I've only used a friends custom poppin' rods before and now that I have my own boat..wanted to get a couple good poppin rods for it. I've found those red $13 7' poppin rods at Academy, but I dont know exactly what I'm supposed to be looking for in the rod. For reels, I'm trying to get a couple Penn Baitcasters from RedneckTexan.

My personal preference is Shakespear Ugly Sticks. I've used them for years and have never had one snap on me yet. I have an ultralite one for poppin and the tip has quite a bit of play in it. The best part is they are only 30 to 50 bucks so if something does happen to one(stepped on or broken for some other reason than fish) your not out a $100 rod.

I use a Falcon lowrider, popping rod and an allstar popping rod, just the plain one. I have ordered the outasight rod from Falcon(coastal series) that is 8 foot, not sure why, but if it is like my 7'6" MH Redfish Special then it will be awesome, very fast tip, but lots of backbone.

I'd recommend an All-Star 7' Medium action. It's a good all-purpose rod, and you can get the Classic series at Academy for about $50.

Castaway makes decent rods which also can be purchased at Academy for the same price.

Good luck.

I try not to waste a lot of money on popping rods, due to the salt and my big foot buddies who could step on one or break it....I had a guy out on a trip the other week who had a Loomis GLX $300 rod and he broke it!

BayHawk,

Branch out and have a custom rod made. Steve Rountree, Rountree Rods builds all my rods. 10 to date

Give him a shout. 512-801-8829

Tell him Sean sent you. Maybe he give me a discount.

Steve. yeh . I think I'm with you on that.. A good backboned poppin rod shouldnt have to cost a lot... I bought a couple academy $14.00 specials...not the most touchy feely ..but should be fine with a decent abu on it for chunkin bait..

I agree SeanH, the $49-50 All-Stars I saw on sale and the Castaways for about the same price are a good starting price for saltwater rods. Those $14.99 rods will start to fall apart, buddy of mine bought a $20 range popping rod a few years ago. Cork handle pieces started coming undone, rust showed up under the guides,etc. Starting out you don't need a serious $$ rod, but get one that will last a while under normal conditions. If all you plan to do this chunk mullet and bait on the bottom then the ugly stick will do. Any casting for a length of time cork handle and A-C or Castaways. Falcons are excellent but I'm not sure they make a rod less than $70 or so.
dos centavos
www.outdoorstexas.com

Yea it seems my buddies agree with you. I'm being told to get a couple Falcons for the boat.