Im looking for a new rod but am kind of money tight so what do you guys think would be the best rod for around 150 dollars or less?  I want a rod that will perform very well and is the best in the price range.  

Also Im probably going to use it for working jigs and stuff.

thanks  

For around $150 I like my Shimano Crucial, but I don't have a lot of experience with the other brands/models in that price range.

Powell at $139.99.

id go for a st. croix avid. great rod with great warranty.

Falcon Cara's are around that price and they are excellent rods. The Avid's are great, too.

The Crucial is tough to beat. WIth your budget you'd have enough left over to buy the line and a few lures.

I'm another fan of the crucial in this price range.  I've heard they have a lifetime warranty and that you can take the rod back to the store you bought it from under warranty instead of mailing it in.  Anybody able to confirm this?

Fenwick Techna AV

Fenwick HMG

in 6'6" or 7' med/fast

THE CABELAS XML ON SALE FOR 99 BUCKS...GREAT ROD FOR THAT MONEY!

Falcon Lowrider XG for $110

BY The Way: You are going to get a lot of suggestions and knowing this place THEY WILL ALL BE EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS!

If you have a store like BPS or Cabelas around , bring the reel that you are going to use and go there, pick out some of the suggested rods that you think you might like and put the reel on the rod and SEE HOW IT FEELS TO YOU!

The Shimano's are awfully tough to beat in that price range.  However, I'd be sure to handle a few All Stars before making up your mind.

Another vote for Crucial.  Very nice rods.  I spent a lot of time comparing and really feel like these are the best bang for the buck.

Posted by: Muddy Posted on: Today at 7:28am

BY The Way: You are going to get a lot of suggestions and knowing this place THEY WILL ALL BE EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS!

If you have a store like BPS or Cabelas around , bring the reel that you are going to use and go there, pick out some of the suggested rods that you think you might like and put the reel on the rod and SEE HOW IT FEELS TO YOU!

That is a great suggestion!

luckily the nearest bass pro is not more than 20 minutes from my house so ill be sure to head down there soon and try some of these rods out. So far the crucial sounds like a good choice but im definitely going to take my time cuz im trying to make this is my last major fishing purchase until next spring. but i dont know if i can hold off til then .

Also I looked on tackle tour and those Powell rods got a pretty darn good review and an editors choice mark. Does anyone have any advice on these Powell rods??

Crucial. Nuff said.

Also I looked on tackle tour and those Powell rods got a pretty darn good review and an editors choice mark. Does anyone have any advice on these Powell rods??

Powell rods are awesome... very light, very sensitive, and with the new lower price can not be beat at 139.99.

Crucials here, too.  Just picked up a 7' medium light, fast action, casting.  Paired with a Curado 101D, 8# mono,  I can easily throw a 4" senko on a 2/0 EWG super line hook over 100' (35 yards), without any problem.  

Shimano Crutial !!!!!!

Shimano crucial.. Awesome rod. great price. exchange warranty at BPS or Cabelas.

Don't over look store brand name rods either. Cabelas, bps, and gander mountain all have quality rods branded with there names. Cabelas has a great deal on there xml rods now like muddy stated.

Well obviously most people are saying the shimano crutial but has anyone actually had experience with both a powell and crutial? cuz on tackle tour i was checking reviews and the powell was better than the crutial and that was made when it was priced at 170 but now its 140. i havent really heard much about powell though but im very interested and everyone seems to just love the crutial. i think i may just buy one of both and compare and then return the one i dont like.

I love my carrot stick, but i was also looking at the powell, but at that time the powell was slightly more expensive.  Now that the powells have gone down in price I'm definitely going to have to get one before this year is over

Besides looking for the best brand for the $$$, make sure you get the best configuration for your needs.  In addition to overall length, power & action, also make sure the grip feels right.  Personally, I think the 10.5" grip on my 7 foot rod feels a little awkward, but I can still cast well with 2 hands using the 6.5" grip on my 6'3" rod.

Also, if you're comparing sensitivity of rods using the floor tapping method, make sure you are tapping on a mat or carpet as well as a hard floor.  Tapping on a hard surface I (IMHO) found that the Crucial transmitted more vibrations than Fenwick Techna AV.  However, when tapping on a soft surface, the Fenwick transmitted more sensation.

gander mountain im7 graphite rod

I've heard great things about Powells and Crucials, I have a Techna AV that is really nice too, but its a little more than $150