Decent trout rods?

So I finally lost the tip of my old utralight trout rod that I had for many years.  Time for a replacement.

I see in another thread Mickfish likes his Lami MBC702L, and Shimano Compre...   but those are each just over $100...  Surely it's not necessary to spend that much for a decent trout rod?  Or is it????

Any recommendations that are a little more affordable?

Eric those are not good all around rods they cast like crap unless your lobbing bait, I pretty much just use them for trolling and I bought both on sale for about $50, but they are a lotta fun when you got a fish on.

I'm in the market too - looking strictly for a trolling rod although I don't want a noodle.  Already have one.  I need something heavy enough to pull a dodger or blades but will still have a soft tip - something with a little backbone I guess (sorry, don't know all the fancy rod lingo).

Mike, the way you describe the 2 rods above, I'm guessing that they are limp sticks.  Is my assumption correct?

Michael

Good to know, thanks.  I'll be using it to cast 1/4 oz Kastmasters and trolling Rapalas mostly, 6 lb test.

6.5 foot minimum, cork grips would be nice.

I would recommend the Cabelas Fish Eagle II rods, either the GS702 or GS703. They run about $80 and are great "all around" trout rods. I've actually built both of my trout rods using these blanks and I love them. I troll with both rods but I built up the 703 blank specifically as a troller. The 702 I built as a spinning rod and it casts 1/4oz lures like a dream, but has the backbone to horse the fish when you need to. Sure, you could buy a G Loomis or Lamiglas and spend a lot more for a lighter rod, but at med-light and ultra-light sizes these rods aren't too heavy. The action is great and I've caught some big catfish (~5lbs) by mistake when trout fishing with the ultra-light, and the rod handled them without a problem.

That sounds perfect, Jay, except I have neither the desire, patience, nor space to learn how to wrap rods.

Eric, the Cabelas Fish Eagle II also comes pre-made for about $80 in both spinning
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0052330122471a&type=product

and casting varieties
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0052329122472a&type=product

so you don't have to know how to make a rod.

Awesome, I missed that.  Thanks!!

so you don't have to know how to make a rod.

Yup! Sorry I wasn't clear about what I was referring to. I've built rods using the Fish Eagle II blanks, but for $80 you can get a ready to fish rod. 

The Fish Eagles are nice but I would spend $20 more and go with a Compre or Cabela's XML now on Sale for $99 Concept Guides IM8 and better cork and considerably lighter the XML's also have a weight balancing butt system.

XML XCLS703-2A or XCLS762-2A
Compre CPS-70MLB*
Review http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocompre.html

If you want to go cheaper try a Fenwick HMX
Review http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfenwicks66l.html
 

Thanks, Mike.  Those all look like nice choices.

I've got a 7' UL Compre that is a blast to catch trout on. If you are looking to spend a lot less than $100 then an Okuma Celilo is a great cheap option. I bought mine for about $30. I believe it is the 6' 6" UL model (CE-S-662UL-1). Great bang for your buck. I haven't had any issues with it so far and have been fishing with it for over 2 years now.

-FF

Mike, the way you describe the 2 rods above, I'm guessing that they are limp sticks.  Is my assumption correct?

Michael

I have had a few compres myself and like them a lot.  Not limp, actually sorta stiff, but very light.  I have a habit of breaking them (another very long story)

Allen

Mike, the way you describe the 2 rods above, I'm guessing that they are limp sticks.  Is my assumption correct?

Michel

I have had a few compres myself and like them a lot.  Not limp, actually sorta stiff, but very light.  I have a habit of breaking them (another very long story)

Thanks Allen.  Looks like that is the way I'll probably go.  Now I just need some scratch.

Michael

  My fav trout rod is a plain 'ol Uglystik 5'6"  I use a shimano spirex(?) 2000 with 6lb line.  A 14" trout gives that pole a workout!  It casts really well for me.  I even troll with it, and it does the jod, but I'm sure there are much better trolling rod to be had.  It does seem to flex a little when I load a set of mini flashers on to troll, but hits are still very detectable.