Name Brand vs Specialty Brand Rods

[Sam]

OK guys and gals, I watched John Cox review how he won the FLW Forest Wood Cup on Lake Wheeler with his MHX rods.

It got me to thinking (which can always be dangerous) if it is better to use brand name rods as opposed to specialty made rods, such as the MHX rods?

So what is your take on this subject.

And if you have specialty or home made rods what has been your experience as opposed to purchasing the name brand rods off the shelf?

Thanks for your time and feedback.

[A-Jay]

Interesting topic and one that is sure to spur some convicted responses.

In the "timing is everything" category this post may be very applicable.

A-Jay

[Sam]

Mods, please move this post to the rod section.

Thanks.

[Scott F]

I must have hands like bricks. I can't feel the difference between my custom made G Loomis Rod that was $400 and old IM 6 rods that were about $60. At least on rods that have similar ratings. I buy nicer rods today, not so much because I can tell the difference but I have appearances I must keep up!  ???

[scaleface]

I paid 20 dollars for my last rod . From Gander Mountain .Lady Guide series and its not pink . Its a manly lavender .

[iabass8]

If I had the time, I would custom make every rod I own. All things equal, A rod built to your exact speifications and requirements trumps off the shelf everytime.

[Jrob78]

3 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

If I had the time, I would custom make every rod I own. All things equal, A rod built to your exact speifications and requirements trumps off the shelf everytime.

What he said.  

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

I must have hands like bricks. I can't feel the difference between my custom made G Loomis Rod that was $400 and old IM 6 rods that were about $60. At least on rods that have similar ratings. I buy nicer rods today, not so much because I can tell the difference but I have appearances I must keep up!  ???

This ^^ , last trip I did I found myself using my ugly stick spinning rod more than my st croix eye con or the other 100 buckish series and you know what I did alright. Sure it is a little slower, but it works well fishing snaggy cover, reeds and rocks. 

The only place I have seen expensive rods make a huge difference is in a fly rod, I was lucky enough to get 4 really nice for the time fly rods that were 500+ new and they really did cast better then the 100 buck rods I had at the time. As far as spinning and bait casting go, I feel we have gotten too specific with rods, when in reality a guy could get away with just a couple of each. 

I currently only have off the shelf rods, now I am not familiar with MHX rods, is this like Doybins or some of the smaller stick makers on TW, or are these truly guys making a few sticks a year?

[IgotWood]

Almost all of my saltwater rods are customs. If you have some time and money, you can really make your head explode, and you will probably wind up with a custom rod for each individual bait you own. However, many of the "off the shelf" rods today were customs at one point. Manufacturers built rods to the specs of their pro-staff, and then wind up mass producing them.  And with the huge variety of technique-specific rods out there today, custom rods have become more of labor of love, rather than need. I personally do not have the need for a custom bass rod. Maybe at some point down the road if I get into fishing a less popular technique, I may have the need for a custom. 

[soflabasser]

A highly skilled bass fisherman will outfish most bass fisherman with a rod that cost under $50.

[papajoe222]

I really don't think anyone that purchases a custom built rod feels that the rod will make them a better angler. They may feel they will be able to detect bites better, exert less effort, or it will reduce fatigue.   What most of the guys are looking for in a custom built rod is a rod that is unique to them. Whether it's the specific action, length, cosmetics, type or make of the handle and grip.........they are the ones that decide exactly what they want and don't want.

 

[WRB]

My personal preference is using rods made in America by American craftsman and that limits the field for off the shelf or over the counter rods. All the rod components today are off shore, guides, reel seats, some rod blanks are still laid up in America, most are not. Both G. Loomis and Lamiglas were made in Washington until Shimano bought Loomis, then Lamiglas started using off shore rod blanks for bass rods. ST Croix top end rod blanks are American made, Dobyns are off shore.

Custom rods you can pick whatever rod blank and components you prefer and whatever and wrapped the way you want it, no compromise. No reason to pay over $300 for any bass rod when you can have a state of the art rod custom made for $250-$300. The difference is selecting a top quality rod builder who guarantees thier products, custom or off the shelf.

Tom

[Hogsticker]

For me it's all about finding that perfect blank that is optimal for the techniques I intend to use it for, and behaves in the manner it should for said technique at the highest level. I'm not saying it has to be a high dollar premium blank, rather the best blank for the job at hand. I understand not wanting to take the time to accomplish this, but for me it's totally worth it. Most mid tier custom blanks trump most anything off the shelf from a manufacturer other than those who are produce or utilize some of these same blanks. Too many companies are using cheap blanks and charging a premium for their rods. And then you add in the at times crap quality control so why not at least consider having it done right. Even though I might find a rod I feel will excel at what I want it to do, it may not have the exact components I desire so why spend my money on it. I will state once again that the ability to catch fish on a 50 dollar rod is completely irrelevant. I can drive a nail with a two by four but I'd rather use a hammer. 

[Nathan Burton]

Check out the video glen just posted to YouTube. Perfect timing. 

[EvanT123]

MHX blanks have been around for quite a few years. They have a good reputation like many of the other rod blank makers out there.

Putting a usable rod together is not rocket science.

Putting a rod that has no flaws and is tailored to a specific application and a customers expectations is. 

 

 

 

[Sam]

I currently only have off the shelf rods, now I am not familiar with MHX rods, is this like Doybins or some of the smaller stick makers on TW, or are these truly guys making a few sticks a year? - I HAVE  NO IDEA.

Check out the video glen just posted to YouTube. Perfect timing. - DO YOU THINK GLENN WILL SEND ME $1,000 FOR POSTING THIS TOPIC WHEN I DID?

[Bluebasser86]

9 minutes ago, Sam said:

 

Check out the video glen just posted to YouTube. Perfect timing. - DO YOU THINK GLENN WILL SEND ME $1.00 FOR POSTING THIS TOPIC WHEN I DID?

Fixed it for you.

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

I currently only have off the shelf rods, now I am not familiar with MHX rods, is this like Doybins or some of the smaller stick makers on TW, or are these truly guys making a few sticks a year? - I HAVE  NO IDEA.

Check out the video glen just posted to YouTube. Perfect timing. - DO YOU THINK GLENN WILL SEND ME $1,000 FOR POSTING THIS TOPIC WHEN I DID?

No I figured it out, your talking rod builders vs even the smallest maker with a standard product line, my mistake for posting in the thread.

[rangerjockey]

6 hours ago, WRB said:

My personal preference is using rods made in America by American craftsman and that limits the field for off the shelf or over the counter rods. All the rod components today are off shore, guides, reel seats, some rod blanks are still laid up in America, most are not. Both G. Loomis and Lamiglas were made in Washington until Shimano bought Loomis, then Lamiglas started using off shore rod blanks for bass rods. ST Croix top end rod blanks are American made, Dobyns are off shore.

Custom rods you can pick whatever rod blank and components you prefer and whatever and wrapped the way you want it, no compromise. No reason to pay over $300 for any bass rod when you can have a state of the art rod custom made for $250-$300. The difference is selecting a top quality rod builder who guarantees thier products, custom or off the shelf.

Tom

Loomis still makes blanks in Washington.

[Catt]

When is comes to rods I am extremely particular & even more so if it's intended purpose is for Texas Rigs & Jigs.

I will not order a rod from any manufacturer or custom rod builder that I can not hold in my hands first.

I've owned the "best" off the self rods & a few from the "hottest" rod builders in the nation.

I replaced a broken G. Loomis with a Crucial CRC-X610MH & haven't felt like I down graded any. The Crucial fits what I expect from a worm/jig rod.

As for driving nails, being a master carpenter I can drive nails with an Estwing or my Daddy's wooden handled hammer...it matters who's holding the hammer!

[Cgolf]

When I think custom rods, I think like Catt does. Let's say I have a jerkbait stick that I want a touch slower tip. I would go to a custom rod maker with the stick I essentially want tweaked and have them build a rod that in the above case had the same backbone, weight, but a slightly slower tip. 

One I could see myself having done is having someone build up a stick very similar in weight, od, backbone, balance, but a faster tip than my ugly stick. Due to a wrist injury, that stick is the easiest for me to use for 12 hours on the water. Would be curious to see what someone could come up with and at what cost  

To me looking at the MHX site it is pretty similar to ordering a rod from TW, other than the fact that you put it together. What would be really helpful is if they had a flex graph showing how the different blanks load up.

 

[WRB]

7 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

Loomis still makes blanks in Washington.

Both Loomis and Lamiglas still make rod blanks in Woodland WA, not thier entire product line. 

I used Lamiglas rods since 1985 and stopped in 2010 because they no longer offered their state of the art bass rods custom made at the factory. Lamiglas suggested ALX rods, Alex was the US Kagin guide distributor and made custom rods and had stock on the blanks they discontinued. Dobyns started with Lamiglas rod blanks and had to go off shore to continue his line of application specific rods.

Loomis lost any chance with me using the NRX rods with thier $100 warranty, excellent rods way to expensive IMO!

Tom

[MRBAMA57]

During the past 2 years I have purchased around 6 new rods. 3 of them were Gander Mountain brand 6 ft 6 in medium heavy baitcaster type rods for $20 each. I use them mostly with Texas rigged worms and lizards.  Guess which rods I have caught the most fish on? 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Last i heard fish dont really read our rods..i dont go $20 cheap but for me $20 up too $50 works fine and my cheap yard sale pistol grips fit perfect never had a notion to try a $300 dollar 3oz rod when a $20 3 oz rod does what i need...LOVE sittin in my yak busting bass shallow while the dude with the 60k bassboat is tryin to sneakk a peek then keep moving lol

[Raul]

On 13 de agosto de 2016 at 5:45 PM, scaleface said:

I paid 20 dollars for my last rod . From Gander Mountain .Lady Guide series and its not pink . Its a manly lavender .

REAL MACHO men wear can wear pink.

I don't have any pink or pastel colored rods ( like pistaccio green or lavender or baby blue ) just because the color distracts me, no other reason than that.

Wanna know what I use ? 

POWER: anywhere from UL to XH, it just depends on the cover

ACTION: FAST

Simple.