Hello, I am in the search of buying a new rod. I'm currently not a boater so my rod selection has to be versatile. I am looking to add a heavy action rod I can fish various styles with including carolina rigs, heavy jigs, flipping/pitching, frogs and maybe some smaller swim baits or A rigs. I have some credit from gander mountain so the rod would be one that they offer. I am ready to spend up to the $250 range for a rod.

Some that I have been looking at include:

Falcon mmc-6-174 7'4 heavy
Falcon cara amistad ccm-7-173
13 fishing envy black heavy x fast 7'1 or 7'3
G loomis e6x classic flipping stick 7'6
Denali lithium or kovert
Falcon lowrider or bucoo

I know everyone has their preferences but remember I have a certian place the rod needs to be bought from. Thanks

never used any of the rods you listed.

they have their Vortex rods on sale, overall good reviews. I have similar rated Lightning Rods and All Star rods. Caught bullreds up to 42" with abu 5500c3 and 6500c3 reels on 15# and 20# mono from piers and off the beach.

I also have never used any of those rods. But I do own a few GLXs. For jigs and frogs, I like the 854 (7'1"). For smaller swimbaits, flipping, and jigs, I like the 894 (7'5"). I know you've listed the 904, but I would really recommend the 894 in the E6X lineup, just because you might be more familiar with the taper on the JWR series over the Flip/Punch ones. I've gotten away with throwing light A-Rigs on the 894 and throw swimbaits like the 5" Zoom Swimmer and 6" Magdrafts, so I think it'll match your needs. I don't know if Gander carries the Dobyn Fury's, but I would also recommend those, just because I think they are the best rods you can get on a budget.

The Amistad is a great rod for every application you listed. It's my favorite rod. Buy it.

As a bank bound angler myself I completely understand the desire to use one rod for multiple techniques. Out of all the rods you listed I'm only familiar with the Falcons. My suggestion would be to take a close looking at a Carolina Lizard Dragger. I don't throw swimbaits but I chunk lots of spinnerbaits with it as well.

I have a few of the loomis e6x rods. Great rods. I will say I have been very impressed with the Dobyns fury series rod. 109 and they feel great

I like my Amistad. Works great for all the applications you mentioned.

I agree with the Amistad. Also, I find a Falcon Head Turner 6-1610 quite capable

Amistad!! Falcon Cara series are really sensitive rods!

I love my 13 Fishing Envy Black. use it as my frog rod.

The Amistad is the most versatile of your list. I have one I use for flipping. You don't have to get the Cara though. Falcon offers the Amistad in the Bucoo series also if you want to save some money.

^Agree!!!

The lizard dragger is what I use for spinnerbaits too..... I bet it's really good for swimbaits as well.