Which Spinning Rod Should I Get?

[tbae]

So I used to fish the piers with my 6 foot 6 inch Uglystik Medium GX2 spinning rod and a 7 foot Uglystick Medium Heavy Catfish spinning rod. Recently I broke my GX2 and replaced it with the Elite brand (same 6 foot 6 inch Medium).

As I got more into fishing I questioned whether the 7 foot rod was the best choice to pair with my 6 foot 6 inch rod (given the similarity in length - I didn't know any better when I started fishing so I think I just bought this the 7 foot rod not thinking it through enough).

So now I would like to buy another spinning rod (medium heavy - 2pc because I don't have truck) to pair with my 6 foot 6 inch Medium Elite rod.

Any suggestions on which rod I should get?

I don't want to break the bank so looking for something like $60 - $80 range.

Oh one more thing, I'd like to pair this new rod with my Daiwa BG 4000.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TheFrood]

Where are you going to be fishing and what do you plan/what would you like to catch?

 

[tbae]

I usually go to South OC - Dana Point Harbor (the pier and south jetty areas) and San Clemente Pier. I don't have a target species but in the fall I'd like to go for sargo and summer I go for croaker, although incidental catches can include rays/thornbacks (5-20 Lbs range). In the winter and spring I'll be happy to catch anything but usually it's various small to medium sized perch. I have a separate rod to throw metal jigs and spoons for pelagics but that's not part of this topic since I'm just looking to replace my heavier rod for now.

Thanks!

 

[TheFrood]

I'm actually waiting for Ken to respond to this... I could tell you what I have, what I use, and how I rig but I think that would work better as a cautionary tale than as advice, particularly when you consider my catch rate and skunk frequency!

 

[moonshine]

One of my last purchases was a Heartland Steelhead spinning rod. Not for everyone, but I like it. At 10' plus, it's a bit long for the pier but from shore or on the jetty, it's perfect for casting the dropshot or small spoons. I took it to the Upper Twin by Bridgeport and threw Kastmasters with little effort. A group of guys were on a pontoon boat where they thought they were out of casting distance. I threw a Phoebe just short of them.
I've taken it to Mission Bay and caught halibut bouncing Gulp! Minnows on the dropshot.
Despite the length, it's light enough to cast with one hand.

 

[MisterT]

Check out the rods at Okuma Fishing. I'm recommending them purely because I've appreciated their customer service. (I had the Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod.)

 

[Red Fish]

Shimano Clarus, Ugly Stik Intercoastal, Okuma SST or Rockaway. Any of these could do the job. Ugly Stik is heavier but still comes with a 7 year warranty (which is astounding).