Looking for a CalStar 196 Clone for < $100.0

Hi yaker:

          I would love to have the money to buy a new Calstar 196 but,  $ 190.0 at Fishermans' Warehouse it's just too much. I'm looking for anything that's close to the performance but < $100.0
                                                                                                                       Thanks
                                                                                                                        Ernie

It is not a clone of your CalStar but I would recommend a Shimano Trevala, great rod and $99.

It is not a clone of your CalStar but I would recommend a Shimano Trevala, great rod and $99.

Amen to that! Get the 30 to 80 # rod - this seems to be the favorite  Nor Cal standard. Perfect for almost everything.....Halibut , rockfish and Sturgeon 

The 30-80 is not equivalent to the 196.  Perhaps the 7 foot 20-50 rod is.

BTW, I have a 30-80 now, but find it a tad bit stiff for my tastes.  I'll reserve that rod for when I'm jigging heavier stuff (~8 ounce jigs).

-Allen

The 30-80 is not equivalent to the 196.  Perhaps the 7 foot 20-50 rod is.

BTW, I have a 30-80 now, but find it a tad bit stiff for my tastes.  I'll reserve that rod for when I'm jigging heavier stuff (~8 ounce jigs).

-Allen

Out of the 7 guys I know you have the Trevala 30-80 jigging rod, you're the only one who says it's too stiff.  Nearly all of us think it might be a little too flexy, but ideal for jigging up to 6 oz jigs.

I guess everyone's taste in rods differ.

Don't get me wrong.  I think the 30-80 is a great rod.  At a great price too.  I think my current tastes are to the lighter side these days, and a do like my rods a touch longer..  At 4 ounces I felt the rod was "straight" to much,  but that's what probably makes it a good jigging rod.

-Allen

The Calstar 196-7 E Glass blank is $57.16. You should be under $110 if you built it yourself. BTW the rod is a 10-25# class rod designed for live bait fishing with moderate fast action and fishes much differently than the trevala rods which are designed for jigging with braid. IMO, a more similar action rod would be the Shimano Teramar series wich range from $100-140.

Scott