I posted a topic yesterday because I had broken a guide on my rod and wanted to know if it is still fishable. The consensus answer was no so I'm taking it in to be fixed. But I've got about 350 in my secret fishing account (shhh don't tell my wife and was thinking about buying a new senko rod. I typically fish them weightless or with a small nail weight in one end so I need something with an action/taper that will give me good long casts but still has the backbone to horse out some lunkers (in iowa that's 5-8lbs) I'm probably more partiel to medium/medium heavy power rods. I'm thinking $150-$350 price range but don't have to be in the upper range if it isn't necessary. Would prefer something lighter for all day use. I will probably pair it with a smoke, lews speed spool, or curado e7 reel. What do u guys think is my best option? All advice would be greatly appreciated!

Check out the Shimano Crucial's, they have just introduced some new models at icast that will be available soon. Selece the length and action that best fits your needs. I have been very pleased with my Crucials, casting and spinning and they are available in the $150 range.

casting- g.loomis bcr893 glx but it retails $400, shop around and you can probably get close to $350

Spinning- g. loomis bsr 852 glx again shop around for best price($390 retail). Both are great rods for senko

Too many good rods to name in that price range.I'm partial to Powell rods.

Any chance you can buy another rod you like so much that's getting repaired? That way you can use one as a back up if it happened again. Something to think about perhaps?

Yeah I could get a new one but was thinking about going higher end. I have other techniques that I can use the smoke for.

Check out the Shimano Crucial's, they have just introduced some new models at icast that will be available soon. Selece the length and action that best fits your needs. I have been very pleased with my Crucials, casting and spinning and they are available in the $150 range.

what he said.. the new Crucial got the IM-10 upgrade, so it's basically a cumara rod for less $$$.

Dobyns Champion Extreme DX743 on the E7 = Bling! Bling!

Dobyns Champion Extreme DX743 on the E7 = Bling! Bling!

Yup...this!!

I nicknamed my Dads DX704C and E7 combo "The Pimp Stick".

Powell Endurance 723 w/ Curado 50E incredible nothing else needed IMO.

The 50E would be the ideal choice over the E7. I just picked the E7 because it was one of the three reels he mentioned. Plus the a Curado looks killer on a Champion Extreme.

Said it before and I'll say it again. Lami xc724 with the e7. Absolutely love this rod

Dobyns Champion or Extreme casting rod in 3 power, St Croix Avid or Legend in M power, or a Daiwa Zillion 7' M casting rod

casting- g.loomis bcr893 glx but it retails $400, shop around and you can probably get close to $350

Spinning- g. loomis bsr 852 glx again shop around for best price($390 retail). Both are great rods for senko

Aside from the NRX, the 893 IS, without a doubt, THE BEST Senko rod out there. Spend the 400 bucks and get.

Or be patient and keep an eye on our Flea Market. I bought the GLX BCR893

earlier this year for $250. Without a doubt, aside from the NRX, THE BEST

Senko rod out there!

Later...

I just saw these in our Flea Market. The 853 or 864

would both be great buys depending on your taste:

since no one else has mentioned it and it's in your price range. Try out a St. Croix Legend Tournament "Teaser" rod, I have one and love it, works awesome for anything weightless, especially senkos. Works well for buzzbaits and shakey heads too. Mine is paired with a Curado and just feels right in the hand. Check it out and see what you think.

If I had the money I'd get the Shimano Cumulus or a Loomis GLX.

There are a lot of high end rods with tremendous sensitivity which you want in this application. IMO the point of diminishing returns on off the shelf rods is around $250. Consider a custom build before you spend more than that on a production rod.

There are a lot of high end rods with tremendous sensitivity which you want in this application. IMO the point of diminishing returns on off the shelf rods is around $250. Consider a custom build before you spend more than that on a production rod.

I think this may be the route i'm going to go. I appreciate all of the suggestions/opinions from everybody and will let you know how the custom ends up. THanks

I use a loomis MBR783C GL3 curado 200E7 with yo-zuri hybrid #15 and a 3/0 gammy EWG.

i love to fish the senko weightless so i like to use a shimano cumara 6'8" m. i know that there are some more expensive rods out there that are better than the cumara, but i dont have the kind of money to try them out.

Dobyns 743dxc. Nuff said!