im looking into getting a new spinning rod here shortly, possibly today even.. ive looked online at Sportco, and Sportmans, and will deffinately need to go and see some in person as well...

ive looked at Croix's, and Lamis, and dont know much about the lower line rods to say anything really productive about them... most of my rods are mid to upper range rods, but, i dont want to spend a ton of money this time... something like 150 would be nice..

ive looked at the G200 lamis, the Norwest Special lamis, and the Wild River croix rods, ive owned Norwest SPecials in the past (when they were lifetime warranty) and loved them, i actually still have a casting rod of that model..

what im wanting, is a rod that i can egg fish, and spoon/spinner fish, with the same rod... i would prefer an 8-17 or 6-15, but if i have to, i will go with an 8-12, as i rarely ever go over 12# line to begin with... i also would like it to be a minimum of 9'...

any suggestions? should i look into the Fenwicks? (i have some old ones, but they dont get used, not worth it to possibly break em)... any lurker companies out there that work awesome, and wont make me broke?

for reference, last year for egg fishing, i was using my Berkley Air IM7 Ramsey rod, its a 10-20 9', and i did great with it... but now the cork is stained pink and red, and thats my excuse for getting a new rod, and im sticking with it

suggestions?

Fetha Styx Predator series FS P SH 963 2s 9'6"8-14. Good rod

Does not quite meet you specs but is what I consider the best rod out there for what you are describing - Loomis STR 1045s. If not that I would go with a St Croix Wild River.

Shimano's. Easy on the budget great on the service side. They multiple rods like what you are looking for in the convergence line or clarus. That said from the choices you gave I'd buy the Croix if those where the players to pick from.

Why not go with another Berkley?

I have a couple of St. Croix Avid rods and really like them. I went with the Avid over the Wild River because of the lifetime warranty (as opposed to the 5 year on the Wild River) but the Wild River is around your budget.

I also have some Lamiglas rods and have always been treated well with them.

It is not 9 feet in length but Cabelas has a Shimano® Scimitar Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod 8.5 foot spinning rod rated for 8-17 lbs for $30 if you buy on-line.

dont want another Berkely, seen one explode last year (IM8, newer than mine), the Clairus was an option, but i just dont care for the craftsmanship (cheap rods, cheap work, i know..) they are stout rods tho, and well built, just dont look the greatest... but, Lami is really my favorite, just cant afford the new SI rod yet... ive sold a couple Croix spey rods, and they were money (performance wise), i just cant do it, cant figure it out, they were my dads, and i didnt need them, or want them...

a Scimitar is out of the question, i have a trout rod of that model, and its sucks, sensitive yes for a rod at 5'... but its just a Walmart special, and not enjoyable for me....i dont need a 500 dollar Sage (but i want, and will get one shortly), but i dont want a broomstick either... the Berkley is a broomstick IMO, but i can do OK with it... my brother has the Lami X 96 JS 6-15, and that rod is basically perfect, just 100+ bucks out of my price range... for now..

How about Cabela's Fish Eagle II, GS1004, 10' 8-17? It's not on sale right now.

Can't go wrong with the St. Croix for the money.

Also check Batson for their Rainshawdow rods. I have 2 Rainshawdows now. I grabbed a lighter weight 9 ft Lami 1000 series when they were 50% off at Outdoor Sports last Thanksgiving weekend. St Croix had an Elite that was sensitive but it was like $300. Still have my first NW Special. I have one of the Cabelas FE IIs but its not as good as the 2 XMLs I have but they quit making them for salmon/steelhead a few years ago.

You can get the goo off of your cork handle with some fine sandpaper.

Personally, I'd look for a good used Lami. I've bought Certified Pro's, used and in good shape, for less than you're looking to spend. I've bought XMG's for a little more, though none of the XMG's has the same action as the Cert Pro you mentioned. The EXS92M comes closest, but is a little shorter and stiffer (better drift rod than hardware rod IMHO). Since you already have a rod, you have time on your side......

If you want a deal on an X96....

1. Hope for a used one to come along
2. Lamiglas 2nd in Woodland (call)
3. Bob's in Longview (call)