Favorite rod and reels

[bowhunter22]

What does everyone think of the favorite rods and reels? Seems like a lot of hype and marketing to me

[Catt]

[MickD]

Just bought a Daiwa SV103 baitcaster-best casting reel I've ever owned.  Previously owned modern reels: Shimano Curados and Revo SX's, Shimano Calcutta 100 (almost modern-still use it, pretty nice).

 

I build my own rods, so have lots of favorites for various techniques, but doesn't answer your question.  I have to say the most impressive spinning and casting blanks to build on right now, to choose one line, would be Point Blank.  A little limited in selection, but what is offered is pretty impressive.

[new2BC4bass]

I believe he is asking about "Favorite" brand of rods and reels.  Not what our favorite rods and reels are.

 

OP.  No experience with either.

[BrackishBassin]

We’ve done this dance before. Took people half of the thread to realize the brand was being discussed. Guy did a tear down of their reels. Same parts as Shishamo and KastKing, but double the price of KastKing. Actually swapped all the parts around to make 3 completely ‘new’ “Frankenreels”. It was a long video to watch, but definitely interesting to see. End result of his tear down was that they’re not worth the money that’s being charged for them. 

[ratherbfishin1]

That's what I've been wondering,  I wonder if they are any good.  It seems like they are using all the YouTubers to market them for the younger crowd who sees them fishing with a favorite rod and they immediately want it even if it is literally a broom stick.  Now I'm not saying they are bad i'm just guessing they aren't a very good value because they don't need to be and the younger crowd still buys them.  Just what i think but i've never even picked one up so I don't know.

[bowhunter22]

Yeah I mean the only people I see using them are YouTube guys that are paid and then their followers who are mostly kids. They found a niche I guess. If I had the money I’d love to do a comparison with my irod genesis just because I can’t find an honest review out there.

[NYWayfarer]

There are so many great rods and reels out there right now. You will never know if you will like something unless you try it. I don't get the fear of trying new things a lot of people have. The only thing that ever scared me was when something says, "new and improved" because I like the old whatever it was and didn't think it needed to be improved.

 

When it comes to reviews I watch or read as many as I can and compare them. For instance if 90% of the reviews say a reel is noisy you can bet it will be noisy. Now do you care about noise is a different story.

 

As far as Favorite goes the only thing on their site that interests me is their Yampa River rod. Fantastic looking trout rod IMO videos and reviews I have seen are all positive. I would wait until they have a free shipping day before I purchased one though.

[Caliyak]

1 hour ago, bowhunter22 said:

What does everyone think of the favorite rods and reels? Seems like a lot of hype and marketing to me

The reels look to be less than a Black Max. The rods are no different. So low end stuff.  

[bowhunter22]

35 minutes ago, Caliyak said:

The reels look to be less than a Black Max. The rods are no different. So low end stuff.  

They have rods up around the $200 price point. Not really expensive but not cheap 

[Chance_Taker4]

I handled a Big Sexy. When I seen Roland Martin jumped on the hype train I thought I'd give them a try. From what I handled they are overpriced and the shipping charge they add makes them more over priced. They found a good niche with the YouTube community but I also have seen a steady decline in views on the Googans videos and if you pay close attention to LFG, he uses Shimano Rods and "markets" Favorite brand.

[bowhunter22]

24 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I handled a Big Sexy. When I seen Roland Martin jumped on the hype train I thought I'd give them a try. From what I handled they are overpriced and the shipping charge they add makes them more over priced. They found a good niche with the YouTube community but I also have seen a steady decline in views on the Googans videos and if you pay close attention to LFG, he uses Shimano Rods and "markets" Favorite brand.

They all own a share of the company I think but hats off to them for making a ton of money doing their stuff. Jon B. used to be a shimano guy and also switched, he’s about the only one of the googans who’s videos are okay

[Yumeya]

What I hate is when something is marketed as super patriotic "lunkers TV" rod 

and then made in China, now I have no problem with china made stuff, just don't put U.S. flags all over it...

 

I think the googan squad are con artists...

[fishballer06]

I was surprised whenever my local F&S had a big display rack of them up. I looked at them and noticed lots of fancy designs on them similar to some high end JDM rods, but price points in the $100-200 range. 

 

Different strokes for different folks, but I'll be sticking with my tried and true brands for now.

[ratherbfishin1]

3 hours ago, Yumeya said:

What I hate is when something is marketed as super patriotic "lunkers TV" rod 

and then made in China, now I have no problem with china made stuff, just don't put U.S. flags all over it...

 

I think the googan squad are con artists...

YES!!! Thank you for noticing this too!

[FishDewd]

What I think about the Favorite line of reels and rods...

 

1.) I think they are a marketing plow in order to support the YouTube group of fisherman known as the "googan Squad". For some reason they attract a massive fan base of followers who buy all their stuff. Most of the models from the Favorite line are in use by members of this group, and several are even named after them.

 

2.) I think they are overpriced for being the same blanks and parts that are used by multiple other manufacturers.

 

3.) I think I'd rather have one custom built than spend $250 on their best rod.

 

That's what I think of Favorite in a nutshell.

[bowhunter22]

27 minutes ago, FishDewd said:

What I think about the Favorite line of reels and rods...

 

1.) I think they are a marketing plow in order to support the YouTube group of fisherman known as the "googan Squad". For some reason they attract a massive fan base of followers who buy all their stuff. Most of the models from the Favorite line are in use by members of this group, and several are even named after them.

 

2.) I think they are overpriced for being the same blanks and parts that are used by multiple other manufacturers.

 

3.) I think I'd rather have one custom built than spend $250 on their best rod.

 

That's what I think of Favorite in a nutshell.

What companies use the same blanks?

[FishDewd]

Not sure specifically but I have heard they do... not hard to believe when it's known they use the same reel parts as other brands.

[Further North]

This isn't gonna help much...but I've got a Scott 8 wt. with a Nautilus CCF No. EIGHT on it...

 

Fits my sweet spot perfectly...

 

 

9 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I believe he is asking about "Favorite" brand of rods and reels.  Not what our favorite rods and reels are.

I believe you're right...I'm leaving my post up anyway...

[Chance_Taker4]

6 hours ago, bowhunter22 said:

They all own a share of the company I think but hats off to them for making a ton of money doing their stuff. Jon B. used to be a shimano guy and also switched, he’s about the only one of the googans who’s videos are okay

I used to watch Jon B and Flair a lot, I don't like Lunkers or Peric so when they all teamed up I quit watching. There are plenty more informative channels out there that are more entertaining still. If I want to watch pure entertaining fishing I watch OneRod and he left Googans over the Favorite Contract in which I applaud hime for standing his ground.

[bowhunter22]

2 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I used to watch Jon B and Flair a lot, I don't like Lunkers or Peric so when they all teamed up I quit watching. There are plenty more informative channels out there that are more entertaining still. If I want to watch pure entertaining fishing I watch OneRod and he left Googans over the Favorite Contract in which I applaud hime for standing his ground.

Everything is a money grab

[NYWayfarer]

15 hours ago, FishDewd said:

1.) I think they are a marketing plow in order to support the YouTube group of fisherman known as the "googan Squad". For some reason they attract a massive fan base of followers who buy all their stuff. Most of the models from the Favorite line are in use by members of this group, and several are even named after them.

 

 

There is a positive to take out of that. A whole new generation of kids are being introduced to fishing.

 

[ratherbfishin1]

Went to cabelas yesterday and confirmed it.  The rods i felt were heavy and just didn't feel very good quality. IMO it felt like a cheaply made rod from China.

30 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

There is a positive to take out of that. A whole new generation of kids are being introduced to fishing.

Good way to look at it though and it doesn't bother me if other people buy them i'll just never in my life buy one.

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I used to watch Jon B and Flair a lot, I don't like Lunkers or Peric so when they all teamed up I quit watching. There are plenty more informative channels out there that are more entertaining still. If I want to watch pure entertaining fishing I watch OneRod and he left Googans over the Favorite Contract in which I applaud hime for standing his ground.

Interesting you say that. I have noticed in his last few vids he is using Favorite rods. Yampa River, White Bird and Jack Hammer I believe.

 

From what I have watched and read it seems he pulled out of whatever deal MTB had going with the squad at the last minute. They then had to renegotiate the contracts with the remaining 4 Googans. That's why they were all ticked at Mike.

 

Mike says it was something in the contract he didn't like and he had his lawyer look at it. Others think Mike backed out because he didn't want to move to Texas as his girlfriend is a nurse in a Maryland hospital and he didn't want to leave her. These guys have more drama than my wife's soap opera.

[FishDewd]

4 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

There is a positive to take out of that. A whole new generation of kids are being introduced to fishing.

 

Oh, this is true... the googans just aren't that great I thought. Some of their antics is what I don't approve of. Not the best of role models in some ways, especially when it's clear that they are just pushing their products.

 

3 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

Interesting you say that. I have noticed in his last few vids he is using Favorite rods. Yampa River, White Bird and Jack Hammer I believe.

 

I've noticed the same... he also uses the Select Balance rod quite a bit, but I'm not sure about recently.