so again, I really need at least 1 (for now) but eventually 4 or more rods, which are apparently nearly impossible to find.... leastwise, for under $100.

The rods I'm using now, which work great for my purposes.... both for throwing 5oz swimbaits (Huds) and for my Striper fishing, are my Okuma's, which are rated as follows;

{oh, and of course these have been discontinued }

Spinning

7 1/2ft (up to 7' 9" would be fine though)

15-30 lb mono rating

1-2 oz lures

1 piece, of course.

....for under $100.

The closest I have found, are the St. Croix's, which do meet all of my criteria, except for price... about $150.

Have I overlooked any possible choices ?

Thanks,

Fish

St. Croix MOJO Inshore ~$140

TFO Gary Loomis Signature Saltwater Spinning $99.99

Berkley Cobalt Saltwater Spinning is ~$80.

TFO looks good...

Here's one that might fill the bill: (the bottom one on the chart)

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Saltwater-Fishing/Saltwater-Rods/Spinning|/pc/104793480/c/104765580/sc/104542380/i/104113080/Cabelas-Salt-Striker-Inshore-Spinning-Rods/738952.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-saltwater-fishing-saltwater-rods-spinning%2F_%2FN-1100468%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104113080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104542380&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104542380%3Bcat104113080

Tom

Check Cabelas  , you should find something to your liking.

I think the Shimano Teramar rods are excellent quality. The should run you about $120, butI think they are worth it.

Have you looked at the Fenwick Silver Hawk rods? They are a Cabela's exclusive and very nice for the money.

I think the carbonlite series may have something that could possibly work also?

Do a search for a pinnacle platnum plus (I think thats the name I'll double check when I get home). I purchased a 7'MH rated for lures up 1 1/2oz about 5 years back. It handles lures up and slightly over 2oz quite well. Is fairly light and sensitive, has SIC guides and a pretty cool looking charcoal colored graphite ribbed blank.

I know its not quite the length you want, but the series may be worth looking into. I was in a similar situation to you before I switched to All baitcasting gear and this is the rod I settled on. Much more comfy to fish than the St Croix Inshore rod Id used prior. I'll still use it once in a while when using live bait.

Chris if you can settle for a 7'6" rod Temple Fork has one that may fit the bill. Link attached.

http://www.basspro.com/Temple-Fork-Outfitters-Gary-Loomis-TFO-Signature-Series-Saltwater-Spinning-Rods/product/10210092/-1754708

What did you decide on????

Quite a few choices. Like Chris I fish nothing but spinning and I have found a couple of sleepers that fit the bill reasonably priced.

On the real cheap is a Shimano soujourn( freshwater rod) both a 10/20 and 25lb class available, I have the 25# and it's my main barracuda rod, been using it 3 years...........29.95.

Quantum blue runner, 25# class rod, I was using this rod for kingfish and bonita, handled them with ease..........$49.00

Star stellar lite, 25#, great blank and it's used for kings and bonita, cobia, $129, returned the blue runner for this, in hind site I liked the blue runner better, I will buy another when the need arises.

The only reason I'm not using a Hurricane redbone is that size is not offered, they do make a 15-30 which is awesome but with a lighter lure rating. So many people that have seen me using my redbones are now using them in favor of some of the other top names they had.

I'll second the RedBone that SirSnook suggested. Hurricane makes a very nice rod at a very reasonable price.

Chris, Lamiglas just introduced an Excel inshore series with the MSRP at 159.99. I think they will come in a bit less in stores. The XLS765S might be the deal. Call em up or look at the Tackle Tour piece.