How long do you keep rods?

[Mumbly]

How long do you guys keep your rods for? Do you keep up with the new technology each year (or every other year) or replace what you have and sell off the old? Or do you hold on to what you have and only replace it if it breaks? Guessing budget comes into play as well?

 

I have been buying left over clearance rods from a dealer that he has had since 2012-ish. A couple GLoomis, Shimano cumara and crucials. I believe I am doing the right thing but was curious if I am missing out on more "current" model technology.

[EllisJuan]

19 minutes ago, Mumbly said:

I have been buying left over clearance rods from a dealer that he has had since 2012-ish. A couple GLoomis...

 

I would have no problem rocking high end rods from back then.  The GLX rods with the recoils from back then are some of the best rods ever imho and are better than almost anything currently made.  

[WRB]

There hasn't been a lot of rod material development since Loomis came out with the NRX series rods.

my rods are now about 2013 vintage or older.

Tom

[RoLo]

The longevity of my fishing rods is pure happenstance, and their ages run all over the lot.

If I accidentally break a rod, it becomes a tomato stake, often at a very young age.

When there's an appreciable breakthrough in blank or guide technology,

I'm generally game for an upgrade.  I've also got a slew of rods that I regard as second-class,

and those basically become dust-collectors from time immemorial.

 

Roger

[Ray K]

Once I buy a rod that I like, I usually keep it as long as doesn't break or stops feeling good.  Come to think of it, I still have fiberglass and graphite rods I bought back in the 80s and 90s.  They are shorter than today's 7+ footers but are great for top water and cranking.

[Turkey sandwich]

I have rods that are over 15 years old that I still use frequently because they're good for a specific purpose. If you like the feel and action of a specific rod, there's no reason to replace it unless it can't be repaired or you simply want to upgrade or use something new.  I have a late 90s St Croix Premier that I still really like for certain presentations.  Could I replace it with a new Avid X, GLX, Crucial, etc? Of course I could, but I like it.

[bigturtle]

I save up for high end rods, and keep them till they break

[Kidflex]

My favorite rod is a weibe reel seat imx mbr 844. Rod is about 20 years old. Goes on every trip. I do have the new model plus many other high end rods. Some rods just have a certain mojo to it, and can't be replaced. That said I also have a couple light and tough DAIWA rods that gets more use than my steez. If you like it keep it, use it and enjoy

[DaveT63]

Like others have said, it depends on the rod.  Sometimes I jump on the new technology, but other times....  I've got an earlier model MBR842C GLX that I wouldn't get rid if someone offered me multiple NRXs for.  I've got a brand new St Croix Legend Elite, but I also have a last generation St Croix Legend Xtreme with the cork handle and recoil guides I'm about to advertise for sale, and Avids I will keep for a long time.

[Raul]

Got these Berkley Lightning Rods that date back to 1985 (?) .... still fish with them and they are going nowhere.

[tholmes]

I have several rods that are 20+ years old. I still catch fish with them, so I don't see any reason to get rid of them.

 

Tom

[tander]

I have 2 Falcon Lowrider rods from late 80's/early90's and 1 new Falcon. I can't see much difference in them so I just keep using the old ones until I break them. They did make some improvements but not enough to set the old ones aside.

[bigfruits]

some rods I sell after one use and other rods I don't think I will ever sell. the old MBR 783 and BCR 803 are examples. I even bought duplicates because im scared they will break!

 

I replace some when I find something that does the same application better.

[Darren.]

If a rod breaks in a "can't use it anymore" kind of way, I'll

replace it. Otherwise I try to keep using it unless its action

changes significantly. In that case, it will fall into the above

category and either be repurposed or replaced.

[Spankey]

I get real anal and become personally attached to some of my rods. Should let a few of my older stuff go. 

 

I have this older Rapala spinning rod that the guides and cork handle are shot. The exact rod can't be replaced. Thought about getting the guides redone. Not worth it. I've caught so many smallies with it that I can't let it go, and still use it for small topwater pop-r's. The grooved guides have not caused me any fish. But someday it will I guess. 

 

I guess it will become a wall hanger for posterity's sake shortly. 

[IndianaFinesse]

8 hours ago, Mumbly said:

How long do you guys keep your rods for? 

Until they break.  And I frequently buy models that are at least a year or two old when they are clearancing the line of rods.

[Crestliner2008]

I still have a '50's vintage Heddon Pal, tubular steel, bait casting rod, that my grandkids use (as a spincast rig) when they visit. Back in the '60's, I bought an 8' tubular fiberglass fly rod blank from Netcraft and had it turned into a spinning rod for trout fishing. Recently tried this old clunker out on crappie - just once! Now it's permanently retired. Way too sluggish and heavy, as well as less feel, than modern rods of today. We've come a long way baby!

[Hawghead]

I basically never throw a rod away unless I break it. I am 41 years old. I have all my rods from when I was a little kid. I got my first "real" spinning rod and reel.  Plus lots of others that have fallen by the wayside as I have been able to afford nicer newer stuff.  

 

I have several perfectly serviceable rods that haven't been used in years.   Many are not sentimental, or anything like that, they dont really have any $$ value, just like to keep them.  

[A-Jay]

I rarely part with rods - reels yes, but rods not so much.

Past few winters have seen me removing original guides on a few of my favorites and spinning on new ones.

Over the years the wraps start to weaken making this necessary to continue to fish them.

The improvements available in rings today allow for a nice upgrade.

Handles the same, like an old friend, but in some respects it's a "like a whole new rod"

A-Jay 

[Fishes in trees]

When I buy a new rod I don't throw away or sell the old one, it goes into the back up rack.   Occasionally I will trade one.

["hamma"]

Other than being a sponsored pro,...why would you dispose of rods that still work?

 I like many here have some old rods that I still use. 

 

  Some,... if they broke? i'd probably hold a memorial service complete with soft music and tissues. They have served me well, better than some of my girlfriends that I've dated over the years, and unlike the girlfriends? provided me much less grief. Therefore, a full on service, my shedding tears of pain, and a well placed spot on a wall,...lol

[Mumbly]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

There hasn't been a lot of rod material development since Loomis came out with the NRX series rods.

my rods are now about 2013 vintage or older.

Tom

 

I should have mentioned the models as they are not the higher end Gloomis. What they have left is the GL2 (blue blank. Not sure if different than the gl2 brown blanks), Mossyback and Bronzeback. They also have a crankbait series rod and a jerkbait series rod.

 

 

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the comments. It helps a great deal.

[Hawkeye21]

I don't like spending a ton of money on rods so I keep using them until I can't anymore.  The pole I use the most has about 6 inches broken of the tip and I still catch a ton of fish on it.

[kickerfish1]

I have some older Team Daiwa rods and some original Gen 1 cumaras. I dont plan on letting them go anytime soon. I have kind of a kid of rods from the 90s and some from today. 

[rippin-lips]

I bought and sold until I found the rods I wanted to keep. Then I'll hold onto them until whenever I decide that something new is interesting. So far I've had the same Megabass rods for 2yrs and don't see a need to upgrade. They do have a new lineup that'll be available soon but I'll probably pass on those.