I am in the market to add a 2nd rod to my fishing stuff. I havent been big into fishing, but now that I have my own boat, I plan to maybe purchase a little bit better stuff as time goes on. Right now I just have a 5'10" Medium power ugly stick and whatever reel that came on it. I catch a fish here and there, but now am wanting to set up a rod to catch some stuff that I can take home and eat. So i guess panfish but will also handle whatever else may hop on the line. Right now I am eyeing the bass pro brand rods....IM6 graphite or better. Also noticed berkley has one called the lightning rod that is IM6 as well. I am looking at something around Light power and fast action. I think ultra light would probably not fair as well if something a little larger decides to take bite. With that said...what are your favorite cheap go to rods?
Favorite low budget rod?
- Thread starter 93civEJ1
- Start date
easy45
Well-Known Member
Heck, none of my rods cost over $40, I don't think you can go wrong with a berkley lightning rod and right now I have an Abu Garcia tournament edition and really like it
TITANSFAN2104
Well-Known Member
Walmart had some nice abu spinning combos for $49 . Bought two this past weekend. Wouldn't mind having a couple more
catman529
Well-Known Member
2 words
ugly
stik
why should there be a question about it, they are budget and the best budget fishing rods ever. Not that I've tried many other budget rods, I just know that ugly stiks are the best.
ugly
stik
why should there be a question about it, they are budget and the best budget fishing rods ever. Not that I've tried many other budget rods, I just know that ugly stiks are the best.
4onaside
Well-Known Member
In my book easy45, you are a high roller! I have never paid over $20 in my long life for a rod, and I just went in the garage and counted them and they number 17. I have never broken a rod and there is only one graphite amongst them. 93civ, no magic to it. Go to the store pick one up and if the action feels good to you and you like the price, buy it.easy45 said:
moondawg
Well-Known Member
I don't think any of my rods were more than $25. My go to rod is a light Berkley Lightning Rod that I bought for $1 at a yard sale. I catch bass, bream, crappie and trout with it.
Lots of people like Ugly Stiks. I like Berkley rods, but I would'nt mind getting an Ugly Stik.
Lots of people like Ugly Stiks. I like Berkley rods, but I would'nt mind getting an Ugly Stik.
Baxter83
Well-Known Member
BPS Tourney Special rod
Berkley lightning rod
One of these two are great low cost rods that last forever. They both come in several different lengths and strengths as well.
Berkley lightning rod
One of these two are great low cost rods that last forever. They both come in several different lengths and strengths as well.
If all I was throwing was beetle spins I guess Ugly Sticks would be fine. If you are bass fishing and have never used a quality rod all day you have no clue what you are missing. The proper rod action/tip/length and reel gear ratio make a huge difference. It's like other equipment get the best you can afford at the time.
From several people I know I've been told that the AbuGarcia Veritas is a great rod for the money.
From several people I know I've been told that the AbuGarcia Veritas is a great rod for the money.
catman529
Well-Known Member
I have 3 ugly stiks, 2 med action and 1 med heavy, love them all. My fishin buddy has 2 of the ultra lite ugly stiks. they make a lot of different actions and sizes so I guess you can't go wrong.93civEJ1 said:
catman529 said:
Give catman a prize because he is the winner!! Before selling most of my fishing stuff, I had 12 rod/reels. All had ugly stiks on'em. From heavy duty catfish/saltwater rods down to ultralight rods.
I'm the type of person that could tear up an anvil.....So if something last me longer than a year. I'll stand behind that product 100%. I have never tore up an ugly stick, but other rods only last me 2 weeks, ie....tips break off, line guides get stepped on and break and so forth, but ugly sticks can take the abuse. Heck even if I had the money for an "expensive" rod, I'd still go with an Ugly Stik!!
oldmanelrod
Well-Known Member
Lightning Rods and Ugly Stiks are both good rods. They will serve you well.
scoby
New Member
i just bought a lightning rod at walmart on sale for 20.00. i think it is last years model that listed for 36.00
KSbuck2 said:
What he said. My buddy used to swear by ugly sticks, until he fished with one of my Gloomis rods. Not saying that you have to spend Gloomis money to get a good rod, but there are many 60-80 $ rods that make an ugly stick, well...ugly!
TITANSFAN2104
Well-Known Member
I personally try not to step on or be rough on my gear, that being said I would go with whichever felt the best to me. I have a couple ugliest but they are not a rod that I would want when the fish are not aggressive
sure shot
Well-Known Member
lite pro is awesome i love em93civEJ1 said:
4onaside
Well-Known Member
Not breaking!93civEJ1 said:
Sorry I had to say that before some of the state of the art rod men
beat me to it! lol
Football Hunter
Well-Known Member
good pointBDS05 said:
Bone Collector
Well-Known Member
Ugly stik
Shed Hunter
Well-Known Member
I mostly use cheap rods except for a few $100 rods I've used for pike, catfish, bass, and snaggin.
I also agree with the ugly stick comment, they're very reliable.
I also agree with the ugly stick comment, they're very reliable.
Mudbone
Well-Known Member
Never found an ugly stick with the tip or backbone that I want
Jmo.
Lightning rods will fare well tho.
Jmo.
Lightning rods will fare well tho.
Biggun4214
Well-Known Member
I had an UL UglyStik that I caught carp up to 40lbs on. One day I closed the truck door on the tip and cracked it. I put a little epoxy on it and used it for another 10 years. The handle finally wore out and separated from the rod. Best rod I ever owned.
SilverFox
Well-Known Member
The majority of my rods are the Abu Veritas rods... but they are $100 a piece. With that said, I bought the wife one of the Lightning Rods from BPS called the Shock? rod. She loves it... and I carry it with me more times than not if I am going to be throwing something light like a Bandit. I don't think you can beat them for the money. It's not as good feeling as my Veritas rods and a little weaker than the action the Veritas has but still a quality rod. When compared to the 7'0 Veritas in Medium action with fast tip, the Shock is more like a medium/light action... but a little stronger than light action.
Headhunter
Well-Known Member
I have more rods and reels than most people I fish with and not as many as some I know. In my opinion, you do not need a gloomis. Great rods, but not a need to have. To me try to get a rod that fits the type of fishing you want to do and be comfortable while fishing. I like a long handled rod and prefer a longer rod. Most of the rods I fish with now are 8' long. The rod I crappie fish with now is my hybrid/bass/striper rod and is 7-1/2' long and a medium/heavy. I can throw stuff a long ways, especially when using 4 lb line for crappie. Also, your preference can and probably will change as you fish more and more. Bass pro does make some nice rods that you do not have to spend a ton of money on. I like backbone in a rod with a fast tip.
I would not take an Ugly Stik if you gave it to me.
I would not take an Ugly Stik if you gave it to me.
nevermind....this helped out alot:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_rod
Looks like I am going to probably look for a light power rod with a fast action. Maybe in a decent length about 6.5 - 7 ft for casting both small things for crappie...bluegill etc. Use my ugly for the bass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishing_rod
Looks like I am going to probably look for a light power rod with a fast action. Maybe in a decent length about 6.5 - 7 ft for casting both small things for crappie...bluegill etc. Use my ugly for the bass.
