Was in walmart checking out rods, and they had a Hank Parker Lews rod that seems like it might be great. It's a medium fast and is light and nimble. I checked out the 6'10" version, but the website says they are available in 7'0".

 

For me, it would replace/become my all around rod for bank fishing. It would throw a lot of texas rigs, a few jigs, some flukes, a few crankbaits, 1/4 roostertails and beetle spins, buzzbaits, everything.

 

Anyone here use this rod and can offer some insight?

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lew-s-Hank-Parker-Casting-Speed-Stick-Fishing-Rod-7-Feet-1-Piece-Medium-Heavy-Power-Fast-Action-Black/385836847

For that price I’d go for it. Actually I think I will. 

You want the 610M.  The MH is a brute that won't even load with 3/8 oz.  The MH is the $50 jig, frog and punching stick.   That tip is super stiff and slow loading like something off an XH swimbait rod.  Awesome hook setting power for 1/2 oz jigs, frogs and punching but far from an all arounder.

Even if it is too stiff for what you are looking for, get it anyways and use it as your heavy powered rod.  It's great for $50.  I have a 1st gen silver blank MH and it has a frog tied on right now.

I did pick up the 6'10" Hank Parker rod. I've mostly used it for texas rigs, and it excels at that. I can really set the hook in comparison to the M/M rod I was using.

 

It casts very easy and accurately. It does good with both an overhand and a roll cast. I've even skipped a few here and there with it. I'm still learning skipping though.

 

Overall I couldn't be happier with it. I haven't retired my Abu Black Max M/M though, but it's mostly playing second fiddle for things like topwater and crankbaits now, while the Hank Parker rod is normally the start of the show, since I fish a texas rig a lot.

 

I've done a bit of light jig fishing as well, and it's done well there too. Though I haven't done much, or with any large jigs or large fish yet.

 

I did catch a 3 pounder today on a texas rig and it handled that size of fish with ease.

1 hour ago, Bazoo said:

I did pick up the 6'10" Hank Parker rod. I've mostly used it for texas rigs, and it excels at that. I can really set the hook in comparison to the M/M rod I was using.

 

It casts very easy and accurately. It does good with both an overhand and a roll cast. I've even skipped a few here and there with it. I'm still learning skipping though.

 

Overall I couldn't be happier with it. I haven't retired my Abu Black Max M/M though, but it's mostly playing second fiddle for things like topwater and crankbaits now, while the Hank Parker rod is normally the start of the show, since I fish a texas rig a lot.

 

I've done a bit of light jig fishing as well, and it's done well there too. Though I haven't done much, or with any large jigs or large fish yet.

 

I did catch a 3 pounder today on a texas rig and it handled that size of fish with ease.

I have that rod too in the casting version.  I use mine as a budget weightless plastics, jerkbait and topwater rod.   It's been my go to cheap M powered rod to recommend in spinning or casting.  Shame it's going away.

25 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I have that rod too in the casting version.  I use mine as a budget weightless plastics, jerkbait and topwater rod.   It's been my go to cheap M powered rod to recommend in spinning or casting.  Shame it's going away.

Going away? I haven't heard about that.

I looked at this one the other day at Walmart too. It felt very stiff. But then again, I'm totally new to baitcasting.

19 hours ago, Red Beard said:

I looked at this one the other day at Walmart too. It felt very stiff. But then again, I'm totally new to baitcasting.

I easily throw texas rigs consisting of 10 pound Big Game line, 1/8oz bullet weight, 2/0 round bend hook, and a baby brush hog. I've used slightly lighter plastic in the form a Zoom U-tail, and noticed it, but it was still within the weight range.

 

It isn't as limber as my M/M Abu Black Max rod, but likewise, it has a lot more backbone.

15 hours ago, Red Beard said:

I looked at this one the other day at Walmart too. It felt very stiff. But then again, I'm totally new to baitcasting.

The 7' MH?  That one is super stiff.  It's a broom handle of a rod but that's its strength IMO. While it no all arounder its a good cheap option for a pitching/jig/frog stick.  

I forgot, that I did throw a weightless waky rig with a Creme stick worm without issues on the rod yesterday. Not sure if that's lighter than the 1/8oz baby brush hog, but I think so.

@Bazoo Reading this thread made me break out my combo which I’m hoping I can use this upcoming week. 

I got there Hank Parker spinning rod 6 10 MF. I really like it for wacky worms, Baby Brush hogs Mini Chatterbaits . I would like to try there Baitcasting Rod. It’s a good rod for the money 

My opinion is , if it works for you, that’s great! The numbers or actions printed on the rods are so different between companies, it’s really hard to say what’s  what. As long as you don’t go to extremes. Just catch some fish, and have a good time👍🏻

I was able to check out the 7'0" M/H Hank Parker Lews today at walmart. The tip is a bit stiffer than I'd like, but it wasn't nearly as heavy in weight or balance as I'd expected.

I've been continue to use this rod, and have used it for a bit of everything. I think it's too fast for crankbaits, but it seems to handle those okay too.

 

I prefer the Black Max M/M for flukes though. I can't put my finger on why, just seems right. I use the Lews Hank Parker for flukes when I'm running a crankbait on the other rod, and it does just fine.

 

Overall, I like it quite a bit. It hasn't replaced the Black Max, but I wouldn't be unhappy if it was my only rod.

 

 

Always pay attention to Dicks Sporting Goods also as their Lews exclusive the Lews Carbon Fire is the same blank with a Wynn grip and goes on sale often.

Thank Eric. There isn't a.....forgot how to use English's in town. Closest one is in Louisville. I occasionally make it up there for other stores.

Not long ago, when putting my line back through my tiptop on my Lew's Hank Parker rod, I noticed that the tip top snagged the line a little bit.

 

 

I contacted Lew's and because I still had my receipt and it was within the 1 year time limit, they replaced the rod. I had to destory the old rod and provide pictures prior to them sending the replacement.

 

I guess their tip top guides aren't any count. I've used this rod only a few times with braid. Literally less than a hour.

 

So they were nice enough to replace the rod, but, I expect the new one to do the same.

 

Manufacturing defects happen. That's what the warranty is for, and they honored it.  

 

Glad you had a good warranty experience.  That can't be said for all brands.

@Bazoo When you receive the rod, order a proper tip with hot melt & replace that tip.. 

I will use it and keep an eye on it, but I am planning on placing an order for parts after I get my taxes back this year.

 

The warranty experience was actually pretty easy.

I've used those hank parker rods off and on the last 3 years. Very nice rods for the money. The 6' 10" medium/fast if my favorite. Good jerkbait and topwater rod. I threw square bills and lipless on it as well. It was my one stop shop treble hook/cranking rod on the river many trips. Not great at anything but pretty good at everything. I liked spinnerbaits/chatterbaits/texas rigs on the 7 medium heavy/fast. It's a good but i never loved it. The 6' 10" medium spinning rod is a good do everything spinning rod. Tubes, neds and wacky worms. I like the shorter length and it had pretty good balance.