rod suggestions please

I'm shopping for a new rod for carp bass and maybe steelhead. I'm having a heck of a time throwing weighted streamers and big bass poppers with my cheap-o 5 wt. After some research, it looks like the Lamson Konic ii is almost too good to pass up. So does anyone have any suggestions for a rod for these purposes? I'm not looking to break the bank so under $200 would be ideal. Suggestions on a fly line to match up would also be awesome.

Thanks for the link, I appreciate the searching, but that thread was a bunch of horse crap. I'm not looking for some thing to roll cast a glow bug 15'. I need a rod that will help me throw heavy streamers and big poppers far and accurately. I'm thinking 7 wt, but would go to 8 if you guys think it's necessary.

I  have an 8/9 wt ugly stick with a pflueger medalist reel and cortland line.  used once, literally!  happy to sell it you.  like new.  grandson not the least bit interested in using it.  bought everything here at FishUSA. 
$57.95(rod) + 53.95(line) + 30.00(reel) + 6% PA sales tax = $150.41.   won't give it away, but if you're interested, make me a decent offer.

I appreciate the offers but I don't think an ugly stik is really what I'm looking for in this situation. I found a good deal on a 10' 7 wt moderate fast or a 9' 8 wt fast-extra fast. Would an extfast really be difficult for a beginner to cast? Is an 8 WT just too much rod for smaller bass? I really have no experience with different fly rod weights. I would still like to be able to feel the fight of the fish some. I have a 5wt now that I would say is a moderate to slow action, and it seems to just fall on it's face when I get a little to heavy with my fly. Or try to put any kind of power at all into the cast.

I'm looking at the Sa mastery gxp. The description says it's a half weight heavier. So the 10' 7 wt ought to work well w the 7 WT line? I really appreciate your input btw.

http://forums.fishusa.com/tm.aspx?high=&m=485077&mpage=1#485091

I wouldn't worry too much about specifics. Get whatever you can get a deal on. 5-8wt at 8ft and up. St Croix, TFO, Sage, Redington, Cabelas... They're all good buys. American, European, or Asian made... They're all made in countries that fish. 

5-8wt would cover most bass. I use my 5wt for them with confidence. If I'm going to bigger water, I'll grab my 7 or 8wt. I usually end up taking my 8wt switch rod for bass. Just to cover anything that goes for the bigger flies or, in your case, if you want to fish for carp with it, too. The 8wt switch also works for steelhead at 11ft. Those Ugly Stikk rods can def be up lined. The 6/7wt I have can handle up to 9 maybe 10wt. Also consider being able to use a little heavier rod for Saltwater on top of bass, steelhead, and carp. If you fancy that. Everything counts.

I've gotten most of my rods used in great condition or on sale. Most of them were bought, reeled, and lined for under $200. I have them for a variety of situations and they all catch the target fish. If you're going to spend $200 get yourself a good rod, the Konic, and the line. I even bought my Konic on sale. Just look around.

The only specific thing I have in mind so far is 7wt based on tunas recommendation. I'd like to go as light as possible, but I know my 5wt won't turn these things over very well. I was hoping a few people owned and used reasonably priced rods for carp (heavier streamers like crayfish patterns) and bass (larger lighter streamers and larger poppers). And could give a suggestion as to what they have used and liked or disliked.

You *do* realize that the "rod weights" are simply the manufacturer's recommendation of what line they estimate that rod will cast the best...right?  
 
You seem to be unnecessarily quantifying your needs based on one recommendation.  
 
I have a 6, two 7s, and an 8wt, and use them all for different purposes...and none of those four rods behaves like a "typical" 6, 7, or 8wt.  They're specific-purpose rods.  To that end, there's only one of the four I'd enjoy using for steelhead, and it'd be my last choice for warmwater...similarly, the other three are viable options for warmwater, but I'd feel like I was improperly equipped with those three on a trib in November.  This all being said, if I only had one of the four, I wouldn't have any of those opinions, and would be either like or dislike their performance based on the merits of that rod alone...not compared to another rod in the quiver that might do better.  
 
It seems like you're comparing the performance of rods you've never fished with based on the imagined experience of fishing with other rods you don't have.
 
If you want a specific purpose rod, be more specific in your request...but it sounds like you want a very general purpose rod.  As fas a general purpose rods go, one manufacturer's 6wt might be stronger than another's 7wt, and a 7wt, from anyone, might be very similar to another maker's (or another product line from the same maker's) 6 or 8.  Nothing is set in stone.
 
If you have your heart set on a 7wt, that's fine, but like I said, you seem to be arbitrarily ruling out many completely serviceable options within your price range, just because of a number on the side of a blank.  

Your very first sentence indicated carp (fairly delicate presentation required in mostly open areas, of a small weighted fly), bass (no need for delicacy of presentation, but usually bulky, wind resistant flies, often heavy), and steelhead (assuming PA tribs, no need for distance at all, but accuracy, fish-fighting ability, and a sensitive tip).  Not necessarily mutually exclusive, but three distinctly different sets of needs.
 
Any rod can do just about anything...it's a matter of doing it well, or being built for it.  A rod built to power out a 6" weighted zonker into a headwind (coupled with the line to do it) is likely going to lack the delicate presentation that you'd need for spooky carp on a mud flat on a still day...for which a rod (again with suitable line) built for such a thing will likely make casting that big old streamer a bit of a chore. 
 
It's not that you can't do these things...it's that in the process of getting specifically good at one task you are likely getting specifically less good via tradeoff, in another area.
 
In very basic terms, for your needs, I'd suggest a 9' 6wt fast action rod in your price range.

Tuna wins. The one I'm looking at ought to do. Appreciate all your time.

cold, sorry but my junky computer takes longer to type then your guys replies so I missed the 2 prior then mine.
Does it work ? Yes, does it do what I want it to ? most times .
Is it the cats meow and fast as lightning ? heck no.. It serves my purpose..
You make very good points and suggestions as to rod uses and specifications.. Great stuff.. Even within the same manufacturer the same weight rods , same actions different models react different.. So what are we to do , buy them all ? lol..
Na we choose whats within our reach and learn how to use the tools we have.. That IMO is what makes a skilled angler..
Now granted, some things are just plain junk and make everything a struggle.. It's forums like these that can help weed out the nasties based on others experiences and then it's up to the consumer to compromise based on his needs..
 
Again, I love my sage FLi 9'6" rod, especially the extra 6", others may not.. I don't like my St. Croix Avid 8 wt 9' , others may..
Do I make each work when and where I use them ? I have too..
 
 
It's not a competition just a suggestion towards a purchase, I don't own a SA rod so I can only base things towards what I have and weights towards flies used / species targeted.
Heck fishinGuy may hate the rod he buys and then come back to say it was a bad suggestion..
 
Good stuff..

Cold, you really know your stuff when it comes to fly fishing. LOL! I read this stuff, not understanding most of it because I don't fly fish, and hope to learn something from it. One thing I learned is that fly line is waaaaaay more $ than I ever would have imagined. $75 for line? That's nuts! It better last a long time! LOL! I've been playing with the idea of getting into it, but it looks like it's gonna be a little too expensive for me at the moment. Anyway, it's just nice to read stuff from people who obviously know what they are talking about. Big Tuna obviously knows his stuff too. I read his stuff on the NY boards. Nice guy. I'm glad he changed his Avatar though. That last one was freaky... LOL

9 foot, 8 weight rod, in your price range, too many to list.  Learn to cast it, it's not a 5 weight.  PRACTICE!
 
Once you figure it out, you'll either not like it or be ready for more rods in different weights.  I don't buy the "too heavy for bass fishing" line at all.  An 8 lets you throw bigger flies, which you will want to do, you are already trying to do it with your 5 weight & you see how it can't perform.  If you get a 6 (which is barely heavier than a 5) you'll quickly wish you had a heavier rod. 
 
10 foot rods are too long for casting streamers, IMO.  They are great for steelhead fishing and nymphing out of a boat, but if that's not the main purpose, don't get one.  I have one, and it's the most limited/specialized rod I own.  From your original post, that's what you are trying to avoid.  If you want an all around steelhead to warm water bass/carp rod get an 8 weight and learn to cast it.
 
Konics are also great reels for the price, all of the Lamson reels are great.
 
Spend the money for a quality weight forward line, don't get the cheap $30 lines, they cast like crap & will, IMO, slow your learning curve.

D-nymph

9 foot, 8 weight rod, in your price range, too many to list.  Learn to cast it, it's not a 5 weight.  PRACTICE!

Once you figure it out, you'll either not like it or be ready for more rods in different weights.  I don't buy the "too heavy for bass fishing" line at all.  An 8 lets you throw bigger flies, which you will want to do, you are already trying to do it with your 5 weight & you see how it can't perform.  If you get a 6 (which is barely heavier than a 5) you'll quickly wish you had a heavier rod. 

10 foot rods are too long for casting streamers, IMO.  They are great for steelhead fishing and nymphing out of a boat, but if that's not the main purpose, don't get one.  I have one, and it's the most limited/specialized rod I own.  From your original post, that's what you are trying to avoid.  If you want an all around steelhead to warm water bass/carp rod get an 8 weight and learn to cast it.

Konics are also great reels for the price, all of the Lamson reels are great.

Spend the money for a quality weight forward line, don't get the cheap $30 lines, they cast like crap & will, IMO, slow your learning curve.

^This post is right on. I couldn't agree more.