I have finally broken down the wife and she has agreed to let me buy new fishing rods. It has been so long since I bought some I don't know what are good and what are not. I will be getting some for crankbaits, drifting harnesses, jiging, ect. Any help as to brands, lenghts, weight and action would be most helpful. I would like to keep each rod in the $50.00 - $60.00 range if possible. Thanks.

Take a look and consider the New Wristsaver Rods. This is the ergonomically correct rod made for freshwater fishing. Great quality with a diverse line of rods. New baitcasters will be in hand next week! www.wristsaverrods.com

Happy New Year!

I just picked up a couple of Gander Mountain Guide series rods. A 6' medium action jigging rod and a 7' medium action casting rod.

For $40 a pop, there arent much better on the market.

Don - what part of the country are you in? What type of water will you be fishing? That might help narrow things down. Now is a good time to be
shopping for clearance rods as new ones come in. A good rod that seems to be widely available in the price range you described is the Shimano Clarus series.

Don,

I fish higher end rods, but in the range you've set I personally don't believe you can beat the Bass Pro BPS series rods unless as already mentioned you find something in a clearance basket.

The BPS rods are darned good for the money....

For a jigging rod if you find the right dealer, you can buy a Fenwick HMX jigging rod in the $50-60 range and I personally don't think you can find a better jigging rod for twice that price.

As mentioned earlier, give us a little more info as to where your located, types of water you frequent and more importantly the styles or presentations that you wish to accomplish with each rod.

If you have more direct questions, email me and I'll do my best to help.

Travis

I live in NY and fish all the lakes in the area I can get to. Once in a great while I will fish a river. I fish anywhere from 2 - 70 feet of water. I have usually used the Wal-Mart Specials for fishing and now have the chance for somewhat quality rods. I would like 1 - 2 rods for jiging only, 1 - 2 for throwing crankbaits only, etc. I want the best I can get for the money and from all the rods I have seen out there and all of them claiming to be the best, I am totally confused, so I thought I would ask the people with the knowledge. I mainly just fish for Walleyes. Any other info you need, just let me know.

Don,

It looks like pretty good advise so far. I would add that if you are trolling cranks, you might be able to save a few bucks per rod (decent trolling rods are $25-30) and spend a few more where it counts...jigging and rigging rods. The feel that you will get from a high end rod (for jigging, etc.) will pay back dividends. TJ mentioned Fenwick HMG. I also heard they are being clearanced at various places. Great rod for that price for jigging/rigging. Get the most "bang for your buck" by getting "better" rods for fishing apps where you hold the rod and count on "feel". Good luck.

Tim

Don,

Don't give up on Wal-Mart yet. Last year Fenwick introduced the Venture Series available only at Wal-Mart. These rods are IM6 graphite and very good fishing tools. I and my amatuer partners used them last year and everyone was impressed. Especially when I told them the cost was only $49. There is a variety of actions from the 7' spinning for live bait fishing to 6' for jigging. Also a 6' 6'' baitcaster that works for pulling bottom bouncers and flatline trolling.

Have fun shopping.

Doug Burns

Don you may wish to look at the Fisherman's Factory Outlet (FFO) for some deals on rods?

I have purchased several rods and reels from them and I have been very pleased. They are carry over products that were last seasons hot sticks, nothing wrong with them at all. I have found $300 rods for $60 there at times, it pays to look.

www.ffo-tackle.com

Hope you find what your looking for Don.

Don, your budget per rod is similar to mine, so I've travelled over this territory about a year ago. The results of my efforts are:

1. It is tough to beat the value of a Berkley Lightning Rod, especially if you can find any of the IM7 Signature Series still around. They are great all-round rods, and depending on the length/action, each can also serve in a more specific capacity.

2. Rapala came out with a new series of rods last year that seemed very good for the price - they come in 3 price ranges, the middle being the Sportsman, I think.

3. If you follow the advice of an earlier post, and go with somewhat less costly trolling rods, then you should have a bit more to spend on the other rods. This may be enough to get you in to the entry level St. Croix Premier. I have one, it is very nice for the money - about $70 USD, or the Berkley Series One (also in a similar price range). If you are stepping up into this rod class, I would suggest going with the 1 piece models.

Hope this helps, good luck, and have fun. Rod shopping, especially when buying 3-4, is alot of fun.

derrek.

"Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering"
- Arthur C. Clarke