does anyone know of a 20# rated rod for just about $100 or under? i'm looking for the biggest bang for the buck and hopefully i'll be able to find something that's comparable to a calstar 800L for that price. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks.

There are tons of rods I can think of but one that stands out is a 270-8, that's a calstar. I'm pretty sure it fits right into the price range you asked for. I don't know if you are looking for a graphite rod or a composite, but I believe a finished 800L is a little on the plus side of your price range. Too bad you don't wrap rods cause there are a lot of bitchen graphite rods that would really do the trick, depending on what you are planning to use the rod for (bait,plastic,other). If you are planning to use it for YELLOWTAIL (as your name implies :)) then the 2708H (which is rated 12-30) is a great choice. Its pretty good for fishing sardines in the kelp as well. I believe the 800L is rated 15-30.

Well if you are looking for something more specific, post again and I'll try to come up with some better suggestions, or more choices if you need em.


Tight Lines.............

Try www.Bad-Fish.com

actually the rod is for my bro, he's not an avid fisherman and probably gets out, literally, a couple times a year. i just thought a graphite 20# rod would be a good "all-round" rod for someone like him to have. he'd like to have his own rod but doesn't want to spend too much money on it. and if he's gonna buy one, he'd like to get something that's at least halfway decent. the rod would be used mainly for local bass and occasional yellowtail trips. thanks for the suggestions. i'll look into the 2708 and as always more suggestions are welcome.

I agree the 270-8 is a great 20# rod...Please note that the 270-8 and the 270-8H are two different rods...The first is rated 12-30 and the latter is rated 15-40...hence the "H" or "heavy" designation...The tapers are the same...They are relatively fast tapered bait rods but I also throw iron on my 270-8H...

I would also suggest looking at the Seeker Composite Series:

CLB 806 - It is very similar to the 800L but it is a little big softer although rated similarly for line class...Seekers have a lot of blanks that have the same numbers as Calstar and rated similarly but they seem to run a bit softer for a given line class...Not a bad thing if you like a bit softer rod...

Seeker also has a 270-7...

The range from Bass to Yellowtail is a big one so you may not find a rod that does both optimally...

You could also look at a lot of the inshore graphite trigger grip rods like the Tidemasters by St.Croix...8', fast, powerful rods that might be undergunned for yellows but perfect for bass, halibut, and bonita...Bait fishing for 'cudas might be fun on these as well...They are rated anywhere from 12-30 pounds but with the thinner grips they are not meant for big yellows...

My $.02...Good luck on your search...

-Mike Chung

tight lines

I second Thunnus on the St.Croix Tidemasters. My limited experience with a 6-12 spinning rod was fast taper and very powerful build for the line rating. Reasonably priced too. Great for plastics on SoCal saltwater bass. Impressed enough to have Leapin' Bass build two, St.Croix 3 piece travel rods sight unseen.

Check out Boater's world, the Lamiglas Inshore Series, these rods retail for $185, but Boater's got them for $99. I have 4 and these are great rods, they are graphite and are great for #20 line. Check it out, most people I introduce becomes owners. I also have 800XL and other graphiters, but I use the Lamiglas for Inshore type fishing. Largest fish caught was a 23 pound yellowtail at San Clement on a plastic. You can get 7'6 or 8', I preferr 8'... good luck

thanks for all the suggestions. i'll do some research and get a nice rod for my bro. i'll keep you guys posted on the lunkers he'll catch with it.