What is your current favorite squarebill 1.5 rod ? What are the main attributes you look for in a good squarebill 1.5 rod that won't break the bank (under say $175) ?

I personally prefer graphite and my favorites for that are orochi flatside special and imx pro 845 cbr but those are higher than you want to spend. I know a couple people who like st croix mojo bass glass 7’4” mh for 1.5 square bills. It’s around your price point. 

ALX Ikos Hustler. 

My two 1.5 rods are:
 

Kistler KLX 6’9 MH MF. The older NFC blank

 

Cashion Icon square bill rod 7’ MH MF

 

I use the Kistler for beating the bank or throwing around shallow cover. It’s a great casting rod and is accurate. The Cashion is better is situation where I need to make a long cast. I prefer a graphite rod that is not a noodle. I also throw squarebills on mono

If you want graphite and under $175 maybe consider the ALX IKOS Buzz. I have the same rod in the ZOLO series (Dream) and it's very versatile including using for squarebills.  Dobyns Sierra is a possibility too...

I’m throwing 1.5’s on a Powell Endurance 724CB-Glass paired with a Tatula SV103 in the 6.3:1 ratio spooled up with 12# Sunline Sniper. Perfect for 3/8oz 1.5’s but it can handle 1.0’s and other smaller, lighter cranks too. 

I use the Powell 705 CB. Another one I really like is made on a MHX 843 CB blank.

My favorite is my 7'1 M F Muse.  It recovers fast enough to make it good for deflecting, but is soft enough to keep trebles pinned.  Its pretty light, sensitive and the reel seat is really comfortable which makes it fun to fish.  The action is a slower fast, probably somewhere between a regular and F, which makes it really versatile.  Theyre on clearance for 120 I think, which is a good price.  

It's a real balancing act to get a good 1.5 squarebill rod - provide enough stiffness for casting accuracy and lure deflection while being parabolic enough to keep bass buttoned up while reeling them in .

My gan craft killer-00 barrel is an amazing square bill rod that works from deps 1.2 up to ther 4.0. I have it paired with an Antares 6.3.1 

Any 3 power Dobyns. I'm not complicated.

A little above your price point, but I throw very similar size and smaller crankbaits on a St. Croix graphite LTB 7'2" M/M. It's by far my favorite squarebill rod. They have 7'1" M/M that would handle them very well too. 

4 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

It's a real balancing act to get a good 1.5 squarebill rod - provide enough stiffness for casting accuracy and lure deflection while being parabolic enough to keep bass buttoned up while reeling them in .

I entirely agree. Best I’ve found for them at balancing act is a graphite rod for stiffness with fluorocarbon/mono/co-poly line to provide some give near the boat. 

I seem to do well with a Dobyns Fury 705CB. 

3 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I entirely agree. Best I’ve found for them at balancing act is a graphite rod for stiffness with fluorocarbon/mono/co-poly line to provide some give near the boat. 

Frydog you have some great posts

31 minutes ago, Pogues2300 said:

Frydog you have some great posts

Ha! Sometimes maybe.. the square bill rod has been a long learning experiment with some lost fish along the way, but I think this combo is pretty close now ?

Ark Tharp Series "Grinder". 15# XT or YZH.

Any 705CB by Dobyns.  

I like a light med/hvy fast. I fish a bunch of rip rap/rock. I prefer a fast for the deflection and it seems to lessen the likelihood of getting hung. Brian.