Thread: Sensitive rod?

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

What's a quality 7ft rod below $75?? Does it even exist?

Both Bass Pro and Cabela's sell good rods at that price point.

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Both Bass Pro and Cabela's sell good rods at that price point.

I have several of the Cabela Fish Eagle 2 rods that I have had for several years and have been extremely pleased with. These run about 69.00 normally but can be found on different deals. A couple of the ones I got were on a combo deal with a Flueger Supreme reel and fish eagle 2 rod for like 89.00 for the combo. Hard to beat pricing like that.

I think like everything you reach a certain point where that the increase in performance vs the additional cost increase makes the added investment questionable. Also if the little extra sensitivity you are gaining comes at a sacrifice to durability or a more fragile product then for most average weekend fishermen that does not earn their living fishing then a good compromise between sensitivity and durability will normally be a better product to invest your hobby dollars.

I have always limited my top budget to be about 100.00 on a rod and I have bought a few nice rods over the years on model closeout sales for about half off normal pricing.

I usually try to stay in normal pricing ranges of 50.00-80.00 and feel that as far as value versus expenditure that is the sweet spot. The higher you go above that mark the less you see in improvement for the dollars spent.

I did recently buy one of the Wally Marshall signature rods by Lew's and I do like the rod, to early yet to tell but if the rod holds up well to the test of time and use I think I may buy a few more within that line.

Of course a persons budget will possibly change their outlook perspective.

Or I'd stop using rods altogether and just use a handline. That's what I did for a year.

I haven't bought any over about $50 or so. My Lightning rod has the right action but is only 5 1/2'. Not sure if the 2lb was going to be for me, I didn't spend much on a few rods, one of which was a 7' in 2 piece. Shakespeare Micro series come from 4'6" to 7'6" but I've never found a 7'6", and I have looked. At $18 or so each they don't hurt the bank and I've been happy with their performance. The 7' is a light action but works very well with 4lb line, and trolls light bugs just fine.

Thanks guys reason I asked I’ve gotten into drop shorting for bluegill and I’m having a blast

Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I'm interested in hearing other opinions on this topic. As I type this, I've got 5 St. Croix rods broken out towards the tip of each rod. I'll send them in to St. Croix for repairs but that's not really cheap. I own the Premier, Triumph and a few of their Panfish series...lots of money tied up in rods!! I probably like the Premier rods better than the other two rods.

That said, I'd really like to step back a bit and start using 7-8ft long rods that are cheaper price wise than the St. Croix rods. The St. Croix rods are very nice and certainly detect bites with their sensitivity, but I question the durability of them and pricing of them. When you walk out into your pole barn and are staring at basically $1200 worth of rods in which over half are broken at the tips, you start to wonder if the whole thing is worth it or not.

What's a quality 7ft rod below $75?? Does it even exist?

i've got 12 st croix rods, panfish, icon, avid, and avid x. never had a problem. my favorite is my 2 1 piece 7ft light action extra fast eyecons. the avids i use bass and inshore fishing. i will say i dont like a two piece rod

I have 2 "sam heaton super sensitive" 7' 2" spinning rods. Their the most sensitive rods i've used. $39 on u.s.a. Tackle. They're my favorite rods for panfish.

I have got hooked on the ACC Crappie Stix. They are super sensitive and priced reasonable. Crappie Fishing Rods – Feel Every Bite | ACC Crappie Stix