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re: Favorite versatile bass rod under $350?
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:06 am to The Last Coco
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:06 am to The Last Coco
quote:Is there some resource or thread out there telling us who uses what? Like, how many blank manufacturers are there?
The Pride rod interests me primarily because it's on an NFC blank.
1
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:39 am to Saskwatch
quote:
Have you looked at getting a custom rod made? For $350 I bet you could get one to your preferred specs and not have to compromise on handle, blank, reel seat, guides, etc.
I just don't know where to start with this. How do you find reputable builders, etc...?
Posted on 3/15/22 at 11:40 am to AlxTgr
quote:
on an NFC blank.
Is there some resource or thread out there telling us who uses what? Like, how many blank manufacturers are there?
I've seen some threads on BBC but nothing comprehensive. I wonder if NFC has that list somewhere of approved builders.
ETA:
NFC Rod Builder Locator
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 11:43 am
Posted on 3/15/22 at 12:48 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
Shimano or Abu?
Abu...my bad... brain fart
Posted on 3/15/22 at 1:00 pm to ElDawgHawg
quote:
ever felt the need to spend that much on a single rod.
I dont need to. I like to. Collecting the gear is an enjoyable hobby for me in and of itself.
Generally speaking, time is a limiting factor moreso than money (not that I'm rich by any means). As such, I want to make sure that when I do have the time to pursue my hobbies that my gear is as good as I can afford it to be so that my limited time is not negatively affected by some variable I have control over.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 1:54 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
How do you find reputable builders, etc...?
Message boards and fishing shows. Along the Gulf Coast the more well established custom inshore rod builders are in Texas. All will ship but it will cost extra. If you're in a big time bass fishing area then I bet there will be someone who is putting out some "custom rods". It's mainly about ordering more premium components and knowing how much thread, epoxy, etc... to put it all together on a rod wrapper. Not a complicated process but there are tricks to it and it is a more tedious process.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:08 pm to The Last Coco
Berkeley Lightning Rods med-heavy extra fast tip have always been my go-to for a variety of presentations. Tx rig speed craws, pegged tx rig speed craws, and green beetle spins all work well paired with that rod and a 90’s era Ambassadeur C3.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:13 pm to gorillacoco
quote:
Berkeley Lightning Rods med-heavy extra fast tip have always been my go-to for a variety of presentations. Tx rig speed craws, pegged tx rig speed craws, and green beetle spins all work well paired with that rod and a 90’s era Ambassadeur C3.
Good lord you sound like my brother. I swear I could buy him new gear and he would still insist on using his old broken crap. Don't even get me started on the ambassadeur he has to submerge so it won't squeal when he casts it. I bet that thing is a bucket of rust on the inside. He probably hasn't cleaned it in decades.
His only redeeming quality is that he can actually fish and despite his obsession with derelict equipment, he catches a few every now and then.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:23 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
Favorite versatile bass rod under $350?
Serious question:
Are the $300+ rods any better than my $55 special I got from academy paired with my basic arse shimano open faced reel? What sets them apart?
The cheap ones last for as long as I take good care of them. I’ve never once looked at my basic rod and reel and thought about upgrading, so is it worth it?
Unless you guys are talking about the offshore setups…. I was speaking mainly about my 6.5 ft, medium flex daiwaw (sp?) poles
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 2:25 pm
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:30 pm to Mr. Hangover
quote:
Are the $300+ rods any better than my $55 special I got from academy paired with my basic arse shimano open faced reel? What sets them apart?
Yes.... They are better for the most part. Blank is made out of more premium material which reduces weight, provides more action from tip to end, and increases sensitivity. Also more expensive rods will likely come with better rod eyes and reel seats which are usually the first components to fail.
quote:
Unless you guys are talking about the offshore setups
Total different game. The money sunk into an offshore outfit is largely in the reel. The rod doesn't play as big a part in the action of the lure/bait. I'd say jigging is the exception where the rod does have a big effect on your lure/bait/jig. You can find an alright jigging rod for fairly cheap but then again it's the reels that are high priced because people want gearing, good drag, light weight, and compact. Generally the lighter and stronger something is then the more expensive it will be. Premium materials.
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 2:37 pm
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:31 pm to Mr. Hangover
quote:
Are the $300+ rods any better than my $55 special I got from academy paired with my basic arse shimano open faced reel? What sets them apart?
I have only fished high-end stuff (St Croix, G Loomis, etc) on my friend's charter boat, and yeah you can definitely tell a difference, particularly in sensitivity of the rod. There's not a huge difference in the reels except smoother drag and they last longer and are serviceable long-term in salty conditions. But the cost difference to me, personally, isn't worth it. I'm more like Last Coco's brother.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:31 pm to Mr. Hangover
quote:
Are the $300+ rods any better than my $55 special
Yes. They're lighter, more sensitive and they're also designed for specific bait applications. The length, power and action (how much of the rod bends and where it loads) are critical to imparting the right actions to the right baits and to keeping the fish on when hooked.
Now, is a $350 rod gonna catch you 7x more fish than a $55 special? No. But do I enjoy fishing with it a whole lot more? Yes. It is absolutely a luxury item.
If you're interested in seeing a big difference but not spending $350, get yourself a $100-$125 rod like a Dobyns Fury, Castaway skeleton, Shimano SLX or St. Croix BassX. Those won't break your bank but will be a dramatic improvement in terms of weight, performance and sensitivity over your current rod, particularly when it comes to bottom contact applications.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 2:43 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
Yes. It is absolutely a luxury item.
I spend the money on gear because I'd rather buy better equipment less frequently, than purchasing lesser equipment more often. I keep my rods and reels in good order (store indoors, transport inside truck, oil/grease reels, replace drag washers, replace bearings, etc...)
Also I don't want to waste my time on the water fricking with a janky rod or fooling with a reel that won't work right. That eats up the enjoyment of fishing and keeping my lure in the water.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:14 pm to Saskwatch
quote:
I spend the money on gear because I'd rather buy better equipment less frequently, than purchasing lesser equipment more often. I keep my rods and reels in good order (store indoors, transport inside truck, oil/grease reels, replace drag washers, replace bearings, etc...)
Also I don't want to waste my time on the water fricking with a janky rod or fooling with a reel that won't work right. That eats up the enjoyment of fishing and keeping my lure in the water.
All of that absolutely applies as well, but the difference in longevity between a $200 vs $350 rod or reel isn't significant. It's largely paying for increasingly small differences in refinement.
ETA: needless to say, I've at least convinced myself that these increasingly small refinements are worth the price tag and that I can actually tell the difference. I'm good at rationalizing.
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 3:20 pm
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:33 pm to Saskwatch
What's bothering me is the proliferation of combos. Good grief those things suck. Even if you find one with a decent reel, the rod just blows. Academy must have 2,500 of them.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:45 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
difference in longevity between a $200 vs $350 rod or reel isn't significant
I agree with this. What could factor in is any warranty that might be included.
quote:
What's bothering me is the proliferation of combos.
Yeah I don't care for those when they are issued as a package from the manufacturer. Main reason being that it's hard for a company to manufacture quality rods AND reels. Generally they are much better at one or the other. Lately I have seen some that do successfully cross over but they generally aren't the best at both.
This post was edited on 3/15/22 at 3:49 pm
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:45 pm to The Last Coco
I didnt like the IMX G Loomis. Sold after about a month. THe GLX and NRX are obviously great rods.
I've had good luck with Kistler Helium MH rods about 2 years ago. Not sure how the newer stuff is.
I also have a 7'6" Cajun Bayou Black that I like.
Exprides are also great as others have said.
I've had good luck with Kistler Helium MH rods about 2 years ago. Not sure how the newer stuff is.
I also have a 7'6" Cajun Bayou Black that I like.
Exprides are also great as others have said.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:46 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
What's bothering me is the proliferation of combos. Good grief those things suck. Even if you find one with a decent reel, the rod just blows. Academy must have 2,500 of them.
Lews and Abu are the worst. They'll stick a $100 reel on a hunkajunk rod and charge $200 for it. You can find Shimano SLX "combos" occasionally but both the rod and Reel there are decent and usually at an overall discount from the separate items.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 3:51 pm to The Last Coco
Poison Adrena 7'3" MH.
Best all-around rod I have ever had.
And that includes against my Megabass P5's and old model NRX's.
Best all-around rod I have ever had.
And that includes against my Megabass P5's and old model NRX's.
Posted on 3/15/22 at 4:21 pm to CFDoc
quote:
Poison Adrena 7'3" MH.
Any clue where I can get one for $350? They're up to $390 everywhere now.
Still kicking myself... I had an opportunity to pick one up for half price new about 6 months back. I hesitated for less than a day and it was gone.
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