High end rod advice 2024

Bassaholic84 reply :

So my Bps extreme rod broke the other day. I need to buy a replacement. My other rod is a Powell max and i am planning on buying a high end rod. The three I'm thinking of now are

1. G loomis MBR IMX

2. St. Croix Legend Tournament

3. Dobyns Champion series

If anyone has any other suggestions or experience with any of these or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

burleytog reply :

Kistler Helium LTA

okiefisher8 reply :

Falcon Cara T7

fishinfiend reply :

I have a BCR 893 GLX that I use for t-rigs,weightless, wacky, and drop shot. This is the first high end rod that I have used and I am blown away by its performance. It is very light and super sensetive. I could not be more please with its performance.

I have also heard very good things about the new Dobyns rods.

Bassoholics Anonymous reply :

I vote for the IMX.

old bassman reply :

I fish IMX'S and they are the best I have ever used. I vote for the IMX.

NJAngler609 reply :

i would go with the IMX...i have 3 loomis rods and love them all...if you can afford it take a look at the GLX

stunning reply :

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Kistler Helium LTA

x2. this is a great rod for the money. I have the 6'9APC for sale.........190.00 to your door. Wink Wink!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have a Kistler LTX 7'6 Telescoping Heavy action that I would like to trade for a 7' MH or 7' H LTX....... :

.RM. reply :

Quote

Quote
Kistler Helium LTA

x2. this is a great rod for the money. I have the 6'9APC for sale.........190.00 to your door. Wink Wink!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have a Kistler LTX 7'6 Telescoping Heavy action that I would like to trade for a 7' MH or 7' H LTX....... :

Try putting this in the Flea Market were it belongs.......

stryk9 reply :

Out of these two rods i would go with the IMX as i have them both. The Legend Elite is a better price comparison to the IMX and i would go with it over both.

SirSnookalot reply :

Go custom, have it built the way you want it.

I just had a Chaos custom rod made up, really nice $150.

David P reply :

Dobyns rod over the IMX for me any day. I had a GLX that I got rid of for another Dobyns rod. The front cork I cannot stand, and for the price they just didn't do it for me. The IMX rods just don't do it for me, at that price range.

I don't have much experience with the St Croix, but I do have two friends that had them. One of which sold all of his St Croix Legends and replaced them with Dobyns. Then another one who is in the process of doing so.

ww2farmer reply :

I own several St Croix Legend Tournaments, and they are my choice. Made in the USA, as are the Loomis's can't go wrong with either IMHO

Dobyn's............please $300 for a "made in china" rod, with non-fuji guides, and a $60 replacment charge, which is $10 MORE than Croix or Loomis. Not to mention the first run of rods which tanked because of poor quality. I would be VERY leary of spending any of my $$ on a rod with his name on it till they can prove they can make more than one batch of rods that won't fall apart.

bass wrangler569 reply :

IMX, incredibly sensitive

stryk9 reply :

Quote
Go custom, have it built the way you want it.
I just had a Chaos custom rod made up, really nice $150.

i am under the impression that chaos isnt currently making rods for anyone...?

Bronzefly reply :

Another vote for the Loomis IMX series out of those you've mentioned. They're fantastic rods, no doubt.

RoLo reply :

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If anyone has any other suggestions or experience with any of these or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

You name it and I probably owned it (Dobyns being the exception, which are highly respected blanks).

Before you make your final decision, take a close look at Okuma Concept C3 (about 50 bucks less than the others).

Roger

Bassn Blvd reply :

Quote

Quote
Go custom, have it built the way you want it.
I just had a Chaos custom rod made up, really nice $150.

i am under the impression that chaos isnt currently making rods for anyone...?

Chaos rods aren't bad but they cater to saltwater. I have a one left out of two that I bought from them. I build much better rods than they do(when I was building).

swilly78 reply :

Im REALLY happy with my Carrot Stix, great rod for the money IMHO.

SirSnookalot reply :

Chaos is shut down for a while, moving back to Miami as I understand it. I have a friend that has an "in" with them.

roadwarrior reply :

For all-around use, and specifically for fishing jigs

and soft plastics, the G. Loomis IMX MBR844C is

what I would recommend.

8-)

bassinbrian reply :

I have the small cranker and the jig and worm in the St. Croix LTB, Ive found them to be wonderful rod. Either the IMX or LTB, I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with either one.

DOVERANGLER reply :

In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

bass wrangler569 reply :

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In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

Dude, no offense at all but you clearly don't understand the reasons that people buy high end rods. I don't factor in "breakage" when I'm purchasing a high-end rod. I'm much more concerned with sensitivity, lightness, balance, and the general feel of the rod. If you held a $15 wally-world rod in one hand and a Loomis IMX (or any other higher-end rod) in the other you would see what I mean. And cheaper rods are definitely not made "the same exact way" as $100+ rods. Craftsmanship, component quality, and general aesthetics of the rod are much improved.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

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I own several St Croix Legend Tournaments, and they are my choice. Made in the USA, as are the Loomis's can't go wrong with either IMHO
Dobyn's............please $300 for a "made in china" rod, with non-fuji guides, and a $60 replacment charge, which is $10 MORE than Croix or Loomis. Not to mention the first run of rods which tanked because of poor quality. I would be VERY leary of spending any of my $$ on a rod with his name on it till they can prove they can make more than one batch of rods that won't fall apart.

Finally, somebody with some since, GEEEEEZ!!!!! I would go with St. Croix or another Powell!

dodgeguy reply :

johnny morris signature series.

Dan: reply :

Quote
In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

I'm with him-- get a "st. coxi"

coryjames reply :

Quote
In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

or try a loomston ::)or a loomi

bass wrangler569 reply :

Quote

Quote
In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

or try a loomston ::)or a loomi

I'd take a loomston over a st. coxi any day ;D

Bass Pro reply :

I honestly don't see any high end rods on your list. Personally, I'd go with the Zillion rods for feel type baits (jigs, soft plastics, etc) and I would go with the Steez rods for all moving baits (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc).

Dan: reply :

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I honestly don't see any high end rods on your list. Personally, I'd go with the Zillion rods for feel type baits (jigs, soft plastics, etc) and I would go with the Steez rods for all moving baits (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc).

and twenty dollar bills for wiping his arse?

RoLo reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
In my opinon high end rods are a waste of money when you can go to walmart and but a descent rod for 15 bucks if you are worried about breakage buy three or four and you are still no where near the 100+ dollars you will spend on a rod that is made the same exact way that an inexpensive one is made but if you are a name brand guy go with st. coxi

or try a loomston ::)or a loomi

I'd take a loomston over a st. coxi any day ;D

You guys are killing me...my stomach hurts from laughing

Roger

coryjames reply :

Quote

Quote
I honestly don't see any high end rods on your list. Personally, I'd go with the Zillion rods for feel type baits (jigs, soft plastics, etc) and I would go with the Steez rods for all moving baits (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc).

and twenty dollar bills for wiping his arse?

what are you kidding me?? twenty dollar bills??their a little rough go at least fifties,or perferably one hundreds 8-)and get two steezs.use one and hang the other in your house for show

The_Natural reply :

In that range, you've got a few choices. Here are my opinions of the rods I've owned in your budget. Which rod I would choose would depend on what your intentions are.

Legend Tournament- Sensitive rods, but as I've stated before if you are shelling out $200; sensitivity comes standard. Performance is a given as well, but some rods shine in certain areas. The LT is a technique specific line, and offers more actions than any other lineup in the $200 range. I owned the magnum cranker (7'10" moderate) for a season, as well as the 'big gulp' flippin' stick. They have a 7' length in the cranker as well. Great tip and taper for cranks...the upper section isn't too floppy (which I hate) and has a perfect fade into the power region. The standard medium, medium heavy, and heavy power, fast action 6'6"-7' rods are indeed fast, but not as crisp as the IMX or Zillion. For cranks, traps, magic swimmers, etc.....I'd go with one of the LT crankers.

*Note....the Legend Tournaments feel tip-heavy off the shelf, and I recommend an aluminum framed reel versus a magnesium model. You don't need to put a brick on it, but a reel in the upper 7's or 8oz (Zillion or Curado) will balance it out nicely.

IMX- The most sensitive blank in the $200 range, but newcomers such as the Cumara and Zillion have narrowed the gap enough that I feel you should focus on other factors such as weight, balance, and how agile it feels in your hand. The Mag Bass Loomis blanks are probably the most versatile blanks made, offering a very crisp, fast blank with just the right amount of tip action that truly remains 'in the tip section' of the blank, with a quick transition to power. The MB 844 blank is the only heavy powered, fast action rod that really excels at jigs and c-rigs, yet has the tip to fling weightless lizards and small buzzbaits. I'd go IMX if you want a versatile jig/worm/chatterbait/spinnerbait/fluke/paddle tail tube rod.

Zillion- Very reminiscent of the BCR Loomis series in the extreme actions they provide. In laymans terms; they are 'stiff'. The least versatile out of the $200ish rods. No tip action what-so-ever; these are dedicated jig/worm/c-rig rods. The extra-fast action equates to significantly more power than your usual rod rating. Tackle Tour tested the medium Heavy Zillion which proved to be more powerful than the Heavy (844) Loomis. I think many anglers have purchased Zillions and wished they had gone down a power. The medium power is going to satisfy most Zillion shoppers; it will easily cast 1/8oz baby boo jigs, yet handle will handle jigs up to 3/4oz.

Dobyns- Haven't fished them. I don't really know anyone who has purchased one retail; I do know countless staffers from several boards, but you may want an unbiased opinion.

steezy reply :

Dont buy anything until you at least try a Steez!

Found a great deal on ebay and paid less than $200 for my second steez.

Dan: reply :

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Dont buy anything until you at least try a Steez!
Found a great deal on ebay and paid less than $200 for my second steez.

you bought a Steez rod for less than $200? was it still in one piece?

steezy reply :

Yep, it is a Daiwa Steez 6' M, just like my other on I paid $379 for at BPS. I was a little skeptical buying it on eBay but I won the auction for $179 + $20 shipping for a total of $199. The seller shipped it priority 2nd day, it arrived in a cabelas rod shipping tube. I checked it throughly and its flawless. Fished with it this past weekend and caught several 3 lb'ders with no problem.

Wish I could find another one for that price!

BTW, I also picked up another Steez reel for $325. Thats $155 less than I paid for my first steez reel at BPS. Ended up with a second steez combo for $524 !

Dock Master reply :

Quote
Yep, it is a Daiwa Steez 6' M, just like my other on I paid $379 for at BPS. I was a little skeptical buying it on eBay but I won the auction for $179 + $20 shipping for a total of $199. The seller shipped it priority 2nd day, it arrived in a cabelas rod shipping tube. I checked it throughly and its flawless. Fished with it this past weekend and caught several 3 lb'ders with no problem.
Wish I could find another one for that price!

BTW, I also picked up another Steez reel for $325. Thats $155 less than I paid for my first steez reel at BPS. Ended up with a second steez combo for $524 !

What the hell?

Are you made of money?

steezy reply :

Nope, not made of money, just lucky to have a really good job, blessed with a very good income and a sucker for nice toys.

G.Lee reply :

I enjoy the 'touch' of my All Star 783C. Both of them. I am looking at a Carrot Stix CG-661M-C for an addition to my rods. I coupled my All Stars with the Plueger Asaro and they seem to make a good combo for me. Thinking about putting the Plueger Patriarch with the Carrot??

You guys are the experts....... what do you think? I'm a weekend warrior on area lakes.

bass wrangler569 reply :

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I enjoy the 'touch' of my All Star 783C. Both of them. I am looking at a Carrot Stix CG-661M-C for an addition to my rods. I coupled my All Stars with the Plueger Asaro and they seem to make a good combo for me. Thinking about putting the Plueger Patriarch with the Carrot??
You guys are the experts....... what do you think? I'm a weekend warrior on area lakes.

Are you planning on putting the Plueger on an Loomston or a St. Coxi, or perhaps maybe a Fenlick or the famous Diawa Sleez?

This thread is awesome

jignfule reply :

My experience: I have a ES70mf St. Croix & a GLX BSR852. IMO there is no comparison. The GLX out performs the St. Croix by a wide margin.

G.Lee reply :

Quote

Quote
I enjoy the 'touch' of my All Star 783C. Both of them. I am looking at a Carrot Stix CG-661M-C for an addition to my rods. I coupled my All Stars with the Plueger Asaro and they seem to make a good combo for me. Thinking about putting the Plueger Patriarch with the Carrot??
You guys are the experts....... what do you think? I'm a weekend warrior on area lakes.

Are you planning on putting the Plueger on an Loomston or a St. Coxi, or perhaps maybe a Fenlick or the famous Diawa Sleez?

This thread is awesome

Please excuse my spelling young man. I can see that you are very cranial.

Bassaholic84 reply :

A big thing im looking for in the rod is sensitivity. Deep Water fishing/ main plastic stick. So sensitivity is really what im looking for. I really dont want to spend more then $200. I am really leaning towards the loomis but the sleek design of the new rods is whats keeping me from buying it.

Bass Pro reply :

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A big thing im looking for in the rod is sensitivity. Deep Water fishing/ main plastic stick. So sensitivity is really what im looking for. I really dont want to spend more then $200. I am really leaning towards the loomis but the sleek design of the new rods is whats keeping me from buying it.

If it is plastics you plan to use the rod for, then the Zillions are ideal for that application.

Bassaholic84 reply :

I have a powell ef 703c. Its a medium heavy rod. I am trying to beable to cover a variety of applications with these two rods. Should i use that as my plastics set up and look for a different type of rod?

roadwarrior reply :

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My experience: I have a ES70mf St. Croix & a GLX BSR852. IMO there is no comparison. The GLX out performs the St. Croix by a wide margin.

That's a fact! However, I still prefer the ES70MF for weightless soft

plastics. The "professional overruns" we experience with baitcasting

gear when a soft plastic goes airborne is totally unacceptable for me.

8-)

David P reply :

Quote
I own several St Croix Legend Tournaments, and they are my choice. Made in the USA, as are the Loomis's can't go wrong with either IMHO
Dobyn's............please $300 for a "made in china" rod, with non-fuji guides, and a $60 replacment charge, which is $10 MORE than Croix or Loomis. Not to mention the first run of rods which tanked because of poor quality. I would be VERY leary of spending any of my $$ on a rod with his name on it till they can prove they can make more than one batch of rods that won't fall apart.

Ok before you bash anything, lets clarify.

$300? No, under $240 for the Champion series.

Non Fuji guides ? This was by choice, and is partly why the rods are a bit more money. The guides are lighter, smaller, and I absolutely love them over the fuji guides.

flechero reply :

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The guides are lighter, smaller,.....

Brokeju,

Do you have a source for this info? (other than Gary) Steel frames with SiC or Zirconium rings are offered by several companies, I haven't turned up the actual specs showing dimensions and weights, with any searches. The pictures don't show these guides as being "smaller" in fact, the frames on the SiC are quite wide looking, while the Zirconium guides look much like the Alps XXNZG series. Either way, I would love to see the actual weights, compared to other manufacturers guides, in same ring sizes.

My suspicion is that they are only smaller and lighter than the guides he didn't use.

bass wrangler569 reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
I enjoy the 'touch' of my All Star 783C. Both of them. I am looking at a Carrot Stix CG-661M-C for an addition to my rods. I coupled my All Stars with the Plueger Asaro and they seem to make a good combo for me. Thinking about putting the Plueger Patriarch with the Carrot??
You guys are the experts....... what do you think? I'm a weekend warrior on area lakes.

Are you planning on putting the Plueger on an Loomston or a St. Coxi, or perhaps maybe a Fenlick or the famous Diawa Sleez?

This thread is awesome

Please excuse my spelling young man. I can see that you are very cranial.

No hard feelings ment. I was just messin' with ya

G.Lee reply :

Its all good kid.

South FLA reply :

You've got the order right. I own or have owned all three mentioned. I love my Dobyn's and for the money its a good to great rod, but the G Loomis IMX is still tops.

Bassaholic84 reply :

Anyone tried the Gold Carrot Sticks

burleytog reply :

Quote
The "professional overruns" we experience with baitcasting
gear when a soft plastic goes airborne is totally unacceptable for me.

8-)

Huh? :-?

WhatchutalkinboutWillis?

roadwarrior reply :

Actually, this is how Power Pro ended up on my new Curado...

Violating my own rules, I was fishing a 7" Senko when it

decided to escape...The explosion looked like a huge ball

of cotton candy and what was left intact was just about the

right amount of line for backing!

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

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Anyone tried the Gold Carrot Sticks

Have a 6'10''MH...the best shallow crank rod known to man...or at least to me

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Quote

Quote
I own several St Croix Legend Tournaments, and they are my choice. Made in the USA, as are the Loomis's can't go wrong with either IMHO
Dobyn's............please $300 for a "made in china" rod, with non-fuji guides, and a $60 replacment charge, which is $10 MORE than Croix or Loomis. Not to mention the first run of rods which tanked because of poor quality. I would be VERY leary of spending any of my $$ on a rod with his name on it till they can prove they can make more than one batch of rods that won't fall apart.

Ok before you bash anything, lets clarify.

$300? No, under $240 for the Champion series.

Non Fuji guides ? This was by choice, and is partly why the rods are a bit more money. The guides are lighter, smaller, and I absolutely love them over the fuji guides.

That is still pretty pricey for what you get! What is so good about these guides that would make you go as far as to say you "love" them over Fujis? Just curious that's all!

ww2farmer reply :

Quote

Quote
I own several St Croix Legend Tournaments, and they are my choice. Made in the USA, as are the Loomis's can't go wrong with either IMHO
Dobyn's............please $300 for a "made in china" rod, with non-fuji guides, and a $60 replacment charge, which is $10 MORE than Croix or Loomis. Not to mention the first run of rods which tanked because of poor quality. I would be VERY leary of spending any of my $$ on a rod with his name on it till they can prove they can make more than one batch of rods that won't fall apart.

Ok before you bash anything, lets clarify.

$300? No, under $240 for the Champion series.

Non Fuji guides ? This was by choice, and is partly why the rods are a bit more money. The guides are lighter, smaller, and I absolutely love them over the fuji guides.

Not bashing, stating my opinion of why I wouldn't buy one, just like you "bashed" err................gave your opinion on why you wouldn't buy Loomis and Croix rods in your post. BTW the Extremes are $299, hence my $300 reference, if I am wrong about them being made in China, show me and I'll back off that. BTW I think $240 for a made in China rod is a joke too. You absolutely can not refute the fact that his first run of rods were touted by people on this forum as the second coming, and they fell flat on there face after they were total crap. From what I hear they stood behind those rods, good for them, as they should have, but there are far too many other good, if not better rods out there from PROVEN companies that deliver good rods the first time for me to even think about a Dobyns. And to charge $10 MORE for replacement that the proven guys, when the only thing you have proven in the past is that you will need to replace these rods is down right absurd.

You like yours, great. Tell every one about it, I am just offering the "other side" of the story.

ArcticCat500 reply :

Ok, Im going to throw out the GBlanks Customs...again! The blanks used are Rainshadow's RX8+, very light and incredibly sensitive. I have 2 in spinning 6.6MXF 6.8MHXF. my next will be a MHF in casting. I love that with a custom you can pick and choose the colors and styles.

Bassaholic84 reply :

So im going to save a little money and buy a carrot stix. Just cant decide which one i have. Thinking of a medium power since i already have a MH rod.

2312

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