Rods, rods and more rods

[old guy]

Trying to match my new calcutta reel with a rod. Got some great suggestions from you guys. However, the cost of Loomis and St croix rods shook me up a little {actually a lot}. The number and type of rods in the tackle shop blew me away. The shop keeper said that my Calcutta was too much of a reel for comfy bass fishing and recommended it as a musky reel. {as was previously pointed out} However , he didn't discourage me from getting anything I wanted. Again I need your expertise. Does a 200 or 300 dollar rod lead to more hooked fish? I guess what I mean are they significantly more sensitive than a 100 buck rod. I don't mean a 15 dollar Wal-mart special. We are all familiar with the term " you get what you pay for" but is this really significant when comparing a 100 dollar rod to a 200 to 300 dollar rod. Opinions please- I obviously haven't purchased my rod yet.

[furious]

I use some St. Croix Avids and Fenwick HMG AV spinning rods and I notice a difference, but I think it has more to do with the balance of the higher end rods being more precise than some of the less expensive rods. The rest of my rods are your basic $80 to $120 rods. They work alright for me, but they have to I couldn't afford to change everything!!! If your reel is more geared towards musky fishing then is sensitivity really an issue? I don't musky fish, but is there such a thing as a subtle musky bite? Maybe some of the musky guys could answer that.

[DonD]

I tournament fish for bass, have done so for 6 years now, I usually carry 8-10 rods per tournament. None of my rods are over $75 and most of them have lasted the 6 years, the only ones that have broke was due to my own stupitiy ( stepped on the tips of 2 )
I even have a 7ft whuppin stick bought from Cabelas for $19.99 with a 10 year guarentee, it's as thick as a pool cue.
So let the choice be yours, personally I think rods under $100 are just fine.

[Trophymuskie]

Whould you put a $5,000 engine in a Chevette? So why put a $400 reel on a $100 rod. You do get what you pay for, G-loomis rods are guaranteed for life, they are lighter then anything else wich is good with that pretty heavy reel. Naturaly the sensitivity is second to none as well. So yes spending the money on a good rod will help you catch more fish.

Hey if that rod and reel outlast you I am sure one of your kids would enjoy it.

[DonD]

Sorry TrophyMuskie I disagree with ya about catching more fish with an expensive rod...grant ya i wouldn't wear a pair of sneakers with a tuxedo, but I wouldn't go out and buy a $300 pair of shoes to go with it either.
All I'm saying is there are good sensitive rods out there, that do the job just fine for under $100
I have a $200 Abu Garcia Eon on a $65 BPS Extreme cranking rod , can't say I've caught less or more fish with it. but I do know, when I set the hook, the fish is mine.

[Jigs]

I usually buy a 7 ft. rod, so that when I catch it in the : car door, oar lock, car trunk, step on it, I have enough rod left for a decent 6 footer

Obviously I don't buy expensive rods...........lol.

The best one was the Shimano I just sold (baitcasting rod). When you set the hook with that, if you released the fish, his first stop would be the dentist.

Personal choice I guess.

Regards: Jigs

[Trophymuskie]

Don you need to take a G-Loomis out for a test drive and then tell me they are not more sensitive. I use the big heavy muskie rods and even at trolling speeds in excess of 5 MPH I can tell when there is but a small piece of weed on my spinnerbait.

[lungelarry]

Get yourself a Shimano Compre.....you don,t need a sensitive rod for bucktails and jerkbaits.Just get one thats rated for 1to 4 oz baits and the length you like.Also if you fish muskies please put on at least 80lb or better yet 100 lbs. power pro.

[Rocky]

You asked for opinions, and I have one. The reel is obviously a good one and a very nice gift, but now it's your money being spent. I am not convinced that spending more money for a rod will get you any more enjoyment. We are probably about the same age and I used to fish competitively, starting around 1970. I have spent hundreds of dollars on various outfits over the years and cannot say that the most expensive have accounted for more or better quality fish than those costing less. The least expensive ones are not junk, but good quality rods and reels from most of the major makers. I've owned Loomis and St. Croix as well as custom rods made from blanks of my choosing. Now that I fish more for fun than to compete, I'd rather use the money for gas, lures, and maybe more or longer fishing trips. Believe me, the fish don't care.

[GamblerSteve]

I have to agree with Trophymuskie there is a big difference between highend and lowend blanks. Don you might be setting the hook and bring the fish in but what about all the hits your missing because you not detecting them. G loomis and St. Croix have a wide range of rods. Like Trophymuskie said earlier putting that reel on a cheaper rod (more times than not are heavier blanks) you would end up not using it much especailly for bass. I think you will find it hard to match a rod up with that reel for bass fishing due to the size of it. Most people use that reel for muskies or trolling on big water. Maybe the reel can be returned so you can get a 250 Calutta which is more suitable for bass fishing.

[Xenos]

Other than my downrigger rods all I own are St Croix and GL loomis, these rods load up like no other and I am 100% convinced they increase my percentages. I will not even consider buying anything else.

Hey Karack Do my rods help me catch fish?


Just for reference I can pull out 25' of line on my walleye rod and if I put it on my Adams apple you can feel me talk. Now the question is, do you need this sensivity? I do. And we haven’t even discussed the loading up and the backbone these rods have. $150-250 is not expensive. This is just starting into the top shelf quality range. On my other rods I instantly know when I hit a weed and where they are. If the lure is clean or if its tracking right.

The point is your paying for the ability for your hands to be your eyes under the water.

[big-o]

Hey O.G.

Ed from Paddletales got me into St.Crouix last fall....the best thing I have ever done I now own 5 and will be replacing all my rods to St.Crouix...If you do a lot of casting..these rods are light You get very little wrist fatigue , super senitive and a very clear warrenty...not like other rods (shimano)I highly recommend these rods!!!!!!!

[Markus]

Ahhhhh, it's about what you want to pay. I use my 6.5' abu's for just about everything and they cost $30 each. I have no problem putting fish in the boat.

[Legend]

When it comes to your fishing stick, personal preference seems to be the order of the day Old Guy.

I was at the fishing show this year and was just overwhelmed at the selection of rods available.

Like you, fishing for me is pure fun and that's what I used as my guide when selecting a rod. I wanted strength but most of all lightness and a decent balance for my favourite reel, a mitchell 300x. That may not make me Red Fisher but I usually have a fun day.

Oh yes, my rod of choice... The Ugly Stik light, and available for the God fearing price of $50. (CDN)

(Now you know I'm no Red Fisher!)

Legend

[DonD]

Richard & Steve, I have to admit I have never used a rod over $100, but I'll take your word for it, that the expensive rods have more sensitivity and are built lighter....But you know I don't think we can argue about how many more fish I have lost because i use the cheaper models, I don't think anybody knows unless you have a camera on every pick-up a fish makes on your bait...we can only assume, can't we.