[cancun]

Let me start by saying how glad I am this site exists. I started checking it out yesterday, and had to register today. I think its pretty cool that so many people are willing to give up spots and tactics, and make new friends along the way. Thats what its should be all about.
My question is...... I recently bought a Curado SF and am looking for a nice rod to go with it. I have been looking at St Croix Premier ( 95$) and also a G-Loomis ( 125$) I know both are their low end, but I cant spend
200-300$ right now and stay married. If anyone has oppinions on those two or somthing different I would like to here from you. I spend most of my time Largemouth fishing, but also enjoy Aurora Res, so I would like a multi species type of set up. Im at work so I will check back through out the day. Thanks And again what a great site........

 

[NeWcS]

Welcome to the board!!! I too am glad this site is here and the people/person who runs it does a great job.

This isn't aim towards to you but I dont understand why people spend so much $ on those rods. I catch ALOT of fish every year and all my rods range from $19.99 to $30.00 or so. The $19.00 rods I run are Cabelas Whuppin' Stick's. They are covered for 10years and work great. .Maybe its cause I never used one or the fact that I can't afford it but spending that much on a rod is crazy to me. Now a reel is a diffrent story. I have a $139.00 Shimano Stradic ST4000FH and you can really tell the diffrence.


IMO

-Jay

 

[epic]

I kinda agree with Jay on this you dont need a 200$+ dollar rod to catch fish.  Rod choice should be mostly based on the type of fish you are going after.  For bass fishing you need a heavy rod for worms, a long, somewhat limber rod for crankbaits, a short, stiff rod for spinnerbaits and a light rod for casting ultralight lures. (These are not set in stone either)  You can also use the rod label (on the rod) the rod label will tell you what line and lure weight works best with that particular rod. Some rods are also labeled for specific use - crankbaits, jigs, Carolina rigs, topwaters, etc. 
Material is also important I use 100% graphite rods when fishing with jigs or plastic worms or other soft plastics since these require a more delicate touch since the fish may bite the lure very subtly.  For Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, top waters, and buzzbaits I use a composite fiberglass rod since I tend to get excited and overreact and pull the bait out of the fishes mouth when setting the hook.  Fiberglass is a slower material, and I'm less likely to jerk the lure away from a fish.
Hope this helps.

 

[Neal/CO]

I have a 7' XPS Trigger Stick from Bass Pro Shops. It is MH action. I use it for throwing spinnerbaits for Bass and pike, jigging big soft plastics and pulling bouncer's and crawler harnes'es. I also bought the end cap weight system to go with it and it is perfectly balanced now It cost me 99.00 and i wouldn't trade it!

I do have a St Croix 7' MH Spinning rod I like alot also.

Go see Donald at Gander Mountain! He will have some suggestions for you also.

 

[cancun]

Thanks for the input, and Im really not the " only the best will catch fish" guy. I just had some old rods that broke in one spot or another last summer and figured why not compliment the real. my favorite rod right now is a Sportsmans warehouse 6'6 ML and I really do like the feel and the price.

 

[Bronco]

The way I look at it, if fishing is your thing than enjoy a quality rod and reel. I don't agree with a cheap rod and a expensive reel/ why stop at the rod? We will all blow the savings on something else anyways.

 

[cancun]

Part of my problem is thinking about this all winter. Rods may not be the same as skiis, but I demoed some and could tell they were worth every penny. I do like the JUST DO IT attitude thoe, thanks

 

[slayerfish]

Just feel 'em witout looking at the price first.Find the 2 or 3 best feels then look at the price! Actually I use a st. croix premiere 7' spin rod and love it!Also the cabelas fish eagles feel really well at 80.00 each.My reels are shimano symetres at 80.00 each.I throw a lot of lures/jigs and they are worth it!

 

[cancun]

Thanks , that is a good idea. Like you, I have the Symetry 2500 and have nothing but good things to say about it. If I had the money, there are about 50 rods that feel good. See ya

 

[bigbrown46]

i also have a whuppin stick its great but none of my poles beet my ugly stix 6ft6 med it is awesome and i have had it for 12 years

 

[NeWcS]

I don't agree with a cheap rod and a expensive reel/ why stop at the rod?

Im not saying to get a cheap rod with a high priced reel. I just have a hard time thinking that there is a major diffrence in a $40.00 rod and $140. I also don't see how it will help me catch more fish. Like I said before: I've never used a high priced rod(Except my Salom Rods) and can't really afford it so maybe thats why this is my view.

I keep 9 rods in my car at all times. 9 rods x $100+, big pay off for a thug.

9 rods x $30.00, Not so bad but Jay is still just as PISSED!!!!



IMO

-Jay

 

[idratherbfishing]

Ya know I kinda gotta agree with Jay. I don't believe buying a $100.00 or more rod will help me catch more fish. Maybe they might be a little more durable but if you get a rod with a IM-7 or 8 blank the durability should not matter how no matter how much you pay.

A couple of years ago I spent $80.00 on a beautiful rod, a nice one piece, kept in my boat, put a good ambassador reel on it, used it for trolling, once. Then my wife somehow managed to lose her balance and step on it. I was heartbroken.

It would not have bothered me so much if it had only cost $30, for the price of the one rod I could have bought 2 replacements.

But one of these days when I can afford it I will buy a high-end rod and reel and keep it for just my use. Just because I deserve it.

Dan

 

[Pete]

I can see it both ways. If you've got greenbacks, and can convince the wife that a $200.00 rig is essential, than go for it. If not buy what works for you.

I have about three rods and reels that I've spent over two hundred dollars for, and about 15 rigs, that I've purchased for less than 50.00 bucks. I find myself fishing with the less expensive stuff 90 percent of the time, and saving the expensive equipment for the out of town trips or what I'd consider a special trip. I just never have to worry about babying the cheaper rods, or worrying about my kids closing a compartment door on my rod tip (good by St Croix; yes this happened to me).

I can tell stories on how to loose, snap, forget, back-over or destroy a rod 14 times over. With the less expensive rods, is easier to weather the loss.

Buy what you can afford, and fish on... fogetaboutit!

Pete C

 

[NeWcS]

Buy what you can afford, and fish on... fogetaboutit!

Pete C

Preach on brother!!!!

This is a great disscussion

-Jay

 

[koni]

: I know your all going to laugh when you read this. I have an Abu Garcia Bruiser that is 9 ft, and a 6 ft ugly stick for catfish. That isn't the funny part. I wanted a new reel, so i looked on Ebay and i found this really sharp looking reel, a penn jarvis walker, but it looked sort of big to me so i e-mailed the seller and asked him if this reel was huge. He e-mailed me back saying "OH no, its not huge at all"...well...the reel came in the mail and let me tell ya...huge was not the word for it....it is a salt water reel for ocean fishing. It would not fit my ugly stick so i bought the 9 foot bruiser for it.  It took some getting used to casting it as it is so heavy, but i did catch fish with it so it will do for now. It is a nice reel, and i do have to use heavier line with it but it does wear my arm out some. My other reel is an abu Garcia spin reel, and i like it. I bought it on the bruiser stick as a packaged deal for less than 50.00. Its for heavier line too since it did come on a 9 foot stick, so i also have a shimano spin reel for smaller lines on a smaller stick. That way i can give my arm a rest.

 

[Bronco]

Earlier I posted if you get a good rod get a good reel, because I can't buy anything over 40-50 bucks combined. Just wanted to see some one with the high dollar stuff from the catalogs. Once I got married and the wife saw what I use to buy and how frequently I break them or one of my moron buddies step on them, she introduced me to Eagle Claw and the Shimano-1000 all plastic reels for $9.99. But you know I still catch fish the same, and know when one of my moron buddies steps on the pole it doesn't break and you can whip them with it and it still doesn't break.

 

[idratherbfishing]

LOL, I never thought of using a broken rod to whip the person who broke it.... Somehow I think that would wind me up in divorce court! And wives are like fish, you sometimes have to go through a few to find a keeper, and I have a keeper now.

Dan

 

[epic]

Take someone with you when you go pick out a rod, pick about the 5 you like best and fit what you want to fish for. Then to help narrow down your choice have the person your at the shop with hold the tip up to their throat and humm extremely softly do this with all the rods and narrow them down to 2 or 3. Then check prices and go with the one thats cheapest out of them.
The important thing is dont look at the prices and hold as many rods as you can at first to find the ones you like.

 

[don broeren]

Working at Gander Mountain I've seen guys do a lot of funny things with rods, but I've yet to see anyone humming on them! It may just work though. ;D I fished for years with $50- $60 rods and reels but since I've made the switch to the high quality stuff I could never go back. The added comfort and amazing sensitivity you have with a high quality rod like a St. Croix is priceless. I recommend buying the best rod and reel you can afford, any advantage you can get over the fish will put more in the net! But like I always say, to each his own!

 

[Grumpa]

Thanks everybody for this discussion. I've gone $49.95 or less for all of my 10 or so rods and have been satisfied, but now I'm motivated to experience the next level. See ya in August, Don, if I can find Gander Mountain.