I just want to ask how most of you think about high end rods????
Are they more sensitive??
How do you tell if a rod is sensitive???
Do they catch more fish???
Can they make a bad fisherman good and a good fisherman even better???
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I think you know since you do the tournament thing. But, for the average weekend fisherman I don't think high end equipment does anything to improve their fishing success. High end equipment just drain their pockets. Success comes from other areas. If you buy a $200 hammer it aint going to make you hit a nail any better than a $20 hammer.
For the fisherman who really gets into the sport and knows why they are getting different rods (trolling, flippin, pitchin, drop shot, crankin, live bait, jiggin, spinnerbait, fly) then there may be some real benefits to the more expensive rods. Being able to have different actions and materials can make a big difference in different types of fishing methods. However, I'm not sure that a $300 Loomis or Sage is THAT much better or more sensitive than a $60 - $80 Bass Pro Shops rod. I've sure seen a lot of marginal anglers using very expensive equipment. And I've seen few super anglers who don't own at least midrange equipement.
I go for a well built rod with good components made for the presentation I'm using. I balance it out with a good reel and premium line. I believe that rod balance is where much of the sensitivity is gained or lost and that learning different methods and simply paying attention to details will take one the rest of the way to becomming a better fisherman.
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As a fly fisherman, usually yes. At least for me unfortunately. I tend to cast and perform better with certain rods and unfortunately, they are pricey. Some guys find no difference with a $100 fly rod. I wish that was how I feel but not for fly fishing. Its how I perform with it, not how it performs.
In my bass boat its a different story. I carry several $40-$65 rods of a certain brand because I like them and feel good and confident with them. They feel good, and I cast well with them. For me its how it feels and I perform when I use it. What may work for one person may not work for another. I think some feel that the higher priced rod makes them a better fisherman.
More sensitive? That is the fisherman and his abilities and experience IMO.
Now reels...thats another deal all together.
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Its all personal preference (on which rod you use). Some like the fiberglass (more bend) type rods. Others like a stiffer rod.
To me, whats more important is the reel. A cheap reel is the worst thing to have.
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[black]Lotta placebo effect goin on out there; regardless of the industry or the product. But maybe higher cost doesn't translate into different product feel; rather it's increased product durability. Or both. I still use one of my Garcia 5 star gold rods from the 70's. And it ain't made of glass, or inter-modulus graphite rated @ 45 million modulus. New and more expensive is not necessarily improved. Lotta guys use Ugly Stiks...[/black]
[black]Tested several new rods at SW: I simply could not tell the difference tween a $215 fast-tipped G-Loomis and the $100 fast-tipped Fenwick. I've long said I've been lucky that way; I simply can't tell the difference in a lot of higher end products. Don't buy junk, buy mid to high-mid end. High end buys image and prestige, not necessarily better functionality. I'm just as happy with my mid-range $60 Daiwa reels as some are with their $160 Shimanos...[/black]
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[black]You'll never get agreement on this topic though; may as well ask if it's too hot or too cold. Just my .02.[/black]
[black]TG[/black]
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I think to some extent maybe. But this is all subjective to what your preferences are. Up until 2 year ago I always liked a (light action rod about 6ft to 6'6") even though I did not know that is what it was. Now I can appreciate what a Med Heavy is used for and where. But than that all falls down to what is High end? I do not look at price when I shop for a rod first I look for Length, feel and style (casting, fly rod, spinning, ECT) after that I look at the price and if it is out of my comfort zone, I will not buy it.
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Just like everything new, the price depends largely on how much it cost to develope, manufacture and market. In the right hands you can tell the difference between a lower end rod but even then it's only a small different. I buy or build what feels good to fish with regardless of price.
Does a rod catch you more fish? No it helps present and feel your lure but a wood stick will do the same in the right hands.
Catching fish is all about timing, location, presentation and lure.
Sensitive is what most fisherman call feel. If you can't feel your lure, bottom and strikes then get a new rod. Line can affect sensitivity as well.
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It all depends on what type of fishing you are doing. I don't mind using a Cabela's rod for catfishing or even bait fishing for trout. If I'm bass fishing, be it drop-shotting, crankbaits, swimbaits, topwaters, or whatever, the top end rods are the only thing to have. Having said that, I use exclusively GLoomis rods. They are pricey, but fishing isn't cheap no matter what. I also use Shimano reels. Their mid-range reels- $150-$200 are my favorite. If you have to choose between expensive rods or expensive reels, I'd go for the reels first. One last comment, once you use high end gear it's really hard to go back.
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This is kind of how I pick a rod...
I like a rod that is 6 1/2' to 8' long and light it depends on use and line weight I plan on using and fish type I'm going after...
It must be made of good stuff, graphite, boron, but no fiberglas to heavy...
Then I look at cost and who makes it, so I know its made right, then I see how it feels with a reel on it yes I get a reel and put it on and see how it handles...
Then I see the warranty,it shows how they fell about there own rods...
And why I pick the best rods and reels and line I can is this...
Lets say you are fishing with your buddy and both you and him have the same skills at fishing then your rods or reels and line may give you the edge you need to catch more and bigger fish, I have been fishing with some people and I can see when they are getting a bite before they know it (the line may move or jump)..
They have a rod that has no to little feel, I have let them use one of mine and they can't believe the fell they get, in a store you may not fell the differences between a good rod and a great rod but on the water with a light bite you will...And the more you pay for something the better you will take care of it...
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I was told to drag it agaist carpet and that is how you can tell how sensitive it is like with my sage i did this and could feel pebbles i went over i dont know if it is true i was just told that!
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Bassrods, what size in length and action and model do you like for drop shotting? Im looking to get a good drop shot pole for summer. Something mid-range in price like 50 to 100 bucks?
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I do something like that but I put some line from the reel to a 1/8 oz weight and drag it on the floor to see....We all have heard all kinds of ways to check...
Tracker I like and have Lamiglas drop shot rods in 7' and for crank baits I have there bait cast rod (drop shot bait casting rod) it makes for me the feel and it bends all the way through the rod with backbone...You can see them on there web site...They run about $139 or there abouts...
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what action or model is the lamiglas drop shot rod your talking about Bassrods? I looked on their website and I'm not sure which one your talking about. There are to many to choose from! LOL!
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My $35 Ugly stick will catch as many fish as your $400 Lami's or Loomis's.[
] Just kidding you clif, but i mean that. I do see the difference in weight and quality when comparing price and maybe longevity but a rod that costs more than $70 is not worth it to me. My ugly sticks have never let me down under any circumstances. My fly rod cost me $85 and i almost cried. I have proven time and time again it is not the rod as much as the angler(flyfisher) in this case. I have fished with many people and they almost always have more expensive rods than me. I outfish almost all of them every time. I say not but my .02.[cool]
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I like my Shimano Compres, but than again I got both on sale. one was 30.00 and one 50.00, i bought my casting rod used (not as nice as the Compre but decent) and I use a Sportsmans brand Ultralight that I love. How ever I did drop the most coin I have ever last fall for a Powell Drop shotter and I do love it. It is a 6'8" Ex fast med-light. I have only had it out a couple of times but man I think I can feel every little bump on that rod.
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I agree with you lunkerhunter2! Ugly Stik is all I have ever really fished with and I have no complaints! All this talk about high end rods just got my curiosity going on whether it is worth it or not! I like to drop shot and a lot of people make it sound as if Im missing half the fish I could be catching if I changed to a higher end more sensitive pole! I don't know if that is true but I would be willing to look into it if its that big of a deal!
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If someone could PROVE to me that a rod makes that much difference i might reconsider but to this point nobody has been able to do it. I agree that the reels are the most important piece to the set-up but even then, i won't spend more than $80 on them. My Quantum Kinetic and Catalysts are Grade A in my book. Baitcasters are a different story and i am now realising the differences.
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Yes reels are worth a little more in my book than the rod. My Daiwa Sol and Cabelas Prodigy (made by Daiwa) have been awesome! I would much rather sink that kind of money into a nice reel over rod!
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It is 7'0" 1/8 -3/8oz 6-10lb line XPS 702X Drop Shot Special II I have 3 + 2 in bait cast...
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Good thing the wife didn't see the price on that new Powell you just got!!!! [cool]
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