Cheap Vs. Expensive - Best Fishing Rods

Before you buy new fishing rods check out this video! What are you really getting for your money? Are all of these different rods worth it or are some a better value? Matt explains his 4 favorite rod lines (from cheap to expensive) and what sets each one apart.

When choosing the best rod lines to invest your money Matt used the follow criteria... How sensitive are the rods? How consistent is the entire line? Do they make enough models to cover the average angler's needs? Is this the best all-around rod in its class?

The Colt is a great line of rods in the $80 price range. They cover all of your basic techniques with fairly slow actions that will help you land fish. Quality is excellent for the price and best of all, they seem to be consistent.

Standout Models...
7' Medium spinning- All around finesse
7' Medium Heavy Crankbait - lipless and deep cranks
7' Heavy- jigs, Texas rigs, small swimbaits

The Fury line covers everything from finesse to giant swimbaits. Its a true "do everything" line of rods and you can do if for $120 a piece. These are fantastic rods for the price which some great models to choose from.

StandOut Models...
-7' Medium Spinning - Finesse Fishing
-7' Medium heavy - all around
-7'3" Extra Heavy - Frogging
-8' Heavy- Big Swimbaits and Glidebaits

The Expride is currently our favorite rod line on the market. They're incredibly light and sensitive and perform along side rods that cost nearly twice their price. At $279, these rods are amazing!

Standout Models...
-7' Light + Spinning- Dropshot, Ned Rig, Tubes
-7'2" Medium Heavy- All Around topwater, Texas rigs, reaction
-7'3" Extra Heavy- Frog fishing
-7'11" Extra Heavy- Best Flipping Stick On The Market (at any price)

The NRX is the industry standard for sensitivity and ultra light performance. These rods are second to none and offer a variety of amazing models. If you're looking for high-end performance that you can rely on year after year, the NRX is for you!

Stand Out Models...
- 802S JWR: Light Dropshot and Ned Rig
- 852C JWR: Shaky Head, small keitech, worms, finesse
-853C JWR: Light Jigs, Texas Rigs
-894C JWR: Heavy Jigs, Texas Rigs, Jig Head Swimbaits, big spinnerbaits

Matching Reels...
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Equipment We Recommend...

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[oldhickory]

Never lose sight of the most important thing to have in your Arsenal. The passion for fishing. It transcend's all price points. Thanks TB for the great information learned through experience. I would love to throw some of the more expensive rods that you have named. But they just aren't in my budget. I've fished Fitzgerald rods for a while now and feel they have a well-rounded lineup. Thanks be safe and enjoy your weekend.

[shred]

I tend to spend $100-150 on a rod and casting reel, which I find to be the sweet spot. My most expensive rod is a St. Croix Avid X 6'9" ML/XF spinning rod I use for finesse. My cheapest rod is a Cabela's whuppin' stick. I tend to go for a St. Croix Mojo Bass or Daiwa Tatulas typically, which are really nice and sometimes I can find them well below retail which makes them a complete steal, and for reels the Tatula CT, Tatula SV, Curado K and Pflueger Supreme XT are all solid choices (I actually like the cheaper and lesser known Pflueger Supreme XT better than the Shimano Curado K to be honest, it's a great reel that most bass anglers don't know about).

For spinning reels, I can get away with spending a lot less and get a good reel that will last a long time. The Daiwa BG is easily on par with reels costing over twice the price, will last longer but it's a little bit heavier, which doesn't even bother me. If I'm on a budget, the Daiwa RG and Pflueger President are excellent.

I could drop a bit more on $500+ G Loomis rods, it may be nice but at the end of the day it's not going to make me a better angler. If you have the money, go for it but there's a few actions missing from my lineup, which would be money better spent imo.

[kenbailey]

I gotta say I get super tired of videos and forum threads where someone asks about a particular rod in a particular price range and they get flooded with suggestions way above their budget. This video was a nice change of pace... you make those recommendations but then explain WHY spending into the next bracket is worthwhile. Well done lads. I have to admit, I have different recommendations in the lower price ranges but I respect that you took the time to make a case and defend your choice. Cheers.

[DROPTINE]

Hello, I just would like to say you guys have the most informative and educational videos on youtube PERIOD! I have been fishing for 25+ years as well as Tournament fish and I always Learn something from ALL your videos! THANKS Matt and

[strasbertos]

You know i love you guys and you have fantastic taste in equipment. That said, I really think the St. Croix Tournament series should at least merit an honorable mention. Their build quality is amazing, they are USA made and they have a fantastic warranty and replacement program. Just my 2 cents. Fish On!

[coreygillum]

I wld love to see a blind taste test. I'm skeptical about a 600$ rod.

[shpuply]

I've been eyeing the Fury line for a while now. I think you've just helped me finalize my choices. Thanks a ton Matt!

[howabouthetruth]

Been a devout bass angler since age 7, in 1969. I fish today here in Florida now, more than ever. I've used all the upper-mid shelf to top shelf reels & brands, and many of the lower mid-shelf rods. Today, I'm completely sold on Lew's baitcaster reels and rods. I've got 10 of their reels ( 6 Pro-G's, 2 Super Duty's, and 2 BB1 Pro's ) and 10 of their TP1 Speed Sticks ( started with em so much, I got 6 more ) with IM8 blanks, Wynn split grip handles & the special Micro-Wave guides by American Tackle. All my rods are various lengths & actions, and I truly feel they are the best $100 rod on the market. It has now been over 2 years of fishing hard, multiple times every week ( weather permitting ), year I have yet to break one of these even a line guide. They are the lightest rod I've held in that price range, and good sensitivity too. I know tons of other anglers love em as well. But last year, I had picked up another reel, an old classic, just for kicks, and was in a rush for another rod, so I hit Walmart & got a $50/$60 Berkley Lightning rod. Right away, the older classic reel wouldn't balance at all on the Lightning rod, so I had to switch to one of my newer Lew's reels. Yet the old classic reel DID balance ok on my Speed Stick that I had swapped out with. On the first day fishing that Lightning rod, my hand started cramping, and got a blister from the FUJI trigger. As soon as I picked up one of my Speed Sticks, my hand felt so much more comfortable, right away. I know a lot of guys like the Lightning rods, and I did use it for 2 months & caught quite a few bass on then, IT HAPPENED: I hooked into what looked like a 10 lb bass ( I've caught many double digit bass ) on the Stick Marsh reservoir, and got her boatside. She made another hard run directly under the boat, and I did have plenty of line off the rod tip, because I know better. That damned Lightning rod snapped completely in half ( using mono line ), sounded like a rifle shot, and cut my line at the same time. Boy was I Lost that big fish and my lure. I won't be buying anymore Lightning rods, and sticking with my $100 Lew's TP1 Speed Sticks. Sure, there's "better rods" on the market, but you WILL be paying at least twice as much or more for them. Just "my 2 each his own.

[scottbunning]

Ima just going yard selling And hope some pissed of wife has her husbands fishing gear out there while he’s napping lol

[ahastar]

I was kind of hoping the st croix bass x line was going to get mentioned. I have found that line to be a great price and I have been very impressed with what I got for my money.

[Evilliboba]

I just got my first Fury. I like it so far.

My other setups have Powell Infernos. I really like that line and I think it is fairly comparable to the Fury. Design is super cool as well.

[zekereed]

I keep coming back to this video, I bought a dobyns colt spin rod last year. Very happy with it. So this year I am gonna buy another and a fury. Thankyou thankyou thankyou for these videos. Best wishes and tight lines everyone.

[GabePeltier]

A little surprised St. Croix didn’t make its way into this video

[jacobkitchen]

Just for a little confidence if you on the edge about the colt, I was bank fishing for smallmouth and I lost my balance and stepped right on the colt. The rod was bridged across two rocks about 2 feet away and I stepped right on the backbone that had no support. It didn't break and I still use it today.

[danielbryan]

This channel is why I started using Dobyns and I have from Furys to the Champion XP. And I love them all. I would love to try the Extreme but little to high for me

[dankfrank]

Fury series is the real deal. I have a 806, 795 and 735. Hard to beat for $100. When the Colt series came out I had to try one, got a 705cb and it’s now my favorite rod for walking baits. Good stuff from Dobyns

[akira]

After 25 years of using Zebco 33's I just bought a $60 Berkley Lightning Shock and and $50 Abu Garcia Silvermax to pair it with. And I though that was expensive lol

I'm sorry but I just couldn't spend $400 on a single rod unless it was how I made a living.

[bobr]

I'm going to buy a Fury this week. After reading the comments I realized that I've caught the most fish (up to 3 lb bass) on a $5.00 Diawa Ultralite glass rod and a $30.00 Quick 100 that I bought as a kid in the early 1970s. Still have the combo. Thinking about re-spooling and and digging out the old 4" Rebels. Fishing was more fun before it became technical.

[TheWinstonDouble]

I have a rod that I bought 10 years ago for $20 new. Caught hudreds of fish on it and it still works just fine. It's sad that I'll never find a deal like that again. Everything got way too darn expensive.

[riccardocarbo]

Got the Expride Spinning 7' Med. And WOW! The rod is drop dead gorgeous in looks and feel. That patterning with the X wraps is sexy stuff. Super light (107g) tons of backbone and the tip is perfect for twitching most baits. Very comfortable. Thanks for the spot on recommendation, Matt. I also have the Dobyns Sierra 734C and it's very similar but a little less sensitive and a tad stiffer than the Expride 702. Great that you did this video and explained the choices according to increasing performance for the dollar. Happy Casting!