i need a new rod

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shmoe
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2013/03/17 08:21:58 (permalink)

i need a new rod

first time in my life i bought something that wasnt cheap.. st croix triumph... i broke it reeling in a tree limb... i swear i babied that rod.. 
I think ide like something around 7ft
med-lite or lite
4-8 lb test
 
i dont know... what do you guys recommend? 
 
something strong enough for big steelies but gentle enough for a small trout. ide rather not spend over $80
#1

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    deetz4352
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/17 16:38:24 (permalink)
    Kinda surprises me , thats a good rod from what Ive heard. I was that close to buying one the other day. A one piece 7' medium is what I was going to get. Maybe try the bass mojo rod also made by St. Croix , that was on my list as well. I may end up buying both since I cant decide and see which one I like better.

    The Deetz
    Fishermen are born honest,but they get over it
    #2
    psu_fish
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/17 16:53:15 (permalink)
    I use a 2 piece 6'6" Gander Mtn Guide Series IM8 Graphite rod. Very nice rod for the price
    #3
    shmoe
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/17 17:36:45 (permalink)
    thanks guys...
    yep i loved the triumph.. except i broke it twice... got a new rod for free the first time..   Im ready to try something else now.. its no fun using the backup walmart special...
     
    I think i just need something a little more durable.. I try to be gentle with my rod but i seem to always be fighting brush and obstacles when i fish..
     
    #4
    PaWolfman
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/17 22:41:14 (permalink)
    I'm not sure why they keep breaking on you. I have a good number of St. Croix rods. Couple of them are the triumph rods. I have never had one break on me. I would not give up on the St. Croix rods just yet.

    My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.-Thomas Jefferson
    #5
    Mags00
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/17 22:43:13 (permalink)
    I know the feeling I set the hook on a fish with my triumph herd a bone crunching SNAP and saw the rod tip slide down the line towards the water...  Sad to say the rod was a few months out of warranty and I didn't try to follow up with a possible grace warranty...  I'd go better... If you really liked St. Croix I'd honestly move up in the catalog I mean most people when you grab a $180/200/250/300/400 rod they are like "OMG It's just a fishing rod..."  But, no honestly it's not... Same way with lures a $2.99 Matzuo is a $2.99 lure for a reason, go grab a comparable model to it in Rapala, Lucky Craft, Jackall, IMA, or Megabass and you'll quickly see the difference...  But, back to the rod discussion...
     
    My girlfriend has a 7' Ugly Lite-Pro (Wal-mart Model) she loved that thing and it was sensitive and had the backbone to go with it...   She recently upgraded to a St. Croix Avid Pearl and immediately has fallen in love with that thing she caught 5 stockers with it last weekend and looked at me and said "Wow, this thing is so sensitive I can tell the difference between rocks, weeds, brush, and fish."  I just kinda smiled and said I know, that's why I have 2 G-Loomis rods...  It's all a matter of what you're willing to spend and the type of fish you are going after as well as the technique you are using...   Just curious what reel are you putting on this new rod and what size/type of line.  Some rods when you get a bit higher tend to be less forgiving to different size reels than others...
    post edited by Mags00 - 2013/03/17 22:44:49
    #6
    steelhead1994
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 00:24:47 (permalink)
    I have a st. Croix mojo bass rod and I love it... Sensitive tip and a solid backbone... Use it for largemouth normally but use it for steelies and it works great
    #7
    deetz4352
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 09:09:16 (permalink)
    However If you want a back up rod just in case, get an Ugly Stick. I bought a 6'6" medium action Ugly Stick 2 years ago and it is sensitive enough to feel the fish and structure with a lot of backbone to pull big bass out of heavy weeds and cover. I have 4 rods rigged up for different scenarios , top water , crank baits , bottom bouncing and plastics. My ugly stick is used primarily for late summer mostly in heavy grass and lily pads with top water frogs. I have no problem keeping them from digging down in the thick stuff with that rod. And they are only 30-40 bucks with a 5 year warranty. Kinda cant go wrong there and if you break it after the 5 years you go get another 30-40 dolla rod. You cant break the bank that way if your on a stricter budget. And its a decent rod to fish with.

    The Deetz
    Fishermen are born honest,but they get over it
    #8
    FishinGuy
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 09:55:22 (permalink)
    I know you want something to double for trout and steelies. But what are your primary techniques and lure types? Primarily throwing spinners and spoons? Or do you do allot of float fishing too? More info on what you plan to do with it will give us a better idea of what will suit your needs.
    #9
    shmoe
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 10:20:41 (permalink)
    Ill get a pic of my reel.. Honestly dont even know it off the top of my head.. As i shopped i just matched up the lines strengths and went with the reel that felt good lol

    I like to use small spinners in summer but mostly float fish for steelies in the winter

    Like i said i loved the st.croix
    Maybe im just too rough with em.. Ide like to try one again but im a little nervous about havin one break again.

    Could be all the ice burgs i hooked up with too (:

    Im debating but i gotta get somethin before the weekend
    Thanks for all your input
    #10
    shmoe
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 10:26:58 (permalink)
    Im pretty sure i have a Shimano Sahara FD
    #11
    TheBlueLagoon
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 10:33:17 (permalink)
    shmoe, just be a little more selective of where you cast, also when you "hook" a monster log or ice burg, save your rod and cut your line, your lure or tackle is much easier (cheaper) to replace then your St. Croix rod.

    Got Walleye???
    #12
    Esox_Hunter
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 10:34:23 (permalink)
    This may be a dumb question, but have you checked with St Croix about the warranty on your broken Triumph?  You may be able to a get a new one for a reduced cost or possibly for free.  It can't hurt to give them a call if you haven't already.
     
    As far as new rods, IMO a Fenwick HMX is about the best rod out there in your price range.
     
    #13
    FishinGuy
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 11:27:38 (permalink)
    https://m.fishusa.com/Cat...ds-SalmonSteelheadRods if that's what you'll be primarily doing with it I'd suggest something over 8' maybe in a light power moderate or moderate fast action. I sometimes fish trout (and lots of other things) with my steelhead rod and love the extra casting distance when throwing light spinners like joes flies. I've never used one, but wouldn't a mojo bass rod be way over kill for stocked trout? I use a shakespeare agility 10'6" light rod for steel trout some panfish and the occasional carp.I also have a med power 9' with a faster action that I wouldn't use for stocked trout unless I was chucking heavy wooden bobbers. Throws little cleos a mile though.
    #14
    dakotab
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 12:35:30 (permalink)
    I'll second the Gander Mountain IM8 Guide Series.
    #15
    shmoe
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 12:48:38 (permalink)
    I have a tough enough time with a 7 ft hikin through the woods though.
    #16
    bcain
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/18 14:36:51 (permalink)
    I have been looking for a new UL rod. I broke the tip on mine last year by rolling up the back window not realizing the rod had slid and the tip was sticking out the window. Mine was a 5' ft. I have been looking at a 6'-6'6" just because I'd like a little more casting distance. I am glad to see that some of you have had good luck with the GM guide series because I was looking at those rods.
    #17
    dakotab
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/19 09:19:49 (permalink)
    I can't speak highly enough about the IM8 GM rods.  Make sure you get the IM8 and not the IM7 (big difference in sensitivity). 
    #18
    Mags00
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/19 21:31:50 (permalink)
    Check out the HSR-9000's from G-Loomis (http://www.gloomis.com/pu...c_hot_shot.html)  Lifetime warranty and unmatched quality.  Also they'll handle 99% of the fish you throw at them.  Also, if you hook brush or ice don't load the rod or reel one of the best things I could suggest is wrapping the line around you hand once or twice and pulling back with the line to break the knot or maybe if lucky pending line strength you may get it all in lol... Comes in 1 or 2 pc and ranges from $195-320 (roughly.)
    post edited by Mags00 - 2013/03/19 21:33:03
    #19
    fish whisper
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/19 23:33:04 (permalink)
    At gander we do have nice rods especially for the money. However, st. croix is worth the investment. The issue is the Triumph is made in mexico and is actually a much cheaper blank than the higher end rods. I have seen my share of broken rods and even brittle guides. I would highly recommend upgrading to the premier series or even the avid if you can afford it. I would buy it in a store or pick one up from fisherie, gander, etc to make sure you are getting a 100% made st croix rod. The rods that come in from out of the country are actually processed differently in shipping usually bundled in large quantities making most of them already brittle as you can tell when you walk into a walmart and see already defective rods. So I would highly reccommend upgrading to a better st. croix rod
    #20
    bcain
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/20 00:19:48 (permalink)
    dakotab, that is the rod I was looking at. I was just hesitant because I bought on of GM mid grade spinning reels last year and it was complete junk. I took it back without ever using it and they were good about it. They asked why I didn't like it and I told them that everything about it was junk. It felt worse than some $10 Shakespeare that Walmart sells on their shelf. I will def. consider the IM8 though. I have been out looking at them but wanted to see what people were saying about them. I was also looking at the Daiwa Presso UL. I think Fish USA has them on sale for $70.
    #21
    Porktown
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/20 17:09:58 (permalink)
    Here is a good read, not very specific on brands (although it is interviewing G.Loomis).  Basically, highest end rods are the best for sensitivity and light weight to strength ratio, but they are more susceptible to damage from user error.  So, if you are going to buck up for a nice rod, probably a good idea to get a case for it too.
     
    http://www.flwoutdoors.co...ite-rods/#.UUofuxece5I
     
    I'm currently enjoying a Gander Mountain and Agility from reviews from this site, and have done me fine.  
    #22
    Shake n Bake
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/20 18:40:07 (permalink)
    I would have to agree with fish whisper on going for the better st. Croix. I personally love the triumph. For the price it's a great rod but its nowhere near as nice as the premier. My buddy just got a premier and its much lighter, more sensitive, and you can tell it is just a better made rod. My next rod will definitely be a premier.
    #23
    CRAPPIE_SLAYER
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/21 07:22:31 (permalink)
    I'm also a big fan of the gander guide series rods for the $$. 
    #24
    shmoe
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    Re:i need a new rod 2013/03/28 12:17:31 (permalink)
    Ended up gettin the fish eagle II. It held up good.. Not as nice as the triumph but half the price.. My next purchase is gonna be a fly rod but i suspect that someday ill go for a better st.croix..
    #25
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