- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Texas Rod Company and other Texas/LA rod makers
Posted on 4/8/24 at 12:35 pm to AlxTgr
Posted on 4/8/24 at 12:35 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
I have been doing it wrong apparently. I choose my inshore tackle from my bass arsenal and take the stuff I don't mind tearing up
Oh yeah I hear you on that.
Since I've started building, I've come to realize there are whole swaths of people (especially in Texas and florida) chasing monster speckled trout who aren't afraid of spending $$$$ on "inshore" rods.
The TX guys want lighter powered, short handle ~6'9" rods for wade fishing throwing artificial plugs (topwater, corkys, mirrolure, etc...). The guys in Florida generally want longer spinning rods in the same powers/actions for making long casts in ultra clear water with jigheads and other soft plastic presentations.
For the average Boudreaux in south LA, grab your lighter powered bass tackle and you're good to go.
The biggest snag you run into as a bass fisherman is that traditional bass gear tends to be heavier powered and faster actioned than what is ideal for specks. I prefer Medium and medium light power rods with mod fast tips for most inshore applications.
1
Posted on 4/8/24 at 8:10 pm to The Last Coco
Really appreciate all the responses. Sounds like I may need to reconsider a Salinity. Very good to know about the price points. Thats why I was a little confused with these Spinning rods from Texas Rod Company. I'm guessing these are just cheaper Chinese blanks that they stick their logo on?
LINK
LINK
Posted on 4/8/24 at 9:04 pm to WestBay
Those rods look to be all made from MHX blanks which are Chinese blanks. They put together the rods in Texas so it is "made in the US".
The specific one you linked is made with some of the cheapest components you can make a rod from. Yes, it's assembled in the US, but all the materials are individually manufactured elsewhere.
Full transparency - the Kistler Rods are mostly the same way as will be most rod manufacturers unless they specify American made blanks. Kistler does have a lineup of saltwater rods they recently released with US blanks - Kistler Saltwater Series. Even if they use US blanks, the rest of the components are coming from China/Japan in all likelihood.
ETA: nothing wrong with foreign sources components. Fuji is the standard for guides and they're all imported. But the trc rod you linked has some really cheap guides, seat, and grips. If that rod were assembled overseas it would likely sell for half what they're charging.
The specific one you linked is made with some of the cheapest components you can make a rod from. Yes, it's assembled in the US, but all the materials are individually manufactured elsewhere.
Full transparency - the Kistler Rods are mostly the same way as will be most rod manufacturers unless they specify American made blanks. Kistler does have a lineup of saltwater rods they recently released with US blanks - Kistler Saltwater Series. Even if they use US blanks, the rest of the components are coming from China/Japan in all likelihood.
ETA: nothing wrong with foreign sources components. Fuji is the standard for guides and they're all imported. But the trc rod you linked has some really cheap guides, seat, and grips. If that rod were assembled overseas it would likely sell for half what they're charging.
This post was edited on 4/8/24 at 9:07 pm
Posted on 4/8/24 at 10:13 pm to The Last Coco
quote:
Those rods look to be all made from MHX blanks which are Chinese blanks. They put together the rods in Texas so it is "made in the US".
The specific one you linked is made with some of the cheapest components you can make a rod from. Yes, it's assembled in the US, but all the materials are individually manufactured elsewhere.
Full transparency - the Kistler Rods are mostly the same way as will be most rod manufacturers unless they specify American made blanks. Kistler does have a lineup of saltwater rods they recently released with US blanks - Kistler Saltwater Series. Even if they use US blanks, the rest of the components are coming from China/Japan in all likelihood.
ETA: nothing wrong with foreign sources components. Fuji is the standard for guides and they're all imported. But the trc rod you linked has some really cheap guides, seat, and grips. If that rod were assembled overseas it would likely sell for half what they're charging.
Dude you're on it! Rod making sounds fun. So what's the cheapest rod that gets you into the good stuff? I really like my Laguna Liquid series casting rod. What do you make of the Salinity and the Castaway nano Skelton?
Posted on 4/8/24 at 10:43 pm to WestBay
quote:
What do you make of the Salinity
Never fished the salinity but Waterloo rods seem to have a good enough following. I dont know anything about their manufacturing pedigree though. I think their lower end rods, like the salinity, are made south of the border and the higher end lines are still made in TX. Could be wrong though.
quote:
Castaway nano Skelton
For a few years now these have been Chinese made rods. Fully assembled overseas. Not necessarily a problem, but for the same price I'd rather have the Kistler KLX. Similar level of components but assembled in TX. I've fished the skeleton nano jerkbait rod and spinnerbait rod and they're fine but I don't think they're best buys anymore. The old skeletons were pretty special rods in my opinion. Those were built on rainshadow blanks.
Posted on 4/9/24 at 7:40 pm to WestBay
quote:
For some reason Im not crazy about Waterloo
They are all I fish. I love them. Great customer service too! Highly recommend.
Posted on 4/9/24 at 8:04 pm to WestBay
Spoke to Ryan the owner today and I’m going to order some client spinning rods from him. Will let you know how they hold up with the people I have to fish.
Posted on 4/9/24 at 8:31 pm to KemoSabe65
Is the Salinity the move if I go Waterloo? I think the reason I'm not big on them is I heard a buddy completely trash them. He fishes more than I do but I don't know him that well. He might just be hyperbolic and probably owns high end rods from other makers and is just talking shite. Sampling bias on my part.
Posted on 4/9/24 at 9:09 pm to WestBay
Salinity casting rods are affordable and tough enough for my use and I spend 200 days a year on the water. Won’t spend $179 for a client to use, break and not pay for it. I bet you won’t be disappointed in the salinity.
Posted on 4/9/24 at 9:13 pm to WestBay
Rods come down to a personal preference with how it feels in your hands, but as far as quality goes, Waterloo makes great rods. I have a few from the salinity to the carbon mag.
Posted on 4/10/24 at 8:14 pm to WestBay
You use to be able to get a built in Louisiana custom rod from Zook rods for $200 +/- depending on the style of rod. I personally have gone to the decent rod, decent reel realm on this. Most of my rods are inshore rods from Falcon, I even rock a couple of ugly sticks for bang around duty like soaking crabs for drum from the bank/beach. I find the falcons are 90% as good as the $200 rods on the shelf, if I wanted something more than $100 I would definitely go custom.
Page 2 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News