I need recommendations for a good medium power spinning rod , under $200.

St Croix Mojo Bass - 6'8" M/XF or 7'1" M/F

St Croix Victory (on sale) - 6'8" M/XF, 7'1" M/F or 7'3" M/XF

59 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

St Croix Mojo Bass - 6'8" M/XF or 7'1" M/F

St Croix Victory (on sale) - 6'8" M/XF, 7'1" M/F or 7'3" M/XF

Thanks. I am a big St Croix fan. Which of the above do you recommend for plastics?

2 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

Thanks. I am a big St Croix fan. Which of the above do you recommend for plastics?

Depends on what you're doing with them.

Wacky, light Shakeyhead, Neko - the XF rods are your 'tactical' weapons.

Weightless T-Rigs, Flukes, Soft Swimbaits - go with the 7'1" Fast

44 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Depends on what you're doing with them.

Wacky, light Shakeyhead, Neko - the XF rods are your 'tactical' weapons.

Weightless T-Rigs, Flukes, Soft Swimbaits - go with the 7'1" Fast

Thanks

St. Croix Premier 6'6" m/f

BPS Carbonlite 2 6'6" m/f if you don't mind the micro guides.

Type of line affects spinning rod performance along with average casting distance. Soft plastics indicates bottom contact lures or small swimbaits?

Tom

32 minutes ago, WRB said:

Type of line affects spinning rod performance along with average casting distance. Soft plastics indicates bottom contact lures or small swimbaits?

Tom

Drop shot and wacky rig.

12 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

Drop shot and wacky rig.

SC Victory VTS73MXF, 3/16-1/2 oz lures.

Softer tip is preferred for finesse drop shot or slip shot rigs and accurate casting weightless wacky rigged Senko's or Neko/nail weight etc.

This rod loads up quickly for solid hook sets.

Tom

To me a great all around rod is Daiwa Tatula 6'10" med its a great rod for the money which is in your budget.

Daiwa Tatula Elites are on sale at a few retailers, the Daiwa Rebellion is an outstanding spinning rod. It retails for 200,but you should be able to get it with a discount during certain sales promotions.

I'll second the Mojo Bass. I own the 7'1 M/F. Love it to death.

On 2/18/2023 at 4:20 PM, Clumsy fisherman said:

Drop shot and wacky rig.

I started with this rod, so it is the style I seem to gravitate towards.

 

I have taken hundreds of bass on this rod.  I can feel the tiny ticks of a bass even on a very distant drop shot rig.  introducing the Phenix Maxim.  7'2"...it is awesome.

 

for wacky/neko, I use a Dobyns Kayden.  I now like a more parabolic rod because I seem to have more lure contact anyways and can feel the strike easy.  then the softer rod cushions my over exuberant hooklets, and enthusiastic fish fight.  took a good PB with it and that rod stole my heart.  I was cranking like an idiot and the rod was "whoa, kid..."

I love my ST. Croix preimer. I think the medium spinning rod is a very good all around rod in my opinion. I like 7ft

If you can be patient, AL*'s used section often has excellent condition Exprides (mine came with the cork handles still wrapped) at around $240. With the right discount, they can be had for $200 or less.

 

I picked up a medium power 7ft Expride B spinning rod for $190 at the time. I think it was a 15% off the used section type flash sale. Theres a 6'8 medium in there now.

If you can still get them a 7 foot St. Croix Avid rod in either ML power or M power would be awesome I think. I have long felt they are the best bang for the buck out there. 

 

not sure if they have been discontinued though because of the new Victory rods??