I mainly fish for bass (large and  small mouth)and sometimes walleye when i can get them. I had a Berkley rod mh 6 ft that i snapped because of anger,  I know they are very strong and sensitive. Is there a better rod out there at bass pro for like 40- 50 bucks.  I was thinking shimano volaetus,  but have doubts about  weight and  sensitivity?

Uglystick . Have several of them even stepped on them and never broke one 29.99 wallmart love them

I have used with ugly sticks and they have sensitivity like a cinder block. yes they are indestructible but you can't feel a thing to set the hook. the only thing theyre good for is live bait fishing for carp or catfish. I would rather fish with my bare hads tha a fugly stick.

The Volteaus rod is like a slim downed ugly stick lite. If the ugly stick is like a cinder block, then the volteaus will be like a brick. You might just look strictly at graphite rods. I have some Shakespeare Sigma Titanium rods that I really like, but time has taken it's toll on these rods. I think they were about $30. I had a Quantum Snapshot rod that I like as well but it eventually snapped on me as well.

I have been looking at some Abu Garcia rods but I really don't like the round metal reel seat. I have always been impressed with some Pinnical rods, but never pulled the trigger on one. Sometimes house brand rods might be a better value. I've never really looked much into them.

Have you looked at Berkley Cherrywood rods? I have  light and  medium action spinning rods that I like very much. For baitcast I use Quantum rods.

in my experience, it is tough to beat the lightening rod for the price. Spend just a bit more ($70) and the St. croix triumph is fantastic. Also, Dick's Sports has an exclusive made for them by field and stream, the tec spec. At $60, i honestly don't think you can do better. Or, go used.

in my experience, it is tough to beat the lightening rod for the price. Spend just a bit more ($70) and the St. croix triumph is fantastic. Also, Dick's Sports has an exclusive made for them by field and stream, the tec spec. At $60, i honestly don't think you can do better. Or, go used.

Hello everyone, i have both the berkley cherrywood and berkley lightening shock in baitcasting and spinning.. I think the berkley lightening rods are a very good rod for the money i like them better then the cherrywood..(again this is just my personal choice on the berkley brands ) If it were me i would stay with that for the money...bass pro has a few here......... tourney special $49.99, crankin' stick $69.99, bionic $79.99, Rick clunn rcx $99.99, extreme $99.99 carbonlite $119.99........ I have all of these in both baitcaster and spinning they all good rods........I you can wait until next years new modles come out you can get them any where from 40 to 60 persent off of reg. price... sorry for rambeling on and i hope this helps you out ............JOHN

Here's my humble 2 cents worth on this discussion

For Ugly Stiks...consider the "Lite" series....better sensitivity.

I have both Cherrywood and Lighting rods by Berkely...and like them both.

At the same time though...I won't buy a rod at regular price...ALWAYS sale price

And that includes the Basspro rods. I have 3 of them that I got on sale...and they are exceptable for the sale price.

Unfortunately....when it comes to rods and reels...50 different folks will have 50 different experiences....and SOME of those will get obnoxous if you disagree with them 

Another option for you is to ask your friends if you can fish with them and try their outfits.

JMHO

Hello albaneasy, I have a 5` ugly stick 1 piece that works great for shore. I usually use a 1/4 oz weight with an 18 treble hook for powerbait. 2 or 4 # flourocarbon line. 2 weeks ago I caught 3 3lbs trout at Irvine Lake. I have used it at least 30 times this year inclding rain, heat and even cold weather. It is durable and, with the right reel (I have a shimano sedona) it should work fine. es it is not the most sensitive but it works fine and I like the smaller action. I also have a 6` cherry wood that I use for inflated nightcrawlers and any type of juice. This one is more sensitive and is a good caster. My next rods will be a either a berkley tactix or a lightning 5'6" or 6'6". good luck.

I have both the Berkeley Amp 6'-6" and Lighting Rod Shock 7'-0" spinning rods and like them both for sensitivity, strength and price. I use the Amp for drop-shotting/Lindy rigging and the Shock to jig for king salmon and casting cranks for pike. Neither has let me down yet, and if there's a fish that will break a rod, it's a king. I've caught up to 30" salmon and 34" pike on the Shock. Compared to my St Croix Triumph baitcaster setup, these rods seem to handle just as nice and don't feel one bit heavier. Have had Cherrywood rods in the past, and they are very nice too, but they were just a little too "soft" for me. Maybe I should have gotten a fast action instead of the medium fast. Another setup that I have and really like for sensitivity is a Fenwick Eagle, but it seems every time I pull the rod out of the locker I'm bending the guides back straight.

Tactix or Lightning Rods?
which one would you prefer?Anybody who has responded ?

Fenwick Eagle is the rod of my choice.

Wish I could buy a Fenwick for $40! As for $40 rods, has anyone fished a Shimano Voltaeus? Tom

Go to the shop with a friend hold the tip of the rod tip against there throat and halve them talk and see if you can feel the vibration in the rod.
Most folks i know are pretty loyal to brand names just like fishing line .

cabelas guide series are not bad rods for the price either . check out the bargain cave.

I do like my Berkly lightning rod though.

I have about 15 differnt rods and reel set ups. other then my skeet reese rod i would have to say that my berkely lightning shock rods are my goto rods.. I love them and the price is right and they hold up very well.. Thats just my thought everyone has there favorite rods and these work for me..Thanks John

@OP, not sure if there is a rod much better. I have a 7ft ML 1pc lighting rod and I love it. If I was to buy anything else in the sub $50 price range I would just get a dirt cheap $8.00 Shakespear Durango fiberglass rod. They are excellent for the price, but no way I would wast my money on a fugly stick as they are heavy and like mentioned they have the sensitivity of a broom handle.