ok everyone

 

I have 2 spinning rods and 6 casting rods in my arsenal but I do not own any heavy power rods!!! The truth is my typical fishing locations have virtually no heavy vegetation, just rocks usually. Despite this I feel that it is probably a good idea to have at least one heavy power rod in the collection just in case. Should I go for a heavy power rod or just skip to an extra heavy? I'm not really wanting to exceed $200 for the rod. Any hands on experience with some nice options/opinions would be appreciated 

Lots of folks like the phenix feather 7'3" XH.  I hear it's more of a Heavy+.

Although I don’t use my hvy powered rod’s much I’m going to say at right under your budget at $165.00 on Tackle Warehouse I really feel the Okuma TCS A 7’-3”rod is a lot of rod for the money. It’s labeled a frog/swim bait rod rated for lures 1/4-2 ounces and has a nice moderate tip that hits a solid backbone pretty quickly. You’re going to get a lot of options hopefully but it’s going to help if you offer what you’re looking to do/techniques with the rod. From the sounds of it maybe football jigs and buzz baits in your waters. 

I have 3 heavy rods - all Tatulas/elites. I love them and they do the trick.

8 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

Although I don’t use my hvy powered rod’s much I’m going to say at right under your budget at $165.00 on Tackle Warehouse I really feel the Okuma TCS A 7’-3”rod is a lot of rod for the money. It’s labeled a frog/swim bait rod rated for lures 1/4-2 ounces and has a nice moderate tip that hits a solid backbone pretty quickly. You’re going to get a lot of options hopefully but it’s going to help if you offer what you’re looking to do/techniques with the rod. From the sounds of it maybe football jigs and buzz baits in your waters. 

My casting rod arsenal looks like this...the Cabela's and Berkeley rods are all ~30 years old. Recently I added a Scheels and two BPS Musky rods (in gray).

 

Honestly, the medium-heavy rods can handle anything LMB related. The heavy rods are really stout.

 

iRod 704C Genesis III is maybe the best rod I’ve used. At your budget you could also try the Air version, but I have not tried it so cannot recommend. 
 

704C was designed to be a jig fishing rod. 

11 hours ago, BassSteve said:

ok everyone

 

I have 2 spinning rods and 6 casting rods in my arsenal but I do not own any heavy power rods!!! The truth is my typical fishing locations have virtually no heavy vegetation, just rocks usually. Despite this I feel that it is probably a good idea to have at least one heavy power rod in the collection just in case. Should I go for a heavy power rod or just skip to an extra heavy? I'm not really wanting to exceed $200 for the rod. Any hands on experience with some nice options/opinions would be appreciated 

 

As always, it depends what you want to do with it.  And in some ways what you're considering 'heavy'.  I can point out rods labelled 'heavy' with lure weight from 1/4-3/4, 1/4-1, 3/8-1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1 1/4, 3/8-2, 1/2-1 1/2, and maybe a couple more.  These are just the ones I know off the top of my head.  I know most of those rods and they are all quite different.

 

Generically, I'd say yes get a 'heavy'.  And I mean that in the true sense of a 1/2-1 1/2 type rod.  It makes for a great 1/2 oz jig or texas rig rod.  Perfect for bigger spinnerbaits or buzzbaits.  Big ploppers and small swimbaits are no problem.  Think any lure with a ~1 oz total bait weight and you're into a real 'heavy' range.  Regardless of the cover there are plenty of times to throw that size bait.

 

Which rod?  At $200 you can get some fantastic rods.  That's right on the Falcon expert price point and the expert amistad would be a good choice.  But if you're not even sure that you need one and don't fish one currently, do you want to spend the full budget to get one?  Depending how big you want to go, either the Amistad or the Heavy cover jig in the Low rider series at $129 is going to be fantastic.  The Amistad is a generall all around power rod and the heavier of the two.  If you might go over 1 oz then that's the one.  The HCJ is one power lower and great for 3/8-1/2 oz weight plus plastic or 1/2-3/4 oz baits.

 

 

Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch 

Or

Evergreen Combat Stick 73 Hmf

11 hours ago, BassSteve said:

ok everyone

 

I have 2 spinning rods and 6 casting rods in my arsenal but I do not own any heavy power rods!!! The truth is my typical fishing locations have virtually no heavy vegetation, just rocks usually. Despite this I feel that it is probably a good idea to have at least one heavy power rod in the collection just in case. Should I go for a heavy power rod or just skip to an extra heavy? I'm not really wanting to exceed $200 for the rod. Any hands on experience with some nice options/opinions would be appreciated 

What baits do you want to throw? Vegetation isn’t the only deciding factor. 

I don’t use a heavy a lot, so I didn’t spend a ton on it, but I really like it. 
BPS Johnny Morris carbonlite. 
7’3” heavy extra fast. 
3/8- 1 1/2oz. 
on sale rite now for about 120$

I believe for 200 you can get the combo, the reel is nice also.

5 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

My casting rod arsenal looks like this...the Cabela's and Berkeley rods are all ~30 years old. Recently I added a Scheels and two BPS Musky rods (in gray).

 

Honestly, the medium-heavy rods can handle anything LMB related. The heavy rods are really stout.

 

I'm glad you are on the forum...you give food for thought on wants vs needs.  I know I have rods I don't need, I just don't follow my own advice 

5 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

What baits do you want to throw? Vegetation isn’t the only deciding factor. 

Idk...anything. spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits etc. Just want to say that I own a heavy rod, not really concerned about technique specific heavy rod or anything

2 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

Idk...anything. spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits etc. Just want to say that I own a heavy rod, not really concerned about technique specific heavy rod or anything

Ark's Invoker 7'4" H Mod Fast is the single best rod I've found for those baits you listed. Great tip with plenty of power through the mid and butt sections. Within your price range.

3 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

Idk...anything. spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits etc. Just want to say that I own a heavy rod, not really concerned about technique specific heavy rod or anything

If you want heavy reaction I’d look at the Levante Perfect Pitch or SC Victory 7’4 Heavy. In reality a MH covers all of those techniques unless for some odd reason your throwing 1.5oz spinnerbaits for striper. 
 

I use a legend elite 7’4 heavy for big swim jigs, 6” single hook swimbaits, heavy 3/4 oz plus trigs in deep water. It’s my Swiss Army knife of heavy sticks.

If your not going to throw baits that require a heavy rod your sorta just picking up something you have zero use for. 

Actually if you just want it to have it grab a used Steez power pitch or US destroyer BMG. 

Falcon LowRider LFC-7H Dragger 7' Heavy Fast 

4 hours ago, Catt said:

Falcon LowRider LFC-7H Dragger 7' Heavy Fast 

yep.  With the revised info either the dragger 1 or the heavy cover jig.  

On 3/14/2024 at 10:06 AM, webertime said:

Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch 

Or

Evergreen Combat Stick 73 Hmf

Oh yeah.   I both rods.   Great options.    My perfect pitch is always with it.  It’s very versatile.     Same with the Okuma TCS 7’3 Heavy.  I found that to be underrated and extremely versatile for everything.  I found it more of a MH+ but it has the backbone when needed to get bass out of thick slop.

IROD IRG754F gen3 is 7’5” HF that is imo perfect for a all around rod for lures between 1/2 oz to 2 oz and $150.

Tom

This thread reminds me of my Castaway "East Texas Grass Rake" which I still have. Broomstick would be an understatement LOL.

Lew's TP-1 Black Speed Stick is on sale at T.W. right now and you get another $25 gift certificate when you buy it so that's like $75 for the 7'4 heavy fast. Not sure there's anything else out there I could recommend more for someone considering their first heavy rod right now. This will work for frogs or as a light punching rig or if you want to put fluoro on it I also like it for a 6" magdraft or a mini a-rig or even as a spinnerbait rod.

My vote would be a Dobyns Champion 735c

Omnia has a code for 20 off right now.  Brings it in just about $200

Another really good option is a St Croix 7'4" Heavy. The Victory, Mojo, and Bass-x are all well within your budget and you can probably find them on sale if any Classic sales popup this weekend.