Gear Guide: Casting Rods Under $200

Find the right casting rod to meet your fishing standards

by

By Perry Mack

Abu Garcia Veritas Toro Casting Rod

Hungering for a weapon to use against inshore, muskie, pike and any other large, hard pulling targets? The Veritas Toro blank has been upgraded to 30 ton graphite, a new reel seat (without last years exposed threads) and a freshly designed hook keeper to make this a smart choice. It’s also tricked out with stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts and a high density EVA grip.

Three fast action models from 7’9” to 8’6”, designed for 25-100 lb test, 1-16 oz lures, with medium-heavy to extra-heavy power.

MSRP: $150-$200 USD - Fish.shimano.com

Denali Kovert LT Casting

Denali has been tinkering with these to produce a more sensitive and 25% lighter series of rods. You should suffer less fatigue, giving more casts in the day and hopefully more fish in the boat. The rods feature IM8 graphite blanks, a lightweight skeletal reel seat, EVA handles and a stabilized hardwood fore grip to transfer the feel of the rod into your hand.

11 models from 6’9” to 7’11”, designed for 8-30 lb test, 3/8-2 oz lures, with moderate to extra fast action and medium to extra heavy power.

MSRP: $150 - Denalirods.com

Lew’s Custom Plus Casting

If you’ve enjoyed a lower price point series of Lew’s Speed Stick, but it’s time to up your angling game, Lew’s has a new rod for you. The Custom Plus blank is a multilayered, multidirectional HM60 graphite blank using Lew’s Power Core construction. Take what you liked about your old Speed Stick and triple it – stronger, and lighter with more sensitivity. The reliable skeletal reel seat and Winn Grip Dri-Tac grip remains the same, but the guides are upgraded to stainless steel frames with titanium inserts numbering 8-11+ tip depending on the model.

11 models from 5’9” to 7’11”, designed for 6-65 lb test, 1/8-3 oz lures, with moderate-fast to fast action and medium-light to extra-heavy power.

MSRP: $150 - $180 USD - lews.com

Phenix Feather Casting Rods

In creating this new rod, Phenix was looking to produce the lightest, most sensitive rods in the industry. The blank is engineered from 36 and 40 ton carbon fibre using Phenix proprietary Nanolite resins. Essex T-Ring Premium Carbide Guides, Phenix own carbon fibre reel seat, and a cork/EVA grip - with smart looking carbon accents - complete the rod.

Seven models from 6’9” to 7’7”, designed for 4-25 lb test, 1/8-2 oz lures, with fast to extra fast action and light to heavy power.

MSRP: $140-$170 USD - phenixrods.com

Quantum Smoke S3 Casting Rod

Faster tapers for 2018 create a rod with better tip action for enhanced sensitivity, and a more powerful butt for improved hook setting force. A carbon fibre wrap on the handle adds strength to the HSX64 high modulus graphite blank (in either 36 ton for more durability, or 40 ton for improved sensitivity) and sports a Fuji skeletal reel seat and Kigan aluminum oxide guides. The Kigan glides are uniquely designed slightly larger than a micro glide but smaller than a regular glide, which Quantum says is the best design for glide performance.

Ten one-piece models are available in lengths of 6’10” to 7’10”, 9 to 11 + tip guides, for line weights of 8-30 lbs, lures of 1/4 to 2 oz, with fast or extra fast action, and medium to heavy power.

MSRP: $149 - quantumfishing.com

Quantum Vapor PT Casting Rod

While we’re not huge fans of the look, the value is hard to deny in this new for 2018 series of rods. They are designed with a fast tapered HSX60 Toray graphite for good sensitivity and enough strength to pull fish from the cover. The series is finished off with premium cork handles, Kigan® aluminum oxide guides, and a one-piece ACS style reel seat.

Nine models from 6’10” to 7’10”, designed for 8-30 lb test, 1/4-2 oz lures, with fast to extra-fast action and medium-light to heavy power.

MSRP: $130 USD - quantumfishing.com

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