Im getting the BPS Shimano Citica/Extreme combo, 6' 6" MH for Christmas.  It is going to be my all purpose rod for a while.  I was thinking that maybe around my birthday i would upgrade the rod to one in the 100 to 130 dollar range.  My first question is would going from the Extreme ($70) to a rod around $125, be much of a difference, as far as sensitivity and weight.  If yes, then i would like yalls opinion of some rods in that price range.  I have a few picked out, Fenwick HMG, Kistler Graphite Plus, and Shimano Crucial.  Any input on those choices would be appreciated and maybe give me a few more choices.

man all i can say is get a st croix premiere ..... imo a big step up ....

I'm LOVING the Crucials right now.

i would get the johnny morris signature series over any of those rods you mentioned.the johnny morris is as good as it gets.the only reason to spend more would be a to get lifetime warranty.

It's always a tough call with the BPS combos...

The Citica itself is $120.  The combo is $140.  For $20 extra, I say get the rod.  Even if you immediately upgrade the rod, you'll only be out the $20 and you'll have a pretty good backup rod.  Heck, then you can have a M and a MH to cover nearly all situations.

Are BPS rods the best?  No.  But in my opinion, at the combo price, they're hard to beat.

Also keep in mind that the Extreme is usually a rod in that target range of yours when it's not on sale

Fishin49er, that exact combo was my all-around baitcaster setup this year, and as Chris at Tech said, it's one of the best bargains out there. I caught my PB with it in July. I will probably upgrade the rod next year, but it's not urgent. I think you'll be happy with it.

Great deal you got there. The rod is almost free. When you get ready to upgrade the rod, do as dodgeguy suggets, and take a look at the JM Signature Series rods. They're on sale quite a few times every year for around $120. Also, do yourself a favor and put one of the Team Daiwa Light & Tough rods in your hand. They are also in the same price range. I have one of each. I love both of "em. If you forced me to pick a favorite, ( this is like picking your favorite child ) I'd probably go with the TD.

Good luck with you new rig.

Cheers,

GK

nboucher, thanks for that info. Like you said im sure when i finally get it i will be more then happy with it and wont need to upgrade for a while.

ghoti, the JM Signature was one of the ones i was looking at also just forgot to list it, it looks like a very good deal at $120. When i decide to upgrade i am definitely going to look into it.

I am with Chris on this one. The BPS Extreme rods are nice but I must admit I have never owned a G-Loomis or a St. Croix but for $20. Why not give it a shot?

I had a Shimano Stradic 4000 on a BPS Extreme and I loved that rod and reel set up. It now rests at the bottom of Lake Norman, unfortunately.....please don't ask how it got there.

Another set up like that is on my Christmas list. I know my wife won't buy me the Stella that I want....

shimano crucial is the 1 i would get awesome rod and the best warrinty out there

lifetime over the counter