What Is Your Favorite Rod/ Rod Compay? 2024

Jon G reply :

Since there is so many rod companies out there evru one has a favorite. My favorite would either have to be duckett or the Wright and McGill skeet reese signature rod. I just started to use the skeet rods and I will say for 90 bucks it is the best rod I have ever used.

flyfisher reply :

For fly rods i am a Sage guy with a smattering in the St. Croix and for conventional i am on a St. Croix kick right now and am starting to like the Kistlers the more I use the one that i own.

ww2farmer reply :

Mine has changed over the years. For a while it was Fenwick, then it was St Croix, now it's Abu Garcia. Each rod has/had it's plus and minus's. The Fenwick's, at the time I was using them a lot, were lighter, and better than every thing else I had previously used. But local availability started getting really iffy with them, so I switched to something that was in just about every store I shopped in, and that was St Croix. After fishing for almost 5 years with mostly all St Croix's....I just got a little bored with them. The new stuff they are putting out keeps getting more and more expensive, and to be honest, the Rage, and latest generation Legend Tournaments just don't do it for me. I gave Abu rods a try early this season, and liked them enough to start replacing my lower end St Croixs with them, and by the middle of the season, I found my self using them more and more. I decided to run a little "experiment", so I took all my better St Croix's out of the boat (legend tournaments, Avid's, Rage) and just used the Abu Vengeance, Vendetta's, and Veritas rods I had accumulated. My fishing has hardly suffered, and I like the fact I can do the same things with $50-$100 rods that I felt like I "needed" $150-$300 rods for in the past. I have had a big change in my tackle buying ways the last year and a half. With two kids, bills to pay, and NOTHING else in life getting any cheaper, I am all about the most bang for the buck now, and I feel I am getting that with my Abu rods. I have tried many other rods just out of curiosity, like Kistler, BPS, Shimano, Berkley, Gander Mtn., and more I can't remember, and with the exception of the Berkley Lightning rod Shocks, nothing from any of those has stuck with me. Again........that's a bang for the buck thing too. I can fish a frog or swim jig just as effectively on a $40 7' MH LR Shock as I could/have/did on a $200 7' MH Avid.

Arv reply :

My favorite based on affordability for my wallet - Powell, Max and Endurance. If I had a bigger wallet, it would be Dobyns Champion (and I'm assuming the Extreme, though I've never used one).

rippin-lips reply :

I don't have a favorite. I've tried a good many companies over the years and have no complaints about any of them. Falcon bucoo,cashion,kistler,***,powell max endurance and diesel,

I currently use powell endurance and they're great. I liked my Kistlers too.

iabass8 reply :

It was st. croix for the longest time until i bit the bullet and tried Dobyns. i've since replaced the majority of my rods with Dobyns.

Capt.Bob reply :

With so many different companies this will be a hard decision,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,or well,,,,, with the quality of their blanks,,,,,, world class customer service,,,,,,,, and lifetime warranties and upgrade programs only they have,,,,,,, I would have to say I am leaning towards St. Croix, I am always looking for better though, but in the past 15 or so years I just can't seem to find one that meets my demands???? I have found a couple manufacturers that do this or that as good, but have not been able to satisfy myself with one that offers the total package that St. Croix does! Everything in fishing should be this good!!!

curtis9 reply :

I've been a big st croix fan, but recently bought a few dobyns rods. For now any future purchases will be dobyns

LMB ANGLER reply :

the best rods i ever used and will continue using is G.LOOMIS.

Craiger12 reply :

Dobyns

Bjreg3 reply :

I have favorite rods for different types of fishing. I like Fenwick for jigs and smaller plastics, Abu Garcia for heavier applications like heavy swim baits, heavier jigs and some frogging, a custom made rod for tubes ( J. Miles, uses a Shakura (sp) blank), and TFO G Loomis spinning for crank baits. Don't use St. Croix for freshwater anymore( I own 2 Fw and 3 SW) as I think you can get better or as good rods cheaper ( Sorry Guys) !

iabass8 reply :

On 10/27/2013 at 8:30 AM, Capt.Bob said:
With so many different companies this will be a hard decision,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,or well,,,,, with the quality of their blanks,,,,,, world class customer service,,,,,,,, and lifetime warranties and upgrade programs only they have,,,,,,, I would have to say I am leaning towards St. Croix, I am always looking for better though, but in the past 15 or so years I just can't seem to find one that meets my demands???? I have found a couple manufacturers that do this or that as good, but have not been able to satisfy myself with one that offers the total package that St. Croix does! Everything in fishing should be this good!!!

St. Croix unfortunately suspended their trade up program for the better part of a year now i guess. kind of a shame but hopefully they will reinstate it soon. You would think they would put these "abundance" of used rods in their bargain cave too..

Grantman83 reply :

Dobyns...no need to change what's already awesome

tomustang reply :

On 10/27/2013 at 10:39 AM, Grantman83 said:
Dobyns...no need to change what's already awesome

Are you saying that with a st croix shirt on?

lmbfisherman reply :

See my signature.

Capt.Bob reply :

On 10/27/2013 at 10:18 AM, iabass8 said:
St. Croix unfortunately suspended their trade up program for the better part of a year now i guess. kind of a shame but hopefully they will reinstate it soon. You would think they would put these "abundance" of used rods in their bargain cave too..

I just traded up to a Legend Elite in June, I am not sure what you were trading up or if it was just recently, the rod I traded up I had broken, and was warranted also?? They supposedly will start the trade up for rods without warranty issues after the first of the year again???

Brian Needham reply :

all Dobyns on my deck.

MacP reply :

G. Loomis most likely.

S Hovanec reply :

I'm a St. Croix geek.

mjseverson24 reply :

I like the skeet rods, as well as the st. croix lineups, but for now all of my purchases will be shimano rods. the reel seat on their new set up is the best on the market for sensitivity.

Mitch

SirSnookalot reply :

10 years of 12 month a year fishing and most of the time it's 7 days a week my rods get a pretty good workout. I mainly use Star and Hurricane Redbone (both very popular down here), never had one break and never needed customer service. These rods handle the fish I encounter from smaller fish to some pretty large ones, I'm more than content. Extreme lightness and sensitivity are not very important issues to me.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Almost all my rods are St.Croix, mostly LTB's but I have a few Mojos, an Avid, and a couple Premiers. I also have a BPS Extreme, a couple Shimano rods and an Abu Vendetta.

Jon G reply :

I did forget to say that my favorite spinning rod comes from fenwick (it an old eagle gt) My dad got me when i just started to learn how to fish. That rod has caught literaly almost every single species of fish both fresh and saltwater living in Southern California. I caught my First LMB on it which is still my PB 10.5lb (If i can find the picture i will definetley put it up) I have caught on it calico bass, spotted bay bass, sand bass, bonita, halbiut, leopard sharks, and even snagged a 150lb thresher shark (long story) and yet it of course snapped my line the rod still remained in take. So I might have to reconcider what i said to be my favorite rod company and replace it with fenwick.

aavery2 reply :

I prefer Falcon rods, I use mostly the Cara line with a Gloomis, Dobyns and a St.Croix mixed in here and there. I like the fact that the Falcon rods are made in the USA.

Trey Harpel reply :

Been using Dobyns for 8 years now and they have been GREAT rods..

Solid, very balanced, sensitive and they have the best customer service Ive ever delt with..

slonezp reply :

Fenwick

Grantman83 reply :

On 10/27/2013 at 11:10 AM, tomustang said:
Are you saying that with a st croix shirt on?

Yes sir I am. I have shirts and hats from a ton of company's since I have owned most companies Rods/reels at least once since I got into fishing. Since I tried dobyns, they have all been switched over with the exception of one custom I bought off a member here.

Shirt wise, st croix makes an excellent shirt which fits me great. I own three of them lol

Dwight Hottle reply :

I have had good luck with both loomis & st croix. Talk to the custom rod builders for their favorite blanks and you get a different perspective of who makes the best blanks at different price points. They have a pretty good experience level compared to the average fisherman. I for one respect their opinion more than average joe or mr bass pro. They don't have a dog in the fight unless they only deal with one manufacture exclusively.

War Eagle 44 reply :

G Loomis, Shimano, and Powell. For the money Powell Max rods are great IMHO, but if I were on an unlimited budget I would have a mixture of Loomis and Shimano rods. I absolutely love the one Cumara A rod I have and would love to have a "complete set". Also I wouldn't mind having about 7 or 8 of the newest GLX series rods.

TrippyJai reply :

Probably Dobyns. Full handle cork, balance rods, quality, everything I want in a rod, except I'm not a big fan of the guides.

bigbill reply :

Here we go my favorite rod was a Shakespeare black beauty for many decades. And some

Southbends, cheaper Wal-Mart quantums etc. That kept me happy, happy fishing for many years. Even today I'm happy happy with some of them. Then I been hearing rumors that I need to step up the quality of my rods. I admit I thought the guy's we're wrong at first but having problems with hook setting long before there were power options on some of my older discontinued rods I thinks it was an eye opener to look at the more expensive bass rods. My search began. I purchased a Berkley lightening rod heavy, vengenance rodmed, a quantum kvd med tour rod med/hvy, a Berkley shock rod, a lews xhvy/xfast, all crankbait rods. The vengeance, the shock rod and lews really feel great. The others are a different feel that I'm not use to yet but being new to a slight better in quality rods they felt ok too. I was interested in the lews spinning rods too after seeing and feeling there SG Graphite Speed Stick spinning rod. I just purchased four of them in different lengths and actions. These lews spinning rods list for $99 and they were half price on sale. So I upgraded at bargain prices. I believe I'll be very happy with the less rods. Now matching up the lews spinning rods with the US Reel super caster spinning reels. I'm trying the US Reel super caster baitcaster reels on some of my baitcasting rods too for cranks, spinnerbaits and jigs too. Life is good for now.

The only fishing shirt I have is a Wal-Mart FLW Tour shirt. I do wear my lucky panther Martin hat most of the time. Do you wear your proven lucky clothes most of the time? I know it's skill that catches fish but I am superstitious too.

Mike L reply :

I own and fish with on every outing a Fenwick, Falcon, Allstar, custom on a St. Croix blank and recently Phenix.

I now have 3 Phenix rods, my next one will also be.

Mike

JTMONEY606 reply :

doybins i have had the savy and a champion both awesome. i love G loomis too i just got a GL2 spinning rod and its very nice. i would love have some NRX models id almost bet there the best along with the champion and champion extreme.

olegs reply :

ST Croix rods. I have 3 Legend Tournament rods and one Premier. I plan to buy one more Legend ( Extreme or Tournament) 6'10" MLXF for drop shot.

dodgeguy reply :

falcon

SudburyBasser reply :

No love for Shimano? When it comes to baitcast/spinning rods I'm a Shimano guy. Fly rods it's St. Croix... for now. Once the budget for that expands I'll start experimenting there.

NEjitterbugger reply :

On 10/27/2013 at 4:04 AM, ww2farmer said:
Mine has changed over the years. For a while it was Fenwick, then it was St Croix, now it's Abu Garcia. Each rod has/had it's plus and minus's. The Fenwick's, at the time I was using them a lot, were lighter, and better than every thing else I had previously used. But local availability started getting really iffy with them, so I switched to something that was in just about every store I shopped in, and that was St Croix. After fishing for almost 5 years with mostly all St Croix's....I just got a little bored with them. The new stuff they are putting out keeps getting more and more expensive, and to be honest, the Rage, and latest generation Legend Tournaments just don't do it for me. I gave Abu rods a try early this season, and liked them enough to start replacing my lower end St Croixs with them, and by the middle of the season, I found my self using them more and more. I decided to run a little "experiment", so I took all my better St Croix's out of the boat (legend tournaments, Avid's, Rage) and just used the Abu Vengeance, Vendetta's, and Veritas rods I had accumulated. My fishing has hardly suffered, and I like the fact I can do the same things with $50-$100 rods that I felt like I "needed" $150-$300 rods for in the past. I have had a big change in my tackle buying ways the last year and a half. With two kids, bills to pay, and NOTHING else in life getting any cheaper, I am all about the most bang for the buck now, and I feel I am getting that with my Abu rods. I have tried many other rods just out of curiosity, like Kistler, BPS, Shimano, Berkley, Gander Mtn., and more I can't remember, and with the exception of the Berkley Lightning rod Shocks, nothing from any of those has stuck with me. Again........that's a bang for the buck thing too. I can fish a frog or swim jig just as effectively on a $40 7' MH LR Shock as I could/have/did on a $200 7' MH Avid.

The vengeance is a great rod for the money, along with the vendetta!

dam0007 reply :

Was St. Croix, still is for Salt. But for bass tied Dobyns and 13.

kickerfish1 reply :

Would never get tied down to one rod brand or a favorite unless someone was paying me to use them. My top 4 would be shimano for warranty, dobyns for price to performance and the wide range of options within the rod lines, Loomis for sensitivity and performance, megabass for versatility, performance, and superb build quality and attention to detail. Too many "good" rods to limit yourself to one brand or line though I can't blame the guys that like their rods and reels to be one rod line and reel line.

David P reply :

Dobyns, hands down.

bmlum415 reply :

Dobyns without a doubt

PABASS reply :

I really want to try a Dobyns rod but they are just not popular here and no stores carry them. With that being said I have a rod from 97 that's still in my Arsenal and that rod is a Premiere from St Croix and I use it as a jig/frog rod. I have tried the Veritas and while I favor it over my St Croix newer premier and mojo bass its quality isn't on par with a St Croix. I have this issue of what rod to get as I don't want to spend more than 175$ on a rod and I know St Croix is quality so its hard going outside that box. At some point I will try a Dobyns and hope to own one soon..

Raul reply :

I have Shimano, Berkley, GraphiteLeader and GLoomis, however, most of my rods are GLoomis.

skeletor6 reply :

Im going to have to go with Shimano especially since they've acquired Loomis. You got the cumaras, cumulus, nrx anx glx. What's not to like?

David P reply :

On 10/29/2013 at 10:36 PM, PABASS said:
I really want to try a Dobyns rod but they are just not popular here and no stores carry them. With that being said I have a rod from 97 that's still in my Arsenal and that rod is a Premiere from St Croix and I use it as a jig/frog rod. I have tried the Veritas and while I favor it over my St Croix newer premier and mojo bass its quality isn't on par with a St Croix. I have this issue of what rod to get as I don't want to spend more than 175$ on a rod and I know St Croix is quality so its hard going outside that box. At some point I will try a Dobyns and hope to own one soon..

You won't be disappointed. I know it's nice to hold the rod in your hands prior to ordering, but they have such detailed, accurate information on the rods that it's very easy to get the rod you're hoping to get. Ordering one form TW is free shipping and can always return it, but I'm almost certain that thought wouldn't cross your minds once it's in your hands!

kickerfish1 reply :

On 10/29/2013 at 10:36 PM, PABASS said:
I really want to try a Dobyns rod but they are just not popular here and no stores carry them. With that being said I have a rod from 97 that's still in my Arsenal and that rod is a Premiere from St Croix and I use it as a jig/frog rod. I have tried the Veritas and while I favor it over my St Croix newer premier and mojo bass its quality isn't on par with a St Croix. I have this issue of what rod to get as I don't want to spend more than 175$ on a rod and I know St Croix is quality so its hard going outside that box. At some point I will try a Dobyns and hope to own one soon..

A dobyns champion series rod would be just a touch out of your $175 during an online retailers 20% of sale. I bought all 5 of my dobyns by talking to pro staff members, Gary dobyns, and a few others that I know that fish them. I am confident that between the guys on here and a few emails with dobyns, you will be to track down the rod you need for whatever you may be intending to use it for. Should you decide to go the dobyns route just ask here and I am sure you will get enough input to get you going in the right direction.

BradGuenette reply :

Dobyns rods hands down. Best customer service in the industry, rods for all different types of budgets, and endless different options to key in on the perfect rod for the variety of applications you can to use it for.

Darren. reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 9:01 AM, DirtNasty said:
Dobyns rods hands down. Best customer service in the industry, rods for all different types of budgets, and endless different options to key in on the perfect rod for the variety of applications you can to use it for.

Just checked Dobyns site and TW ... not so sure they've got "rods for all different types of budgets" as you describe if the bottom is $159 MSRP, unless I'm missing rods in the sub-$100 range?

BradGuenette reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 9:42 AM, DarrenM said:
Just checked Dobyns site and TW ... not so sure they've got "rods for all different types of budgets" as you describe if the bottom is $159 MSRP, unless I'm missing rods in the sub-$100 range?

You have your $300+ extremes, $250 champions and $150 savy. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Darren. reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 9:49 AM, DirtNasty said:
You have your $300+ extremes, $250 champions and $150 savy. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Not looking for a fight here, just pointing out they don't cover "all" budgets.

SirSnookalot reply :

How does one declare one company as having the best customer service, if they haven't used the customer service from the dozens of companies that make rods. A good rod is one where customer service is never needed. If I happen to own rods, and thankfully I do not, from 1 company where customer service has been needed several times for whatever reason, that's a company I'd be staying away from for the future.

David P reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 2:00 PM, SirSnookalot said:
How does one declare one company as having the best customer service, if they haven't used the customer service from the dozens of companies that make rods. A good rod is one where customer service is never needed. If I happen to own rods, and thankfully I do not, from 1 company where customer service has been needed several times for whatever reason, that's a company I'd be staying away from for the future.

Customer Service isn't always about rod failure... Calling the company to ask for advice on what rod to order is a BIG confidence booster to consumers who are forced to purchase a rod online and want to be sure they're getting the exact right rod for what they want to do. How many rod companies can you call and speak to one of the best most accomplished fisherman out there (as well as being the owner and designer of these rods) and get advice from him... Customer Service isn't always a negative thing... Not to mention plenty of people smash a rod in their rod locker, car door, car window, etc... Or what about stepping on guides on a rod that's laid out of the front desk?

My point is, accidents happen, and it happens to ALL rods, no rod is bullet proof. So when something does happen, I like to know my phone call will be answered immediately, BY A FISHERMAN who knows what they're talking about.

I have personally called and had issues with four different rod companies in the past. Not once did I get my question answered on the first call, most of the time forced to leave a message and wait for a call back. I have heard similar stories with many other rod companies. Being able to call and speak directly to the owner/designer/accomplished fisherman is a huge plus that not many companies offer.

SirSnookalot reply :

Quote

I have personally called and had issues with four different rod companies in the past. Not once did I get my question answered on the first call, most of the time forced to leave a message and wait for a call back. I have heard similar stories with many other rod companies. Being able to call and speak directly to the owner/designer/accomplished fisherman is a huge plus that not many companies offer.

For the most part I need no information from a rod company, I know what I want. However I did need want some info on a boat rod I purchased, many boat rods do not list the lure weights. I called one of the most popular companies on this site and the rep knew less than me, IMO most of them are just order takers.

I have never broken a rod by accident (watch me do it today with my big mouth, lol) and my rods don't break from use, I'm real cautious with the way I take them in and out of my vehicle. My rods are never on the deck of a boat, they are in rod holders when not in use, however I do not fish from a bass boat. Fishing from a center console offshore it's the norm to have a fish on that takes you 360 around the boat, last thing you want is to trip over something.

A good rod for me is never needing customer service, but what ever floats yer boat, go4it.

David P reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 3:29 PM, SirSnookalot said:

For the most part I need no information from a rod company, I know what I want. However I did need want some info on a boat rod I purchased, many boat rods do not list the lure weights. I called one of the most popular companies on this site and the rep knew less than me, IMO most of them are just order takers.

I have never broken a rod by accident (watch me do it today with my big mouth, lol) and my rods don't break from use, I'm real cautious with the way I take them in and out of my vehicle. My rods are never on the deck of a boat, they are in rod holders when not in use, however I do not fish from a bass boat. Fishing from a center console offshore it's the norm to have a fish on that takes you 360 around the boat, last thing you want is to trip over something.

A good rod for me is never needing customer service, but what ever floats yer boat, go4it.

Exactly my point, many rod companies customer service representatives DO NOT know much about the rods, and are indeed there to take orders, deal with promotional stuff, and other issues... Not necessarily give advice on a rod.. This is exactly what makes up part of good customer service and proves my point.

You might not have broken a rod, but it's a VERY common thing that happens, especially on bass boats. When you invest $200-$400 on a rod, or sometimes more, it's nice to know you have a warranty and a good customer service to back you up when something does happen. You are one of the select lucky few that doesn't have issues, but this is why customer service is so important to many people. HAS NOTHING to do with quality of the rods themselves, and good customer service shouldn't be looked at as a negative when talking about rod companies.

SirSnookalot reply :

David, you and I are not going to agree on this one. I would think any one spending upwards of $400 on a rod would expect a quality made rod and know exactly what they want before spending that kind of money. If needed after spending $400 I would expect customer service to be better than just good. I may be a bit narrow minded, but I can't justify spending $400 or more on a rod that I may catch no more 20 fish in my entire life over 12 or 15 lb. I'm sure some of the non professionals have accomplished this feat, I haven't done so bass fishing, but wonder how many actually did use rods of that caliber, my guess is not too many.

Bankbeater reply :

I don't have a favorite, but I do have some rods that I use for specific baits. If one of those rods would break, I wouldn't run right out and buy a new rod from any one company. I'd shop around to see how much bang I could get for my buck. IMO, customer brand loyalty is the quickest way for a company to start producing goods that are not up to par.

Grantman83 reply :

I have had 3 issues with dobyns regarding a chipped eyelet (my fault btw). Each time I called I for Richard dobyns on the phone and had an eyelet shipped to me free of charge that day.

THAT is customer service. Getting a real person on the phone who knows their stuff and can get the job done

flyfisher reply :

I think people are confusing customer service/warranty with happy with getting things for nothing. The majority of broken rods are user error and not due to a fault in the rod but companies are more than generous in giving you a deal on a new rod or replacement.

In the above scenario about a chipped eyelet that was your own fault would you have such a glowing review if they said sure we wil lsend you out some but it will cost you $15-$20 shipped? I could be wrong but my guess is you wouldn't.

This expectation of getting something for a lower price because you broke a rod to me seems silly. I just recently lent a rod to my brother and dad to use to go after stripers and it was a Penn bluewater something or other. Well he broke it by stepping on it and both of them said well try and warranty it. I read the warranty and it is pretty much the same for all rods as it covers manufacturers defects not accidental breakage, misuse etc...I didn't even bother to attempt to warranty the rod because i knew it was not the rod's fault it was broken. Could i have done it, probably but it isn't right.

Now i know there are some rods that have unconditional warranties and i am fine with that because that is what they are but every rod i have broken on my own i either paid the upgraded cost because it was my fault and didn't attempt to say it was broken in a way that matches the warranty.

Grantman83 reply :

I think you are confusing my intent. I would have gladly paid for the parts in question (as I have with other rods from other companies). My point was that I got the a real person on the phone who was quick to help and knew about the product in question.

I was not attempting to get something for free when it was my fault. I was trying to get a part. The eyelet was offered to me for free. That is a company willing to go above and beyond to keep your business.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

I have become real fond of St Croix in the last year. Their Legend Elite rod is awesome. I also really like Loomis.

Would I fish a different rod. Sure. I just like these two.

David P reply :

On 10/30/2013 at 4:01 PM, SirSnookalot said:
David, you and I are not going to agree on this one. I would think any one spending upwards of $400 on a rod would expect a quality made rod and know exactly what they want before spending that kind of money. If needed after spending $400 I would expect customer service to be better than just good. I may be a bit narrow minded, but I can't justify spending $400 or more on a rod that I may catch no more 20 fish in my entire life over 12 or 15 lb. I'm sure some of the non professionals have accomplished this feat, I haven't done so bass fishing, but wonder how many actually did use rods of that caliber, my guess is not too many.

I'm not trying to argue with you, but when comments are made in the form of, "I would think..." or "I would expect", or "I can't justify spending". These are your opinions, but clearly this forum and several other forums prove your "expectations and thinking" wrong. There are frequently threads from guys asking, "Which model do I get for...".

Just because you can't justify spending $400 on a rod, doesn't mean others can't... I wasn't trying to argue with you, but when you try to bash a company for saying it's essentially a negative if they have good customer service because customer service shouldn't be needed if the rod is good, it's just simply not true. You made the point by saying you one time called a rod company and you knew more than the lady... This is part of customer service. It's not always a bad rod that calls for you to use customer service.

And as Grantman said, it's inevitable that user error will cause something wrong with a rod once in a lifetime. To be able to call, get your call answered immediately, and the problem resolved THAT very day and your part in the mail that very day, that's GOOD customer service. Whether it be free, or $20, immediately being taken care of is what's most important. Gets us all back on the water quicker and fishing with the rods we love!

SirSnookalot reply :

No sense in continuing this banter, I don't agree with much of what you say and I'll leave it at.

0119 reply :

It used to be St. Croix for years but I dont like their split grips, not enough to hold.when casting. Same goes with Shimano now too and I have small hands. I've started to buy Kistlers now.

LMB ANGLER reply :

On 10/31/2013 at 3:20 AM, SirSnookalot said:
No sense in continuing this banter, I don't agree with much of what you say and I'll leave it at.

hey snook, your 100000000% right, i agree everything you said. tight lines.. im outtt

Felix77 reply :

Reels - Abu Garcia

Rods - Rapsody Rods

Darren. reply :

C'mon, nobody's gonna stand up for Ugly Stik!?

Ok, I will...not. No really, I actually have a couple Lite models, but they're for guests, kids, etc. I used to love them for all manner of fishing, but those days are gone. If feel isn't an issue, they're actually pretty decent rods. They're great for live bait and certain fresh/saltwater situations.

And I can only offer my opinion on what I've used. I've used St. Croix Avid, Premiere, Shimano Compre (cork), a Field & Stream IM7 casting rod, among others.

Strangely enough, the rod I most enjoy using is the F&S IM7. It is plenty sensitive, and allows me to cast very light plastics with my Lexa or Chronarch quite far. Perhaps it is the use of braid mainline and either pure FC or copoly leader that helps with the sensitivity. But it's plenty sensitive, and I've caught my largest bass with it.

I love the lightness of the Avid, but love the thinner profile of cork on my Compres.

It is such a personal thing, rods and reels and feel.

I can honestly say I'm not 100% certain the Avid is that much more sensitive than the Compres, even the IM7 F&S. It probably is. And since the tip has broken, I will be using the warranty to either get a replacement in a M rather than ML, or cross-grade to an Avid casting rod.

Abu Veritas, etc., intrigue me, as do the Daiwa Lexa rod series. Both brands are quite light and feel great in the hand. Interesting discussion, this....

LMB ANGLER reply :

On 10/31/2013 at 8:59 AM, DarrenM said:
C'mon, nobody's gonna stand up for Ugly Stik!?

oh man, you know it, for some reason im the opposite of many people and im very oldschool when it comes to everything, old cars/trucks old gear old everything, but as the great saying goes the older the better, i have friends that have ugly stiks for years with no problems but the new generation tackle will not last as much todays as the old ones, and thats kinda the reason why i buy old gear of saltwater grade gear because their bullet proof. call me weird but i prefer ugly stiks over dobyns and st croix, i dont have to worry about slamming and dropping my rod and calling my warranty service ever.

Brian Needham reply :

I snapped a dobyns off on a boat cleat one time, Dobyns covered it, $60 bucks and done. For a $300 rod that's a pretty good deal.

I tore off a guide, jabbing a lure that was hung..... Dobyns sent me the guide for free.

great warrentee, I gravitate to Dobyns, not run away.

Many people don't think they need info from a manufacture, since they know what they want. Issue is unless you know how every line of rods out there fishes, you better be calling manufactures to see if their MH is light or heavy, since there are no stardards.

Which is another reason I like dobyns. I have spoken with Gary about rods when I first started to buy his rods. I told him what I had been using and what I wanted. Then asked him does he have something that fits the bill, he gave his recommendation and I cant say he ever been wrong about the rod he suggested or the comparison he drew to the other company I asked about.

I choose dobyns , but you can insert any company you use and like into this example

I like them, others may not.... I like the opportunity to speak with the owner/designer, others may feel its worthless.....its what makes the world go around.

but for someone to call my or anyone else's buying experience wrong, or tainted, or foolish is pompous at best.

Craiger12 reply :

Dobyns is $80 now for the no questions asked replacement service, but I agree, excellent customer service and not bad for a $350 rod.

aavery2 reply :

On 10/31/2013 at 12:17 PM, LMB ANGLER said:
oh man, you know it, for some reason im the opposite of many people and im very oldschool when it comes to everything, old cars/trucks old gear old everything, but as the great saying goes the older the better, i have friends that have ugly stiks for years with no problems but the new generation tackle will not last as much todays as the old ones, and thats kinda the reason why i buy old gear of saltwater grade gear because their bullet proof. call me weird but i prefer ugly stiks over dobyns and st croix, i dont have to worry about slamming and dropping my rod and calling my warranty service ever.

Or having great balance and sensitivity......

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