Copper River Rods?

[bethulog]

Alright, my big question is are Copper River rods of a respectable quality? Id never even heard of them until I saw them on sale at Cabela's earlier this week. But my cheap college student self couldn't pass up a $25 spinning rod that felt good with the testing it got in store. It handled several 2-3 lb bass at the lake well when paired with my Pflueger Presidential very well, but I want to know if this sucker is going to blow up on me after a few trips to the lake?

[*Hootie]

New item, guess you'll have to be the one to let us know.

Hootie

[boodog]

My ultra light Copper River rod, also paired with a Pflueger Presidential, broke on the first fish I caught with it.  The top half snapped like a dry twig.  The rod material at the break looked about as thin as a straw. The fish (a small Pike) was about a pound and a half, well within the rod's 2-6 lb line limit. 

 

Maybe I just got a bad rod but it looks like others have had similar problems with it.  Too bad I didn't see their reviews before I bought it. Unfortunately the nearest Cabela's is more than an hour away and sending it back to them as they suggest on their website is probably throwing good money after bad.

 

Still got the fish in with a net!

[gp13581]

I did the same exact thing.  Stopped in the Rogers Cabela's store and saw the Copper River rods on sale for $19.99.  I didn't really need a new rod but they are sharp looking and I liked the fact that for a medium heavy rod, it wasn't like handling a 2x4.  I was excited to give it a try.  Went out fishing a couple of evenings later.  First fish on was nice largemouth that got off at the boat.   About three casts later I hook into a small largemouth.  I got him by the boat and went to swing it into the boat and the rod snapped about 8 inches from the tip.  Just like Boodog said, it snapped like a dry twig.   It seemed really brittle.  I took it back to Cabela's and they asked if I wanted to replace with another one.  It was tempting but when I asked how many had come back broke like that she said she had seen quite a few.  I just got my money back.  Pretty disappointing. 

[buzzed bait]

i hate to pull up an old thread and even worse hate to talk poorly of anything, but thought it was worth mentioning that these rods just aren't worth your money or trouble.

I purchased a 7' M spinning rod from cabela's on a whim while in the store.  Used it one time and broke between the 2nd and 3rd guide on the first fish i caught (about a 1.5 lb largemouth).  I was bummed and thought it was a loss, but looked at reviews and saw nearly everyone had the same experience.  So, i thought it was worth a trip back to the store and explain the situation and just see what they would say.  The CS lady said this was not the first one of those rods she had seen come back broken (likely why they are all clearanced out).  She was super helpful and said she could give me store credit to which i said great!!

Coincidentally i had purchased this thing as a river beater rod that i wouldn't cry over if i broke it, BUT i didn't mean on the first trip/first fish!!!

Just thought it worth mentioning here, just in case any of you guys stumble into Cabela's and think you're getting a great deal.

[smalljaw67]

Good rods are measured in durability, it is a common mistake from less experienced anglers. The higher the cost, the more fragile the rod is but it will also be light and sensitive. These rods are the standard fare of low cost house brand, they aren't what I would call "good" rods but they will serve the purpose, more for the casual angler that is wanting entry level gear at a low cost. I'm sorry if you were hoping for more but it is priced that way for a reason, but it isn't a bad rod and it is probably more durable that most rods costing 6 times as much.

[buzzed bait]

Good rods are measured in durability, it is a common mistake from less experienced anglers. The higher the cost, the more fragile the rod is but it will also be light and sensitive. These rods are the standard fare of low cost house brand, they aren't what I would call "good" rods but they will serve the purpose, more for the casual angler that is wanting entry level gear at a low cost. I'm sorry if you were hoping for more but it is priced that way for a reason, but it isn't a bad rod and it is probably more durable that most rods costing 6 times as much.

 

i'm not entirely sure i follow.  

 

I don't determine whether it is good or bad based on durability, but it's hard to give the thing a solid review when it lasted for one fish.  I'm pretty sure this would be the cheapest rod i own (maybe the berkley lightning i have).  If i were just getting started, i would not want to spend $40 on this rod.  I don't typically take people's review as the whole truth, but am a firm believer in where there is smoke there is fire.  I'm not the most experienced guy on here for sure, but I treat the other dozen rods i have with utmost care as well and would be equally as frustrated if they broke on my first hookset.  I just made the post in an effort to make the new entry level guy aware of the issue I had with this rod as well as the numerous complaints i found online stating the same experiences.

As noted, i really do dislike any negativity about products, but I truly feel at any cost this is a waste of your money and time.  If someone else has had good experiences with the rod, i would love to hear, but either way I wouldn't purchase another.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

Kinda wish I saw this thread before I bought one, although now that I look, Cabela's is out of stock, so it may have been the last time anyone has to worry about it. I picked up a 7'6" spin/fly combo purely because it was discounted to $14.99. I took it out of the box yesterday and it looks to be quite nice considering the price. The cork grip and reel seat are very nice, the action is super light, and it breaks down into 4 pieces. I liked the idea of an el cheapo easily packable multi purpose backup rod. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for another, now. 

 

[TheMadFisherman88]

Well, I've had mine for about a year now, I've caught a 32 inch and 34 inch northern, a good handful of 5lb large mouth bass and more 1 - 4lb large mouth bass then anything else. I haven't had one single issue with the pole at all. I actually found it at a thrift store for $6. Might sound weird but I can honestly say I've probably hauled in more fish on this rod then any other rod I own right now.  ( kind of a bad pic but only one I had with the rod actually in the picture. )