Word must be getting out about how good it is for the money. 

Amazon has Tatula 7'2 HF for $87 right now. That would work for jigs, and even frogs. The rod is extremely light, even for a heavy power rating.

1 hour ago, LionHeart said:

Yeah man, it retails for $150 on a lot of places but for $100 it's a no brainer.  I couldn't decide between the heavy and medium heavy so I got both.  The medium heavy is the one you want.  The Heavy is pretty dang stout, more of a frog and heavy jig rod IMO.

 

The medium heavy has plenty of back bone and a tip that is just right.

Definitely going to be picking the medium heavy. Thanks!

1 hour ago, OnthePotomac said:

I throw my jigs, as well as several baits, on a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 MH fast tip. $119 free shipping.  On my other 2.0 I throw all plastics, to include Senko style worms.  They are incredibly light and a pleasure with which to fish with those Winn grips.

I'll take a look at the BPS rod, haven't done that yet. Thanks!

27 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Love my Tatulas!    No experience with any of the Heavys other than the 7'4" HF which I wouldn't use below 5/8 oz. if looking for any distance.  It will do 1/2 oz. (I used a hollow-bodied frog), but distance isn't great.  Much, much better with the 5/8 oz. frog.  I agree the 7'2" MHR should do well with the jigs LionHeart mentioned.  Really nice rods.

 

You could look at the Daiwa Fuego.  Can be found for around $70 on ebay, and sometimes less.  I have seen it as low as $56....but not lately.  Word must be getting out about how good it is for the money. 

In response to the Fuego, I've heard great things about them, and Daiwa as a whole. Prior to finding the BPS PQ2 reel I mentioned, it was between Daiwa and Shimano. However, the BPS reel uses both centrifugal and magnetic breaking, so I figured that may be better? I'm primarily looking for a reel that's going to last a few years, I like to purchase good quality gear that I won't have to worry about breaking after one season, as I fish a lot (multiple times per week). The Pro Max combo I have was a gift and first baitcaster, and before that I was using early 80's and 90's Fenwick HMG's, HMX's, and a Boron X with early 2000's Shimano Reels (Stradic 1000 and Symetre 2000). The durability of the Shimano reels and Fenwick rods really stood out to me and I'm looking for a baitcasting reel and rod that I can easily use 5-10 years down the line when treated with care, as I'm meticulous with rod & reel care. I appreciate the reply!

17 minutes ago, Junger said:

Amazon has Tatula 7'2 HF for $87 right now. That would work for jigs, and even frogs. The rod is extremely light, even for a heavy power rating.

Keep hearing good thing about these Tatula rods. Definitely taking a look! I only wish it used cork on the handle, for which I'm a big fan of and is a deciding factor. Thanks!

30 minutes ago, Ycerides614 said:

Keep hearing good thing about these Tatula rods. Definitely taking a look! I only wish it used cork on the handle, for which I'm a big fan of and is a deciding factor. Thanks!

The new Tatula will have cork on it, but MSRP will be $149.99-$169.99.

I really like my ducket ghost for flippin.

4 hours ago, Ycerides614 said:

 

Keep hearing good thing about these Tatula rods. Definitely taking a look! I only wish it used cork on the handle, for which I'm a big fan of and is a deciding factor. Thanks!

I said the exact same thing.  In fact I kinda expected to hate the foam handle.  After using it for a while I gotta say I don't mind it at all.  It has a dense premium feel and gives decent grip.

 

Would I rather have cork now?  Kind of a toss up.  Winn grips are still my favorite.

I would probably opt for the mojo bass series over the bass x. The blank is that much better and when considering jigs, the added sensitivity helps for sure. 

 

The tatula xt is a good rod and I’ve heard better about the regular tatula as everyone seems to be speaking highly of them. Only ever fished the tatula xt series. Might be worth a look 

6 hours ago, LionHeart said:

I said the exact same thing.  In fact I kinda expected to hate the foam handle.  After using it for a while I gotta say I don't mind it at all.  It has a dense premium feel and gives decent grip.

 

Would I rather have cork now?  Kind of a toss up.  Winn grips are still my favorite.

I ended up preferring mine to cork to be honest.

 

Anyway, as a Tatula rod owner, I would definitely recommend it. The Mojo Bass is good, but I like my 6'10" MH/F Tatula a little better and you can find them for even less. They retail for $150 but they fluctuate between $110-150 on Amazon.

A 5 year review of the PQ.

 

I've no experience with the Daiwa Aird X, but a fellow member (ww2farmer) has high praise for them.  I am also a fan of the Fenwick HMG line.  I have several, but not the 7' MHF which is probably the one you would want.  Buying the PQ on sale for $80 or the Fuego would let you pick up a Fury for $110 and still make your budget.  I have never used a  Fury, but quite a few guys on here highly recommend them.  You have a fair number of options that should result in a combo that would last you for years if taken care of properly.

 

EDIT:  Lew's Tournament MB in excellent condition $100 TYD on another forum.  6.8:1 ratio.  This is also a dual brake reel.  I don't know how it compares to a PQ as I've never handled a PQ.