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[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/DHC7-761-CAHFS-primmus-review.html

[aavery2]

I want to know why all the hype with the Pinnacle gear.  Please tell me, are you purchasing this gear with your own money an then providing reviews, or is this equipment provided by someone free or at a discounted price?   I feel like this is a fair question, as it should be revealed in any review if the reviewer is sponsored or otherwise connected with the company .

[frogflogger]

I want to know why all the hype with the Pinnacle gear.  Please tell me, are you purchasing this gear with your own money an then providing reviews, or is this equipment provided by someone free or at a discounted price?   I feel like this is a fair question, as it should be revealed in any review if the reviewer is sponsored or otherwise connected with the company .

This is a fair enough question. Having been involved in the fishing industry on and off for years. I was always happy to take a rod and/or reel or lure for free and put it through its paces. There are very few "new" things in fishing tackle - just refinements for the most part. Ours is an industry where you can't watch a televised fishing show without blatant product pushing - the pros must push their sponsors products - that's just the way it is and it is up to the individual to sort through all this to find what suits his style and affordability. This forum is a good place to get ideas and opinions that can be of value in this over hyped world of fishing tackle. I would hope any compensated reviews are identified as such.

[Dyerbassman]

Pinnacle sponsors this site. Take it for what's its worth.

[doyle8218]

This is a fair enough question. Having been involved in the fishing industry on and off for years. I was always happy to take a rod and/or reel or lure for free and put it through its paces. There are very few "new" things in fishing tackle - just refinements for the most part. Ours is an industry where you can't watch a televised fishing show without blatant product pushing - the pros must push their sponsors products - that's just the way it is and it is up to the individual to sort through all this to find what suits his style and affordability. This forum is a good place to get ideas and opinions that can be of value in this over hyped world of fishing tackle. I would hope any compensated reviews are identified as such.

Both delicately and eloquently put.

[F14A-B]

Just look at it like you are in his Boat.... His boat is fully wrapped, with his sponsors, yours are different , it still is his boat... He steers that boat where he wants, or where he feels he needs... You're in the back, don't have first shot at much but you're glad to be there. He doesn't care if you talk about you're fave beaver or reel/ rod... But he's not going to let you put a decal on his wrapped boat! They post links all the time, I see it as the business end of this site.. It is not a big deal really. If it bothers someone, I would just ask why?

[*Hootie]

Anytime I am about to make a purchase of a big ticket item, I never pay any attention to sponsored or paid reviews. I want to know what Joe Average, who plunked down his hard earned money thinks of the item. I am not going to ask Gary Yamamoto what he thinks of senkos.I want to know what his customers think. Reviews are good things, just make sure you get more than one opinion.

Hootie

[Glenn]

First off, Pinnacle is one of our sponsors.

 

But to be clear and perfectly transparent, when Pinnacle approached me to have the moderators do reviews, I told them they needed to have free reign to say what they wanted about the equipment, and not be influenced by Pinnacle.  That means including both the good AND bad, as well perhaps using the gear in ways Pinnacle had not forseen.  Case in point, in the review above, Kent is using the rod and reel as a dedicated Alabama rig setup, even though it's designated as a flipping/pitching rod by Pinnacle.

 

To their credit, Pinnacle agreed to those terms.  I then instructed the moderators to write fair, honest reviews - not fluff and butterflies.  Use the gear, and report on their impressions. They've done just that.  If you'll note in many reviews, there's personal preferences sprinkled throughout, which includes things they like and don't like about the designs, craftmanship, and components used on the rods and reels.

 

Allowing free reign to write whatever we want is a big step for Pinnacle (and any fishing company, for that matter), and it underscores their faith in the products they produce.  To be sure, it's been difficult for them, because let's face it, nobody likes to have their babies talked about in any way less than stellar.  But they've kept with it, and are getting great feedback as a result.

 

As for Kent's article above, Pinnacle said, "We never thought a flipping stick would be used as an Alabama Rig, but Kent's logic is right on track (thinking outside of the box is always a good trait for a fisherman).  It's powerful and long enough to do the job."

 

So while the reviews aren't following brand and marketing guidelines from Pinnacle, they are honest, useful, and real reviews from seasoned anglers.

[aavery2]

Glenn, thanks for the honest answer, and in all due respect  You and I both know that you don't cut your own throat in the business world.

[Glenn]

Just be clear - my loyalty is to the reputation of this site and moderators, as well as to the members of this forum.  Therefore, we cannot ever claim something performs better than it does.  That would ruin our credibility forever, and would be a disservice to our members.

 

In addition, anyone that knows me also knows I have a reputation for declining advertising dollars from companies I don't feel meet the standards our members deserve.  So that means saying, "No" and, to paraphrase your own words, "cut my own throat".

 

To wit, that approach hasn't harmed me, the site, the moderators, nor the members yet.

[*Hootie]

Glenn I know you are being up front and truthful concerning Kent's review.

But supposing you used this equipment and found it quite unsatisfactory.

I feel there is NO WAY he is going to come back and post a review saying,

hey fellas, after extensive testing, we find this stuff is dogmeat, and we recommend

you don't waste your money. That was not going to happen. I think you guys doing a review for

a sponsor, really is putting you on the spot. I hope my thoughts don't get me thrown

 off the forum.

 

Respectfully, Hootie, {Bob}

[aavery2]

Glenn, it is certainly a double edged sword, it's great that your loyalty is on the right side, but I don't think that was ever even a question.   As for your business model, it speaks for itself, I have been apart of several other online forums that have went from productive to being out of business in a short amount of time, this site continues to attract new members so something is working.    

 

I think it always generates a few questions when reviews are done for paid sponsors.

[Jrob78]

Just to help ease everyone's mind, I would be willing to do a completely unbiased review of one or two of these rods.  Just PM me and I will give you an address to ship the rods to.  

[aavery2]

Just to help ease everyone's mind, I would be willing to do a completely unbiased review of one or two of these rods.  Just PM me and I will give you an address to ship the rods to.  

I have it from good sources that you can be bought.   

[Fish Murderer 71]

I got a Pinnacle once!  It's sitting on the bottom of Lake Tyler.  My son thought it was funny when I threw it!

[F14A-B]

In the mid 90's I used pinnacle spinners and they were great for the money... In fact they (pinnacle) took off in Kentucky and were used by a lot of folks... I used a few spinning rods for Gills and crappie.... Never a baitcaster though. It just became a availability issue... They just sorta dissappeared ....

[Glenn]

As I stated, I don't allow crap sponsors on my site in the first place, so the likelihood of a garbage review happening is unlikely.  That said, we do point out things we don't like.  Just read the reviews and see, and watch Gene's video reviews as well.  You'll see we're upfront and frank about the things we don't like.

 

And...there are some new reviews for a new sponsor coming soon from a couple of real forum members for this very reason - to get reviews that are even more unbiased.

 

Sorry if y'all don't believe me or the mods in our reviews.  There's not much else I can say or do, other than ask that you just look at the sponsors we have, and all the unsolicited endorsements and accolades from dozens of members regarding their products.  If you won't believe us, at least believe them.

 

Regards,

Glenn