The big rod debate....

[Crunchy]

OK, I am in the market for a new rod, and I will be purchasing this in the next week or so....

Requirements.....
Spinning rod
6'6" maybe 7'
Medium or Med-heavy
I will be putting a Daiwa 2500 reel on this rod, and I like to run 20lb braid (don't know it that matters much).
I am budgeting $100 for this venture.

I fish all the regular fish you would find in the area, bass, eye's pike, some panfish, the odd trout, everything from jigging, to crank baits and spinners ect....

I have looked around and asked ppl and have heard good things about the Shimano Compre, but wanted to ask ppl around here for their opinion.

I have read up on the Quantum Catalyst, which is also an IM8 rod like the compre, but I can't find anybody's opinion on it, but it is almost half the price of the compre at around $60 which caught my eye. Anybody heard of it?

Some others that I saw...
Fenwick HMx
Berkly xseries1

Also, I currently use a one piece rod, and I like it, and I am sceptical about getting a two-piecer, I am scared it might break too easily, is this really an issue? What is the difference between a one and two piece rod?

I used to go with Crappy tire or wally world rods, but when I got my first normal rod (a daiwa heartland) this year, I will never go back, my old rods feel like wet spaghetti now.

Also, does anybody know if there are any good fathers day sales going on in the next week or so that I should check out for a rod?

[ShotgunRiderRob]

Bass Pro Shops is holding a fathers day sale http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... hing_reels

[Todd B.]

I have an older 2pc Shimanno Compre (7') that I enjoy when I manage to break out my spinning gear (rarely now that I fly fish.) A multi-piece rod from a reputable manufacturer should not give you any problems.

Just keep in mind that with all rods (especially fly rods) the cork is there for a purpose. Your hands only go on the cork...anywhere else and you're most likely going to be holding a broken rod.

[Joey Rat]

I have both a medium heavy compre and a medium light Catalyst.

The compre is mated with a 4000 series Sedona reel with new untested 14 lb fireline crystal. I was fishing 17lb spiderwire mono and had some good success fishing smallies, 'eyes and pike. You can horse fish into the boat or through the weeds. At first I found the rod really light but it was my first decent rod and I adapted pretty quickly. I really like it and can't wait to fish it with the crystal.

The catalyst is mated with a 2000 series Quantuum Catalyst reel. I didn't do it intentionally but it was the only medium light rod in that price range that Bennetts had at the time and the combo works well together. I'm running 6lb flurocarbon on this rig and it has been great for 'eyes. I also landed a 3 lb pike and a 4-5 lb catfish on this rod (it's only a month old). The cat had the rod bent almost double but no problems (I did snap the line but only after the fish was netted ).

I'd recommend either one. Price point being the major difference to me.

[IanD]

Look at a St Crois PS70MHF. Excellent warrenty, reasonable price and will handle just about every type of fish, excluding 'skis.

[steve-hamilton]

Shimano Compre

[plowjock]

Just my 2 cents but seriously take a look at the Shimano Clarus 7' Med 2 piece rod fast tip. This is probably the best kept secret from Shimano and I know I have sold a lot of them in my first year in retail sales.

[toobinator]

Plowjock: I must disagree. For the difference in price, I feel that the Compre is worth the extra bucks. The new Compre's and Crucials are designed by the G Loomis designer (G Loomis is now owned by Shimano), while the Clarus' are designed by whoever. Keep in mind, this is my opinion only, and I am sure you can find 1000's of very happy Clarus owners. Both rods are covered under the same warranty. The St Croix has a 5 year manufacturers defects warranty, and is also an excellent choice.

I carry them all

Ed

[meanmuskie]

go compre can't beat it for the $

[Pints]

My two cents worth. Go see Ed at Paddletails, and Plowjock at Lebarons, and actually hold the different rods in your hands and see how they feel, and whether you like the action.

[Crunchy]

Thanks for the help, I have already saw what lebaron has, and from their selection I will get the compre, but I am gonna take a drive out to paddletale next week to see him, he does have some rods lebaron's doesn't carry, and also some style of the compre lebarons does not have either.

I am fantasizing about the compre 7' medium x-fast tip, lets see when I get there.

Right now I have a 6'6" medium action rod, I want something to mix it up a bit, and I think my choice of 7' might be it.

[Swamp-Donkey]

They have these 3 piece bamboo fishin poles, Ya just tie yourself some of that there fishin string to da end and yur all set. No need fussin with those complimicated new fangled fishin' reelz!

[susquehannasmallmouth]

The Avids are awesome, but pricey. But they have a lifetime warranty. The Premier's warranty is only 5 years.

[toobinator]

The "lifetime" warranty also has the words "manufacturers defect" included in it. Many rods have this lifetime thing, but only if the rod breaks due to a construction flaw. St Croix, along with other companies have tightened up what constitutes a warranty break, and are not nearly as forgiving as they were only 6 months ago. The reality of it is if a rod breaks after 5 yrs of use, there was nothing wrong with the construction, more likely a fracture caused by banging against something or other.

Ed

[Paul Shibata]

While your out at Ed's, make sure you get him to show you the new "X" series by Frontier (G.Loomis Canada). For just a few dollars more you will get incomparable performance. The new X series has a brand new blank (faster recovery rate) a redesigned split grip cork handle (which the Toobinator himself collaborated on) and a funky hook keeper that doesn't obligate you to "Un-Texas" rig your plastics.

The workmanship is also pretty spectacular as one would expect from a hand made rod in Canada offering a lifetime warranty!!!

Good Luck

http://www.frontierrods.ca/rods_magbass.html