3-5kg rod for under $150

[da_houghsta]

Going up to Exmouth in less than a month and have left this to the last minute. I need to a 3-5kg rod, prefer 1 piece but happy with 2 I guess. Something rated to cast around 20g to suit a 2500 StradicFI or Symetre with 10lb braid as a medium combo. Needs to be no more than 7 foot, but no less than 6'6". Small butt is also wanted as I will be kayaking a lot and like to cast 1 handed, but I don't think there is many around that .

So far the Shimano Jewel is looking good;
702 Saltwater Spin 2.13m 2pc 3-6kg 7-21g
for $129, but is a 2 piece, but I do like the look of them.

There is also the Starlo Stix Tournament Pro 2009 range which (on DohDohDohDohDohDohDohDoh as well) has a 3-6kg rod:
STP Midspin 701 1pc Spin 2.13m 7-21g 3-6kg
for $129

The Shimano Raider series as well;
Esturay Spin 610 1pc Spin 2.08m 7-15g 3-6kg
for $119, but is only rated to 15g casting and I had the old Raider 2-4kg and wasn't too happy with the guides on it, not sure if this series has better guides.

Daiwa doesn't have much of a range in this low-price catagory, with really only the Tierra looking ok;
TR701MLFS Spin 7'/1pc Med/Light 6-10lb
for $139, most expensive that I'm looking at.

Finally Berkley Dropshot;
BDS681-35 Spin 6'8" 1pc 3-5kg
Doesn't say it's casting weight, but is the cheapest at $109 and is 1 piece too.

I realise everyone may have a different opinion based on their own loyalty as well as ones that they have personally owned, but it sure helps to have a rough idea before I go in and try them out. If I have missed any models as well that may work for me (but definatly under $150, preferably less as well), let me know.

Thanks!

[tuan]

get ready for it ... you are going to get a few posts saying Pflueger Trion Tourny 2-5kg.
butt is not ultra short though
up to 20gram cast weight no problems

rack raider 2-5kg. this will cast to 20grams as well
short butt

[T-Ledg]

ive been looking at the shimano jewel for a while now. and been thinking about getting it for my back up rod. either that or yeah the pflueger tournament is your next best option

[da_houghsta]

ah, I knew I forgot one thing. I have a 2-4kg Luvias though that I will be taking with me as my 'light' combo with a 1000F Stradic Ci4 with 10lb Varvias braid (got an 80cm Snapper on the combo the other day out of the kayak), so I have got that covered. I want something more in the 3-5/3-6kg catagory which I can lean into a bit more and tighten the drag up in order to pull fish out of snags. I just don't think the Luvias is powerful enough to go up against a decent Spango.

Looking on DohDohDohDohDohDohDohDoh, I can only see a 3-6kg rod in the Trion Graphite Series, not in the Tournament Series (not sure what the difference is as they are both $129.95?)
SP701MXFT 7’ 3-6kg Spin 1pc

[Hazell]

The Big Chain type Fishing stores have most of the Trion rods, go and have a feel, I remember them being OK.

[BlackBreamer]

If you can find a strudwick on special there a good rod for around that price

[Jules01]

At least the Berkley has Fuji guides and so has the Trion 3-6kg (which would be my pick).

[tuan]

I have the 3-6kg trion and it has a long ass butt - but being a 3-6kg you want it to have that extra length otherwise it's uncomfortable on long fights. Don't know if that will suit your kayak

[MattyBoy]

Originally Posted by tuan

I have the 3-6kg trion and it has a long ass butt - but being a 3-6kg you want it to have that extra length otherwise it's uncomfortable on long fights. Don't know if that will suit your kayak

Currently looking at a bay stick for my friend and the Trion is the only one I would not go for .... basically as it is labelled a 3-6 but in reality more like a 4-8kg and balances better with a 4000 size and 20lb The Dropshot Gen 3 is a nice rod for the money but I reckon he will end up with the Jewel in either a 2-5 or 3-6. I'd go and check them out as they are all different in action and could balance between 2500 and 4000 sized reels, you really need to feel these rods in our hands to see what I mean.

Ta
Matt

[saros]

Mate i have the Starlo Midspin matched to a Saros 3000. I bought mine for snapps and its been great. I also wanted it for our trip to Broome in October - chasing quennies etc on lures. I am running 10lb braid through it.

Ash from Arno Bay Fishing Adventures here in SA specialises in big, and i mean big, snapper and he runs Midspins and Maxspins. Some of the fish caught on midspins on his charter are unbelievable.

Do a search of the above on Youtube and youll see the midspin in action.

[quintrex101]

Pflueger Trion Pflueger Trion Pflueger Trion

3-6kg

[Caught Up]

I use a Starlo Stix Tournament Midspin 7ft 1 piece rated at 3-6kg. Great rod imo.