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re: Your fav trout spinning rod?

Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:09 pm to
Posted by Flats
Member since Jul 2019
28354 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:09 pm to
quote:

Yup. I will probably go ML for this one if I find the right one.


My favorite trout/slot red rod is a 7' St Croix Avid in ML but it's not a cheap beater, at least not for me. I don't get using MH for trout, it's like pulling them in on a boat winch.

I've had/have almost a dozen St Croix rods and the actions are really consistent across their lines, the cheaper ones are typically just:
1. assembled in Mexico instead of here
2. slightly heavier for the same length & weight
3. slightly cheaper eyes

In the description it tells you the grade of the blank they use, typically SCII or SCIII in their "don't choke on the price" rods. If I was blindfolded I probably couldn't tell you the difference between my 7'ML SCII assembled in Mexico and my 7'ML SCIII assembled in the US. Someone who fishes every day might but I can't.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87675 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:22 pm to
Posted by hall59tiger
Member since Oct 2013
3064 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:24 pm to
Couple overall thoughts when picking a rod:

I recommend sticking with a manufacturer that you already have experience with. Rod power/actions are unfortunately not standardized and changes from manufacturer to manufacturer and sometimes varies with each product line.

St croixs are pretty consistent across lines outside of a few first gen iterations (first batch of victory’s and a batch of one of their Mexico lines).

I have started to really like the daiwa tatula elite line but they are almost a full power down from the st croix lines (I’m way more familiar with st croix). The 7’3 M/XF would be a good rod for what you intend to use. It’s actually an extremely versatile rod and I will throw everything from a One knocker to lil John’s on 1/16th oz jig heads while rarely feeling over or under powered. Good taper to keep fish buttoned up with heavier or treble hooked baits.

If you want to stay within the st croix line then the 7’3” ML/XF would be my go to. I’m actually eyeing that one up right now as a back up to my tatula elite.
Posted by LSUA 75
Colfax,La.
Member since Jan 2019
4998 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:37 pm to
“Cost”

Go sell plasma,place on Jackson St pays $720 first month,I think it’s around $600/ month after that.

That’s how I paid for my first bass boat.It wasn’t much-14 ft.Tidecraft with stick steering,Motorguide trolling motor and 20 hp Mercury.
Caught a lot of fish out of that little boat.

Plasma doesn’t take a lot of time.Couple hours first time,about 1 1/2 hrs after that.I would go after class,twice a week,study during the procedure,be on Kincaid at 5:30 and fish til dark.

I would have never quit except I got hepatitis A from eating raw oysters.

Selling plasma is actually a public service,we used a lot of albumin in ICU,derived from plasma.Lots of other uses for it.

Posted by freshtigerbait
Somewhere
Member since Oct 2023
706 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:52 pm to
Little bit heavy, but i've done well with it
Posted by lsujunky
Down By The River
Member since Jun 2011
2705 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 12:53 pm to
I don't have any spinning rods but all my trout rods or St. Croix Premier. That way I don't feel bad if something happens to one of them when we have a extra person in the boat.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87675 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 1:03 pm to
quote:

“Cost”

Go sell plasma,place on Jackson St pays $720 first month,I think it’s around $600/ month after that.

That’s how I paid for my first bass boat.It wasn’t much-14 ft.Tidecraft with stick steering,Motorguide trolling motor and 20 hp Mercury.
Caught a lot of fish out of that little boat.

Plasma doesn’t take a lot of time.Couple hours first time,about 1 1/2 hrs after that.I would go after class,twice a week,study during the procedure,be on Kincaid at 5:30 and fish til dark.

I would have never quit except I got hepatitis A from eating raw oysters.


Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87675 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 1:32 pm to
Looked at some at lunch. Almost walked out with one of the new version Shimano Sellus ML.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
28805 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 1:44 pm to
I think I have an older Sellus. Very good rod. Also have and really like St Croix rods.

Most of my fly rods are St Croix.
ETA: I built all my fly rods save for 3-4.
This post was edited on 6/18/26 at 1:45 pm
Posted by Mister Bigfish
Member since Oct 2018
1299 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 2:10 pm to
quote:

AlxTgr


I do a lot of trout fishing and feel your pain. I like to have enough tackle so I can bring 3-4 guests and everyone has a few rods for the day. People are hard on rods so I get not spending too much on them. I like a medium 7 ft that’s light weight with good sensitivity.

By far the best value you can get is to wait for Plugias in Metairie to have their Bubba rod sale which they do every few months. Following them on FB and they will announce the day before. It’s 4 rods for $130.00. They usually sell out by then end of the day. I am not saying they are the best thing out there but they are light weight, sensitive, and can’t be beat for the money. Every other retailer usually sells the same rods for $150.00 each.

ETA:

Looks like they have gone down on price a little and can be found online for about $100.00 each. But Puglias sells them 4 for 130.00. Also I am not affiliated with the store in any way but love this deal which they do like clockwork.

LINK
This post was edited on 6/18/26 at 2:16 pm
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87675 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 2:16 pm to
quote:

People are hard on rods so I get not spending too much on them
I don't know how many times someone has reached back on the cast and caught some of the rods in the holders. We often remove them all and lay them down which then brings its own set of issues.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87675 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 2:18 pm to
quote:

I think I have an older Sellus
Acad still has the older blue ones. I feel like the 2026 version is an improvement in feel anyway.
Posted by Mister Bigfish
Member since Oct 2018
1299 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 2:25 pm to
quote:

I don't know how many times someone has reached back on the cast and caught some of the rods in the holders. We often remove them all and lay them down which then brings its own set of issues.


I do the exact same thing unless it’s only myself and 1 other experienced angler.
Posted by Redlos
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2005
1189 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 4:03 pm to
Order 7’ Med Falcon Coastal XG and have them delivered to store, either WalMart or Academy.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
20929 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 4:41 pm to
I have a Penn Battle 2 that has been sitting in the box for a long time now, been needing to buy another rod. I will likely just grab Falcon Coastal from Academy. 80% of my fishing is popping corks or jigging so should work just fine.
Posted by Mister Bigfish
Member since Oct 2018
1299 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:07 pm to
Don’t know if I got a couple lemons but I stopped using falcon coastal. Last 2 I had didn’t make it through 2 trips.

If I were spending more than a hundred dollars on a rod for op’s application I would give a hard look at Bass Pro’s Carbon lite rods that have a 10 year warranty. Also another brand that a guy from B&B tackle was telling me about at the last outdoor show. I can’t remember the brand but it has a no questions asked warranty. Think I remember them being somewhere between 100-150 bucks. A quick phone call and I am sure they could tell you the brand.
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
18276 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:22 pm to
quote:

Artificial shrimp as small as the Shrimplet and if forced, live shrimp with one split shot.


Cajun Custom Rods is 40% off right now. I have their light series “Trigger” that is good for plastic shrimp tightlined.
Posted by TFLEX
TX
Member since Jun 2023
393 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:44 pm to
Man my Falcon Coastal XD 7'6 M and ML have been amazing. Probably favorite all time for throwing swim baits at trout. Have a Shimano 2500 on one and a Daiwa BG 2500 on the other. Shimano is a little more refined.

Waterloo Phantom 7'0 M does my popping cork work. Good rod- little stiffer than the others.

Daiwa Procyon 7'6 ML has been a workhorse that I use a ton and let kids use.

Also have a Castaway 7' has always felt good, guides rotted real quick and I had to replace them all.

Best Bang for buck to me - is Falcon coastal ML and a Shimano Nasci 2500. 15lb braid and send it.

Posted by SWHouston Tiger
Missouri City, TX
Member since Aug 2021
91 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 5:53 pm to
I typically use spinning rigs when throwing live shrimp or croaker for trout/reds/flounder. I like a lighter setup with a 6’9”, 7’, or 7’6” rod and a 2500 size reel. Just my opinion, but I’ve never felt the need to have an expensive spinning rod because you don’t really need the extra sensitivity for live bait. Nothing wrong with the heavier setups, but I prefer the lighter ones as I usually only wade or surf fish.

All of these are on clearance or sale at Academy.
• Daiwa Laguna Spinning Rod Shop Daiwa Now priced $35.99. This is a newer version of the ones that I have, but really like mine. Not sure if the new version is the same quality/specs with just a different paint job.

• Falcon AlTrax Spinning Rod Now priced $47.99 – Very light and sensitive. Great value in my opinion.

• Daiwa Aird Coastal Inshore Saltwater Spinning Rod on clearance at Academy for $32 right now. Either the 7'6" or 7" – I’ve had great luck with the 7’ one and the clearance price is great.

This goes against my going cheap on spinning rod philosophy, but I just really love waterloo rods. I have the salinity that I got fairly cheap off FB Marketplace and it is my go to rod. I have a baitcast Tide Series that is solid, and would assume the spinning version is too.

• Waterloo Rod Company Tide Series 6 ft 9 in M Spinning Rod Now priced $116.79

• Waterloo Rod Company Salinity 7 ft M Spinning Rod Now priced $151.99

• Waterloo Rod Company Salinity 7' M Saltwater $151.99

I don’t think they sell these at academy any longer, but have the 7'6" and 7’ versions and they’ve been great rods.

CastAway Rods Croaker Smoker Spinning Rod - 7'6" $99.99

Does Security still sell rods?
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
23286 posts
Posted on 6/18/26 at 6:22 pm to
I like a 7' Medium Ugly Stick Carbon Elite, I slaaannnng them 4-Horseman 100 yards.
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