Hello All,

 

I'm looking to upgrade a couple 7' MHF casting rods to something in the 7'3 to 7'5 range, staying Medium Heavy / Fast.  It's been a couple years and all my casting rods were Avid X because of the value at $200.  St Croix discontinued the Avid X and now has Victory Series.  

 

Are there any recommendations at the $200 price point for rods.  Looking to toss 3/8oz Jigs with various trailers.  Mostly bottom contact, the occasional soft plastic swim bait.

 

Thanks!

 

I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7’3” MH/F Ehrler that I love.  I throw swim jigs, casting jigs, football jigs, vibrating jigs, spinner baits and Texas rigs all in the 3/8-1/2 oz range.  

$189.

That's the Falcon Heavy cover jig.  7'4", labeled Heavy fast, but that's a 6-power falcon heavy which is more like most others' MH.  rated 1/2-1 and designed to throw jigs.  They don't offer it in the Expert at $200, but in the Cara it is $250.  I love mine. I'll throw jigs and texas rigs on it during the day and buzzbaits at night. It currently has a 1/2 oz bladed jig on it.  

It's 7'2, but the 7'2 MH or even 7'2 H Zodias. They do have a 7'5 MH, but I have no experience with it personally. Great rods. They're $220-230 but I can get you 20% off. PM me if interested. 

I love my kistler heliums, the 73mh is light (3.5oz) yet still balanced and plenty sensitive, a step above st croixs and the daiwa elites imo. If you sign up for the newsletter you'll get 15% off first order. They're currently at $249.95, after taxes and shipping you'll probably be at about $250 out the door. 

The Kastking Assegai Free Style or Sweet Caroline both are 7'6 MH/F. Difference is the number of guides.

12 hours ago, bp_fowler said:

I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite 7’3” MH/F Ehrler that I love.  I throw swim jigs, casting jigs, football jigs, vibrating jigs, spinner baits and Texas rigs all in the 3/8-1/2 oz range.  

$189.

 I have the Tatula version of this rod and think the world of it. A true all around/multi purpose workhorse bottom contact rod. My Tatula has a full cork butt section and the Tatula Elite version has a split EVA butt section.

6 hours ago, Big Hands said:

 I have the Tatula version of this rod and think the world of it. A true all around/multi purpose workhorse bottom contact rod. My Tatula has a full cork butt section and the Tatula Elite version has a split EVA butt section.

I’m a fan of the Tatulas and own a couple myself.  Shame that Daiwa stopped making the full cork versions.

I think considering inflation for the past 5 years or so the best VALUE in rod lines right now are the Shimano Exprides when they go on sale.  They fish like a high end rod, but can be had at the $225 price point on sale.  A $200 rod today does not get you what a $150 to $200 rod would 5 years ago imho.

 

Other than that, I would turn to St Croix at the $200 given price point.

The Victory series casting rods are light weight well made with good customer service and warranty.  Order from ALF offers 10% off for new orders.

Tom

Under 300...exprides are really good rods for their price point... 

16 hours ago, bp_fowler said:

I’m a fan of the Tatulas and own a couple myself.  Shame that Daiwa stopped making the full cork versions.

They do have that rod with full cork in the Kage B lineup.

On 4/8/2025 at 1:27 PM, casts_by_fly said:

That's the Falcon Heavy cover jig.  7'4", labeled Heavy fast, but that's a 6-power falcon heavy which is more like most others' MH.  rated 1/2-1 and designed to throw jigs.  They don't offer it in the Expert at $200, but in the Cara it is $250.  I love mine. I'll throw jigs and texas rigs on it during the day and buzzbaits at night. It currently has a 1/2 oz bladed jig on it.  

This. Falcon Cara HCJ and don’t think twice. Don’t let the name fool you. I was skeptical at first but i throw 1/4oz t rigs on it with a zoom plastic no problem. Ive thrown 3/8oz jigs on it too and it’s awesome. This guy was the one that kinda convinced me to do it and it was a good choice. 
 

I’ve never used an Expert, in fact I just ordered my first one a few hours ago. But I’ve handled them in store and they feel really nice. But like mentioned, they don’t have the HCJ in the Expert lineup. The Amistad would be a good choice