Need a 200$ bank fishing rod for Jigs and Texas rigs

[white84z]

I'm looking for a rod around 200$ to compliment my XX EMTF for bank fishing. I currently have a calcutta 201dc on the EMTF and use it for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I'm looking for a rod to cover 3/8-1/2 oz jigs and Texas rigs. I'm leaning towards the megabass levante brailist but would like to see whats out there.

[Fishing4Fun]

New or used?

Used you may be able to get a gen 1 Orichi XX Perfect Pitch for about that much.

New there should be lots of options for a rod at 15-20% off this weekend with the Memorial day sales. Sometimes Kistler has the Helium 3 rods for around $200 shipped on their website. That would be a great rod for those apps. I have the 7'4 MH xf and it gets used for jigs and texas rigs right around that weight class with not issues.

[white84z]

New or used?

Used you may be able to get a gen 1 Orichi XX Perfect Pitch for about that much.

New there should be lots of options for a rod at 15-20% off this weekend with the Memorial day sales. Sometimes Kistler has the Helium 3 rods for around $200 shipped on their website. That would be a great rod for those apps. I have the 7'4 MH xf and it gets used for jigs and texas rigs right around that weight class with not issues.

I'm looking for new preferrably. I'm more than likely ordering from tackle warehouse. I've looked into the Alx Zolo Toadface, Megabass Levante Braillist and the Dobyns Champion 735. The champion comes in at 220 with the discount but I'm not sure if it's worth the money over the Alx or Levante.

[Fishing4Fun]

The Champions have average at best feel, IMO you can do better for the $. The gen 1 Orhichi XX rods had above average feel and exceptional balance along with Fuji components. If you are ok with used the Perfect Pitch is excellent for what you are describing. The new Levante is supposed to be a step of from the Gen 1 rods in terms of feel and styling but the reel seat used, seems to be a love it or hate it style.

The St Croix Avid line is popular choice at that price point.

You mentioned ALX and the Zolo series. I have the Maestro spinning rod and it is well worth the money.

The Abu Garcia Villan 2.0 is supposed to be an outstanding performer and it has pretty nice styling to it.

If you stretched the budget a bit more the Shimano Expride A rods are so nice and so popular they are hard for retailers to keep them in stock. If you can't find them at TW you could try TheHookupTackle or LandBigFish.

[hoohoorjoo]

Imho, you should forget about any Dobyns rods. Sensitivity is lackluster at best, and completely dead, depending on length/power/action, even within the same Champion series. They are overpriced in the extreme, but that's just one guys opinion.....no, wait, I know several people who feel the same.

[white84z]

Good to know know the Dobyns. I can get a helium 3 right now for 240, the Alx comes in at 180 and the Levante is 200.

What Helium 3 would you guys recommend for 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. I'm probably going to mount my 50th anniversary zillion and spool it with 60lb sunline fx2 so I'm not sure if there will be that much of a difference sensitivity wise between the rods.

[white84z]

Went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Helium 3. I ended up getting the 7'3" Heavy X-Fast. I figure I can change the reel on the EMTF and it can cover the lower end of the range in a pinch. The Kistler rod can cover jigs to frogs no problem I'm sure.

[TommyG]

Good choice! I use mine for jigs, frogs, and single hook swinbaits, it gets the job done.

[white84z]

Good choice! I use mine for jigs, frogs, and single hook swinbaits, it gets the job done.

That will be perfect then. Might find another spool for my zillion to put 20lb flouro on it just in case. I'm also thinking about putting a different reel on the megabass to make it a little more versatile. The 5:1 on the calcutta seems a bit slow on the chatterbaits.

[TommyG]

Good choice! I use mine for jigs, frogs, and single hook swinbaits, it gets the job done.

That will be perfect then. Might find another spool for my zillion to put 20lb flouro on it just in case. I'm also thinking about putting a different reel on the megabass to make it a little more versatile. The 5:1 on the calcutta seems a bit slow on the chatterbaits.

I got an SV103 spool for my Zillion SV TW, holds a good bunch of 20lb. floro and casts well.

[white84z]

Good choice! I use mine for jigs, frogs, and single hook swinbaits, it gets the job done.

That will be perfect then. Might find another spool for my zillion to put 20lb flouro on it just in case. I'm also thinking about putting a different reel on the megabass to make it a little more versatile. The 5:1 on the calcutta seems a bit slow on the chatterbaits.

I got an SV103 spool for my Zillion SV TW, holds a good bunch of 20lb. floro and casts well.

My zillion is a 50th anniversary. Dang near stole this thing. Picked it up for 150, never been fished. I thought about looking for a pe special spool but they are pricey.