I have been using hand-me-down rods for some time now.  I am ready to upgrade and spend a couple of gift cards at Cabela's to get a couple nice rods.  I have no idea how to pick one out.  I am afraid if I ask the sales person they may be more familiar with fishing out of a big honkin' bass boat.  I almost exclusively fish in and around the BWCA.  So that is what kind of rig I am looking for.  Can anyone suggest a good spinner and bait casting rod.   Specific brands and model numbers would be helpful.
Thanks.

dogjojo wrote on May 18^th, 2013 at 2:05pm:


Everybody has their preferences based on all kinds of things including brand loyalty.  After you've decided on what you need it for, which, in your case seems to be an all purpose rod for casting and trolling, you need to decide what you want to spend.  The other thing you need to consider is whether you want a 1-piece or 2-piece rod. 
The quality of a rod is mostly determined by the quality of the blank and the guides.  These days most rod blanks are pretty good and you have to decide where the point of diminishing returns is for you.  A G.Loomis GLX or NRX blank is the top of the line but their rods run in the $350 and up range. However, a mid-range rod at about a hundred bucks will give you plenty of sensitivity and durability.  Shimano products are pretty good and they offer a lifetime replacement warranty, which really can't be beat. 
I use a 2-piece rod, which I carry in a case.  I can get it out and ready to cast in about 2 minutes so that works for me.  The case more or less guarantees that my rod and reel will be safe and it's no big deal to hang it around my shoulder on portages.  Others prefer 1-piece rods, which they protect and carry in various ways.
I only take one rod with me on canoe trips.  I have a spinning rig - Shimano Compre (Medium Fast 6'6", 2 piece @ $100) with a Shimano Saros reel.  It's a very nice combo.  But I much prefer a bait caster so I really don't take the spinning rig anymore.  My baitcasting rig is ridiculous, a G.Loomis Mag Bass GLX 2-piece (Medium Heavy, Fast 6'6") coupled with an Abu Garcia Revo Premier bait caster.  Its expensive equipment but I love using it and I'm willing to look after it and keep it in its case when I'm not fishing.
However, for a nice mid-price rod you might consider the St.Croix Premier line (they retail around $120 but you can often get them on sale.)  They come in 1 and 2-piece versions.  A Medium, Fast, 6"6" in either casting or spinning versions (PS66MF2 or PC66MF2) would probably suit your purposes. But really there are lots of rods out there in the hundred dollar price range.  Both Cabelas and Bass Pro have a store brand, which is usually just as good and a little cheaper than a comparable name brand.  If possible I would suggest going to the store with your reel and put the reel on various rods and see how it feels in your hand.
Good luck and enjoy!

all good suggestions so far, but ill add a couple things. if you are gonna spend a good chunk of money on something, spend it on a nice reel.

as for rods, i like the mid grade ones, quality while still getting value. im a big fenwick fan, so when i look for a quality rods at a value price i go with gander mountain rods. they are fenwick blanks with gander markings.

for a baitcaster, i like 6'6" 2 piece rods for canoe country. i have golf club tubes mounted in the canoe to store the rods inside and keep them safe. i like the longer rods to help cast farther and play larger fish better. longer rods are also more forgiving while trolling and a big one slams your bait. i like medium action with an extra fast tip. good backbone yet the tip is soft and supple to help cast better.

for spinning rods, im really polar. a lot of people like a 6-7 ft spinning rod. i have a 5'6" and an 8' both light action and wouldnt use anything else. the short rod is really easy to handle and land fish with because you can reach them easily. the long rod handles the fight better and casts farther, but is harder to land the fish with because of the length.

but, here is yet another thing to consider... do you sit primarily in the front of the canoe or rear? that matters!!
or, if you fish a lot from the shore, longer rods are better!!

in the rear i like the short rod for spinning, but i prefer the baitcaster from the rear. im right handed and usually have the starboard side of the canoe toward the shore if im casting. gives me lots of room to cast.

in the front of the canoe, i like a longer spinning rod because i can fight the fish around the bow if i have to, you dont want line dragging on the hull. the short rod on a big fish just doesnt cut it when you try to swing around the bow. baitcasting from the front we go port to shore so i have more casting room.

also your fishing partners equipment/preferences come into play. half the guys are purely spinning rod guys (big heavy ones for trolling) and the other half are baitcaster guys. we are all right handed so matching right handed baitcaster guys in the same canoe doesnt always work smoothly.

with that said, i mainly sit rear (unless im trolling around the lake and i want a break) and i bring 2 baitcasters and a long spinning rod.

St. Croix Triumph $75.  Same exact rod as Premier (except made in St. Croix Mexico facility).

Also, I disagree with going cheap on a rod and spendy on a reel.  Any Shimano spinning over $50 is great!

solotripper wrote on May 20^th, 2013 at 1:31pm:


Thats why good rods come with warranties.  I purchased 3 St. Croix premiers 8 years ago and have never had to purchase a new one.  My bait caster broke a tip some years back.  Brought to my local Gander Mtn and I was given a new one no questions asked.