New rod, or new reel?

[Bassboss]

I have a cheep rod.... 20.00 Berkley lighting rod. I was wondering how sensitive these rods are, if fish worms a lot and I know that it's best to have a sensitive rod for worms. So, next time I get a good amount of cash, say 100$ should I get a new worm rod, or a new reel? I was thinking I was kinda scrimping with my rod.

So again, what do you say…… A new quality rod, or a new reel, that I don't really need? And how sensitive are Berkley lighting rods?

Thanks,

[jasonfish320]

personally, I'm more of a rod man...the first thing between you & the fish is the hook, knot, line, rod...the reel is simply the machine that brings in the fish...the rod sends you the information of whether or not it's a bite, weeds or rocks...when you start fishing with a really good rod you will know the difference..BTW..my new GRANDT ROD has got to be the nicest overall rod I have ever put my hands on, I would venture to say better than loomis...there I said it..

[aikenyounggun]

i have an old (like 10 year) old lighting rod that is great ... i think the quality has been going down..... i love it.... caught a millions shaky head fish on it..... if you got a good reel get a new rod..... if you want a new reel you going to have to buy a cheap rod at walmart.... wait till they put the bionixes in the sale bin or some other decent rod... we got three bionixes last year for 60$ (20 $ a piece)..... i like em

[wareagledc]

i've been fishing with a cheap rino rod from walmart because i didn't know any better a couple of years ago when i bought it. i recently bought a st croix triumph for 69 dollars and i love it. i can feel soooo much more than on the cheap rod. plus its lighter and has better gides. before i had to really pay attention just to feel for structure but now its eaiser. so imo get a good rod.

[cassidyta]

I would agree with the rod idea for worm presentation. If you were focusing more on pitching or another reaction strike then I would say the reel could be more important.

[JB]

I've always put more money in my reel than a rod, when I first started getting better rods I was amazed at how much more you feel, but these last five to ten years the line is so great I tend to finger touch the line almost all the time, I think I can feel the tick quicker than the rod, both are lightning quick.
I typically will spend a hundred to hundred fifty on a reel and about eighty to a hundred on a rod.
I once spent 188 for a all star flipping stick back when they were
telescopic, it felt like a broom handle, and I"ll never do that again, plus it got stolen at big bear marina...so after my insurance took care of my lose, I just stuck with rods that were about a hundred bucks..
If I was getting started like you I'd put about sixty bucks in a rod and a hundred or less in a reel..good luck to ya

[islandbass]

They're okay for the price, a bit on the heavy side. I bought mine for $11 in the bargain bin at a walmart and converted it to a split grip. just for fun.

I say reel since you already have the rod. Yeah, that's a curado 101D.





It is going to be a spare rod for the visiting and clumsy family member. It hard saw use because I scored a Crucial MH for $59.00. It's sensitivity is pretty good and even better with the split grip because the way I did it, the palm is in contact with the blank, unlike other split grips that are just for show.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by islandbass

They're okay for the price, a bit on the heavy side. I bought mine for $11 in the bargain bin at a walmart and converted it to a split grip. just for fun.

I say reel since you already have the rod. Yeah, that's a curado 101D.





It is going to be a spare rod for the visiting and clumsy family member. It hard saw use because I scored a Crucial MH for $59.00. It's sensitivity is pretty good and even better with the split grip because the way I did it, the palm is in contact with the blank, unlike other split grips that are just for show.

That's beast! You only got, that the Crucial for 60!! Wow

[bamabassman]

no bassboss that is the lighting rod he modified.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by bamabassman

no bassboss that is the lighting rod he modified.

YA, I guess that was kinda worded funny!

I knew, just worded funny!

[bamabassman]

ok, cool. i have i think 3 lighting rods. i like em. just can't afford the others.......yet.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by bamabassman

ok, cool. i have i think 3 lighting rods. i like em. just can't afford the others.......yet.

In due time, you and will have the money..... in due time!

[Basscrazie]

Both as you can never have to many as something always breaks or gets stepped on.Good luck on your choice.

[Acm4bass]

Between the two a brand new rod will help you catch more fish than a barnd new more expensive reel.

But if one or the other is old or broken, then thats an issue....

An inexpensive spinning reel like a shimano sedona is nice at 59...and teamed up with a 60 dollar rod med power 6'6" a number of fishing styles become possible. BUt hey I live in california, you may need something more substantial.

[Bassboss]

Oh ya, btw, I'm talking BC.

thanks Acm4, I'm also wanting to get a new spinning rod/reel!

[BigBassin144]

If you have more reels than rods, definately go with a new rod. I've got a couple BPS rod, but I don't like them that much... I don't care for the Powere Hump Grip, and although they aren't that heavy, they are VERY poorly balanced, making them feel heavy when you're fishing them.

Check out a Shimano Compre, Falcon Low Rider, or Daiwa Light and Tough. Those are good rods in your price range.

BB

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

If you have more reels than rods, definately go with a new rod. I've got a couple BPS rod, but I don't like them that much... I don't care for the Powere Hump Grip, and although they aren't that heavy, they are VERY poorly balanced, making them feel heavy when you're fishing them.

Check out a Shimano Compre, Falcon Low Rider, or Daiwa Light and Tough. Those are good rods in your price range.

BB

Thanks allot BB! I'm check them out!

[Bassboss]

Question about actions:

I get L, ML, M, MH, and H actions but what I don't get, is what X fast action, or slow action or Med Hvy/Ft Action or, Med Hvy X Fast, and so on, could some on help me out.

BTW I'm get a MH action whatever I get.

[Raul]

L, ML, M, MH, H are power ratings

Xfast, Fast, Medium Fast, moderate are action rations.

Power is the ammount of energy you have to apply to bend the rod, the heavier the power rating the more energy you need to bend the rod. A higher power rating the stiffer the rod is, so a H rod is a lot stiffer than a L rod.

Action is where the rod bends along it´s length, the faster the action the closer to the tip it bends so an extra fast action bends very close to the tip while a moderate action bends far away from the tip ( about in the middle third of the rod lenght ).

Jig/worm/d-shot/spinnerbait rod ---> fast or extra fast action
Jerkbait/topwaters ---> fast or medium fast action
Crankbaits ----> medium fast or moderate action

Today you can find rods with a lot of combinations of power and action ratings, for example:

UL/xfast ( the kind of rod you will see by many manufacturers labeled as a dropshot rod ) or H/moderate ( as a heavy cover crankbait rod ).

You got a lot of money to spend in rods you can go bait/technique specific rods, don´t have a lot of money get one action ( Fast ) and with a couple of different power ratings ( M and MH ) you are in business to fish almost everything anywhere.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by Raul

L, ML, M, MH, H are power ratings

Xfast, Fast, Medium Fast, moderate are action rations.

Power is the ammount of energy you have to apply to bend the rod, the heavier the power rating the more energy you need to bend the rod. A higher power rating the stiffer the rod is, so a H rod is a lot stiffer than a L rod.

Action is where the rod bends along it´s length, the faster the action the closer to the tip it bends so an extra fast action bends very close to the tip while a moderate action bends far away from the tip ( about in the middle third of the rod lenght ).

Jig/worm/d-shot/spinnerbait rod ---> fast or extra fast action
Jerkbait/topwaters ---> fast or medium fast action
Crankbaits ----> medium fast or moderate action

Today you can find rods with a lot of combinations of power and action ratings, for example:

UL/xfast ( the kind of rod you will see by many manufacturers labeled as a dropshot rod ) or H/moderate ( as a heavy cover crankbait rod ).

You got a lot of money to spend in rods you can go bait/technique specific rods, don´t have a lot of money get one action ( Fast ) and with a couple of different power ratings ( M and MH ) you are in business to fish almost everything anywhere.

Thanks Raul! I think I'll get a either a Daiwa Light and Tough, or bite the bullet and get a carrot stix at 150$.

7' MH fast action rod. What ever, one I choose to get.

I also saw that their’s more than one Berkley lighting rod! The one I got was for 20 I was at Wally yesterday and saw they that Lighting rods for 34$! It looked different than the one I have. Also the only I have weights a good amount and get tiring after a few long hours of fishing. Dose the 34$ weight less do you know?

Anyways, is their a quality difference in the two?

Thanks,