Are The Expensive Rods Really Worth It?

[bass1980]

I think you guy have to understand the people that buys high end gears aren't buying it to catch more fish or be a better fisherman. It can help but we know in the end it's still up to the fisherman. Sometimes you have to just look at it like this. Why buy a $200,000+ house when a $100,000 house will do. Why buy a $25,000+ car when a $8000 car will do. Why buy a $50,000 bass boat when a $5000 boat will do. Why buy clothes at the mall when buying it at Walmart will do.

If you appreciate better quality and sometimes better performing products then you'll want to pay more for it. We are all in different stages in our lives. Some people that buy high end have a stable good job and value the gear more than others. I seem to here the guys that don't care for high end gears often try to say they catch more fish on their low end gears. Always seem to make a point about it. The guys that buy high end gears never seem to put down low end gears or say it's catches less fish. These guys all started with low end gears once so they know both ends of it.

[F14A-B]

I have one rig, that I use maybe 6 to 8 times a year... It's near $600, I use it creek fishing, I love my rods & reels, almost to a point of madness! Lol, but I sure enjoy a fine rod & reel, same as a fine cigar or a exceptional bottle of Kentucky bourbon. Spend what you can or what you want, fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all peoples...

[BassinNCstyle]

There are no doubt more sensitive rods for less money, You'll get a lot of suggestions on here and all good

if they are from actual experience and not hearsay. I have always believed "sensitivity" is dependent a lot

on your sense of feel. If you have a real keen sense of feel, you could possibly do , with a cheaper rod as

good as I do with my NRX. Just my rambling thoughts....lol.

Hootie

Who makes the NRX?

[*Hootie]

Who makes the NRX?

G Loomis.

Hootie

[BassinNCstyle]

OK thanks for answering my rookie questions.

[Tywithay]

I don't believe cost necessarily makes a rod high end, it just makes it expensive. For instance, the *** *** has been compared to the performance of an IMX in sensitivity, weight, etc.; one is $300, the other $100....which one is the high end rod if they perform similarly? In some instances you get what you pay for, but it's important to do some homework to insure you're getting the most bang for your buck. There's plenty of rods that cost a little less, but offer the same performance as others that cost far more.

[SenkoGuru]

Buying much better gear did not make me a better fisherman but it sure made me want to go fishing a lot more.

[Poolshark]

lighter and more sensitive rods will have the benefit of not tiring you out and making you more aware of structure..... These rods tend to cost more. But I lean on the fence on this. I have caught tons of bass on rods that cost 99 dollars and tons of bass on rods that cost 250 dollars. All of my rods have held up over the years except the ones that were carelessly damaged. which leads me to my personal view.... I'm saving my money and finding rods that meet me in the middle. You will catch every bit as much bass with them if you fish them right. And if u treat them carefully they will last you as well. This is coming from an owner of many high end and many "value" sticks. It's really worth it if it means something to you, if it doesn't, then no it isn't worth it.

[FishTank]

Is a higher end rod worth the money?  Yes but it does not mean you have to pay top dollar for it.   Just like everything else, most high end rods go on sale or get clearenced out for newer models.  Just keep your eyes open. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Not when it comes to crankbait rods and live bait for catfish.uglystiks take care of this .But i do beleive in lighter rods for plastics.t rigged and jigs and i have 100$ or less rods to do this.i have used g loomis rods before nice and light.id buy them if i seen it fit for me to catch more fish.But i do fine with what i have.On a diff note i see a lot of 60 tho dollar trucks jacked up with 8 gran in tires wheels,along with a g loomis sticker and a salt life sticker and no mud or sand on any inch of the truck.Presitege runs rampet in the USA

[Ozark_Basser]

I love high end fishing equipment. With fishing I have to be careful because I tend to have a champagne taste on a beer budget though, but I rarely regret spending a good deal of money on what I want. Just make sure you actually want it before you buy it. Don't blindly buy something due to reviews and online pictures. Personal preference is different for everyone. It's generally a good idea to test out something high end from a buddy etc. before you buy it. A lot of high end stuff to me has shown little difference in performance compared to something you could have gotten for cheaper, but when you find something that's just right for you, it's worth the extra money.

[Sam]

Yes, they can be worth it if you fish tournaments.

[aavery2]

Define expensive, like many other things it can be subjective.   You may find something expensive and someone else thinks it a bargain.  The cost of something isn't always indicative of it's quality but many times the cost is the result of superior materials, advanced processes, additional time and labor or careful attention to small details.  

 

If you took 10 people with good product knowledge and ten rods without any branding on them.  Presented the rods to each person and asked them to after their careful examination to  place the rods in the order of their perceived value.   How many people do you think would have exactly the same order?

 

Everything ever made is only worth what you can get someone else to pay for it.

[thehooligan]

I have one rig, that I use maybe 6 to 8 times a year... It's near $600, I use it creek fishing, I love my rods & reels, almost to a point of madness! Lol, but I sure enjoy a fine rod & reel, same as a fine cigar or a exceptional bottle of Kentucky bourbon. Spend what you can or what you want, fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all peoples...

Completely agree

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

 

It  depends on what you're looking for.

 

For me, it's not all about sensitivity.  I really like the Cherrywood HD Rods, for example, for a lot of things.  They're $20 rods, hybrid design, graphite and glass, I believe.

 

Probably my most sensitive rod right now is short at 5'6", stiff, and graphite.  I feel everything with it.  It will break easily compared to the Cherrywood HD.

 

One rod I've had forever is a Daiwa "Bill Dance" Spinnerbait graphite rod.  How much graphite is in it is probably debatable, but I've used it for over 20 years.  I'm used to it and can probably use it the easiest.  It's a blank-through design with a nice pistol grip.

 

One day I'll be having DVT build me a rod or two.  (It's not that he's expensive but rather it's that I'm the only breadwinner in the household.  We decided my wife would be a stay-at-home mom and we don't regret this decision at all!)  The rods I have him build will be on pistol-grip handles made by Abu Garcia from way back.  These are offset, not blank-through, and so will not be the most sensitive rods ever.

 

However, they will be worth it to me for their other aspects; ie, handling round reels better and the feel of the excellent pistol grips.

 

I'll probably end up with a Loomis or similar later on at some point.  I've tried them and while yes, they are very sensitive, I question my need for that sensitivity.  Maybe it was growing up on glass rods that did it, but I can feel everything with less-expensive rods; the feel is just a bit muted compared to higher end graphite.  Sort of like listening to music wearing earplugs.  I wear earplugs every day at the shop and listen to music or OTR the whole time, and have learned to understand everything as well as if I weren't wearing earplugs.  It's just muted.

 

Just my thoughts on the subject.  For me, it's about overall feel, not just sensitivity.

 

Josh

[tnt2671]

what i've come to see is theres lots of rods in the mid to higher $100 dollar range that are up to par with the high dollar rods , kistlers klx is a perfect example. i actually prefer my klxs to other rods i have or have owned in the past that were double the money. now don't get me wrong if i was rich enough to own an arsenal of  mega dollar megabass rods i would but it would just be purely for the finishes and the boutique styling that goes along w/ them. i would say expensive rods are worth it if you have the money  why not? Would i ever spend $400+ on a rod again, absolutely not. i'd sum it up in car terms as a corvette z06 vs a ferrari , ferrari's got the ultra exotic flair but the vette more than gets the done for a lot less dough. 

[*Hootie]

Sheeesh!.....yawn. G'nite.

Hootie

[carlm01]

I have 3 GL2's a GLX and 2 GL3's and like them all . I guess it's all personal preference ?  I did get some good deals on them but still think very good rods .....

[smalljaw67]

Hello,

 

It  depends on what you're looking for.

 

For me, it's not all about sensitivity.  I really like the Cherrywood HD Rods, for example, for a lot of things.  They're $20 rods, hybrid design, graphite and glass, I believe.

 

Probably my most sensitive rod right now is short at 5'6", stiff, and graphite.  I feel everything with it.  It will break easily compared to the Cherrywood HD.

 

One rod I've had forever is a Daiwa "Bill Dance" Spinnerbait graphite rod.  How much graphite is in it is probably debatable, but I've used it for over 20 years.  I'm used to it and can probably use it the easiest.  It's a blank-through design with a nice pistol grip.

 

One day I'll be having DVT build me a rod or two.  (It's not that he's expensive but rather it's that I'm the only breadwinner in the household.  We decided my wife would be a stay-at-home mom and we don't regret this decision at all!)  The rods I have him build will be on pistol-grip handles made by Abu Garcia from way back.  These are offset, not blank-through, and so will not be the most sensitive rods ever.

 

However, they will be worth it to me for their other aspects; ie, handling round reels better and the feel of the excellent pistol grips.

 

I'll probably end up with a Loomis or similar later on at some point.  I've tried them and while yes, they are very sensitive, I question my need for that sensitivity.  Maybe it was growing up on glass rods that did it, but I can feel everything with less-expensive rods; the feel is just a bit muted compared to higher end graphite.  Sort of like listening to music wearing earplugs.  I wear earplugs every day at the shop and listen to music or OTR the whole time, and have learned to understand everything as well as if I weren't wearing earplugs.  It's just muted.

 

Just my thoughts on the subject.  For me, it's about overall feel, not just sensitivity.

 

Josh

 

That Daiwa Bill Dance rod has got be 30+ years old. I got into bass fishing serious in the mid 80s and I believe it was 85 or 86 when I saw an add in a sports afield magazine with Bill Dance and a Daiwa product and it wasn't long after he was using Quantum stuff. If that rod was in my possession, I would do some research and see if there is any collectors of Bill Dance stuff, if there is that rod should be highly prized as there isn't much left of Daiwa branded products with a Bill Dance association.

[Bruce424]

I g ituess you answer these questions. Do you tournament fish? Do you have the money to put forth $100+? Do you fish long days? I am definitely an advocate for buying quality stuff. I got tired of buying cheap 15-20$ rods then it break a year later. I buy rods on sale around the 50 dollar mark. Maybe 60. Probly 80-90$ originally. And these rods haven't failed me yet while fishing. (Slammed one in a car door)accidents happen. what I'm trying to say is if you have the money for it Buy it.and if you're hesitant on buying it. if you're asking yourself is it worth it. probably not.

[roadwarrior]

Well, if just "catching" bass is your goal, any brand of rod & reel at any pricing point will work.

In general, this might be a complete set:

 

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some
soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook
lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a
variety of techniques

 

If you just want one rod, 6 1/2'-7' MF or MHF can do almost anything. On the otherhand, as we

grow in the sport, some will develop the skills to appreciate finer tuning. Cost or "value" are a

concern to most fishermen, but not all. For those that hone a feel, have the funding and the desire,

high end equipment becomes interesting. I think the perfect gear makes fishing more fun.

 

Better gear will not make a poor fisherman good, but it can make a good fisherman better.

 

 

 

[Josh Smith]

That Daiwa Bill Dance rod has got be 30+ years old. I got into bass fishing serious in the mid 80s and I believe it was 85 or 86 when I saw an add in a sports afield magazine with Bill Dance and a Daiwa product and it wasn't long after he was using Quantum stuff. If that rod was in my possession, I would do some research and see if there is any collectors of Bill Dance stuff, if there is that rod should be highly prized as there isn't much left of Daiwa branded products with a Bill Dance association.

 

Hello,

 

I see these sometimes on eBay.  A Google search didn't turn anything up about worth, etc.  It did show that it has what's called "Power Mesh", whatever that means.  I thought it was just decoration.

 

It thought I bought it in my early teens and I'm 37 now.  It was my first or second graphite rod.  (I got a Zebco trigger reel combo that had a graphite rod with it for Christmas one year, but I just don't recall if I got it before or after the Bill Dance.)

 

I'll research it a bit more, I guess, but there's little information out there pre-1996 or so.  Unlike with guns where I can find loads of information about, say, one of my rifles built in 1892 Amberg, Germany, it seems that the majority of fisherman and the fishing industry are always looking forward to the next, 'better' thing and the the internet presence of products reflects this.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[tracker01]

Whatever you "can" spend on fishing gear and feel good about your hobby is the ticket. For me, I like to spend a little more for some nicer stuff. Does it catch me more fish????????????????????????????????????????. But, it makes my time on the water a bit more enjoyable. To add to that, my off time during the winter up here in Pa., I enjoy the hunt for my next bit of pleasure. My girlfriend tells me that I have an addiction to my hobby, and I tell her it only an addiction if I am trying to quite.  To answer your question I believe a more expensive rod can be worth it. I tend to spend more on a rod than my reels. Basicly the rod is the first thing your line comes in contact with when the fish strikes. The reel is a means of bringing in that line.  

[F14A-B]

Whatever you "can" spend on fishing gear and feel good about your hobby is the ticket. For me, I like to spend a little more for some nicer stuff. Does it catch me more fish????????????????????????????????????????. But, it makes my time on the water a bit more enjoyable. To add to that, my off time during the winter up here in Pa., I enjoy the hunt for my next bit of pleasure. My girlfriend tells me that I have an addiction to my hobby, and I tell her it only an addiction if I am trying to quite. To answer your question I believe a more expensive rod can be worth it. I tend to spend more on a rod than my reels. Basicly the rod is the first thing your line comes in contact with when the fish strikes. The reel is a means of bringing in that line.

Good points! However on the reel issue, I still spend better money on those as well. There can be days where a reel engage/ dis-engage can exceed 500 to 700 times a day... So to that point I'd say the sport can be argued on all fronts, and, there may not be a clear winner...

[G_money]

If you're fanatical about fishing, and really, really enjoy sport fishing at it's finest: no question, unequivocally without a doubt, yes. Owning high quality sensitive fishing rods is an exhilarating thrill. Especially for bottom contact fishing there's something magical almost euphoric about feeling a bass pick up your jig in cold water, that you would have missed on a less sensitive stick, or that rush when a bruiser crushes your bait and you feel every head shake like an electric current to your fingers and hands.

There are always those who will argue their Ugly Stick is just as sensitive as a GLX, but those are the guys who have never owned a high end rod.  it's one of things you can't speak on the differences until you've actually experienced them.

 

Much like the difference between driving a Porsche or sports car on open highway compared to a minivan, is the best way I can quantify it.