Which General Use Baitcasting Rod

[Jace]

Hi All,

I need some help selecting a baitcasting rod for general use. I fish just South of North Bay and get into everything from Small Mouth to Northern Pike. The rod will be primarily for casting as my spinning reel gets most of the still fishing work. The rod will be topped with a Quantum Accurist AC500PT and most likely spooled with 20-30lb Power Pro. I will be looking for a two piece design as it makes packing and transporting it much easier, a must since I fish at the cottages of fiends and relatives and my fishing gear moves around with me in the car. An "indestructible" rod would be nice, a decent warranty is required at the minimum. Any suggestions would be appreciated, links to online retailers would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jace]

Looking to spend in the $100-$150 range as this seems to be the best "bang for the buck". Does anyone have any experience with the e21 Carrot Stix? Most of the reviews seem favourable and appears one of the lights most sensitive rods for the money. Any other suggestions?

 

[Jace]

From the research I have done so far it seems like a 6'6" Medium Heavy Fast action would be the best. I have found a few I like including the Shimano Crucial, e21 Carrot Stix, St Croix Avid but not much in a 2 piece design. Would really like to stick with a two piece as I move around quite a bit, certainly seems easier to fin a one piece though. Does anyone know much about the BPS Bionic blade? The seem to get some decent reviews any other manufacturers make anything decent in a 2 piece design?

 

[UglyFish]

get a Quantum Tour Edition PT rod. its all i use, and i use all quantum reels, the rods are great for bass and will handle pike as well, i would say get somethin 6'10"-7" med/hvy. it'll hanle just about all u need it for. i would also use spiderwire stealth instead of power pro. i find it much better. 30lb braid is ur best bet as again, it'll cover all ur needs out there, its a little thicker diameter which is better for the baitcaster. then if u fish a place for pike, use a 35lb flourocarbon leader. shouldn;t get bit off with that on. happy fishing bud!

 

[Jace]

Thanks for the advice. I actually just came across the Quantum Energy PT Rods today and they actually make a couple in 2 piece, are the Tour edition available in 2 Piece as well? It would be a whole lot easier if I moved with a boat or fished from the same location consistently so that a 1 piece wouldn't be such a hassle to move with me.

Cheers

 

[Garry2rs]

It is very hard to find a quality rod under 7 feet long that is a two piece design.
Get a roof rack or a bigger vehicle...hahaha.
In small cars, one piece rods can be carried by putting them beside you in-between the seat and the door.
There are many good rods on the market. Some have excellent warranties.
BUT if you break your rod, you usually have to mail the parts to the manufacturer in the USA or with Pure Fishing (Shakespeare, All Star, Fenwick, Abu-Garcia, Berkley, Pflueger) to their offices in Manitoba, to make a claim.
I only know of three companies that have offices in Southern Ontario where you can get a new rod.
One is G.Loomis in Mount Hope, near Hamilton.
Another is Rapala in Oshawa.
And the third is Shimano in Peterborough. I find that Shimano is very easy to deal with on rod and reel issues.
I used to live near Hamilton, and I own at least six G.Loomis rods, but if I were buying another 6'6" MH I would get a Shimano Crucial...Then again I now live near Peterborough...grin.
Garry2rs

 

[Jace]

Your point about warranties makes sense. I don't know if I would want to invest another ~$50 to send a broken rod in for repair and have two wait a couple of weeks for its return especially in the middle of fishing season.

I went the one piece route with my muskie rod (St. Croix 7'6 Premier) and find that a major pain to move around, not that it can't be done. For my situation I think a two piece would be a lot more convenient and that is why I choose that route. It is unfortunate there aren't more choice in the two piece market but hopefully I can track down a Quantum Energy or Tour edition PT for a decent price. Anybody want to suggest where to find them reasonable priced? I am located in SW Ontario right near Brantford.