17 minutes ago, bishoptf said:

ALF just had the Shimano SLX MGL 70 for $99 (out of stock now), wish I had known since I would have picked up a couple, they sound like a really nice real.

 

Appreciate all the input, keep them coming!

Since I am freshwater only what kind of fish is that?

 

Black Drum, he caught on the above mentioned combo. He has caught some decent bass on it.

 

Never touched an Aird X, but it constantly gets suggested as a rod well worth its price.  Have handled a Lightning Shock in store, but couldn't work up a liking for it.  However, I have a spinning and casting rod in the regular Lightning series.  Can't say about the new models as these are older models, but I feel the ones I have are great values.

 

Price of the Fenwick HMG has gone up, but I am a fan of the several older models I have.  I would look at some of the 13 Fishing, Lew's, and the TFO Professional.  The TP-1 Black especially gets good reviews and is current $99.97 on sale ($40 off).

 

I don't like going too cheap on baitcast reels.  The LFS, Fuego, and SLX MGL are all highly rated.  I'll pay less for spinning.  Bought a B-I-L a Revros several years ago.  Still going strong.

 

Personally I love the used market and close out sales.  All my Fenwick Smallmouth rods were less than $80 new ($130 list).  With one exception, I paid less than $100 for my OG Tatulas (new).  $300 spinning rod was $75 TMD (new rod).  Similar deals on casting reels.  However, I haven't seen deals like this since Pflueger dropped their casting reels.  Took advantage of the close out and purchased two Supreme XTs and a Patriarch.  Would have invested in a Patriarch XT, but already had 3 of the older blue models.

5 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

TP-1 Black especially gets good reviews

 

I got 3 of em, great rods.

On 6/19/2024 at 1:09 PM, bishoptf said:

Understand and why I did not use best since thats subjective. I listed what I currently use and I do not have any rods over $100 all are much less. Why I used bang for buck, I hate to use the word cheap but trying to find decent rods in that sub $100 price range that really perform better than their price.  I guess if I had to list a price it would be sub $50-100, but again not about being cheap but ones that perform almost as good as the pricier rods.

The Lews Hank Parker rods are good.  Get the medium in spinning as a finesse rod and the MH as a jig, worm and frog rod.