Rod Poll

[Steely-Head]

I thought it might be a nice compliment to the spinning reel poll to see what rods people use. I myself am an Ugly Stick user.

[The Whale]

Ugly Stik all the way. Overall for sensitivity, rod/reel balance, strength, and the huge selection of styles available along with being the most price competitive, the Ugly Stik cannot be beat !!!


Whale :D

[jpollman]

I use Bass Pro Shops "Bionic Blades" . I love them !
That's all I have to say.

[pykemike]

ha ah ha you said uglystick
thats cool
shut up beavis :D

[Inlander]

I use a custom built fenwick blank. Great rod for the sensitivity but I have had to get it replaced twice due to it breaking on me. For spincasting jigs I love my Berkly Lightning rod at 5'6" long.

[Lunker]

For 10 bucks I was very impressed with the Mithchell Copperheads ...at Dicks. Its almost as good as a Lightning Rod. But I use a BPS Im6 rod I paid 30 for and couldnt be happier. I made one 9.5 footer but its a noodle rod. Id make one with a St Croix if not Loomis blank at least next time.

[tony_1]

I really like the ugly stick so that is my vote. They are very durable. Althought I did just buy a new Cabela's Eagle Series Rod that I am itching to try jigging with.

[Young Steve]

I use a 6' 6" Pfluger rod ....Sensitive enough for a woman, but made for a man!! :D

[DaveW731]

Love my one-piece 6'6" BPS pole for, both for it's feel and it's versitility: Can do finesse presentations for bass, crankbaits and livebait.

[YPSIFLY]

I bought a Browning Gold Medallion 9ft. noodle rod last Summer. I've put that rod through hell on Chinook, Muskie, and Carp. For $40, it's a great bargain. I like it so much I bought a second one last night for $45 at Gander Mtn. in Taylor.

[captainqtip69]

Berkley Lightnin' Rods for jigging...great sensitivity and backbone, and the cost is very reasonable! I do have a favorite St. Croix jigging rod I've had for years, but they are a little too costly to provide to clients. ;)

[Fishnnut]

I had three BPS poles in the $60 range.
bought them two years ago a only one made it through the season but one of the eyes was falling off and then it broke at the begining of the next season.

7' Gander Mountain pole @ $50 made it three years before I lost it over the side last summer while drifting with a bottom bouncer.
I wonder what got it ??
5 people in the boat with me and know one saw it go over.

I also had a $80 BPS rod break.
I'd say go with Gander poles over BPS rods.

for a cheaper rod you can't go wrong with a lighting rod or a ugly stick.
But I like the feel of the gander poles

Anyone tried a cabela's ROD yet.

[islaysteelies]

I have been using the Gander Mountain Guide series rods for the last couple of years...I am pretty tough on rods, and I break a bunch of them because I am not real careful with them...They run from $30-50, and are pretty good rods overall...

[Byron]

Fishnnut,

For what it's worth, BPS will replace those rods for free if you take them in. Just about all I own are BPS, and I've been very happy with them, although all but one are trigger rods, not spinning.

Best Regards,
Byron

[Fishbomb]

I like Team Diawa rods, I think I have 7. I like to get any better quality rod for the least amount of money possible. I have Fenwicks, Berkleys, Abu Garcias, St. Croix, Shakespheres, BPS and others but the thing that they all have in common is I paid less than the full price for all of them. Most rods that sell for $35 or more now days are good quality, same with reels.

[sfw1960]

Shimano , Shimano , Shimano , Shimano !!!!!!
I'm not interested in "GooGleY StiX cuz they are "cheep" - I like a wand I can "see" with ...
I'm sure BPS makes some nice rods..
I've owned shakespeare , pinnacle,st croix , garbage`cia-- I mean garcia...south bend ,diawa , mitchell , I'd have to say Berkley Litenin' rods are the closest second I can come up with...
Fenwick's are too pricey for what you end up with for my taste (or lack of)...brownings are 'inexpensive' hehehe.. I have quite a few Shimanos -- but my fav.....??
I have a 6'6" Magnumlite GT Shimano [97% Graphite 3% Boron] it's rated to 15LB test & I've broken 17LB on kings in the streams with it - it's slayed THOUSANDS of bass , God only knows the thousands of yellow perch I have sent to the septic tank with absolutely no remorse!!!
It's no surprise I've put three SIC tip tops on it over the years and that I've been using for over 18 years and I will cry when it finally breaks !!!!

;)

[Steely-Head]

MY ROOMATE JUST MADE A POST HERE UNDER MY NAME--IT HAS BEEN DELETED--PLEASE DISREGARD IT

[Sailor]

I like 9' fast action 5 wt. St. Croix fly rod blanks made into spinning rods.

[Steely-Head]

Im surprised G Loomis doesnt have more, I know alot of people who use those.......but they cant beat UGLY SICK!! :)

[jaid]

With all my spinning gear, the objective was usually a cheap way out. That said, cant beat an ugly stick for $30 imo.

[quest32a]

for steelhead st croix, and for regular spinning i have a custom made 5wt that was outfitted for spinning. absolutely awesome, lightest rod ive ever owned. thanks ray

[Steely-Head]

Ralf will be dissapointed to see that post I made up there. Remember Ralf, that was before I saw the light!!! :D

[Ruler]

The Gander Mountain Guide Series 9' Medium Light Steelhead Spinning Rod has been the best one I've ever owned. It's sensative enough to feel the lightest bite of perch and yet will handle a 20 pound king snagged in the tail. One day in particular I remember that I was getting fish and nobody else was. I had a 5'6" UL and the 9' steelie rod. The tip of the 9 footer would move about 1/8" when a fish would bite. The longest rod I saw anybody else with was about 6'6", but they were all heavy. Plus, it's only $40 normally and $10 off in the spring several times. :) Planning on getting another this spring when the ice breaks (and the Saginaw store gets more in!)

[ESOX]

You mean people other than Loomis and St. Croix make spinning rods?:confused: :D

[DonP]

I have a couple Ugly Stiks that I like... but also have a Redington that I like alot too!!!

[SA ULTRA MAG]

I own 3 St. Croix's, I am extremely happy with all. My brother took a picture of me fighting a king on a northern river with my 7' ultra light with 8lb line. If I was to show this picture to St. Croix I bet that it would void the lifetime warranty. :eek:
I was looking at the Gander Mountain rods and they look very much like the St. Croix. Does anyone know who makes Ganders rods for them ?

Thanks,
Pat

[jigworm]

My favorite spinning rod is a 6'6" Loomis, but I have to agree for the price you can't beat an Uglystick. I've got 3 Lite models I've had for years with NO problems. I like the 7' for throwing stick baits.

[ESOX]

I have some of the venerable Ugly Sticks myself. I use the Yellowfin models for Muskie trolling. They are about as tough as they come. OOPs those aren't spinning rods..

[keyman]

I fish almost all ultra-lite these day,I like Berkley too. They also make great ice fishing rods.....when i step on them.. geesh.

[Lunker]

I change my vote to Gander MTn IM6 and IM7 spinning. Those things kicked butt for me last year. They run 50 but they go on sale for 30 in the late spring. Between the walleye in the spring and smallies in the summer I was very happy. Probably just as good as my St Croix Legend Ultra that I sold because I couldnt bare to scratch it.

[Handlining Rules]

The following that i most frequently use:

7'6 M BPS Tourney Special with Shimano Chronarch Super Free Reel (cranking stick)
7'6 H BPS Tourney Special H with Abu Garcia anti backlash (Flipping)
6'6 Quantum MH with Shimano Calcutta 251 (lizard)
6'6 Rapala MH with Shimano Calcutta 150 (worm-senko)
6'0 Team Diawa Spinning M with Team Diawa Reel (Flukes)

[TeamPolarisracing]

i use a berkley lighting rod with the Im7 with spining reel

[ausable_steelhead]

I voted Ugly Sticks, they're awesome rods. For steelhead, I like Silstar, they're rods are nice, and pretty cheap($50) for the quality. But for salmon fishing, walleye trolling, pike fishing, and steelhead spinner fishing, I'll take an Ugly Stick.:D

[Foxy Carp]

Last fall I built a St. Croix. I havent been able to use it much, but the times I have it's been great. I originally built it to sell it, but now i'm having second thoughts.

[Thunderhead]

I use a 10 1/2 ' South Bend noodle rod for just about everything.
They run about 50 bucks and are a great rod for steelhead as well as gills.

[Mini]

Just wondering why All Star isnt on the list? Am i using the best kept secret in Michigan? LOL

Contact me via email if you have any questions about them

Mini

[percheye]

All i use for spinning rods are pinnacle Ti3. They are 6'6 and are very sensitive. FISH ON:D

[hangoo]

i like the Gandermountain rods. and they have a lifetime guarantee!!!!!!

no questions asked!!!

reasonable prices too....like 30-50 bucks

[Lunker]

O cool Hangoo ! I didnt know that There Im 7 spinning is my favorite rod... when did they start the lifetime guarantee?

[east bay ed]

st croix legend series. i use a 6'6 jigging rod and a 7'6 board rod and love them both.
i will say for a board rod you don't need much. a cue stick with eyes will catch fish on inline boards.
that said i still love my st. croix rods.

[Can't Touch This]

St.criox are WAy to over priced.

[snafu1359]

What is your favorite brand of fishing rods?

[quest32a]

i voted st croix because that is all i use for steelhead and love it...... but my favorite rod would have to be a hand made 5wt with spinning guides that i found through a site member. it is great for smaller fish, an absolute blast. the best thing is that the rod weighs next to nothing.

[jeremy L]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16068&highlight=rod+poll

Alot of polls have been done before and if you are new and want to make a poll, it might be best to do a search to see if it has been done before or not.

[Lunker]

Hangoo the guide series are 2 year warrantee at Gander Mtn, unfortunately. Still a great rod for the money and my favorite.

[fishing addict]

I've,used Berkley rods since early 1980's. I,have a Daiwa,GM guide series, Ugly Stik, OCS,Browning, Shakespears',and Berkleys'. I,like my Lightening & TGS , Berkleys',the best. I,find that the stainless steel & titanium guides seem to cast farther. They also don't ice up as bad during freezing temps. My hookset ratio has greatly imroved with these rods,also. I, haven't tried St. Croix or G-Loomis,so I'm not expierienced with those.

[ESOX]

Originally posted by Can't Touch This
St.criox are WAy to over priced.


That is certainly one that is a matter of personal opinion. I think St Croix Avids and Loomis GL3's are a good deal. You get what you pay for.

[jaid]

I have to agree with ESOX here, its all personal opinion and preference I guess. I fished with ugly sticks for 20 years, and never had a problem. They held up good, they seemed to work fine, did everything I needed them to do. I recently picked up a few St Croixs, just to see what all the hype is with expensive rods. Its a whole new fishing experience everytime i get out on the water. They are lighter, more sensitive, have more power, cast better, et al. They are better in every regard when compared to ugly sticks and the likes, in my opinion.

They may be expensive, but from here on out, im on the St Croix bandwagon.

[ESOX]

Lookout Jaid, Ya haven't tried Loomises Muskie rods yet.....LOL

[jaid]

Yea, ill have to get a new job before I jump in to those! Ive been keeping track of my musky expenditures this year, dont ever do that. Its enough to make me sick, and the season isnt even open in Michigan yet! :eek:

I must say, so far this year my favorite musky rod is the regular old Premier casting model PC66HF. I dont like the handles as well on the PMC's.



PS- Got skunked again in Indiana this weekend :mad:

[hangoo]

for some reason, i like the Gander Mountain rods...maybe it the "no questions asked" return policy they have on them:D

[fishing addict]

The one Gander Mountain rod,I, have is a 6 foot,competitor medium, 6-12 pound line, 1/4 to 5/8 lure. The tip is so slow and wimpy,that, I, continuosly was missing bass & pike with it. Even lost fish ,I, had on as the hook set was not enough. It was thier low end price, so maybe you get what you pay for. I, know they have switched suppliers since then. I , wasn't that happy with what,I, bought a couple of years ago. It works great for suckers though, and is the only rod ,I've caught suckers on this year. I, think the faster rods tend to spook them off. Sometimes ,I, think an older glass rod , is better for them anyhow. Just my opinion. Hangoo, I'm glad your's, and Esox's, work for you guys. It might have to do with reaction time as well. I, broke my back,ribs, & an arm , falling off the Iron, in 1988. Tends to slow this old Ironworker down . Even though it hurts, it don't stop me from fishing though. "EVERY DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD ONE, THE HIGHER THE BETTER!!"

[outdoorzman1]

I like to use St. Croix and G.Loomis rods for there sensativity and because they are light in weight.

[ESOX]

Seems we have one rod poll too many going here. (Two too many in some opinions). I am going to try to merge these, bear with me if I screw it up...........:eek:

[Steely-Head]

You should have merged all the results together rather than getting rid of a years worth of answers. But i'm bearing with you...

[ESOX]

Dang Art, I guess I should have merged them the other way. I never tried merging polls before. Maybe I should delete this one and let you start all over?????:D :p ;)

I am sorry about that, seriously, I had no idea that the one set of results would dissapear........
I'll help out though, St Croix was in the lead, with Loomis running a distant second.

[deerhunter08]

berkley all the way. best spinning rod ive ever owned. it has grear action is very tough

[fishing addict]

My wonderful one, guide series competitor(I think it's a pinnacle) exploded about an hour ago, to the sizzleing run of a mighty 20 inch red-horse sucker. Fat with row,but still probably less than 4 lbs. I, don't know if,I'll trade it in or not,as I"m not really going to miss it#%^$*)@&. Glad that ,"TACKLE BUSTIN' SUCKER", didn't get ahold of one of my rods,I, like. "BERKLY LIGHTENING ROD", Ya' know what ,I, mean?

[midwestfisherman]

I use Berkley Lightening rods almost exclusively for anything from panfish to bass, for both my spinning and baitcasting outfits. I still have several of the old style original 5 1/2' and 6' lightning rods from years ago that I love for worm and jig fishing.

For steelhead I switch to the higher end Browning noodle rods and I did try a Cabela's noodle rod that I have been quite happy with. I don't have the model name of the Cabela's rod but it was in the $80 - $90 range.

[ESOX]

I just loaded the boat up with rods last night.
2 St Croix Avid spinning rods
2 " " Avid baitcasters
1 " " Premier Baitcaster
2 Loomis GL3 Baitcasters
1 " GL 2 Spinning rod
2 " Muskie rods (baitcasters)
1 Falcon Baitcaster
1 All Star "
4 Ugly Stick Tigers

I voted Loomis even though it was a dead heat with St. Croix in numbers, because I use the Loomis Muskie sticks the most. But it is VERY close.........Too close to really vote on in this format....Multiple choice???:D

[jaid]

Hey esox, since you have both, can you give me a quick comparison of the avid vs premier series st croixs?

I absolutely love the PM66HF for musky fishing. It tosses everything from 1/2oz up to 2oz, which is 85% of my tackle. Seems to have plenty of muscle also. I am considering picking up another one, but was also considering biting the bullet and going with an avid. Are the avid's noticeable different/better? Its going to more than likely have an abu on it, so the 1-2oz weight savings is not an issue. Thanks man!

[ESOX]

The Avid I purchased specifically for Muskie is a 7' 10" Flipping Stick, rated to 2oz. (Bass rod??? LOL yea what the heck are they thinking about???? 30 # Bass? ;) ) I use it for tossing smaller cranks like 6" Buchers, Super Shad Raps, and whatnot. also sees a bit of jigging.
I don't have any of the Avid Muskie specific rods, but as a rule, the Avids are lighter than the premier series, the blank is thinner, and they just feel "crisper". Can't put it into words, it's like the difference between an ugly stick and a Premier.
If I can add one more opinion, this one you didn't ask for......
Look at the Loomis MUR786CJB. It costs about the same as some avids, less than most. At $160.00 it's right in the ballpark. It's 6'6" (see I remember you don't like the long rods :) ). and rated to 4oz. You will find it indispensable when you start pulling gliders and tossing bigger jerks. Gliders are a gas to fish, and they certainly catch fish.........

[jaid]

Thanks for the comparison ESOX. If there is as much difference between the premier and avid series as there is between an ugly stick and a a premier, I may have to bite the bullet and try one out. The rod I would be looking at is something in the Heavy power range, but not a musky style rod. I dont particularly like the huge handles on those. Im completely happy with the power and action of the PC66HF, so I would probably be looking into something like the AC66HF. The difference in weight between the PC66HF and AC66HF looks pretty much negligible (5.00 vs 4.75). Do you know of a comparable GLoomis that youd recommend? Something in the heavy power range (1/2oz-1 1/2oz lures), and probably 6'6" or so.


Ive got a St Croix premier musky 6'9" Heavy action that should toss everything over 2oz with ease. So unless I start using puppies for bait, or pick up one of those 22" bull dawgs, I think I have the really big baits covered!

[ESOX]

Thats a toughie. All the ones I like for light lures like that are all long flipping sticks. Loomis has a couple offerings that fit almost fit the bill, but they have the Muskie series handles as far as I know.

"MUR863C-LB Length: 7'2" Power: Medium Pieces: 1 Casting

This rod is really nice for smaller in-line spinners, small spinnerbaits, jigs and plastics, especially around isolated structure where you don't need a winch to pull the fish out of cover. Works small to medium top-water lures like Slammers and Zara Spooks like butter. It makes a pretty nice crankbait rod too.

Model Color Handle Line Weight Lure Weight Action Power Item # Price U.S.

Muskie 103 15-35 1/2-11/2 Mod-Fast Med-Light 10731-01 $200.00 "

Little longer than you prefer, but it is a 1 1/2 ozer.

[PIKERPETE]

In general I like the sensitivity of the Bass extreme rods, but all my fishing buddies like the durability of the ugly stick. I also sure dont mind using St Croix, but my day to day rod is the Bass extreme. Boy this topic could divide families, it usually does make for good discussions when fishing. PikerPete

[WALLEYEvision]

I use the Gander Mountain Guide series rods, good price, great quality, excellent gaurantee!

[AFTERSHOCK]

loomis for steel&kings
st croix for bass&pike i broke more croix's than i care admit in the grand on big kings

[enfield]

Since I own around 30 rods, I have most of those listed, but my absolute favorite is a Fenwick 6 1/2 foot light action spinning rod. My favorite lake is light on cover and shallow -- finesse fishing is the hot ticket and the Fenwick with 4 lb line takes more fish for me than the other 29 rods put together.

I saw a fishing magazine article a few years ago entitled "There isn't a single rod solution". I pointed it out to my wife and said, "But there is a 30 rod solution, huh?"