Help with rod choice?

[Bassboss]

OK guys, as most of you already know, I've got a new reel (Daiwa Viento), and now I need a rod to match it up with!

Unfortunately, it's gotta be perchance at Cabelas.com.

So, my budget is no less than 200 bucks! I've got 150 (long story, don't feel like explaining it, just call it, cabelas credit) , and some other about 25 bucks left over from the reel. I'll keep saving, it won't take that long to get 25 more.

So, my choices so far.

Kistler Magnesium TS/Micro
Shimano Crucial
St. Croix Avid
Cabela's XMLTi
Falcon LowRider
Abu Garcia Verdict

Right I'm leaning to the Verdict, XMLTi, and the Avid.

Hopefully Cabelas will have the verdict in stock come September.

Thanks for any help guys!

[walkeraviator]

You could get the Verdict and tehn have money to feeld the bait monkey... but if i were choosing amongst teh ones listed above... Kistler seems to have teh most loyal following and best reviews...

but i havent even touched any of those rods so my input is pretty much useless...

[Jrob78]

Out of those you have listed I would probably lean toward the Kistler. Check out Falcon Caras too, i would probably go with one of those over the Lowrider. This looks like a awesome deal as well.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Out of those you have listed I would probably lean toward the Kistler. Check out Falcon Caras too, i would probably go with one of those over the Lowrider. This looks like a awesome deal as well.

Cabelas does not have the cara!

Otherwise YES! Love the look and feel of it! And the super light has got pretty mad reviews, everyone says they're very tip heavy!

[Bender]

While I like the Crucials a lot I would probably lean towards the XMLTi or Avid. Avids are great rods that you can't go wrong with. I would take the XMLTi first if you can find them on sale, I bought one last year for $99 and I wish I had bought more.

I've never used any Abu rod or the Falcon Lowrider but I like the other Falcon rods. Kistler is at the bottom of my list and I don't ever plan to buy another, let's just say I experienced very poor build quality and I think their prices are ridiculous for the new stuff. Maybe it's better now since they're made in China, not sure where mine was made.

[Tavery5]

Maybe Diawa will introduce a new budget rod at icast

[BigBassin144]

I'm hoping to see a few more micro rods out at icast.

I'd have them replace your broken XML and wait for the rods at icast to hit the market. by then you should have enough saved to get one and still have your XML.

BB

[keithdog]

My vote would be for the Crucial or the XMLTi

[Bassboss]

Thanks a lot guys!! Right now I'm leaning to the Shimano, Kistler, and Avid, and Verdict.

Probably mostly the verdict. TT review said the vendetta had sensitivity on par with some 150$ rods. So I'm guessing a 130 - 140$ Garcia would have very good sensitivity for it's class. I don't wanna get a rod now, and than read how good the verdict is compared to the rod I got is, ya know?

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I'm hoping to see a few more micro rods out at icast.

I'd have them replace your broken XML and wait for the rods at icast to hit the market. by then you should have enough saved to get one and still have your XML.

BB

Yeah, I'm hoping for some good stuff at Icast this year as well. When is it anyways? Sometime this mouth right?

Originally Posted by keithdog

My vote would be for the Crucial or the XMLTi

Thanks keith, and you've got a Crucial right? How the sensitivity of it?

[BassMoJo]

Crucial or avid

[bamabassman]

ok,the VERDICT is in........................

[CamG]

Don't think you can go wrong with a Bucoo or a Lowrider.

[tim4081]

Of those listed I've only fished the Low Rider....a 7 MH Fast and a 6'7" MH XF....love them both. If you can, take the reel in with you and try it out on the different rods so you can see how they balance.

[bcklash]

Originally Posted by CamG

Don't think you can go wrong with a Bucoo or a Lowrider.

Amen I love my Bucoo. I like it alot better than my 2 G-loomis rods. I'm getting ready to Order a Bucoo crankin stick to replace my Kistler

[geezer1]

Originally Posted by tim4081

Of those listed I've only fished the Low Rider....a 7 MH Fast and a 6'7" MH XF....love them both.

I own plenty of Cara's, & a couple of Low Riders. I'm here to tell you, those Low Riders are awesome! Do yourself a favor & check out the 6'7" Clark Wendlandt Weightless Worm rod, with your reel, before you buy anything.

[Jim80]

Get a Carrot Stick


Jim

[Tavery5]

I have allot of different type rods, carrot stix, crucial, vendetta, mojo, and several others, I recently went fishing with a friend of mine and used one of his setups with a lowrider rod. I think the lowrider was better than any of the above in sensitivity. I will def be adding one to my collection.

[bassinbob]

Avid or Kistler. Don't likle the Crucial I have that much and haven't used my Lowrider enough yet (deep cranker). I find it funny so many people have gotten bad Kistlers. I have five of them and have had no problems.
Bassboss maybe see if you can trade your Cabelas credit for cash with someone and get one of those Kistlers off ebay. I bought one of the mags from Simmons for a very good price.

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by Tavery5

I have allot of different type rods, carrot stix, crucial, vendetta, mojo, and several others, I recently went fishing with a friend of mine and used one of his setups with a lowrider rod. I think the lowrider was better than any of the above in sensitivity. I will def be adding one to my collection.

Low rider better in sensitivity than crucial? hmm....

Well guys, despite how hard it is, I think I'm gonna wait two mouths for the verdict to come out, and read up on how folks like it, than make a choice. Not to mention wait and see what Icast brings.

But right now, I think I'm leaning to the Avid, Lowrider, Kistler, and definitely the verdict.

One thing I don't like about Avid, is the fore grip! Total pointless, vibration absorber, not to mention the balance is not as good as it could be without a fore grip.

And maybe by than I'll be able to get better rod if not the verdict... maybe a cummara, or kistler LTA.

Update:

Ok, well I tallied the votes from here and a few other forums, and here are the results

Kistler - 9
Avid - 9
Crucial 8
LowRrider - 4
Verdict - 2
XMLTi - 2

hmm.. pretty much all it is now is a battle between Avid and Kistler. I've been doing some more reading around too, and people really seem to like the Kistler.

[BigBassin144]

I've found people either love, or hate kistler rods.

Of the ones on the list, I'd say a Crucial. They are great rods for the price.

But I'll have to add another to your list (or two ). Dobyns Savvy, or Powell Max.

BB

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I've found people either love, or hate kistler rods.

Of the ones on the list, I'd say a Crucial. They are great rods for the price.

But I'll have to add another to your list (or two ). Dobyns Savvy, or Powell Max.

BB

lol sounds nice, but, cabela's dumb azz don't carry them!!

[Bender]

Oh, I see. I was going to back up Anthony and say a Powell since I forgot about those.

I think you are getting less votes for the XMLTi just because few people know or have used them. I'd get one right now since they are on sale for $119. Then save up for another rod down the road. With a Cabelas rod I'm sure if you are not happy with it or there's something wrong then you can return it and get a different one. Personally I like the Recoil guides and I don't think you will find them on any other rod for $120.

[BigBassin144]

I know I'm not helping at all... but I'd also check out a Kistler Argon on eBay if you're thinking about kistlers. You can get them much cheaper than a Mg/Mg Micro retail.

BB