Check out Academy's h20 Express rods (house brand).  You can get more bang for your buck.  The tac 40 rods are an adrena knockoff and look pretty good.

 

https://www.academy.com/p/h2o-xpress-new-tac-40-spinning-rod?sku=7-1-black-medium-fast

7 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Check out Academy's h20 Express rods (house brand).  You can get more bang for your buck.  The tac 40 rods are an adrena knockoff and look pretty good.

 

https://www.academy.com/p/h2o-xpress-new-tac-40-spinning-rod?sku=7-1-black-medium-fast

I’ll consider it next time I’m in the market. Another rod I had thought about ordering at one point, before I ordered another Shimano Convergence, was an Okuma Reflexions B.

On 7/17/2022 at 11:48 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said:

As long as you have like 80$ to get a lighter (about 7oz. Or less) spinning reel with a smooth drag like an Exceler your in decent shape reel wise.  Take the rest of the money and get the best rod you can.  

I have the same kind of rod except its primarily a SH rod because I throw most of my plastics on casting gear.  An XF can be beneficial, especially for weightless/wacky rigs, it's your preference really.

I think braid is the way to go, especially with a F action rod.  Braid actually allows you to get away with a slightly lighter rod then you would be able to if you were using straight FC or Mono.  The sensitivity increase is a big benefit as well.  As long as there are no major abrasion, most 10lb braids have a breaking strength closer to 15lbs.  If you feel like that not enough you can go to a thinner 15lb like x9 and still get excellent casting.  Once you get to 15lb and over with braids like 832 or even PP V2 you really notice a difference with castability/handling compared to the 10lb.  Leader is up to you since it's so easy to change.  I like 8 or 10lb red label, 12 at the absolute heaviest.  It doesn't resist damage or bite offs from pickerel/pike nearly as well as a leader material like Blue Label, but since it's so cheap in cutting and relying doesn't exhaust the spool quickly.  Just be vigilant and check for damage often if your using a mainline FC like red label, invizx, etc.

Like I said earlier your better off putting as much money as you can into the rod so long as you dont go too cheap on the reel that it hurts you in the long run.

I dont have experience with the HMGs, but I have fished a buddy's triumph which isn't bad, but the bass x is the best listed that I've had experience with imo.

I had some minor issues with their customer service, but Ark gives you a great blank at that price point.  The Honey Badger would be the rod to look at.  I dont have a HB but I do have a casting rod that shares the same blank and I really like it.  Theres a guy on here (I think his name is t-Billy) he has that rod and really likes it, he would the 1 to talk to.  Good luck

 

 

On 7/18/2022 at 1:10 AM, T-Billy said:

Great 40 ton blank, Fuji guides w fazlite rings and a very comfy and secure reel seat. 7' M XF Outstanding rod at $129.

I have this rod also and absolutely love it. It's my general purpose spinning rod. I've  thrown Super Flukes, wacky 4" Senkos, weightless Senkos, 1/8oz shaky heads and have caught fish to 3lbs on it so far. I have a President XT 35 and 20# braid to a 12lb leader on it. It's money well spent.

3 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

 

I have this rod also and absolutely love it. It's my general purpose spinning rod. I've  thrown Super Flukes, wacky 4" Senkos, weightless Senkos, 1/8oz shaky heads and have caught fish to 3lbs on it so far. I have a President XT 35 and 20# braid to a 12lb leader on it. It's money well spent.

Seems tricky to find for some reason now. TW and eBay are the only places that seem to carry it, unless algorithms are messed up.

1 hour ago, Drawdown said:

Seems tricky to find for some reason now. TW and eBay are the only places that seem to carry it, unless algorithms are messed up.

Depending where you're located, I got mine from Everhart's in Clinton, MO. They stock Ark Tharp, Essence and Invoker Pro. You could buy it directly from Ark through their website too.

On 7/24/2022 at 4:15 PM, Drawdown said:

Seems tricky to find for some reason now. TW and eBay are the only places that seem to carry it, unless algorithms are messed up.

Dicks started carrying them recently.  

Man, I’ve got no luck—called TW after the rod never shipped. Somehow they messed up on their end and their warehouse no longer has a Shimano Convergence.

 

They’re offering a refund (obviously) and up to 20% off depending on brand…so maybe third time’s the charm? I also have a $20 coupon from Sportsman Guide from the first debacle…