Elite Pros And The Rods 2025
bassheel reply :
How many pros(bass,Flw) actually fish with high end rods and reels? In the last few years Ive seen some move from megabass to Abu rods,reels. Im no way knocking those that buy or use the high end stuff heck if I could afford it I would too. Love to own a Evergreen, Megabass or a few GLX. Mike Ike went from a steeze to Abu. Not knocking them but seemed like a downgrade to me. Gotta be the money! Thoughts?
webertime reply :
I think about this sort of thing too. Look at the Golden age guys, (Hank, Roland, Bill Dance, etc.) NO way their rods were anything like the quality/performance of a mid range or even $100 rod today. BUT they still caught the heck out of them.
To some extent it is the money, to others it's pro staff discounts that allow them to load up on stuff so they can afford to pursue the Pro tour dream.
I know of rumors that say Mr XXXXX pro is sponsored by "Zebco" but his rods are really NRX blanks custom painted to match a "Zebco" rod. Those may have some basis in reality, but it's hard to believe it's widespread.
Cgrinder reply :
There are a few guys who fish Orochi XX rods.
I think a combination of electronics, individual skill, and the techniques that tend to win sort of makes "super sensitive" rods unnecessary at that level. I also think straight fluorocarbon helps.
fishindad reply :
I know JVD uses NRX rods. Ish uses Steez rods and reels. The majority do use not-so-high end rods though, maybe because of the durability issues and they are much rougher on their tackle? Another factor could be rod companies would rather push their rods that the general public can afford?
There is no question that a top tier pro can flat out catch fish with almost any grade rod. But I'll bet they are meticulous about their line, their knots, hooks and the more important aspects of presentation like the right depth and speed of their lures rather than the rod bling or modulus rating. It's just more fun to try out the latest and greatest gear though!
rippin-lips reply :
Whatever company pays them the best is who's products they're going to endorse. A FLW pro that I know fishes with Halo rods. He seems to do just fine with them. Its the Indian not the arrow.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
sponsors pay big money for their pros to use their specific product , it's advertising ...
WRB reply :
Pure Fishing has access to the best rod materials available, the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Tom
NJSalt reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 3:37 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing has access to the best rod materials available, the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Tom
While this may be the case with some pros, its certainly not the case with most.
blckshirt98 reply :
I'd say a lot of pros use what their sponsors provide - a local guide is sponsored by Fenwick, he uses and talks up Fenwick rods like they're the best rods on earth. KVD uses his Quantum stuff which doesn't get a whole lot of traction on any forum I've been on. With the number of models and rod lines all the manufacterers are putting out nowadays, I think any pro can find the rods they need from any manufacterer to win tournaments, but the ones they talk up are going to be their sponsors'.
Turkey sandwich reply :
1) sponsorship exists to help sponsors sell products/services. It would make sense, then, for them to display options that anglers can afford. If all the pros fished NRX, Megabass, Tournament Extreme, etc, they'd be marketing a product way above what most of us can afford. The goal is for the prospect/angler see pros catching fish with the equipment and then immediately going out and purchasing it under the idea that "If it's good enough for Ike/Skeet/Clunn it's good enough for me." As opposed to "Ike/Skeet/Clunn are catching fish because they have a dozen $500+ Rods sitting on the deck of their boat."
Also, related, sponsorship is a huge part of how guys get paid. If you look at "career earnings", something like 2 million dollars may seem like a lot, but if you break it down over 20 years, that's 100k/year. Now, take into account travel costs, vehicle repairs, food on the road, tolls, etc and make adjustments for the expenses, the pro "making" $100,000/year may only be really making 50k before taxes. That really isn't a whole lot of money for a "professional" to be making in most fields. Money is made via sponsors, seminars, guiding, etc on top of whatever career winnings show, and have to make up a huge portion of earned income.
2) Despite the urging of the tackle monkey, we don't really need a locker full of $300+ rods to catch fish. The Rod is simply a piece of a tool (other pieces being everything else attached to it). The line, lure, and presentation are more likely to affect the fish's decision to bite or not. Also, none of this matters if you can't find the fish. Yes, better rods can help us cast them farther, feel them better, and get less tired/sore in the process, but it's not as essential in getting more bites as everything else.
3) Rods now are really, really good. For $90-150 you can get rods that are leaps better than anything available 20+ years ago. Just look at the graphite, itself. How many rods can you get with 30 ton or better graphite for under $200? How many different options that give you the grip/blank exposure that feels best to you? How many manufacturers make lines of rods with a huge variety or weights and actions for every presentation imaginable? If you need to tighten a bolt, you can do it better with a properly fitting crescent wrench than with a pair of vice grips that may cost twice as much, right? Though the vice grips may work, why use them is you're getting properly fitting tools for free that do the job perfectly without stripping the nut/bolt? - Especially if part of your job is to help sell crescent wrenches.
Trey Harpel reply :
Ish steezs higher end Daiwas.
Aaron Martens uses JDM shimanos
J lucas uses the Higher end rods and reels
Chris Zaldain Megabass
JVD NRXs, shimanos
Seth Fieder uses higher End Daiwas
Brent Ehler uses some JDM daiwas Steez LTDs
Guys use what they are paid to use for the most part..
Others Like Steve Kennedy use old shimano curados cause they could care less..
WRB reply :
Pure Fishing licensed the 3M silica Nono rod technology, very high process that several top quality rod blanks are made from, not your off the shelf products yet. Abu Sewden makes high quality reels that are not your off the shelf products for the average angler, the sponsored Pros have acess to.
The Elite angler isn't walking into Walmart to get their rods and reels, they are sent to them.
Tom
NJSalt reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 4:25 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing licensed the 3M silica Nono rod technology, very high process that several top quality rod blanks are made from, not your off the shelf products yet. Abu Sewden makes high quality reels that are not your off the shelf products for the average angler, the sponsored Pros have acess to.
The Elite angler isn't walking into Walmart to get their rods and reels, they are sent to them.
Tom
I get that, I'm just saying that all of the sponsored pros I know are using off the shelf stuff, with some JDM or products from other markets mixed in. Nothing is custom made, for them at least.
Im sure there are guys who have their rods custom made as well, but from what I've seen it's not standard.
FishTank reply :
I saw video where KVD was asked this question. His response was, the reels he uses are supplied to him by Quantum and all of the parts are replaced and upgraded as he sees fit by his team. His rods are a trade secret.
Glenn reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 3:52 AM, Turkey sandwich said:1) sponsorship exists to help sponsors sell products/services. It would make sense, then, for them to display options that anglers can afford. If all the pros fished NRX, Megabass, Tournament Extreme, etc, they'd be marketing a product way above what most of us can afford. The goal is for the prospect/angler see pros catching fish with the equipment and then immediately going out and purchasing it under the idea that "If it's good enough for Ike/Skeet/Clunn it's good enough for me." As opposed to "Ike/Skeet/Clunn are catching fish because they have a dozen $500+ Rods sitting on the deck of their boat."
Also, related, sponsorship is a huge part of how guys get paid. If you look at "career earnings", something like 2 million dollars may seem like a lot, but if you break it down over 20 years, that's 100k/year. Now, take into account travel costs, vehicle repairs, food on the road, tolls, etc and make adjustments for the expenses, the pro "making" $100,000/year may only be really making 50k before taxes. That really isn't a whole lot of money for a "professional" to be making in most fields. Money is made via sponsors, seminars, guiding, etc on top of whatever career winnings show, and have to make up a huge portion of earned income.
2) Despite the urging of the tackle monkey, we don't really need a locker full of $300+ rods to catch fish. The Rod is simply a piece of a tool (other pieces being everything else attached to it). The line, lure, and presentation are more likely to affect the fish's decision to bite or not. Also, none of this matters if you can't find the fish. Yes, better rods can help us cast them farther, feel them better, and get less tired/sore in the process, but it's not as essential in getting more bites as everything else.
3) Rods now are really, really good. For $90-150 you can get rods that are leaps better than anything available 20+ years ago. Just look at the graphite, itself. How many rods can you get with 30 ton or better graphite for under $200? How many different options that give you the grip/blank exposure that feels best to you? How many manufacturers make lines of rods with a huge variety or weights and actions for every presentation imaginable? If you need to tighten a bolt, you can do it better with a properly fitting crescent wrench than with a pair of vice grips that may cost twice as much, right? Though the vice grips may work, why use them is you're getting properly fitting tools for free that do the job perfectly without stripping the nut/bolt? - Especially if part of your job is to help sell crescent wrenches.
^^ This ^^ Couldn't have said it better myself.
And the notion that pros are getting some sort of super-secret custom versions of the rods/reels seen on the shelves is pure hogwash. Complete fabrication. The equipment the pros get from their sponsors are the same ones consumers can buy. The sponsors insist, for R&D purposes, that they use the same equipment. Do some pros "customize" the gear after-the-fact? Sometimes, but it's not a common practice.
Now, are they using protypes and concept gear in some cases? Yes. But not as "privilege" per se, but more from a R&D perspective. The pros work with the manufactures sometimes to provide feedback and ideas for their products. Sometimes those prototypes are mistaken for "custom" gear to the layman.
Do the pros use only sponsored gear/baits exclusively? Nope. And this is where the confusion may be. Sometimes you'll see pros using high-end gear and/or custom equipment. But that's outside of their sponsorships. That's most often their personal gear that they bought themselves.
Hope that helps!
rippin-lips reply :
No no no! It's just all wrong. Get out of here with your logical way of thinking.
PitchinJigz reply :
Pure Fishing definitely does not offer the best blanks available. Not sure where you're getting your information from.On 8/5/2015 at 3:37 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing has access to the best rod materials available, the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Tom
Penguino reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 7:16 AM, PitchinJigz said:Pure Fishing definitely does not offer the best blanks available. Not sure where you're getting your information from.
The best thing about their blanks is the bang for the buck lol
Grantman83 reply :
I think they use whatever works but in most cases try to use their sponsor gear....some off the top of my head examples are..
I remember seeing bobby lane have a st croix ltb spinning rod mixed in with his veritas rods on the St. Lawrence in 2013...maybe the action was perfect for what he needed and wasn't offered by abu.
Before being sponsored by daiwa, Brent ehler used an nrx drop shot Rod when sponsored by lucky craft rods...also used a daiwa steez flipping stick. Lucky craft didn't offer those types of rods..
In a podcast I listen to, Brandon palanuik said he used a discounted fenwick for his win on the st. Lawrence. Not Abu, but under the pure fishing family. Again, I assume the action is perfect for what he is doing..
Gary Klein and Tommy Biffle and dean Rojas have all used discontinued quantum rods on major league fishing. If they can have customs done at any time, why keep these old specific rods? I assume merely again, they loved those rods for their intended purpose and kept them...
I feel most guys do use their sponsors stuff because they do have a want and obligation based on said sponsorship. These guys can out fish most of us with an ugly stick and most 100 dollar rods are more than adequate. I think they simply find specific sticks they like and have some of those for when they are on the water. Most of us have preferred brands but may have other company's rods because they may have a specific niche.
WRB reply :
Exclusive license for 3M Sintrix carbon Nano fiber used in today's top rod blanks.On 8/5/2015 at 7:16 AM, PitchinJigz said:Pure Fishing definitely does not offer the best blanks available. Not sure where you're getting your information from.
Tom
Jon G reply :
Like others have said they are promoting their sponsors rods.
A vast majority of guys are not going to pay more than $200 for a rod or a reel. When they see an Elite using a rod or reel in that price range it sparks their interest because it's in their price range and if an Elite is willing to use that rod to make a living it has to be good.
smalljaw67 reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 4:25 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing licensed the 3M silica Nono rod technology, very high process that several top quality rod blanks are made from, not your off the shelf products yet. Abu Sewden makes high quality reels that are not your off the shelf products for the average angler, the sponsored Pros have acess to.
The Elite angler isn't walking into Walmart to get their rods and reels, they are sent to them.
Tom
Pure fishing did get the exclusive right to the 3M nano silica resin but to say the pros are getting supped up rods is pure speculation. In fact most manufacturers do their best to show that the anglers get the same stuff as anyone else and they each has their own way. I know IKE said he will often get rod shipments from retailers instead of company direct and if he needs a rod he knows what store to get them at. For example, when they came to the Delaware river last year, Ike stayed back and did some video shoots with local pro Pete Gluzek, he broke a rod and it is on video, he replaced the rod at a local Dicks Sporting goods, he just saves the receipt and gets reimbursed. It is also part of the reason the Marshall system is in place, I know a few guys from my local club that have done the marshall deal and one of the guys got Skeet Reese and the question he gets from 99% of his marshalls is the same thing, " Are they really the same rods in the stores" and they are invited to pick them up and inspect if they wish to. These guys don't need better equipment, the value rods today are perfectly fine and it doesn't matter if they had a cane pole, the electronics are just incredible so no more fishing blind.
WRB reply :
If you are a pro sponsored by XYZ company most of the tackle is state of the art with few exceptions. Part of being sponsored is testing new equipment not available to the general public, some things fail some work exceptionally good, you compete using what works best and that rarely comes off the shelf regarding rods and reels. Elite anglers sponsored by Pure Fishing, or any other rod or reel sponsor, are using state of the art tackle, it's the process how new tackle is proven before introducing it to the public.
Tom
NJSalt reply :
yep
rippin-lips reply :
Jrob78 reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 3:37 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing has access to the best rod materials available, the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Tom
On 8/6/2015 at 1:28 AM, WRB said:If you are a pro sponsored by XYZ company most of the tackle is state of the art with few exceptions. Part of being sponsored is testing new equipment not available to the general public, some things fail some work exceptionally good, you compete using what works best and that rarely comes off the shelf regarding rods and reels. Elite anglers sponsored by Pure Fishing, or any other rod or reel sponsor, are using state of the art tackle, it's the process how new tackle is proven before introducing it to the public.
Tom
Saying guys are using rods custom built "to their specs" and "prototypes for testing purposes" are two completely different things. It would serve no purpose for the company to give anglers custom equipment that the general public will never get. Prototypes are completely different and that does happen but it's for products that will eventually be off the shelf.
DTack reply :
The 3M material was used by other companies and changes needed to be made, that is a fact.
There is a lot of testing that goes on. The majority of FLW tour level pros and Elite pros use off the shelf tackle. (read: MAJORITY). There are certainly exceptions... Even those with great sponsor packages are using stock equipment that you or I can buy.
KVD was given as an example... he is in a league and a world of his own. Not many companies are making things specific for one angler. It's just NOT worth the time.
Lots of pro-staff are used for testing, definitely true. Not a ton of them are using their test products in a tournament first thing. That's how companies find out what works though and they are definitely used for testing.
Silas reply :
I could care less what the pros use
. Most of time it's a money thing.
"follow the money " is a motto these days.
Batson reply :
This is a very interesting subject.. The question really is, do pros use custom rods or sponsored rods?
A: You will never get a pro, unless you know them personally, that will talk anything other than they use sponsored rods on their boat.
Truth: Every pro has custom rods on their deck. Their main focus on tournaments is winning.
On 8/5/2015 at 3:01 AM, bassheel said:How many pros(bass,Flw) actually fish with high end rods and reels? In the last few years Ive seen some move from megabass to Abu rods,reels. Im no way knocking those that buy or use the high end stuff heck if I could afford it I would too. Love to own a Evergreen, Megabass or a few GLX. Mike Ike went from a steeze to Abu. Not knocking them but seemed like a downgrade to me. Gotta be the money! Thoughts?
they are all a mix. Not every pro likes the most high end. Also different pros fish differently. Keith Combs ( Team RainShadow, BASS Elites, 3 Time Toyota Texas Bass Classic winner ) fishes as a power fisherman with crank baits and football jigs etc.. Where as Anthony Gagliardi ( Team RainShadow, FLW, 2014 Forrestwood Cup Champion ) is more of a sight and finesse fisherman with tubes, senkos, etc..
On 8/5/2015 at 3:13 AM, webertime said:I think about this sort of thing too. Look at the Golden age guys, (Hank, Roland, Bill Dance, etc.) NO way their rods were anything like the quality/performance of a mid range or even $100 rod today. BUT they still caught the heck out of them.
To some extent it is the money, to others it's pro staff discounts that allow them to load up on stuff so they can afford to pursue the Pro tour dream.
I know of rumors that say Mr XXXXX pro is sponsored by "Zebco" but his rods are really NRX blanks custom painted to match a "Zebco" rod. Those may have some basis in reality, but it's hard to believe it's widespread.
This happens all the time. Pros use what ever rods, either customs or sponsored, they need to win. But you will get them every time stating they use what ever rod sponsor they have to on the podium.
On 8/5/2015 at 3:20 AM, fishindad said:I know JVD uses NRX rods. Ish uses Steez rods and reels. The majority do use not-so-high end rods though, maybe because of the durability issues and they are much rougher on their tackle? Another factor could be rod companies would rather push their rods that the general public can afford?
There is no question that a top tier pro can flat out catch fish with almost any grade rod. But I'll bet they are meticulous about their line, their knots, hooks and the more important aspects of presentation like the right depth and speed of their lures rather than the rod bling or modulus rating. It's just more fun to try out the latest and greatest gear though!
This is true .. But remember every fisherman fishes differently
On 8/5/2015 at 3:37 AM, WRB said:Pure Fishing has access to the best rod materials available, the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Tom
You should check to make 100% sure. I can't tell the real info
On 8/5/2015 at 4:33 AM, NJSalt said:I get that, I'm just saying that all of the sponsored pros I know are using off the shelf stuff, with some JDM or products from other markets mixed in. Nothing is custom made, for them at least.
Im sure there are guys who have their rods custom made as well, but from what I've seen it's not standard.
How do you know? You can't sum "All pros" when there are at least 350+ pros between BASS Elites and FLW.
On 8/5/2015 at 5:54 AM, FishTank said:I saw video where KVD was asked this question. His response was, the reels he uses are supplied to him by Quantum and all of the parts are replaced and upgraded as he sees fit by his team. His rods are a trade secret.
Of course.. If I was KVD, all rods I use are Quantums'
CWB reply :
Not sure about brands but one thing i've noticed is most use parabolic action rods. When they set the hook, even on smaller fish and when flipping, the rods are bent from tip to but. Maybe I'm seeing things.
JGBassinAL reply :
On 8/6/2015 at 6:22 AM, Batson said:This is a very interesting subject.. The question really is, do pros use custom rods or sponsored rods?
A: You will never get a pro, unless you know them personally, that will talk anything other than they use sponsored rods on their boat.
Truth: Every pro has custom rods on their deck. Their main focus on tournaments is winning.
I know a couple pros sponsored by mainstream manufacturers that have some Rainshadow blanks on their deck 
Most of the time the only people who know are them and the person who built it.
dolomieu reply :
On 8/5/2015 at 3:37 AM, WRB said:...the rods the Elites use are custom built to their specs, not off the shelf.
Negative. The Elite pro I know gets an allowance of X dollars from Abu, which he can spend however he sees fit, but it's all off the shelf stuff, except for maybe the occasional prototype.
jtharris3 reply :
Edwin Evers uses BPS Pro Qualifier casting and spinning reels. He seems to do just fine with a $99 reel.
MI.Kayaker reply :
On 8/6/2015 at 7:22 AM, CWB said:Not sure about brands but one thing i've noticed is most use parabolic action rods. When they set the hook, even on smaller fish and when flipping, the rods are bent from tip to but. Maybe I'm seeing things.
MI.Kayaker reply :
I believe that is a result of GoPro style wide-angle cameras
ww2farmer reply :
I used to buy used St Croix rods that came from Elite series pro Brian Snowden, they were nothing more than off the self Legend Tournaments, with the exception of his name on them. Brian gets "x" number of rods per year from St Croix, uses them for a season, and then sells them at a deep discount. He and I had a mutual friend who was one of the first people the rods were offered to, and he in turn let me in on it. In this case, there was nothing "special" about any of the rods. They were the same things you or I could buy in any store. Is that the way it is with all touring pro's.................I doubt it, but it's also idiotic to claim that all of them have some kind of special stuff that we never will see. Some probably do, most probably don't.................and put me firmly in the "I don't give a crap what they have/use" camp.
DTack reply :
Truth: Every pro has custom rods on their deck.
Not truth.
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