Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 4, 2014 Super User Posted March 4, 2014 Stopped at Dick's Sporting Goods to see if anything different was on sale from the last time I stopped in. Nope. Got to looking at the rods and came across the Quantum Escalade HD casting rods. Only 2 models in the rack...6'6" MH 8-17 1/4-3/4 and 7' MH 10-25 1/4 to 1-1/2 . These are IM8, 48 ton Modulus rods. Flat black with micro guides. I am not really a fan of micro guides but these rods looked good, Felt nice and light. The 7 footer has a wider weight range than I am use to seeing in a MH rod. I realize not many on here like Quantum rods. Or if they do, they won't admit it. I've got a Superlite MH spinning rod (keep it in Florida) and 2 Quantum baitcasting rods,...both 6'10" Heavy, a Tour Edition PT and a Superlite. I like these rods, and am not ashamed to admit it. So me. A quick search on Google turned up some links to Escalade reels, but next to nothing on the rods. The reel was referred to as being a house brand reel. I assume the rod would fit the same category? Can it only be purchased at DSG? More importantly does anyone have any experience using these rods? What rod would you compare it to for sensitivity? Thanks. Quote
Grantman83 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 The escalade reels are a dicks house brand song assume the rods are as well. I also saw them at dicks. Must be a new rod to match their line of reels Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted March 4, 2014 Author Super User Posted March 4, 2014 Thought so since the reels apparently came out in 2010. Nice looking rods. May have to try one if they ever put them on sale. Wouldn't be right to pay full price don'tcha know. 1 Quote
Super User MCS Posted March 4, 2014 Super User Posted March 4, 2014 Check out the quantum response, believe it used the same qx48 IM8 blanks. You can find these at gander for 60 bucks and online. The reviews I read are favorable for the price and it has a nice reel seat. Also if you look around you might be able to find the HSX 54 blanks on ebay or something for under 100. Quote
Super User MCS Posted March 4, 2014 Super User Posted March 4, 2014 Just looked the response is on sale for 44.99 Quote
Trent Wilson Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 I actually own both along with one of the reels. They feel excellent. Picked up the 6'6 for 39.99 and the 7 for 49.99. Prefer using the lews bb1hzl I have on the 6'6, but I wouldn't turn down the quantum. Only one problem...I grew up using cork rods. I wish they'd come out with a set with cork. And the split handle? If you haven't used ine, you'll get used to it. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 Thought so since the reels apparently came out in 2010. Nice looking rods. May have to try one if they ever put them on sale. Wouldn't be right to pay full price don'tcha know. I know you have fished a good amount of nicer rod and reel offerings both USDM and JDM. I bought 2 Escalade reels about 3 or 4 years ago. Both are no longer functional even after a professional cleaning and supertune. I paid around 1/2 of the retail price for both and they were lightly used and maintained. They worked quite well for about 6 months then the retrieve on one became so rough from the gears going out and the other reel cant be cast more than 10 yards without a backlash. This is after the servicing. They look "cool" but their performance and longevity is luke-warm at best. I would advise you to spend your $ elsewhere. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted January 18, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 18, 2015 Actually I have no intentions of buying the reel....only the rod. Salesman at DSG had said they don't go on sale because they sell well at regular price. A search now doesn't turn up any baitcast rods with the Escalade name although I did find a couple spinning. Must be they dropped them or changed the name. I'd have to handle the Quantum Response. It is half the price of the Escalade so might not be the same. The Escalade was a very light rod. May have missed my chance to try one. kickerfish1 I have too many rods and reels, but can't seem to quit looking for more. Lately I have been trying to be a little more selective. As an example: A Lighting might be a very good rod....for the money, but I'd rather spend a bit more and get a better rod. Really need to thin the herd, but there aren't many of either that I would be willing to part with. Finding a rod at the $100 mark as light as the Escalade that also performed well would be right up my financial alley. I think the Smoke and Tatula rods I got for less than that are going to do well. Same can be said for the used Tatula reel recently purchased. It is getting better and better for us po' boys. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 I thought that is what you meant after re-reading your post a few times. Cant speak on how the rods are but if they built similar to the reels I would skeptical. If you ever want to test drive the escalade reels I will send them your way so you can see them in their "prime"! Quote
Trent Wilson Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 I can vouch for the rods. Even the cheaper Octane rods (also Quantum) are very good, aside from being more of a M rather than the listed MH. Dicks still sells the rids, just getting popular. As for the reel, it's still going strong after 2 years of rough use and no service. They occasionally put them at $79.99. Too expensive at $100. Quote
Trent Wilson Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 And I'm comparing them to every St. Croix rod own. Quote
BassJamesBass Posted June 24, 2015 Posted June 24, 2015 I found one at Dicks for $50. Picked it over a shimano sellus, and have been very pleased thus far. I use it primarily for jig and light plastics, but can use it for anything. A little short for pitching and flipping but still works nice. I use the rod A LOT. Probably caught 100 bass on it in the last 60 days. It has held up very well against 5 pound largemouths. Beyond that weight I cannot say...unfortunately. If the rod maintains its strength and integrity then I will be EXTREMELY pleased, especially for only $50!!! I would recommend this rod for the weekend bass fisherman on a budget...highly recommend it! The blank will probably be worn out after 500 fish though. It's comparable to Dicks field and stream tech spec casting rods I would say...maybe a little more responsive, a little less durable. Notably, and ironically, I think the escalade HD is a discontinued model, but it is essentially or entirely the same rod as the newer series Quantum Response. Quote
CrustyMono Posted January 2, 2017 Posted January 2, 2017 any updates? On 6/24/2015 at 2:08 PM, BassJamesBass said: I found one at Dicks for $50. Picked it over a shimano sellus, and have been very pleased thus far. I use it primarily for jig and light plastics, but can use it for anything. A little short for pitching and flipping but still works nice. I use the rod A LOT. Probably caught 100 bass on it in the last 60 days. It has held up very well against 5 pound largemouths. Beyond that weight I cannot say...unfortunately. If the rod maintains its strength and integrity then I will be EXTREMELY pleased, especially for only $50!!! I would recommend this rod for the weekend bass fisherman on a budget...highly recommend it! The blank will probably be worn out after 500 fish though. It's comparable to Dicks field and stream tech spec casting rods I would say...maybe a little more responsive, a little less durable. Notably, and ironically, I think the escalade HD is a discontinued model, but it is essentially or entirely the same rod as the newer series Quantum Response. On 1/19/2015 at 10:17 AM, Trent Wilson said: And I'm comparing them to every St. Croix rod own. On 3/4/2014 at 7:04 AM, new2BC4bass said: Thought so since the reels apparently came out in 2010. Nice looking rods. May have to try one if they ever put them on sale. Wouldn't be right to pay full price don'tcha know. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted January 2, 2017 Super User Posted January 2, 2017 I have fished the 7 foot mh for about 2 years. It gets most of my texas rig fishing, 3/8 or more, as well as my carolina rig fishing. It is light and has decent sensitivity. It has help land bass, catfish, and stripers with no problem. I fish the tidal rivers on The Chesapeake Bay so you never really know what will bite your bait. It is a good deal for the price. The rod has a bit wider spec and I think it is correct. The rod has a lighter tip and traditions nicely into a powerful backbone. The rod acts a lot like my Falcon Bucoo, in fact they feel very similar in my hand. With the tip it has it might even make a nice rod to throw larger spinnerbaits like 1/2 and 3/4 even slow roll a 1 ounce bait. 1 Quote
Quarry Man Posted April 20, 2017 Posted April 20, 2017 I found it a really nice rod, just too bad that it doesn't balance well and is very tip heavy. I wouldn't say its a 100$ rod, but 50 is fair game, components seem legit, but it is terribly balanced Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted April 20, 2017 Super User Posted April 20, 2017 I have two of their rods now. I disagree with your assessment that the rod does not balance well. It requires the correct weight reel, something like a Lews is too light and you are quite correct. I have a BPS Extreme reel mounted on mine and it balances about 1/4 of an inch in front of the threads. I have never felt fatigue using that combo. Quote
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