21 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it or not. If I do, I'll certainly get another heavier rod to fill the original need.

My reading of this thread is that the BPS Graphite is not the rod you’re looking for. This is a ‘beater rod’ that you accept has limitations but it’s relatively low price means you’re not that upset if it breaks.

 

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you want something more than that.

I do not want a beater rod, rather, a 2 rod to keep in the car so I can bass fish when in town with my family.

 

I don't consider the BPS graphite rod a beater rod. What I would consider a beater rod would be a zebco hotcast rod from walmart. The BPS rod in question is not what I want though, as it's much lighter than I had expected.

That said, the rod will likely take a little bit of a beating, because with my kids and wife, and having a stroller and the boy's scooter occupying the same space, accidents are unavoidable.

 

I put my breakdown rods in an old bluejean pants leg for a cover to try to protect it and the reel when in the back of the car.

I would also suggest taking a look at Kast King as they offer a few different 2 piece rods some with twin tips. I don’t own any 2 piece rods but I have a Speed Demon rod and I’m quite happy with it. They offer the Zephyr 2 piece and dual tips 1/4-5/8 oz and 1/2-1 oz tip and lastly although I don’t know how much room you’re working with in your car I would suggest a relatively cheap carrying case from Amazon to minimize any damage. This keeps you in your budget as well.

Thanks Eric. I'll be on the lookout for a carrying case.

 

I did check out th AIRD-X rods today in town. They didn't have any 2 piece rods but they did have a 6'6" M/F.  I liked it pretty good.

I've decided to keep the BPS rod and I started fishing it. It has taken the place of the cheap rod I was using for my light stuff.

 

I'll cast a 1/8oz jighead with a 2" powergrub, and a size 09 Rapala Original Floating Minnow which is advertised as 3/16oz.

 

I'm still looking to get a heavier 2 piece rod for my normal needs, and I'm inclined to buy an Aird-X 6'6" sight unseen.

13 hours ago, Bazoo said:

 

 

I'm still looking to get a heavier 2 piece rod for my normal needs, and I'm inclined to buy an Aird-X 6'6" sight unseen.

I’m the   “Bait Monkey” and I approve this message 😉

@Bazoo All jokes aside it sounds like you know you’re definitely set on the Daiwa Aird 2 piece rod and I’m going to suggest getting it while it’s still around $55.00 and if it were me I’d look into seeing if your local tackle shop will bring it in for you especially if they carry Daiwa rods, it may not get there as fast as you’d like but they’re equipped to handle any shipping damages vs being shipped to you personally along with just helping them out by making a sale unless they’re marking them above the $55.00 price that seems to be the norm.  Along with that I’ll still suggest a preferably hard at least top 1/2 carrying case to keep the setup in your vehicle and if you’re not in the mood to wait Amazon is still offering both of my suggestions😉

Well, I went back to Academy and fondled the Aird-X rods a while. They didn't have, nor could they order the 2-piece rod. But their solid 6'6" casting was very nice.

 

So nice, that when I got home, I ordered one of the 6'6" 2 piece M/F off Amazon.

 

I liked the feel of the MH/F but the 2 piece is only available in 7', and I don't know that I can handle the length while bank fishing as I fish a lot of flukes and now hard jerkbaits. I do mostly downward twitches with them.

Nice thing about the Aird-X rods is that their Lure Rating for the Medium is closer to what others call Medium-Heavy....I think the 6'6" Medium will be just fine for what you want it for.

I got received the 6'6" M/F Aird-X 2 piece rod today. It's just like the 1 piece rod I reviewed in store as far as power. I cast with it in the yard a spell. I like it. I would like a bit more backbone but otherwise I like it.

 

I'd rate it lighter in power than either the Black Max rod or the Lew's Hank Parker rod for action. I'd rate it on the lower end of Medium power, with the Black Max a true medium, and the Lews on the heavy end of M

 

Action, I'd rate it more of a moderate fast than a fast.

 

In the store, I prefered the power of the MH over the M, but I decided to compromise there, rather than get the 2 piece MH because it's 7' in length. I prefer a shorter rod for how I fish from shore.

 

I may end up getting the MH though so I'll have a pretty well rounded 2 piece rod selection for the car.

9 hours ago, Bazoo said:

Action, I'd rate it more of a moderate fast than a fast.

Didn't I mention that earlier?  Aird-X I rate as a MF-F.....halfway between a Mod-Fast and Fast. It's what makes my Aird-X 7' MH/F such a great spinner/chatter rod.

2 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

It's what makes my Aird-X 7' MH/F such a great spinner/chatter rod.

I couldn’t agree more! 

After fishing the Aird-X, I don't care for it. The lack of a reel seat below the reel is very uncomfortable to me. I will do one of 3 things: 1, deal with it, not sure on that, 2, sell it, 3, add a piece of handle there.

Probably going to go with option 2, it's mighty uncomfortable to me and comfort in use is the highest on my priority list.

 

Now I know though.

^ Not every rod model is for everyone and it might take experimentation to find that.

 

Personally, I came to dislike the Dobyns Fury line - gave all six I'd purchased to my grandson who does like them.

@T.J., that BPS Graphite MH 2 piece casting rod you mentioned, how do you rate the power of it? I am wondering if it's actually a MH, or if like the M it's underrated? The BPS website says it's got a weight range of 3/8-1.5 oz.

 

Will it cast a bit lower than the stated 3/8oz?

 

I'm thinking about getting the 6'6" MH/F 2 piece, which is rated 3/8-1 oz. It'd probably be a bit more useful to me for jerkbaits and flukes.

@Bazoo the 7’ MH 2pc is not under rated. If anything I think it is a little stiffer than some of my other 7’MH. 

Thanks @T.J.