Hey guys, I need some advice on buying a couple baitcasting rods. I'm looking for 2 baitcasting rods, each for under $100. I fish mainly 5-10ft deep eelgrass beds w/ 1/4-3/8oz grubs, 1/4-1/2oz rat-l-traps, and 3/8-3/4 oz spinnerbaits, but I'm gonna step up and get some nice rods just for these conditions. The fish are smaller (2-3lbs tops) and pretty line shy so I fish 6-8lb on the grubs, and 10-12lb on the crankbaits/spinnerbaits, and whole lot of floro. What I'd really like to do is have one rod for 8lb grubs, and another for spinnerbaits with 10 or 12lb, either rod 6.5-7'. I'd fish the rat-l-traps on either, whatever would be better. I'd feel a whole lot better about whatever I buy if I run it by you guys because I know there's a lot of experience on this board. I could really use your opinions on this one! Thank you, I am eager to hear what you all would go with!

I have a Shimano Compre and it is a very good rod for right at $90.  Lots of guys like the St. Croix premiere too and you can get that one for $100.  I think they both have the actions you are looking for......

You may want to get a medium or medium light with a fast tip for the grubs and maybe a crankbait rod for the traps and the spinnerbaits.

Good luck.

I kind of like the idea of getting a medium light rod bc I could throw light grubs on it. I've been looking at the Compre's and they've got a 6'6" medium light action, fast taper. What do you think of using that rod also for rat-l-traps? I know its a fast tapered graphite rod, but would the lighter action help on the hookset? Maybe I'm asking too much of it?

Zack

Compre CPC70MB should do everything you need. I HAD 2 until I kicked one overboard last week at Texoma, as soon as the Dept of Treasury gives me the OK I'll be replacing it and maybe getting another one for good measure! Great rod for spinnerbaits, 'traps, and most anything else you want to throw in the 1/4-3/4 oz range.

Thanks guys, this has really helped me! I've been looking at those compre's a lot, esp in the medium action. I like that you've been able to throw the rat-l-traps on it, that's one of the things I was wondering about. Ok, the first rod is gonna be a CPC66MB. I was wondering if anyone's fished the CPC66MLB? I'd be using it to fish 1/4 oz grubs on 8lb.

Zack

You can throw 'traps for what seems like a mile with the rod I mentioned. I've got a Citica 200DSV spooled with 15# PLine CPX on mine. I've got a couple of Crucials and I'm not sure at this point if I like 'em better than the Compre.