What Is Your Favorite Rod/ Rod Compay?

[SirSnookalot]

How does one declare one company as having the best customer service, if they haven't used the customer service from the dozens of companies that make rods.  A good rod is one where customer service is never needed.   If I happen to own rods, and thankfully I do not, from 1 company where customer service has been needed several times for whatever reason, that's a company I'd be staying away from for the future.

[David P]

How does one declare one company as having the best customer service, if they haven't used the customer service from the dozens of companies that make rods.  A good rod is one where customer service is never needed.   If I happen to own rods, and thankfully I do not, from 1 company where customer service has been needed several times for whatever reason, that's a company I'd be staying away from for the future.

Customer Service isn't always about rod failure... Calling the company to ask for advice on what rod to order is a BIG confidence booster to consumers who are forced to purchase a rod online and want to be sure they're getting the exact right rod for what they want to do. How many rod companies can you call and speak to one of the best most accomplished fisherman out there (as well as being the owner and designer of these rods) and get advice from him... Customer Service isn't always a negative thing... Not to mention plenty of people smash a rod in their rod locker, car door, car window, etc... Or what about stepping on guides on a rod that's laid out of the front desk?

 

 My point is, accidents happen, and it happens to ALL rods, no rod is bullet proof. So when something does happen, I like to know my phone call will be answered immediately, BY A FISHERMAN who knows what they're talking about. 

 

 

   I have personally called and had issues with four different rod companies in the past. Not once did I get my question answered on the first call, most of the time forced to leave a message and wait for a call back. I have heard similar stories with many other rod companies. Being able to call and speak directly to the owner/designer/accomplished fisherman is a huge plus that not many companies offer.

[SirSnookalot]

 

 

  I have personally called and had issues with four different rod companies in the past. Not once did I get my question answered on the first call, most of the time forced to leave a message and wait for a call back. I have heard similar stories with many other rod companies. Being able to call and speak directly to the owner/designer/accomplished fisherman is a huge plus that not many companies offer.

For the most part I need no information from a rod company, I know what I want.  However I did need want some info on a boat rod I purchased, many boat rods do not list the lure weights.  I called one of the most popular companies on this site and the rep knew less than me, IMO most of them are just order takers.

 

I have never broken a rod by accident (watch me do it today with my big mouth, lol) and my rods don't break from use, I'm real cautious with the way I take them in and out of my vehicle.  My rods are never on the deck of a boat, they are in rod holders when not in use, however I do not fish from a bass boat.  Fishing from a center console offshore it's the norm to have a fish on that takes you 360 around the boat, last thing you want is to trip over something.

 

A good rod for me is never needing customer service, but what ever floats yer boat, go4it.

[David P]

For the most part I need no information from a rod company, I know what I want.  However I did need want some info on a boat rod I purchased, many boat rods do not list the lure weights.  I called one of the most popular companies on this site and the rep knew less than me, IMO most of them are just order takers.

 

I have never broken a rod by accident (watch me do it today with my big mouth, lol) and my rods don't break from use, I'm real cautious with the way I take them in and out of my vehicle.  My rods are never on the deck of a boat, they are in rod holders when not in use, however I do not fish from a bass boat.  Fishing from a center console offshore it's the norm to have a fish on that takes you 360 around the boat, last thing you want is to trip over something.

 

A good rod for me is never needing customer service, but what ever floats yer boat, go4it.

Exactly my point, many rod companies customer service representatives DO NOT know much about the rods, and are indeed there to take orders, deal with promotional stuff, and other issues... Not necessarily give advice on a rod.. This is exactly what makes up part of good customer service and proves my point.

 

 You might not have broken a rod, but it's a VERY common thing that happens, especially on bass boats. When you invest $200-$400 on a rod, or sometimes more, it's nice to know you have a warranty and a good customer service to back you up when something does happen. You are one of the select lucky few that doesn't have issues, but this is why customer service is so important to many people. HAS NOTHING to do with quality of the rods themselves, and good customer service shouldn't be looked at as a negative when talking about rod companies. 

[SirSnookalot]

David, you and I are not going to agree on this one.  I would think any one spending upwards of $400 on a rod would expect a quality made rod and know exactly what they want before spending that kind of money.  If needed after spending $400 I would expect customer service to be better than just good.  I may be a bit narrow minded, but I can't justify spending $400 or more on a rod that I may catch no more 20 fish in my entire life over 12 or 15 lb.  I'm sure some of the non professionals have accomplished this feat, I haven't done so bass fishing, but wonder how many actually did use rods of that caliber, my guess is not too many.

[Bankbeater]

I don't have a favorite, but I do have some rods that I use for specific baits.  If one of those rods would break, I wouldn't run right out and buy a new rod from any one company.  I'd shop around to see how much bang I could get for my buck.  IMO, customer brand loyalty is the quickest way for a company to start producing goods that are not up to par.

[Grantman83]

I have had 3 issues with dobyns regarding a chipped eyelet (my fault btw). Each time I called I for Richard dobyns on the phone and had an eyelet shipped to me free of charge that day.

THAT is customer service. Getting a real person on the phone who knows their stuff and can get the job done

[flyfisher]

I think people are confusing customer service/warranty with happy with getting things for nothing.  The majority of broken rods are user error and not due to a fault in the rod but companies are more than generous in giving you a deal on a new rod or replacement.

 

In the above scenario about a chipped eyelet that was your own fault would you have such a glowing review if they said sure we wil lsend you out some but it will cost you $15-$20 shipped?  I could be wrong but my guess is you wouldn't. 

 

This expectation of getting something for a lower price because you broke a rod to me seems silly.  I just recently lent a rod to my brother and dad to use to go after stripers and it was a Penn bluewater something or other.  Well he broke it by stepping on it and both of them said well try and warranty it.  I read the warranty and it is pretty much the same for all rods as it covers manufacturers defects not accidental breakage, misuse etc...I didn't even bother to attempt to warranty the rod because i knew it was not the rod's fault it was broken.  Could i have done it, probably but it isn't right.

 

Now i know there are some rods that have unconditional warranties and i am fine with that because that is what they are but every rod i have broken on my own i either paid the upgraded cost because it was my fault and didn't attempt to say it was broken in a way that matches the warranty.

[Grantman83]

I think you are confusing my intent. I would have gladly paid for the parts in question (as I have with other rods from other companies). My point was that I got the a real person on the phone who was quick to help and knew about the product in question.

I was not attempting to get something for free when it was my fault. I was trying to get a part. The eyelet was offered to me for free. That is a company willing to go above and beyond to keep your business.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I have become real fond of St Croix in the last year.  Their Legend Elite rod is awesome.  I also really like Loomis. 

 

Would I fish a different rod.  Sure.  I just like these two.

[David P]

David, you and I are not going to agree on this one.  I would think any one spending upwards of $400 on a rod would expect a quality made rod and know exactly what they want before spending that kind of money.  If needed after spending $400 I would expect customer service to be better than just good.  I may be a bit narrow minded, but I can't justify spending $400 or more on a rod that I may catch no more 20 fish in my entire life over 12 or 15 lb.  I'm sure some of the non professionals have accomplished this feat, I haven't done so bass fishing, but wonder how many actually did use rods of that caliber, my guess is not too many.

I'm not trying to argue with you, but when comments are made in the form of, "I would think..." or "I would expect", or "I can't justify spending". These are your opinions, but clearly this forum and several other forums prove your "expectations and thinking" wrong. There are frequently threads from guys asking, "Which model do I get for...".

   Just because you can't justify spending $400 on a rod, doesn't mean others can't... I wasn't trying to argue with you, but when you try to bash a company for saying it's essentially a negative if they have good customer service because customer service shouldn't be needed if the rod is good, it's just simply not true. You made the point by saying you one time called a rod company and you knew more than the lady... This is part of customer service. It's not always a bad rod that calls for you to use customer service.

 

And as Grantman said, it's inevitable that user error will cause something wrong with a rod once in a lifetime. To be able to call, get your call answered immediately, and the problem resolved THAT very day and your part in the mail that very day, that's GOOD customer service. Whether it be free, or $20, immediately being taken care of is what's most important. Gets us all back on the water quicker and fishing with the rods we love!

[SirSnookalot]

No sense in continuing this banter, I don't agree with much of what you say and I'll leave it at.

[0119]

It used to be St. Croix for years but I dont like their split grips, not enough to hold.when casting. Same goes with Shimano now too and I have small hands. I've started to buy Kistlers now.

[LMB ANGLER]

No sense in continuing this banter, I don't agree with much of what you say and I'll leave it at.

hey snook, your 100000000% right, i agree everything you said. tight lines.. im outtt

[Felix77]

Reels - Abu Garcia

Rods - Rapsody Rods

[Darren.]

C'mon, nobody's gonna stand up for Ugly Stik!?   

 

Ok, I will...not. No really, I actually have a couple Lite models, but they're for guests, kids, etc. I used to love them for all manner of fishing, but those days are gone. If feel isn't an issue, they're actually pretty decent rods. They're great for live bait and certain fresh/saltwater situations.

 

And I can only offer my opinion on what I've used. I've used St. Croix Avid, Premiere, Shimano Compre (cork), a Field & Stream IM7 casting rod, among others.

 

Strangely enough, the rod I most enjoy using is the F&S IM7. It is plenty sensitive, and allows me to cast very light plastics with my Lexa or Chronarch quite far. Perhaps it is the use of braid mainline and either pure FC or copoly leader that helps with the sensitivity. But it's plenty sensitive, and I've caught my largest bass with it.

 

I love the lightness of the Avid, but love the thinner profile of cork on my Compres.

 

It is such a personal thing, rods and reels and feel.

 

I can honestly say I'm not 100% certain the Avid is that much more sensitive than the Compres, even the IM7 F&S. It probably is. And since the tip has broken, I will be using the warranty to either get a replacement in a M rather than ML, or cross-grade to an Avid casting rod.

 

Abu Veritas, etc., intrigue me, as do the Daiwa Lexa rod series. Both brands are quite light and feel great in the hand. Interesting discussion, this....

[LMB ANGLER]

C'mon, nobody's gonna stand up for Ugly Stik!?   

oh man, you know it, for some reason im the opposite of many people and im very oldschool when it comes to everything, old cars/trucks old gear old everything, but as the great saying goes the older the better, i have friends that have ugly stiks for years with no problems but the new generation tackle will not last as much todays as the old ones, and thats kinda the reason why i buy old gear of saltwater grade gear because their bullet proof. call me weird but i prefer ugly stiks over dobyns and st croix, i dont have to worry about slamming and dropping my rod and calling my warranty service ever.  

[Brian Needham]

I snapped a dobyns off on a boat cleat one time, Dobyns covered it, $60 bucks and done. For a $300 rod that's a pretty good deal.

I tore off a guide, jabbing a lure that was hung..... Dobyns sent me the guide for free.

great warrentee, I gravitate to Dobyns, not run away.

 

Many people don't think they need info from a manufacture, since they know what they want. Issue is unless you know how every line of rods out there fishes, you better be calling manufactures to see if their MH is light or heavy, since there are no stardards.

 

Which is another reason I like dobyns. I have spoken with Gary about rods when I first started to buy his rods. I told him what I had been using and what I wanted. Then asked him does he have something that fits the bill, he gave his recommendation and I cant say he ever been wrong about the rod he suggested or the comparison he drew to the other company I asked about.  

I choose dobyns , but you can insert any company you use and like into this example

I like them, others may not.... I like the opportunity to speak with the owner/designer, others may feel its worthless.....its what makes the world go around.  

 

but for someone to call my or anyone else's buying experience wrong, or tainted, or foolish is pompous at best.   

[Craiger12]

Dobyns is $80 now for the no questions asked replacement service, but I agree, excellent customer service and not bad for a $350 rod.

[aavery2]

oh man, you know it, for some reason im the opposite of many people and im very oldschool when it comes to everything, old cars/trucks old gear old everything, but as the great saying goes the older the better, i have friends that have ugly stiks for years with no problems but the new generation tackle will not last as much todays as the old ones, and thats kinda the reason why i buy old gear of saltwater grade gear because their bullet proof. call me weird but i prefer ugly stiks over dobyns and st croix, i dont have to worry about slamming and dropping my rod and calling my warranty service ever.

Or having great balance and sensitivity......