The 100-dollar rod dilemma.

[Plasticpirogue]

I agree with ya. Anything above $100 is pretty much for a slight upgrade in sensitivity and a giant upgrade in look/feel of the rod. (meaning cosmetics, weight reduction, and ergonomics) I think my favorite price range at the moment is $170-$200. IMO you get the most bang for your buck without it being too rediculous.

Ive had SEVERAL rods under 100 bucks and quite frankly ive caught most of my fish on them. ($20 spinning combo k-mart special is my baby)...While I prefer high dollar rods for the collecting aspect/fun of it. I will always have a place in my arsenal for a "cheap" rod or two. Its also good to have a few rods like that for when your non-fishing friends want to come....or live bait if the fishing is horrible

Also, that $1000 rod above is sexy as hell, but Id rather buy another kayak. I dont care how collectible it is..id never fish it.

Good point. I have some fairly expensive St. Croixs (LTBs), an Avid, and a bunch of Mojos....those are my bass rods. Although Mojos get a bad rap for being tip heavy, I can tell you after owning a whole bunch of the things that some of them feel GREAT in the hand, just as others feel like a turd. They are all durable as I have consistently proven. I have heard complains about guide rings popping out or cracking (two problems...part supplier[Pac Bay] & operator abuse) but in general they are good rods, backed by a good warranty.

What I won't do however is use by good bass tackle in saltwater. For saltwater stuff, I simply go to Academy and get AllStar Classics (like a PRS-M, PRC-M, or SBS) for less than $50. They have a great popping rod action, durable, attractive (especially the new split grip PRS-M SG), and CHEAP (all things considered).

[GlockGuy]

I agree with ya. Anything above $100 is pretty much for a slight upgrade in sensitivity and a giant upgrade in look/feel of the rod. (meaning cosmetics, weight reduction, and ergonomics) I think my favorite price range at the moment is $170-$200. IMO you get the most bang for your buck without it being too rediculous.

Ive had SEVERAL rods under 100 bucks and quite frankly ive caught most of my fish on them. ($20 spinning combo k-mart special is my baby)...While I prefer high dollar rods for the collecting aspect/fun of it. I will always have a place in my arsenal for a "cheap" rod or two. Its also good to have a few rods like that for when your non-fishing friends want to come....or live bait if the fishing is horrible

Also, that $1000 rod above is sexy as hell, but Id rather buy another kayak. I dont care how collectible it is..id never fish it.

Good point. I have some fairly expensive St. Croixs (LTBs), an Avid, and a bunch of Mojos....those are my bass rods. Although Mojos get a bad rap for being tip heavy, I can tell you after owning a whole bunch of the things that some of them feel GREAT in the hand, just as others feel like a turd. They are all durable as I have consistently proven. I have heard complains about guide rings popping out or cracking (two problems...part supplier[Pac Bay] & operator abuse) but in general they are good rods, backed by a good warranty.

What I won't do however is use by good bass tackle in saltwater. For saltwater stuff, I simply go to Academy and get AllStar Classics (like a PRS-M, PRC-M, or SBS) for less than $50. They have a great popping rod action, durable, attractive (especially the new split grip PRS-M SG), and CHEAP (all things considered).

That's great for those of you who HAVE an Academy Outdoors nearby! I made a few trips to the one in Jacksonville, FL while I was down there on business.

My spinning gear ends up getting used for both fresh and salt, except for the light and ultralight stuff. To that end, I'm looking at a Shimano Saros F 3000 and a Shimano Teramar to be a saltwater-exclusive set-up for Zara Spook One-Knockers, popping corks and heavier jigs. Too bad that setup costs $250, but the lifetime over-the-counter warranty on the Teramar makes it worth it. IMHO...

[lconn4]

Years ago I walked into the local BassPro in Dania, Fl and gave every rod in the place a good look over and told myself not to look at price. I ended up spending $150 for a St.Croix Avid baitcasting rod and have looked at that price range ever since. I've bought rods that were listed for much more but I've never paid more. I'll buy used if something is in new condition. Seems to me that $100 bucks gets you a lot more rod today than even a few years ago. Lots of good choices these days so now you can get stuff in colors you like as well.

X 2 on some of the Kistler rods!

[ecu daniel 14]

but in general they are good rods, backed by a good warranty.

Too bad that setup costs $250, but the lifetime over-the-counter warranty on the Teramar makes it worth it. IMHO...

I agree with both points made here. You are more or less making an investment at this price point. Sure they look/feel better based on personal preferences, but this is REALLY what your paying for. Most rods in the $200 price range have lifetime warranties. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only manufacterer that offers lifetime warranies on there rods under that price point is Shimano.

I also use my tackle in both fresh and salt...so I dont mind paying high dollar for them...

[flyfisher]

but in general they are good rods, backed by a good warranty.

Too bad that setup costs $250, but the lifetime over-the-counter warranty on the Teramar makes it worth it. IMHO...

I agree with both points made here. You are more or less making an investment at this price point. Sure they look/feel better based on personal preferences, but this is REALLY what your paying for. Most rods in the $200 price range have lifetime warranties. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only manufacterer that offers lifetime warranies on there rods under that price point is Shimano.

I also use my tackle in both fresh and salt...so I dont mind paying high dollar for them...

I believe ST croix from their Avid series and up have lifetime warranties.

Also if you think spinning/casting rods are expensive, don't even get into the whole fly rod discussion

Although in fly rods, i do see a huge difference in $100 versus $500 rods

[Plasticpirogue]

Correct, the St. Croix Avids do come with a lifetime warranty. Everything under that (built on the SCII blanks) have a 5 year. Usually, I am bored with a rod I have had for 5 yrs, so it's not a HUGE issue, but it is something to factor in when you are talking about high end rods.

Difference though about a fly rod is that if you are a trout fisherman (as an example) you own and use only one rod, say a 9'5wt. It's not like you trudge down to the river with a whole quiver of technique specific rods like us bass fishermen tend to do. But your point is well taken.....I remember the shock the first time I ever saw a list price break the $500 barrier. Now that's a good price for a good casting rod, but back in the day that was a real eye opener! It was a Sage BTW.

[ecu daniel 14]

Another option in this price range Ive been looking at is the new Denali Jadewood rod.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Denali_J ... -DJSS.html

This will be the next one I am trying out.

[flyfisher]

Correct, the St. Croix Avids do come with a lifetime warranty. Everything under that (built on the SCII blanks) have a 5 year. Usually, I am bored with a rod I have had for 5 yrs, so it's not a HUGE issue, but it is something to factor in when you are talking about high end rods.

Difference though about a fly rod is that if you are a trout fisherman (as an example) you own and use only one rod, say a 9'5wt. It's not like you trudge down to the river with a whole quiver of technique specific rods like us bass fishermen tend to do. But your point is well taken.....I remember the shock the first time I ever saw a list price break the $500 barrier. Now that's a good price for a good casting rod, but back in the day that was a real eye opener! It was a Sage BTW.

You do make a good point in that a fly rod is probably the most versatile rod you will ever own. I can do 90%+ of my trout fishing with one rod if i had to, 9'4wt sage DS2 but that would be boring

Now for bass i can probably say the same thing....sage 9'7wt XP for smallies and my Sage Bass II for largies....

That is why whenever anyone does the whole if you could only take one rod question it is no doubt gonna be a fly rod

[vakayakangler]

but fly fishing is as additive as anything else and it's lure is evil. Fly rods are BEE-U-T-Full. Especially those BAM=Bam-boo uns. Tina caught one really nice on Fee-bay and won the bid and had my first custom made. The wraps were Marine Corps Colors!

Then decided she could make one. A short YEAR later, I had two Bamboozle rods. Five and a six weight. She caught this one on sale and that one on clearance and my collection continued to grow.

Therein lay the problem... All the sudden I had my orders. Those rods are 'spensive.... I won't have them leanin in the corner... organize them.

With a woodshop, and tools and a stack of wood I couldn't do it halfway... Rod rack! Brazilian Cherry...

The end grain on the rack was beautiful, a compliment to the rods it would hold:


I hand rubbed the rack with Watco Oil finish to bring up the grain...



Then added a british bee's wax finish to bring out a soft muted glow, easily renewable at any time.


All it needed was the rods... so in they went. Five years ago there were a few empty slots, now days they are all full, and there are a couple leaning in corners again. (even after Miss T has let a few go to friends.)


This was my initial design, and I have been meaning to build a new rack with a few more slots and a drawer underneath to hold the reels... but I can't find the time. Um... energy.. now that all I have is time. I think the new rack will follow the same basic design but have the drawers, fancier trim with inlays and maybe more exotic wood... just to make use of the woodshop... birdseye maple, austrailian lacewood.... ebony?

[flflash]

Really Nice job on the rod rack Vakayakangler, that wood grain and tone is just magnificent!