Picked up a handful of penn battle IIs a few weeks ago and need to pair them with some rods. Don’t need anything super fancy.
Recommendation for 3000’s, 5000’s and 8000’s
Key West 2300 Bluewater
You can pickup Penn Squadron Rods at Walfart $20-$40. Good for the 5000, good backbone.
I have had good success with the St. Croix Triumph rods. They run about $90
Triumph 6’6" Medium Fast for the 3000. Light and good action if your casting plastics all day.
I use Tsunami airwaves and am very happy with them. Have lamiglas and G.loomis but the airwaves are my every day go to rods.
Go to the ugly stick web site, tiger rods are great and priced right. They sell direct.
Star seagis good middle of the road option. Shimano clarus. ■■■■■■■ hmg. Not a fan of uglys for artificial fishing but if your just bait fishing tiger lites are a good option.
I had terrible luck with the guides on the Penn Fierce rods (I could have made more durable guides with bent paper clips) that I paired Penn reels with Ugly Stik Inshore Select which I am very happy with. I bought the Salt Strong redfish course and apparently had never paid enough attention to the action of the rods for what species I was trying for though.
Spartanburg/Edisto
Sea Hunt 27 “Saltwater Gospel”
Bomb Island 16 “Hookin’ Heels”
If you’re jigging, Star Paraflex. I have one and two weeks ago my son had a large bottom fish hooked that was trying to stay in the rocks. He had the rod bent to the point the tip was almost touching the handle. 80# braid finally gave up but the rod held strong.
If you’re looking more economical, Tiger Lite jigging rod (Ugly stik) is pretty hard to beat. Great bottom fishing rod and pretty decent for jigging.
218WA Sailfish
200 Verado
The "Penn"sion Plan
I really like St. Croix Tidemaster.