What is a reliable light/med action spinning rod for a beginner?

[usernamehere]

Right now im using my zebco horizon rod that i got off canadian tire for $10.
It broke once before (tip) , and i used superglue and duct tape to "fix" it. I need to ask opinions for my 2nd rod when my zebco breaks again.

Im wondering what type of light or medium action spinning rod would be a good buy.
I dont really have a specific type of fish im targetting, so a "general" rod would be good.

Iv searched online and the 3 brand names that popped up pretty often are: Ugly Stik, Daiwa, and Shimano
My budget is around $50 for the rod.
It must be a multi-piece or telescopic rod (i take public transit to fishing spots).

Anyone have any good rods that comes into mind that fits my requirements?

 

[hamiltonangler94]

look at the fenwick eagle gt...they have a model that is a 2 piece medium action 6'6" rod, it is around 50 dollars ....i have a medium heavy eagle gt that i use for pike and it is a great rod for the money

 

[topwaterjoe]

Right now im using my zebco horizon rod that i got off canadian tire for $10.
It broke once before (tip) , and i used superglue and duct tape to "fix" it. I need to ask opinions for my 2nd rod when my zebco breaks again.

Im wondering what type of light or medium action spinning rod would be a good buy.
I dont really have a specific type of fish im targetting, so a "general" rod would be good.

Iv searched online and the 3 brand names that popped up pretty often are: Ugly Stik, Daiwa, and Shimano
My budget is around $50 for the rod.
It must be a multi-piece or telescopic rod (i take public transit to fishing spots).

Anyone have any good rods that comes into mind that fits my requirements?

Check out the berkely shock rod. $30 and available at your local CT. Two pieces, 6', medium action. That should be a good general purpose rod.

Otherwise you would be happy with anything with the Shimano name IMO. Never tried Daiwa, but people seem to like that brand.

I know where you are coming from. Used to hide my pole in a lawn-chair bag and tackle in a book bag to be discrete while taking the TTC.

 

[BackwoodsBassr]

would just wait for any decent fenwick, shakespeare, quantum, or shimano rod and reel combo to go on sale at canadian tire. They go on clearance fairly often, got a light abu gracia combo there last year 70% off and a medium shimano combo 50% off.

 

[inthecover]

i would save some more money a buys a st, croix MOJO BASS

 

[topwaterjoe]

lol and here I thought my mojo bass rod was a level up to the big-boy tackle. I need a better financial prospects if I am ever going to hack it.

 

[usernamehere]

Thanks for input guy, but mojo rods seems to be all 1 piece according to here: http://www.stcroixrods.com/product/mojo-bass
I absolutely need a rod thats at least 2 pieces OR telescopic so i can bring it onto public transportation.

 

[Slickrick]

the shimano convergence is perfect. i use a 6.6 MF all summer for bass, pike and walleye.

 

[apz245]

I recommend ugly stik all the way, a 6.6 or 7 would be ideal, i prefer 7 and i'm not tall (5'11).

here is a link to bass pro, theyre 29.99 for most of them and 2 piece

they've been in my family for decades, and they're inexpensive, and tough.

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly-Stik-Spinning-Rods/product/303/

and the ugly stik light is 39.99, with a cork handle (they're good too, i have the salmon rod)

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly-Stik-Lite-Spinning-Rods/product/16669/

 

[[email protected]]

these are actually very nice and are in the $50 range

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Sellus_Casting.html

and are 2 piece, even their shorter rods

 

[rocheleauc]

i would save some more money a buys a st, croix MOJO BASS

Great rods for the price. I used the 6'8 casting M/XF last season and loved it for top water bass and jerk baits.

 

[despotiko]

I'm going to assume your fishing from shore, in which case i would recommend a longer rod, first off they allow you to cast further, are more versatile for different techniques and presentations, and usually allow you to use a broader range of lure weights and line sizes.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Micro-Lite-Graphite-Float-n-Fly-Spinning-Rods/product/10204878/

Click on the link, these rods are very well priced, and can be used for bottom fishing (live bait, not marsh mellows lol), to casting a good range of lures, to even float fishing for steelhead, i'd go with the 8' model, and depending how you have your set drag can even land carp if thats your thing.

Dimitri

 

[usernamehere]

Thanks for the reply guys, but iv got a few questions:

1) Ugly stiks.........iv heard some bad things about ugly stiks, especially about its lack of sensitivity. Also, some people say that because ugly stiks bend so well, you actually transfer all the pressure onto the line, instead of of the rod, when you are landing a big fish. Are these true?

2) http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Lightning-Rod-IM6-Spinning-Rods/product/1110220501167/
People iv talked to also recommended this rod. Anyone can share any opinions?

3) Im not very experienced with landing large fish (only "large" fish iv landed was a medium sized carp). Would i be able to pump the rod while landing a larger fish, say trout, salmon or carp, without breaking it?

 

[NADO]

Any ugly stick I have ever held has felt like a broomstick (zero sensitivity).

I cant recommend anything in the $50 range as ive only ever owned $30 rods or $100 rods. You cant really go wrong for the price of that berkley rod in your previous post. The Rod on the Abu Garcia combo at Canadian tire that usually sells for $90 and goes on sale for $30-40 is decent for the price as well, the reel is junk.

As for pumping salmon on these rods there is a good chance you will break the line or the rod fairly quickly. Steelhead you can get away with but it is a long long looong way away from the ideal set up. As for Carp I think they can be landed on any rod as long as you have a reel with a good drag.

Up your budget to $80-100 and you will have a ton of top quality rod's to choose from. And if you are going to go for salmon/steelhead I would suggest getting a different rod in the 8.5-13' range.

Edit:
just saw the microlite rods despotiko linked and they look like a pretty good option if you arent ready to up the budget.

 

[apz245]

Thanks for the reply guys, but iv got a few questions:

1) Ugly stiks.........iv heard some bad things about ugly stiks, especially about its lack of sensitivity. Also, some people say that because ugly stiks bend so well, you actually transfer all the pressure onto the line, instead of of the rod, when you are landing a big fish. Are these true?

2) http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Lightning-Rod-IM6-Spinning-Rods/product/1110220501167/
People iv talked to also recommended this rod. Anyone can share any opinions?

3) Im not very experienced with landing large fish (only "large" fish iv landed was a medium sized carp). Would i be able to pump the rod while landing a larger fish, say trout, salmon or carp, without breaking it?

if you're going to bass pro.. check out both rods and see which you like better, the people badmouthing ugly stiks here have probably not used ugly stik lights which I mentioned, which are thinner/more sensitive than their regular spinning rods, and only 39.99.

I personally have no experience with the berkley, so im biased, but you asked for reliability.. and I think everybody has a 20 year old ugly stik, they speak for themselves.

also, I was thinking of getting the ultra light berkley for myself, it looks really nice for the price

 

[apz245]

IMO a 7 foot spinning rod should be able to handle a 20 lb salmon that are half dead in the tribs already, just don't load the line too heavy

 

[Slickrick]

i used a 7 ft rod this past fall for trout, you can get away with it, but i lost half my hookups. the rod wont break, but it wont absorb the shock from the headshakes and runs nearly as well as a proper steelhead rod, and the hooks will pop out. big fish will own you.

 

[usernamehere]

Hey guys, I just thought about this, but would the sensitivity of the rod matter that much if I use a float as a strike indicator?

 

[apz245]

if you're strictly float fishing no(if you're strictly float fishing though, this is the wrong rod) but some would argue that sensitivity is a must have for spinning with lures/spoons/spinners.

again, i've used ugly stiks for a long time, I can see peoples argument (they are stiff compared to higher end rods, no doubt)

If I were to compare the 29.99 ugly stik vs the 34.99 Berkeley though.. I would take the Berkeley because of the cork grip/graphite core(making it more sensitive) the ugly stik equivalent of that Berkeley rod is 39.99... and is sold at bass pro shops also.

Both good rods imo(never used the berkely but also heard good things, it has been out for a while too), I think you'll be happy with either a berkley lightning or ugly stik lite.

so basically my main point is they should both be good rods, i recommended ugly stik simply because you asked for something reliable, and I find they perform well for the money. if you do choose ugly stick DONT choose the 29.99(cheapest spinning models, non-cork handles,) ugly stik over the Berkley, that would be a mistake imo, that berkley is a nice rod.

whatever you get, let us know and write up a quick review once you've used it a bit! I might want to get the berkley too, despotiko makes a good point too

 

[morrisbp]

I bought a shimano sellus for 59.99 for spinning MH 6'10. I'm remeber seeing other models including spinning setups. They are on par with the convergence in my opinion. However they are all silver with black rings, so its really a personal preference on the colour.

Rod-Standard 1 Piece Eva
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Sellus_Spinning.html

Travel Version 2 pieces slightly ligher actions
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Sellus_Travel_Spinning.html

Trout Panfish lighest action
http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Sellus_Trout_Panfish.html

Most website you view dont show all the actions the rod comes in, but i would high recommend. Unfortunately they dont come in exactly light/med only ultra light or medium. So if you dont mind the actions they are a great rod for the price

Edit: looks like

JMatt1983
beat me to the punch so i guess i second these rods