Which rod to buy?

[markedman1132]

I am looking for a new spinning rod for crappie fishing. It's gonna be a one piece, light power, fast action spinning rod. Since BassPro has the rod and reel trade starting later this week, I can trade in an old reel I don't use to get a discount. Here are the 3 rods that I am considering:

1. Bass Pro Shops Panfish Elite 6'2". With discount it will be $70.
2. St Croix Triumph 6'6". With discount it will be $90.
3. St Croix Premier 6'0". With discount it will be $120.

I have the old model Triumph in ML and it's a good rod. I have looked at all 3 and the only issue I see is that the Panfish Elite has very small (micro) guides. I'm not sure I am a fan of them.

If anyone has some feedback on which rod they would buy it might help me make a decision.

[cowboy for life]

I have 4 triumphs. absolutely love them

[SuperDave336]

I’m not familiar with any of those but I do love my Leland Trout rod which is now the BnM Leland’s TCB rod.

[spinnerbait]

Go for the St Croix Triumph 6'6" - a bit longer, good reputation, and the price difference is worth the upgrade from the Panfish Elite, especially if you're unsure about those micro guides.

[Yak Fish]

I also have a 6'6" Triumph and I absolutely love it. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

Jim

[markedman1132]

I’m not familiar with any of those but I do love my Leland Trout rod which is now the BnM Leland’s TCB rod.

I do have the TCB65 rod as well as the SLS-150 (which I got at the Trout Magnet booth at the Outdoor show last week). I do like the TCB. Haven't fished the SLS yet.

[forrest r]

I have one of the bass pro panfish elite rods 6' 8", a lot of rod for the $$$. It's been a fantastic rod, well balanced & extremely sensitive. The micro guides have never been an issue for me. But most of the rods I use have micro guides. I prefer them to the larger guides that are out there.

You can't go wrong with any of the rods you have listed. Perhaps spending a little time researching guide types/sizes along with the makeup of the rod and reel seats would help when you go to the store and actually handle the rods.

[MDCrappie]

In my mine no question Falcon Bucoo BRS-1L-16. I've got 4 of them, 2 of me and 2 my son uses. Best rod I've found for the $$ for casting jigs, roadrunners, beetle spins, dock shooting, etc. Pair it with a 1000 shimano or even a 2000 Daiwa and 4lb braid. Right now they are $49-$54 depending whee you buy, but I got 2 of mine on sale for pennies over $40. Even landed a 25" striper on one of mine with 2lb nanobraid and a roadrunner.

[markedman1132]

I did go into the store before I posted and looked at the rods. I was looking for feedback of people who had used these particular models.

The only one of the 3 that I have now is the Triumph, but it is the previous generation to the one for sale now. Some of the feedback I have seen about the current generation Triumphs are not positive. The previous generation one I have is very good.

With regards to the Panfish Elite, the micro guides concern me that knots won't pass through the guides. Other than that it seems like a nice rod.

I will definitely research the Falcon Bucoo some more. It is available at a very good price right now.

[happycaster58]

In my mine no question Falcon Bucoo BRS-1L-16. I've got 4 of them, 2 of me and 2 my son uses. Best rod I've found for the $$ for casting jigs, roadrunners, beetle spins, dock shooting, etc. Pair it with a 1000 shimano or even a 2000 Daiwa and 4lb braid. Right now they are $49-$54 depending whee you buy, but I got 2 of mine on sale for pennies over $40. Even landed a 25" striper on one of mine with 2lb nanobraid and a roadrunner.

Not to knock products, but I bought 3 of the Falcon Slab series rods and 2 have broken. One was from pulling a snagged jig and one just broke when casting a jig.
May have been my fault, but it does not give me confidence in them. Both were less than a year old!