Why on earth would anyone spend $400 on a bass rod?

[Further North]

On 1/3/2018 at 5:48 PM, Montanaro said:

Im just saying if people are going to compare cars to rods at least make an accurate comparison on the percentage difference in cost.

 

Like a hellcat versus a ss camaro.

 

Both can haul ass but the one is more refined and exclusive and a bit faster.

 

Fishing rods have no bugatti equivalent.

...they kinda do, it's just that those rods don't get discussed a lot on bass forums.

 

It's not hard to spend $1,000 on a fly rod.

 

You can easily spend $400 for a mid-level rod (and I often do, going with Temple Forks Outfiters).  I just took a look...G Loomis has fly rods at $1,400.

 

...there are other, specialized, custom makers that'll double that.

 

...then we can edge into bamboo fly rods.  The ones Orvis sells pop the cork at $2,795...and they are nowhere near the best thing going...and Orvis is still a mass market retailer (and that's not criticism, not even a little bit).

 

Start looking at a custom made bamboo rod, made by an acknowledged master tradesman...and you're probably looking at $5K, to start.  Start adding in special wood for the reel seat, custom engraving for the metal parts...and you can get to elevations where it gets hard for a working guy like me to breathe in a heck of a hurry....

 

A quick Google search on "custom bamboo fly rods for sale" popped up a website for Oyster fly rods...and a selling price for a "standard" Legacy Series rod of $12,000...or 100x an "average" casting rod...just so you know I'm not making that up:

 

https://www.taigan.com/shops/oysterflyrods/items/42995-oyster-legacy-series-bamboo-fly-rod-by-oyster?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs4Hxhc692AIVg9dkCh0KZQp9EAQYASABEgINzfD_BwE

 

...the last car I bought...a nothing special, 2014 Ford Escape, had an MSRP of about $42,500 (I can't afford that, I bought it used, a year later for $23,500)...working the numbers, 100x $42,500 is $4,250,000...or about 280% more than a Bugatti Veyron...

 

Best I could quickly do for "average vehicle cost" was a USA Today piece from 2015 that put that price at $33,560...100x that is still $3,356,000...or about 234% of the $1,500,000 Veyron price tag...

 

Thanks for your post...It sent me down a quick gopher hole of fishing rod costs, and taught me a thing or three...I honestly had no clue you could spend, $12,000 on a fishing rod...my expectations were more in line with the $5,000 - $6,000 I've seen spent on 'Boo rods...which is more like 50x an "average $120 fishing rod...to see 2x that...educational...I really appreciate it.

 

 

On 1/3/2018 at 3:23 PM, fishindad said:

Back in my mid-to-late twenties (1980's and 90's) I was a highly competitive triathlete in California. I quickly learned that the guys that were the most "dangerous" were the ones who showed up in old grey sweats, with well-used bikes and running shoes. The ones who I was never worried about after the gun showed up in the latest Nike lycra and $3000 bikes that looked like they just came off the showroom floor. All show and no go. 

 

I'm all for people spending their money as they please (assuming they legally earned it of course); this is America. My reply was geared towards folks who believe success (at fishing, life, sports, whatever) is determined by the labels on your "stuff". 

 

My bass fishing role models are Charlie Brewer, Billy Westmoreland, Jerry McKinnis, Ned Kehde, and Larry Nixon. Who'da guessed this big city boy from Chicago would grow up to idolize some good 'old country boys. Those guys didn't need NRX rods or side imaging or spot lock to catch bass.

Yep.

 

There's a truism floating around the world of shotgun shooting: "Beware of the man who shoots one gun."

 

That "old timer" in bib overalls shooting a 1930s model 12 at every clay that flies...he's really, really likely to kick your butt...

[JawjaBoy]

Personally, I'd love to be able to use a $400 rod, but on my decidedly blue collar income and with a wife and 3 year old daughter to take care of it ain't gonna happen!  

 

I AM looking to purchase a new reel very shortly and it's looking like it'll be in the  $110-130 range.  That will be the most I have EVER paid for a reel, but circumstances have worked out so that I have a little disposable income to spend on myself.  

 

I will say though that I'm kind of a strange bird about some things.  I'm one of those rare creatures that, when I find something that works, I'm loathe to change it.  I'm still using a 1310 that I bought in 1989 because it still works great!  I drive a 1995 S10 that I bought brand new and now has over 388,000 miles on it.  I built a shed in my backyard almost completely with my Grandad's old hand tools.  

 

The truth is, I can remember when a reel over $100 was RARE.  As were rods.  Now, a $100 reel is almost "low end".  The way technology and prices have taken off simply blows my mind.  It's kind of like someone saying 20 years ago that we'd be paying a buck and a half for a bottle of water one day!

[fishwizzard]

I honestly had no idea bamboo fishing rods were still a thing, what advantages do they offer over a more modern material?

[68camaro]

5 hours ago, Further North said:

 

Start looking at a custom made bamboo rod, made by an acknowledged master tradesman...and you're probably looking at $5K, to start.  Start adding in special wood for the reel seat, custom engraving for the metal parts...and you can get to elevations where it gets hard for a working guy like me to breathe in a heck of a hurry....

 

A quick Google search on "custom bamboo fly rods for sale" popped up a website for Oyster fly rods...and a selling price for a "standard" Legacy Series rod of $12,000...or 100x an "average" casting rod...just so you know I'm not making that up:

 

https://www.taigan.com/shops/oysterflyrods/items/42995-oyster-legacy-series-bamboo-fly-rod-by-oyster?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs4Hxhc692AIVg9dkCh0KZQp9EAQYASABEgINzfD_BwE

 

Dang, had no idea that bamboo or even St. Croix's could go so high. I am looking to get a New Orvis Helios 3 setup, but I am waiting to take the Orvis 101 Fly casting class so I can get a 20% discount on the setup.

 

I think it goes to show that no matter the product or service, there is always a market for the high and ultra-high end.

[Johnbt]

Advances in technology can run the price of anything up. Sometimes the product actually performs better, too.

 

Williams-Sonoma is having another sale on All-Clad brand Copper Core cookware. The 15-piece set (11 pans & 4 lids) is marked down from $2960 to $2199.95

 

www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-copper-core-15-piece-cookware-set/?pkey=call-clad-copper-core&isx=0.0.600

 

The 33-piece set is marked down from $5439 to $3999.95

 

It's made by the company that developed the bonded layered metal the government makes coins out of.

 

"He was awarded more than 50 U.S. patents for bonded metals and secured a contract with the U.S. Mint to make dimes, quarters and half dollars. He was later instrumental in the nation's conversion from solid silver coins to bonded layered metals used in coins today."

[Further North]

1 hour ago, fishwizzard said:

I honestly had no idea bamboo fishing rods were still a thing, what advantages do they offer over a more modern material?

I didn't either...at least to the extent I found.

 

...as to advantages, I'd have a hard time saying there are any, but could be wrong.

 

Mostly it's aesthetics, a lot like high end shotguns.

50 minutes ago, Johnbt said:

Advances in technology can run the price of anything up. Sometimes the product actually performs better, too.

 

Williams-Sonoma is having another sale on All-Clad brand Copper Core cookware. The 15-piece set (11 pans & 4 lids) is marked down from $2960 to $2199.95

 

www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-copper-core-15-piece-cookware-set/?pkey=call-clad-copper-core&isx=0.0.600

 

The 33-piece set is marked down from $5439 to $3999.95

 

It's made by the company that developed the bonded layered metal the government makes coins out of.

 

"He was awarded more than 50 U.S. patents for bonded metals and secured a contract with the U.S. Mint to make dimes, quarters and half dollars. He was later instrumental in the nation's conversion from solid silver coins to bonded layered metals used in coins today."

Wow...and cool.

1 hour ago, 68camaro said:

Dang, had no idea that bamboo or even St. Croix's could go so high. I am looking to get a New Orvis Helios 3 setup, but I am waiting to take the Orvis 101 Fly casting class so I can get a 20% discount on the setup.

Same here...though I have a St. Croix Legend C fly rod...

 

Good choice on the H3!

1 hour ago, 68camaro said:

I think it goes to show that no matter the product or service, there is always a market for the high and ultra-high end.

Seems to be that way.

[J Francho]

Six pages?  Fish what you want.  The debate is endless; moot.

[fishwizzard]

Can we talk about $400 coolers instead?  

[tracker01]

To me it’s not how much it costs. It’s, how does the rod feel in my hand, is the reel seat comfortable, does the rod balance feel good, is the rod light. This all matters to me. When I try rods at retailers, I always bring my reel, a Ci4+. I try not to look at the price tag until I fish the rod around the shop. Poor way to judge a rod but it works for me. I fished nice stuff when I fished tournaments and I still fish nice stuff. It’s my hobby.

[RB 77]

On 12/30/2017 at 7:35 PM, Catt said:

I have 3-4 friends who are ridiculously wealthy.

One is an avid angler that owns a Bass Cass Jaguar with a 400 Merc hanging off the back. He would not buy a $200 simply because it's $200, his has dozen Shimano G. Loomis Conquest MBR Casting Rod.

 

Extreme? Not for his budget, he fishes offshore in a Hatteras GT70 Convertible.

 

You think our rods are high!

 

As for me it's about personal preference!

 

For years I was G. Loomis fan until I tried a Shimano Crucial 

 

I love my Crucials. I have everything from Drop Shot rods to Swimbait rods and feel they are a great rod for the money or at any price for that matter.

 

Why a $400 rod? Why not? If you got the scratch, go for it. Its all relative to the individuals perceived value of something.

[Yumeya]

3 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

Can we talk about $400 coolers instead?  

 

So who is getting the new Conquest rods

[fishwizzard]

I guess I like cold beer, but not to the extent that some do

[68camaro]

3 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

Can we talk about $400 coolers instead?  

LOL......priceless

 

[BrackishBassin]

1 hour ago, fishwizzard said:

I guess I like cold beer, but not to the extent that some do

Only one way to guarantee your beer is cold - drink it before it has a chance to warm up. 

[fishwizzard]

Right now my house is so cold that I can just keep the beer near the front door and it stays at a good temp.  But it's brandy and coffee time when it's this cold out.  

[S Hovanec]

18 hours ago, Further North said:

 

A quick Google search on "custom bamboo fly rods for sale" popped up a website for Oyster fly rods.

 

 

 

I went down the rabbit hole last year.  Spent some time on that site watching engraving videos. I was commissioned to build a Sage One.  Guy sends me a pic of an Oyster seat wanting something like that on his Sage.  I contacted Bill to see if he sold his hardware.  That was a big negative.  Ended up going with solid titanium Lemke hardware and turned my own spalted maple insert.  Pricy, but way cheaper than an Oyster seat if he would have sold one to me.

[Airman4754]

I've been lucky enough to fish or own both ends of the price spectrum from most of the major brands. The thing most people don't account for are how many d**n rods there are in each of these lines from both casting and spinning in a myriad of lengths and actions. If you think all 25 NRX models are awesome for how you fish you're kidding yourself.

 

If it's not a custom rod you might not like the handle set, material used, length or whatever else. Depending on what you are fishing and how you fish it there are $180 rods that will perform better for you than a $400+ rod. 

 

Expensive doesn't mean better. It just usually means lighter with better components and some nicer looking aesthetics. Generally it will have better craftsmanship, but that's not always the case. If you can find a high end rod that fits how you fish it is awesome, but not all of them are going to.

[Yumeya]

I use a Dobyns Fury for my crankbait rod and it does its job amazing for what it is..

 

 

[Redlinerobert]

Who cares if your rods cost $40 or $1400.  the fish certainly don't

[npl_texas]

20 hours ago, Yumeya said:

 

So who is getting the new Conquest rods

This picture only works if that's an Ultrex

[Yumeya]

1 hour ago, npl_texas said:

This picture only works if that's an Ultrex

Its now a Maxxum...

[Steveo-1969]

I enjoy these threads every time they come up and I must say this has been the most civil one I've seen on here.  Normally by page 2 a Mod is shutting it down because of crazy name-calling.

 

I've been in both camps.  In 2010 I saw a $100 Carrot Stix in a tackle shop and told my fiance "There is NO WAY I would pay $100 for a fishing rod! My Ugly Stik works just fine!!".  And it did.  Then I fished with a higher end rod and discovered how much more pleasurable it was FOR ME to use a higher end rod. Now I own a GLX spinning rod, 2 NRX casting rods, and I'm discussing a custom jig rod with @Delaware Valley Tackle.  Life is good.... 

[Further North]

On 1/4/2018 at 7:08 PM, S Hovanec said:

 

I went down the rabbit hole last year.  Spent some time on that site watching engraving videos. I was commissioned to build a Sage One.  Guy sends me a pic of an Oyster seat wanting something like that on his Sage.  I contacted Bill to see if he sold his hardware.  That was a big negative.  Ended up going with solid titanium Lemke hardware and turned my own spalted maple insert.  Pricy, but way cheaper than an Oyster seat if he would have sold one to me.

I'd like to see what that looks like - sounds very nice!

[NYWayfarer]

On 1/4/2018 at 1:21 PM, fishwizzard said:

Can we talk about $400 coolers instead?  

Sure we can talk. My knockoff Ozark Trail hopper cooler works just as well to keep drinks cold for a day on the lake. Just have to make sure it doesn’t tip over...

 

Oh and it was less than $40

[WI_Angler1989]

21 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

I enjoy these threads every time they come up and I must say this has been the most civil one I've seen on here.  Normally by page 2 a Mod is shutting it down because of crazy name-calling.

 

I've been in both camps.  In 2010 I saw a $100 Carrot Stix in a tackle shop and told my fiance "There is NO WAY I would pay $100 for a fishing rod! My Ugly Stik works just fine!!".  And it did.  Then I fished with a higher end rod and discovered how much more pleasurable it was FOR ME to use a higher end rod. Now I own a GLX spinning rod, 2 NRX casting rods, and I'm discussing a custom jig rod with @Delaware Valley Tackle.  Life is good.... 

 

Ya gotta love manners and civility! It's not often people can discuss and debate differing opinions respectfully these days.

I had a bit of a thought on the topic too. My own personal situation made me realize how, well, personal and situational this topic is.

Some people want high end gear because they do. Cool!

Some people don't because the fish don't care. Cool!

Some want it because they crave the performance they get out of it, the way it works and feels for THEM. Cool!

Me? I fish a lot of inexpensive tubes, grubs, craws and worms on inexpensive jigs that I rarely lose. I'll buy a few packs of Smallie Crawlin' Jigs and a 25 count of Cabin Creek tubes and catch a few hundred Smallies on them and have leftovers for next year. 

That "frugality" and fine tuning that I've made for myself on my waters (through much trial and error and $$$) allows me to save on tackle and spend my hard earned money on better gear. Better reels like my Stradic FK; better rods, like my St Croix Legend Tournament Bass. You get the idea! 

Anyway, that's ME and MY situation. I am, by no means whatsoever, well off or in a place to buy these things on a whim. But I spoil myself with a few nice things with excess money because I want to. To each their own, right?