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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | Hi everyone,
I'm looking at purchasing a rod that can handle throwing 2-6oz baits. I'm thinking along the lines of topwaters and cranks.
A rod that comes to mind is a 'Croix Premier PM76HF which runs for around $160.
For this type of fishing (topwater & cranking), is it a standard to use longer 7.5ft rods (or longer), or should I downsize to something below 7ft?
Also, besides a Croix Premier which is what I'm mainly looking at and probably most interested in, are there other brands of rods which strike you as being good enough for the types of applications I would be working?
My budget for a rod is around $150. The closer, the better.
As for the reel, I'm all set with an Induron 400A. 
Thank you for the help!
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Posts: 267
Location: Ft. Wayne, Indiana | A rod I really like for an all-purpose rod was the pete maina 8 ft. xh until it got stolen. |
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Posts: 519
Location: Bloomington, IL | I am sure others will chime in here, but I wouldn't go any shorter than 7'6", but 8' (or more) for topwater and cranks would be better.
Be sure to look at these rods for your budget of $150 and under:
- the TICA rods, they have several lengths available rated Heavy (1-4 oz.)or XH (2-8 oz.). They also have an 8'6" XH rated 1-8 oz. All are under $120.
- Shimano Compre rods, they have a 7'6" H and 8' XH, both are rated 2-6 oz.
$109 and $119 respectively at Rollie & Hellens.
- Okuma's EVX line of muskie rods, about $100. I have heard some good things about these rods, in fact, dO a search and you'll find some very recent posts on this one.
- Like Billy B said, I have heard good things about the Bass Pro Shops Pete Maina Rods too, around $100.
You can do a search on this site and find a number of posts about all of those rods that I mentioned for more info and what people have to say about them.
Hope this helps! |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | Okuma EVX-C-861H-T
$109.99 (sug.retail; from their website)
Rated for 2-8 oz.; it's been a fantastic rod for me. I would think it would be a great rod for the applications you mentioned.
Keith's (Professional Edge Custom) Edge series rods may be worth taking a close look at too.
S.
Edited by sorenson 12/11/2007 8:42 AM
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I have a Mania 8'6 MH great rod but the 7' 6" St Croix Premires my partners run is a much better rod. THeirs are 7'6" MHF and they throw the mag dawgs on them alot without problems. I got a new G Loomis 7' 10" but lakes froze before I got a chance to try it out so will have to wait till spring. |
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Posts: 401
| I do not normally get into the “which rod to get” debate but I thought I would tell folks about the new Edge series. It is going to run about $189 for anything up to 8-6 and $199 for anything 8-7 to 9-6. This is the same Edge Series I sold last year but longer. It is a rock solid blank and light weight built with the fat cork and your choice of thread colors. Some folks have had a hard time telling it apart from some of the more expensive stick I build. This blank is also capable of casting big baits…pounders and the big suzzy suckers.
This really is a one rod throws everything blank.
Hope all is well.
Keith
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Posts: 1184
Location: Iowa Great Lakes | I need 1 more rod, I'd be interested in seeing what you have. I met you once at the Blain Expo my buddy got a blank from you that day and I do like your work. Will be in the market for a 7' 6 or 8' MHF for general use. |
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Posts: 759
| I've got the Premier 7'6" heavy and would recommend it. The difference is I use mine for big plastics and large jerkbaits, prefering the MH for topwaters and cranks. Kdawg |
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | Thanks for the suggestions.
I will probably end up checking out all of the rods you are referring.
For some reason, an 8ft rod has now gained some interest on my end. Shimano Compre also interests me too. |
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Posts: 38
Location: Port Washington, WI | My favorite rod in this range is the Fig Rig tooth tamer in the 8 foot Heavy version. I am not sure what the going price is for these but I think it is in your ballpark. I use mine for topwater, cranks, large bucktails, regular dogs, gliders, jerkbaits, just about everything I guess. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have a Fig Rig 8' Heavy too, good rod. I also use the Okuma Okuma EVX-C-861H-T model, good rod. |
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| 8'6" or even 9" Custom Diamondback from Keith at pro edge...great rods..can handle anything fairly light to mag dawgs....
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Posts: 2024
| Andrew,
All the above suggestions are really good. I've got a Fig Rig 7'6"H Tooth Tamer rated to 6 ounces and like it a lot. I throw big gliders, heavy walk-the-dog topwaters, Suicks, and Dawgs with it. I noticed you were considering a Shimano Compre. My buddy has the 8'XH and for the price it's a fantastic rod. Throws everything - Cowgirls, Mag Dawgs, big cranks, spinnerbaits, etc. For the price it's a great rod.
Just my .02 cents.
Edited by esox50 12/12/2007 8:58 AM
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Location: Contrarian Island | ahh didn't see your budget of 150...so the diamondback from Keith is out but I think his edge series is about that and you can have him build it to the length you want....go Long or go home!
8'6" and 9" are great for everything you want to throw...short rods do not have any advantages over long ...imo. |
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Posts: 358
Location: London, England | Long rods are really nice for casting baits easily, but you can get a very different lure action out of a shorter stiffer rod than a longer one. I like a 6'9" Heavy for gliders and burts when I want to give them a sharp movement. The 7'6 and 8' heavy premier and avids are great for everything else |
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | Awesome. Thanks again everyone! |
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Posts: 67
| I find my 6'9" Premier St-Croix worked quite well with glide baits. I guess it depends how you work the bait.
s54 |
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Posts: 1237
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | sorenson - 12/11/2007 9:38 AM
Okuma EVX-C-861H-T
$109.99 (sug.retail; from their website)
Rated for 2-8 oz.; it's been a fantastic rod for me. I would think it would be a great rod for the applications you mentioned.
Keith's (Professional Edge Custom) Edge series rods may be worth taking a close look at too.
S.
Is this rod you mention an 8'6"? |
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| Okuma EVX-C-861H-T
Is this rod you mention an 8'6"?
yes, it's an 8'6" telescoping rod.
stats on the whole Okuma EVx Musky lineup can be found on the bottom of this page:
http://www.okumafishingteam.com/rods/conventional/evxspecialty.html
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Good rods for throwing 2-6oz baits??