I want to get a few combos, a couple spinning and bait casting. Any suggestions on rods in this price range? Are there any that are a must have for a few more dollars?

Look at the St Croix Black Bass series....I picked one up and I'm pretty impressed with it. If I was 'sticking around' longer, I'd probably replace the remaining rods in my lineup that aren't St Croix with this series.

These 2 rods are the best value that I've tried, they fish between shimano expride and adrenas to me.  They are japanese 2 piece rods that are perfectly balanced, extremely  sensitive, and have incredibly versatile actions, from jigs and t-rigs to trebles.  I often choose them over other much more expensive rods that I own.  I've shipped from both of these sites multiple times without incident.  Tariff issues should be non-existent today but things are changing rapidly.

 

https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/5/4573236260334

Major Craft Days 6'9 MH/RF

DYC-692MH

¥18,100 (¥19,910)

6'9”

2

1/4-1

12-20

RF

4573236260334

$150.23 shipped/taxed

 

 

https://shimreels.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=40107

Major Craft Days 6'9 M/F

DYC-692M

¥17,700 (¥19,470)

6'9”

2

1/4-3/4

10-16

F

4573236260310

shims15 code makes it $145.52 shipped/taxed

 

 

scott

 

 

 

I'm a big falcon fan and have consolidated all of my casting rods to falcons.  The Bucoo SR and lowrider sit at $100 and $130 respectively.  I have a couple Bucoo and they are a good rod for the price.  But I would spend the extra $30 for cork, slightly lighter guides, and a wider range of actions.  You don't say the uses or power ranges you're looking at, but the 7'2" swim jig and the 6'10" head turner are two falcon actions that will give you a lot of mileage.  I have the cara swim jig and the expert and bucoo Head turner. @Joedodge just picked up the lowrider swim jig and can give feedback.

 

I don't know their spinning rods.

 

 

Phenix Maxim series.  about $120.  the M spinning is my most prolific rod.    i can plop my bait with pinpoint accuracy with that rod.  it is eerie how good i cast with it. 

 

i bought the Med heavy casting in an emergency purchase when i went to Oklahoma and realized i packed the wrong travel rod.  same $120.   i won the camp distance casting contest with that thing.  it flings them!  and it fights big Stripers like a champ.  if i ever drive to el paso again, i will bring it back home with me.  currently, my brother hangs onto it and he drives it to oklahoma annually for me.  it is a great budget rod. 

 

both rods are butt ugly to me...i dont love the camo.  but form follows function.

58 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I'm a big falcon fan and have consolidated all of my casting rods to falcons.  The Bucoo SR and lowrider sit at $100 and $130 respectively.  I have a couple Bucoo and they are a good rod for the price.  But I would spend the extra $30 for cork, slightly lighter guides, and a wider range of actions.  You don't say the uses or power ranges you're looking at, but the 7'2" swim jig and the 6'10" head turner are two falcon actions that will give you a lot of mileage.  I have the cara swim jig and the expert and bucoo Head turner. @Joedodge just picked up the lowrider swim jig and can give feedback.

 

I don't know their spinning rods.

 

 

I absolutely love my falcon lowrider. The swim jig rod has become one of my favorites for swim jigs, light bottom jigs, Texas rigs. I’m actually looking to replace a Daiwa tatula xt with a low rider all around fast. Because I can’t stand the rod. But maybe I need to look at a headturner!!!

Another vote for Falcon low riders. I have a bunch!

5 stars for the swim jig rod!!

I'm really liking the Daiwa Tatula XT in bith spinning and casting. For $100 I'm not sure there is anything better. 

With the sale going on right now at Copperstate you can get some Dobyn's Kaden or Sierra rods for about $150 each and that's what I'd do if it were me and that was my budget since they are great rods and come with a lifetime warranty. I've also heard good things about the Cashion Element series but have not tried one myself.

 

 

Surprisingly the Edge Rods promotion is still in effect.  That puts the Delta series at a hundred bucks.  There will be a delay in delivery but the wait is well worth it.  As mentioned, the Kaden and Sierra on sale is a great option.  

I’m not sure what kind of actions you’re looking for or what techniques you’re planning on using them for but I’m going to suggest looking at 2 brands and choosing your price from there. The first is 13 fishing a brand I own along with a handful of others on here including at least 2 who I know are way more experienced than me and have the catches to prove it, I will suggest the Oath lineup at $99.00 and even though I don’t own any sticks from this line I’m definitely grabbing one or two for myself soon. The second brand I’ll suggest is Okuma a brand that I feel is a great value for the price. I will say I have 2 TCS A rods and they are worth every penny and then some in my humble opinion along with a EVX B that I feel the same about, and although I don’t own any from the Cerros line both casting and spinning models look pretty darn nice at the $99.00 starting price point. Good luck and happy shopping.

Last summer I purchased a Shimano SLX 69 MA spinning rod for around $ 100.00 and I have been very pleased with it in every way.  For the money it feels like a much nicer rod.

Retail at the 100-150 range: Tatula XT, Tatula, SLX

Can be had for the same price if you dig around:  Sierra and Kaden from Dobyns, the Major craft mentioned before, some Evergreen Combat Sticks.

Ark Invoker Tour is a great rod.

If you’re looking for a baitcasting jerkbait/topwater rod - check out the Cashion Element 6’9” Medium. Just bought one, much prefer it over my old 6’10” Expride jerkbait rod. 

Hard to beat the Tatula for $150

On 5/20/2025 at 10:41 AM, casts_by_fly said:

I'm a big falcon fan and have consolidated all of my casting rods to falcons.

Which one do you use to throw toads? I'm looking for a new toad rod and struggling to find something that loads properly on the cast, while also being stout enough to manhandle fish out of cover. 

13 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

Which one do you use to throw toads? I'm looking for a new toad rod and struggling to find something that loads properly on the cast, while also being stout enough to manhandle fish out of cover. 

Cara 6’11” eye crosser with 50# braid. Same I throw frogs on. Same Jason Christie throws frogs on. 

23 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Surprisingly the Edge Rods promotion is still in effect.  That puts the Delta series at a hundred bucks.  There will be a delay in delivery but the wait is well worth it.

Their rod lineup is super confusing. I emailed the company asking for their recommendations on two rods I'm looking for, but haven't heard back. The rod descriptions all quote essentially the same rather exhaustive list of techniques that they're suited for...

Does anyone know their lineup well enough to answer my questions? They seem like good rods, but I want to make sure I'm getting exactly what I'm looking for. 

Here's the email I sent:
 

Rod 1 - toad style baits on braid. I want 7'-7'3 in length and I need a rod that is strong enough for heavy cover use, but will also load properly with a fairly lightweight toad bait. I have a hard time throwing baits with a lot of the standard "frog" rods out there. Also, I like a powerful rod, but with a slower than normal action. Would this be your FSC MBR 748-1C? Is it a full graphite rod, or is there glass in it?

 

Rod 2 - paddletail swimbaits on stout EWG hooks, also with braid. I want around 7' long and something similar to the first rod in that it needs to be powerful, but have a somewhat moderate tip so the fish can fully "take" the bait. The difference is that sensitivity is more important and it doesn't need to be quite as powerful because I will fish lighter cover with this setup. Would you recommend your FSC HYBRID 706-1C, or is that not suited for this type of single-hook use? I'm concerned about the glass tip losing some sensitivity? Would the FSC CBG 714-1 be better?

As far as value goes, Tatula was at the top of the $150 mark IMO.  Not crazy about the O guides, other than that the new ones should be good.  I can't see Daiwa fumbling their bestselling line of FW rods.

 

13 Oath is a good feeling rod for $100.  Im not crazy about the reel seats on the spinning models, but the casting models are good.  13 is a brand that goes on sale somewhat often.  If you can get a Muse for 160 or 170$ I would recommend giving it a shot.  The older Muse is one of my favorite rods ever.  You might get a good deal on the memorial day sale

 

Arks Tharp rods are good for the money.  The Wes Logan line is supposed to be nice too, the 7'5 MH F is pretty light, like 4.oz which is light especially for a painted blank.  The Invokers are good rods too.

 

Phenix Feather would be a good buy too

 

 

Either the Tatula or the Phenix feather. I believe the Feather has taken a price bump but they are super light and responsive.

They fish soft for the rating so you will want the heavy. I have the 7ft1 casting heavy and the medium spinning which fishes like a medium light to me. Great minnow shaker and Ned rod.

On 5/20/2025 at 11:40 AM, Joedodge said:

I absolutely love my falcon lowrider. The swim jig rod has become one of my favorites for swim jigs, light bottom jigs, Texas rigs. I’m actually looking to replace a Daiwa tatula xt with a low rider all around fast. Because I can’t stand the rod. But maybe I need to look at a headturner!!!

I’ve got the Head Turner. Most versatile rod I own. It’s a MH+ versus the Heavy it’s rated for. And the tip has a moderate action that is great for moving baits. But it also can handle jigs and T-rigs in a pinch, thought not my first choice for that. And it’s not a bad frod rod for light cover either.

On 5/22/2025 at 4:47 AM, rangerjockey said:

 I believe the Feather has taken a price bump but they are super light and responsive.

They fish soft for the rating so you will want the heavy. I have the 7ft1 casting heavy and the medium spinning which fishes like a medium light to me. Great minnow shaker and Ned rod.

 

The 7'1 H Feather is actually a GREAT bladed jig rod. It's definitely not a heavy. Like you said, very light rod as well, hence the Feather name. 

@NorthernBasser has me talked into an ark invoker tour for a bottom contact rod. I think I’m gonna give one a shot and order this weekend. They fall right around that $150 margin and lookin excellent 

10 hours ago, Joedodge said:

@NorthernBasser has me talked into an ark invoker tour for a bottom contact rod. I think I’m gonna give one a shot and order this weekend. They fall right around that $150 margin and lookin excellent 

@T-Billy will give Ark a ringing endorsement.