Have a 113H all ready to go. Will need to buy an entry level budget rod for occasional use. Thinking Ugly Stick at K-Mart. Might get to use it 2x year. Fishing Englewood FL area. Thanks for your input. Tight lines. willing to buy used but have no clue what to look for yet.
The Penn mariner rods are a pretty good value for the money. If you can find an old mariner I they're lighter than the new mariner III.
I have two Daiwa Beefstick rods I bought used but haven't tried them yet. One 7' 20-40# B701MHR, the other is 5'6" 50-130# EB561XXH1, it's very heavy, solid glass. They look well made, stout.
Walmart has the Penn Mariner II 6' 50-80# for about $60. I think there is also an 80-100#, same price.
Master Blackfinn 6'6" 25-80# model 2160. Solid glass rod, the blank goes thru the handle.
Ugly Stik 6'6" 40-80# model BWB 1160, older model.
There is/was another brand named Ande. The Tournement Standup models have aluminum reel seat.
TRL Trophy rods.
These are not recommendations, just rods I had or currently have through purchases of used tackle, that were economically priced and seemed to be well made. I do however use other Penn, Ugly Stik and Daiwa rods and have no complaints.
Keep checking your local craigslist listings. I've bought some nice Star, St. Croix and Fenwick rods for cheap.
If anyone wants to discredit any of the brands I mentioned go for it, I won't be offended and it will help him decide.
I have had 2 Ande rods for years that I use for pacific halibut and like them.
Buying new, I like the Ugly Stik Tiger Elite. You might want to take the reel with you as the reel seat on the Tiger Elite is a little weird (side ridges). Both the new Penn Mariners and Ugly Stiks have the one piece stainless guides. I'm not a fan, but I'm sure they are durable. For used, older Star Rods, Dogfish Sticks, Daiwa, and Penn work well. Any length from 5 1/2' to 7 1/2' works fine. Good luck with your choice and the grouper!
for entry level fishing rod for grouper my best bet is something made outta glass, for entry level rods it doesnt matter (that much) if its penn, daiwa, ugly stick, ande, etc just dont get anything from an un-known chinese brand from Ebay, etc.
the fishing rods from waltmart are good options, but you can find more options on your local sports authority store, dicks sporting goods, etc.
I'm with Alex; glass is the way to go, and many times old quality stuf can be found for a deal. And while anything Alex does is World Class, I have seen bottom rods/grouper rods made from "recycled" golf course flags that worked just fine. - john