Good rod for my avet jx raptor

[Wicho5981]

My budget 245 I'm thinking 8 foot rod for casting iron or bait .I'm going to be using 40 pound line.

[MarkT]

I use my JX Raptor for yoyo and bait with 50# on a Phenix psw700xh (7', rated 30-80). For 40# I use the psw760h (7.5', rated 25-60). I also use the psw809xhj with a TranX for 40-50 with bombs and raiders. Check out the 809xhj for 40# with your JX if you want an 8'er.

[Jon Vadney]

My budget 245 I'm thinking 8 foot rod for casting iron or bait .I'm going to be using 40 pound line.

Mark was dead on for his phenix rec's.  The rods he suggested will be close to $300 unless you go used. 

Are you looking for a rod to throw surface iron or one for yoyo?  If you are looking at a yoyo rod, I would definitely go with a 7' stick instead of 8' (a lot of guys even use 6'6").  7' is a good all around length for yoyo and bait though. 

Some rods to consider that are going to be in the same price range as the phenix's as well as a bit cheaper.
Seeker - Black steel 6470 ($310), BSC-6470 ($235)
Calstar - Grafighter 700H ($299), BWC-610C ($195)

[Wicho5981]

For throwing iron

[Jon Vadney]

For throwing iron

Light surface irons like the Salas 7X-light or the heavy irons such as the salas 6x and 6x jr's?

[Wicho5981]

I have penn sabre made in USA that my uncle Gave me a long time ago it's 5,6 rated 30, 80. Would this be useful for yo-yo

[Jon Vadney]

I have penn sabre made in USA that my uncle Gave me a long time ago it's 5,6 rated 30, 80. Would this be useful for yo-yo

That would work for yoyo, but may be a bit short.  That would make a better dropper-loop rod.

[Wicho5981]

Are californian turner rods worth it.What do you think about calstar gg rods

[SoCalAngler]

I'd stay away from the Turner rods.

A true "jig stick" starts at 9' and go longer but I do fish the surface iron on 8' rods.

The GG's are fine rods and something like a 6480 would be nice. I'm just not a fan of the factory wrap colors.

I fish 30 lb test with Tady 45's and 7X lights without a problem on a Calstar 270H-8 glass rod and like it a lot but it really is not a 40 lb stick. If you do go with glass, again a 6480 is something to look at.

Also a new Calstar 800H for a composite is a little more than your looking to spend but you may be able to find one for $245.

Edit: All my rods 8' and over are deckhand style and this will help keep cost down. The 800H above I was looking at was also a DH style and that's where I got the price from.

[Jon Vadney]

I'd stay away from the Turner rods.

A true "jig stick" starts at 9' and go longer but I do fish the surface iron on 8' rods.

The GG's are fine rods and something like a 6480 would be nice. I'm just not a fan of the factory wrap colors.

I fish 30 lb test with Tady 45's and 7X lights without a problem on a Calstar 270H-8 glass rod and like it a lot but it really is not a 40 lb stick. If you do go with glass, again a 6480 is something to look at.

Also a new Calstar 800H for a composite is a little more than your looking to spend but you may be able to find one for $245.

Edit: All my rods 8' and over are deckhand style and this will help keep cost down. The 800H above I was looking at was also a DH style and that's where I got the price from.

This.

Stick with the big 4- Seeker, Calstar, Phenix, UC.  There are other good rods out there but these have the best track records (unless you want to go obscure and get a tady 100 blank, or an old harnell, sabre or truline). 

[SoCalAngler]

If looking used like mentioned above a Truline D-8 could be sweet depending on how the blank is. There some newer Trulines out there but be aware these rods are not close to the older models as far as quality of construction and durability.

Also I'm not trying to put any rod maker on blast but IMO Phenix rods are over priced for a Chinese made blank. Don't get me wrong their nice rods but a little pricey.