I’m looking for feedback and suggestions on a $300 ish medium power bait casting rod.

 

It’ll be a general purpose rod for river smallmouth throwing mostly spinnerbaits, chatter baits, buzz baits, underspins with some t rig type presentations on or near the bottom 

 

thanks

Poison Adrena 610 M. Favorite rod I own. I use it for a lot of those same techniques fishing for smallmouth 

I'm a huge fan of the PA 6'11M+. Super versatile, soft enough for trebles, underspins, yet my favorite worm rod and a great finesse jig rod.  It's also a great heavy jerk bait rod; like 1/2-7/8oz, specifically the nishine 115 and rerange.  

 

scott

That's my Falcon topwater/finesse jig rod.  6'10", MH/F, 1/4-3/4 (or 1/4-5/8 in the Cara and lowrider lineup).  For 1/4 and 3/8 bladed baits that's the one I throw.  If I'm throwing 3/8 and 1/2 then I go to the bigger brother in the head turner.

 

I bought the topwater/finesse jig for the things you're talking about initially- primarily a topwater smallmouth rod for 1/2 oz walking baits.  After using it for that I started exploring what else it excelled at and it does work on lighter blade baits, 110 sized jerk baits, finesse jigs and lighter swim jigs, and the occasional keitech 3-4" swimbait depending what rods I have with me.  It's also a pretty light rod in physical weight.

1 minute ago, casts_by_fly said:

That's my Falcon topwater/finesse jig rod.  6'10", MH/F, 1/4-3/4 (or 1/4-5/8 in the Cara and lowrider lineup).  For 1/4 and 3/8 bladed baits that's the one I throw.  If I'm throwing 3/8 and 1/2 then I go to the bigger brother in the head turner.

 

I bought the topwater/finesse jig for the things you're talking about initially- primarily a topwater smallmouth rod for 1/2 oz walking baits.  After using it for that I started exploring what else it excelled at and it does work on lighter blade baits, 110 sized jerk baits, finesse jigs and lighter swim jigs, and the occasional keitech 3-4" swimbait depending what rods I have with me.  It's also a pretty light rod in physical weight.

I have a real old falcon lowrider from like the late 90’s. It’s only a 6’ but great for jerkbaits. I smoked so many smallies back then when the rogue and TD minnows were all the rage

2 minutes ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

I have a real old falcon lowrider from like the late 90’s. It’s only a 6’ but great for jerkbaits. I smoked so many smallies back then when the rogue and TD minnows were all the rage

 

 

I have a couple falcons and I like them a lot.  The finesse jig/topwater was the first from the Expert and Cara series that I bought.  I had 3 Bucoo SR before that.  I fished it a ton the first two years.  Its trailed off for me a little because we get grass really thick here starting in May (and some places even before) and I want just a little heavier.  For rocky lakes and rivers and what you're talking about its fantastic.

 

 

I think MH for all of those techniques. For me, it's a Dobyns 703. Really happy with it. 

https://stcroixrods.com/collections/freshwater/products/legend-tournament-bass-2022-new-models

Seeing @casts_by_fly comment reminded me - I'm selling a Falcon Cara Dragger 1 on the flea market at the moment that could do all these things. Falcon rates it a heavy (3/8-1oz) but it's more along the lines of most manufacturers' medium heavies. It's in really good shape. I think I'm asking $125 for it, would have to go back and double check. Feel free to PM if you want to discuss more 

11 minutes ago, JNorman said:

Seeing @casts_by_fly comment reminded me - I'm selling a Falcon Cara Dragger 1 on the flea market at the moment that could do all these things. Falcon rates it a heavy (3/8-1oz) but it's more along the lines of most manufacturers' medium heavies. It's in really good shape. I think I'm asking $125 for it, would have to go back and double check. Feel free to PM if you want to discuss more 

 

I considered buying that rod from you.  I have the 6-17 model in the Bucoo SR and the Expert.  I loved the Bucoo- true heavy power and fast-ish action for throwing big moving baits like 1/2 oz blade baits and 110 ploppers.  I thought the expert would be more of the same in a lighter blank and more responsive.  I was wrong.  The expert is a true moderate action.  Great for big crankbaits or if you like a moderate action for chatterbaits.  When people talk about fiberglass chatterbait rods this is the rod I'd substitue.  Alas, i use my head turner for most of those things now and the heavy cover jig for the rest.

I'm still evaluating it but the Megabass P5 Z-Crank Elseil would probably do all that. I only had a few outings with it before everything froze up but so far it seems very versatile, sensitive,  and fun to fish.

I'd be looking at Expride, St. Croix LTB, or Daiwa Tatula AGS models. 

Might want to consider a MH...IMO.

For these presentations, I would go with a medium heavy rod. If you keep it to 3/8oz chatterbaits with light trailers and want a rod on the lighter side, something like the St Croix Victory 7’1” “The Grunt” might be an okay option which is a lighter powered medium, but I would probably go with a full Medium Heavy if it was me.

For starters, you'll want something with a fast action. Xfast will give you a tip that's too bendy and a mod. action will give you too much bend deep into the blank.  There's a lot of suggestions recommending that you go MH. Keeping in mind that blank power various from brand to brand and model to model, try to aim for something that's inline with the size/weight of the baits you throw and the size of the fish you target.

 

Although nobody likes to talk about this, sometime we only have access to smaller fish (under 3lbs) which mean small baits, which mean a lighter rod.  If you're regularly into larger fish then go the MH, otherwise, you're on the right track. If your average catch is 3lbs or less, then go with the Med... its always more fun catching a big fish on lite tackle. Unless your fishing cover, then bigger is better.

 

Regarding a recommendation, the sky's the limit but I would recommend something in the Dobyn's Championship XP line.  If it was me, I'd go for the Dobyns DC 702 or 703, 30# braid and a 8-10# floro leader.