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Chuckles
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03/08/2021 04:18PM  
I've been looking for a new/back-up rod for the BWCA and don't know much about rods.
Someone locally is selling the rods below. I'd consider buying two if they're good rods. My primary/only rod is a lightweight one from Sheels that is a piece of crap.

1- berkley lighting rod 5' 6" with Shimano reel $30
2- Berkley lighting rod 7' MH, with Abu Garcia reel - $40
3-bass pro rod 7'MH with Shakespeare reel $12
4- Im predator (Sheels) been shorted 5' 'rod with 5 bearing reel -$20
5-fenwick HMG graphite rod 6' with Shimano reel $25
6- berkley rod 6',with Abu Gracia reel -$20
7- ugly stick cat fish rod 8' with vintage Mitchel 300 reel $20

Link below with pictures, but you may need to log into Facebook.
Not sure if this will work, but...

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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mgraber
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03/08/2021 08:02PM  
1-Berkley Lightning rods are fine but I would personally consider 5.5 feet too short, unless it was an ultralight, and that would not be appropriate for most BW fishing.
2-This would be OK if it were M or even ML but MH is too stiff for most BW fishing unless trolling big crankbaits for lakers or targeting monster pike.
3-Same as number 2.
4-Again, too short.
5-This is a possibility, is it a M or ML action?
6-Same as number 5.
7-No. I have 6 of these in bait cast models, and use them when targeting big blue catfish here in Kansas. I can drag 10 pounders in like they were panfish, and have no trouble with 30-50 pounders and am sure they would work well for much larger fish(just haven't broken the 50 lb mark yet but a friend got a 65 with this rod and had no problem), so not appropriate for BW.
In my opinion you are looking for a 6-7 ft medium or medium light rod, preferably med. fast to fast action (the rod has most of the bend in the upper 1/3 ) and a decent quality spinning reel in the 2000-3000 size range.
 
mgraber
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03/08/2021 08:25PM  
A nice outfit is going to cost you like 80-300 or more. If your budget is tight, a friend of mine who isn't a super serious fisherman and is not in to high end fishing gear ( but loves super expensive hunting gear lol) use a 6 1/2 ft Med. action Ugly Stik GX2 spinning combo and likes it. The rods are very tough and the reel seems adequate. Walmart has them for about 40.00. If you want nicer options just ask, I and many others can give you ideas if we know your budget.
 
outsidethebox
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03/08/2021 08:29PM  
I agree with your rod assessment, Mr. Graber. Otherwise we may be neighbors- Marian Reservoir...Goessel school district?
 
mgraber
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03/08/2021 08:50PM  
outsidethebox: "I agree with your rod assessment, Mr. Graber. Otherwise we may be neighbors- Marian Reservoir...Goessel school district? "


Hello fellow Kansan! Yes, we are close to being neighbors. I live in Wichita, but grew up in Cheney and Goddard as my Dad taught school in Wichita and we farmed between Kingman and Pretty Prairie. I am retired from school district and waiting for wife to retire from district so we can GET OUT OF WICHITA. I am very familiar with your area. Didn't you post recently about a trip with your brother, and your wife walking in the Tallgrass Prairie NP in the thread about getting in shape for portaging? If so, I wanted to say hi then, but was really tired. I have fished Marion many times.
 
Savage Voyageur
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03/09/2021 09:47AM  
I would suggest a 6 1/2’ to 7’ long medium fast 2 piece rod, ugly stick makes a nice one and it won’t break the bank.
 
03/09/2021 09:55AM  
Savage Voyageur: "I would suggest a 6 1/2’ to 7’ long medium fast 2 piece rod, ugly stick makes a nice one and it won’t break the bank. "


Agreed. A 6 1/2 -7 foot medium fast rod is a great all purpose rod. I have mostly 2 piece but that was because they are easier to fit into the car without risk of breaking a tip. Once I load the canoe I put them together and strap them under the seats for traveling in the BWCA. With that said either a 1 or 2 piece should be fine depending on preference.

Are you looking for reels to pair with the rod as well or just the rod? If you need a reel to pair with an all purpose rod the Shimano Sedona 2500 is a good choice.

As for the list in the first post I'd probably skip all of those. 5 and 6 are really the only maybes but it depends on what action the rods have but they are still a touch short for my liking.

Depending on your budget I'm sure we can give more specific advice if we know what dollar range you're looking to be in.
 
Chuckles
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03/09/2021 11:31AM  
Thanks all for the advice. I don't have a real budget now, just thought these might have fallen into my lap. I'll likely do a bit more research and come back to this board when I'm ready to decide.

Thanks again.
 
cyclones30
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03/09/2021 12:34PM  
I agree on the 5 or 6 being maybe options. Link didn't bring anything up for me. But I agree w/ what's been said already. Med Light or Med with fast tip....6.5' or so. 7 is as long as you probably want for BW trips. 6' is getting a little on the short end
 
03/09/2021 06:35PM  
A backup rod is your last line of defense-I go with a Ugly Stick. I have broke the tips of many graphite rods in the BWCA. I have cut down the two pieces and reinserted on inside another and taped for continued use of it.
 
outsidethebox
distinguished member (175)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/09/2021 06:36PM  
mgraber: "
outsidethebox: "I agree with your rod assessment, Mr. Graber. Otherwise we may be neighbors- Marian Reservoir...Goessel school district? "



Hello fellow Kansan! Yes, we are close to being neighbors. I live in Wichita, but grew up in Cheney and Goddard as my Dad taught school in Wichita and we farmed between Kingman and Pretty Prairie. I am retired from school district and waiting for wife to retire from district so we can GET OUT OF WICHITA. I am very familiar with your area. Didn't you post recently about a trip with your brother, and your wife walking in the Tallgrass Prairie NP in the thread about getting in shape for portaging? If so, I wanted to say hi then, but was really tired. I have fished Marion many times."


Yup :)

 
03/09/2021 06:57PM  
Pinetree: "A backup rod is your last line of defense-I go with a Ugly Stick. I have broke the tips of many graphite rods in the BWCA. I have cut down the two pieces and reinserted on inside another and taped for continued use of it."


Fenwicks and St. Croixs break as well as the best of 'em. Buy something inexpensive and replaceable. Rods get tough usage in the BW/Q.

It's not the rod that catches the fish, it's the fisherman.
 
03/09/2021 07:12PM  
bobbernumber3: "
Pinetree: "A backup rod is your last line of defense-I go with a Ugly Stick. I have broke the tips of many graphite rods in the BWCA. I have cut down the two pieces and reinserted on inside another and taped for continued use of it."



Fenwicks and St. Croixs break as well as the best of 'em. Buy something inexpensive and replaceable. Rods get tough usage in the BW/Q.


It's not the rod that catches the fish, it's the fisherman."


Yes the two mentioned above is what were breaking on me.
 
03/10/2021 11:07AM  
While #5 and #6 might be decent options, but I would recommend considering buying new. $40 each for a rod and reel isn't bad. Maybe you buy #5 or #6 and just use the rod with a new reel. Having a good reel that won't tangle your line, slip gears, or that's hard to reel under pressure is more important than having a shiny new rod.

It's hard to tell the quality online though, I can't see the pictures so I don't even know what it looks like. What you are going to want to look for in a rod are damaged eyelets that could nick the line or damage to the rod which would make it easier to break. Reels though, you need to test out in person. Feel how smoothly it spins, make sure it doesn't slip backwards, and that the bail closes when it is supposed to. I had an older reel that lasted me about 15 years that started to reel backwards when it wasn't supposed to and the bail stayed open once in a while. It's incredibly frustrating, leads to tangles, and can cause you to lose fish. It still looks great and spins nice though. This is why I don't like to buy used anymore, I could see myself buying one like the one I have and not finding the faults until you are fishing with it.
 
Basspro69
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03/10/2021 03:31PM  
6 1/2 to 7 foot rod medium. Longer rods are very forgiving on hook sets and fighting fish IMO.
 
03/11/2021 07:25AM  
I take a 6'6" and a 7' ugly stik elite each with a Pflueger President 35 spooled with 10lb Fireline Tracer. Each rig would run you about $125. A little less if you find sales.
 
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