Trying to thin out and upgrade my rod arsenal. I’m going to take the blessed ugly stick that I haven’t used in ages into Bass Pro for their spring trade in deal later today. Looking to get a better finesse fairy wand in return for drop shots, neko, ned, etc.

Currently throwing all my spinning stuff on an 7 foot medium Arid X coupled with a 3000 Fuego, but it’s technically my loaner rod so hoping to get something else that I can use myself in case I need to take a buddy or my girlfriend fishing with me.

I’m thinking a medium light fast or extra fast of some sort. Current front runner is the Daiwa Tatula XT, followed by maybe the St. Croix Black Bass, but a little hesitant about St. Croix given all their issues in the recent past and it’s also 50 buckaroos more. Any other suggestions from anybody?

Thanks,

Shinmothy

I'd say that for the $10 you're going to get as the tradein I'd keep the ulgy stick and not limit myself to BPS offerings.

18 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I'd say that for the $10 you're going to get as the tradein I'd keep the ulgy stick and not limit myself to BPS offerings.

Forgot to mention that I also had a decent bit of giftcards from Christmas from work and in-laws which is why I’m looking at BPS.

If not from Bass Pro where else would you recommend I look?

If you have gift cards then that's a different story. That isn't your own money to spend and they aren't useful in any other store. Might as well use them fully.

Absent gift card, given that you're looking for a specific rod that isn't brand specific I would shop around based on finding the right rod or rods. What I mean is, there are a lot of 7' ML/F rods that will do what you want so do some searching around these forums to find a couple that sound good to you and then see where you can find the right price. Seems like you're in that $100 price point so look at options and source from the best deal Considering gift cards, BPS is probably the best deal for you right now. And the tat xt 7'1" ML/XF seems like a pretty good option. I don't have one but they are rated highly here on the forums.

I’m not sure how much you want to spend but you can get a BPS Carbonlite technique specific rod in 6’-9” in both medium light or medium, I’m planning on picking up the casting version in the same length marked finesse and I’m sure it’s the same blank as the spinning rod. Also I’m not sure what your local BPS carries brand wise but I’m planning on picking up a 13 fishing Oath spinning rod in med light extra fast this season and my local BPS is carrying select 13 fishing products so I may be asking them to order one in while still being able to use my trade in which I’ve done in the past by speaking to the manager of the fishing department. I spoke with mine a handful of weeks ago about this same scenario and he said it shouldn’t be a problem as they are currently carrying 13 fishing products, just something to think about.

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

If you have gift cards then that's a different story. That isn't your own money to spend and they aren't useful in any other store. Might as well use them fully.

Absent gift card, given that you're looking for a specific rod that isn't brand specific I would shop around based on finding the right rod or rods. What I mean is, there are a lot of 7' ML/F rods that will do what you want so do some searching around these forums to find a couple that sound good to you and then see where you can find the right price. Seems like you're in that $100 price point so look at options and source from the best deal Considering gift cards, BPS is probably the best deal for you right now. And the tat xt 7'1" ML/XF seems like a pretty good option. I don't have one but they are rated highly here on the forums.

I handled a couple different Daiwa Tatula XT rods as I was interested in the BFS rod at a fishing show and man they are sweet rods at that price point. The only thing I wasn’t liking is the reel seat which is a Daiwa design I believe, but that was without a reel attached so I just may try them out at my local shop later on and bring a reel with me.

For just a bit more than the Tatula XT - I'd go for the St Croix Panfish. I'm using the 7'3" ML/XF for most of my finesse work and it's really a nice rod for that.

Don't let the 'Panfish' label trick you...it really is a nice bass-finesse rod.

If you haven’t gone to BPS yet, look at a Carbonlite Techniques series “super finesse spinning rod. I’ve got one and really like it. Got a BPS Platinum series reel on it. You’ll get $30.00 trade in for your Ugly Stick.

I would probably lean towards a M XF for those techniques, personally, but I run two different rods for those techniques, ML for Ned's and smaller wacky and M for shakyhead, 5-7" Neko and what not. I have used everything from BPS Carbonlite to my current Poison Adrenas. Their new Carbonlites are actually very, very nice rods for the dollars.

@Drew03cmc If I may ask what is your choice in Extra-fast? I have handled the St. Croix Black Bass, Mojo Trigon, Victory and a handful of other branded spinning rods that are “Extra Fast” and I feel they aren’t what I would refer to as Extra-Fast. For some kind of reference I do have a 6’-3” Extra Fast Light Power Cortland CTR spinning rod that I’ve had for many years that I really enjoy and it’s definitely what I would consider Extra-Fast.

19 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

@Drew03cmc If I may ask what is your choice in Extra-fast? I have handled the St. Croix Black Bass, Mojo Trigon, Victory and a handful of other branded spinning rods that are “Extra Fast” and I feel they aren’t what I would refer to as Extra-Fast. For some kind of reference I do have a 6’-3” Extra Fast Light Power Cortland CTR spinning rod that I’ve had for many years that I really enjoy and it’s definitely what I would consider Extra-Fast.

Well, I currently run a Poison Adrena 7'2" ML that, I believe, is an XF. I really enjoyed the Ark, choose your series, MLXF. I've also used St. Croix and Abu. Abu rods are normally overpowered. Their ML is comparable to everyone else's M. I've had Daiwa MLXF rods as well and they all do the job, but feel slightly different.

@Drew03cmc I haven’t handled any of the Shimano lineup as they’re usually a bit out of my price range which is subjective but if I may ask what is your favorite Ark series? And I will definitely agree that the Abu Garcia rod’s tend to be a bit stiff and load rather fast along with having minimal give anywhere in the blank if that makes any sense. The older ones at least to me felt like they were all way to soft or usually way to stiff although I did purchase a Veritas LTD as the deal was too good to pass up last season.

The Tatula Xt 7' M-F spinning rod is my do anything rod. It's primary use for me was senkos rigged every which way last season. Fantastic rod. She's got some power.

My Rebellion 6'8 ML-F spinning rod is my preferred Ned rigs, drop shot, inline spinners rod. But the Tatula Xt can do those things with a bit more power for grassy areas.

Those carbonlites are great rods too. Had the 6'8 M-XF and it was great. I do prefer dawias forward reel seats, very comfortable.

32 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

@Drew03cmc I haven’t handled any of the Shimano lineup as they’re usually a bit out of my price range which is subjective but if I may ask what is your favorite Ark series? And I will definitely agree that the Abu Garcia rod’s tend to be a bit stiff and load rather fast along with having minimal give anywhere in the blank if that makes any sense. The older ones at least to me felt like they were all way to soft or usually way to stiff although I did purchase a Veritas LTD as the deal was too good to pass up last season.

The Cobb is incredible for the price, but I really liked my old Invoker Pro rods.

On 3/5/2026 at 1:19 PM, casts_by_fly said:

I'd say that for the $10 you're going to get as the tradein I'd keep the ulgy stick and not limit myself to BPS offerings.

100 percent on this. It's a shame but BPS is the last place I shop now. Unbelievable how overpriced they are. If they don't want to compete price wise I don't have to shop there. The 10 bucks you get for the ugly stick will just cover some of the over price you will pay. Keep the ugly stick and save money shopping elsewhere.