Buying rod / need aspirin!

[jbmaine]

For years I only had three rods, Two shimano Compre's and a Shimano Crucial all spinning ( that's all I do ) all full grips . Both the Compre's are 6' 6" med. one F one XF . The Crucial is 6' 8" med XF. I use the Crucial for weightless and light weighted plastics, and really love it for these applications. The Compre's I used for everything else.

 

 This year I got a new boat and could add two more rods, I got a Loomis E6X 7" heavy ( for cheap money ) for heavy baits, jigs etc. up to one oz. and a real cheap Cabelas  7"mh split grip for throwing up to 3/4 oz. 

 What I found is I like 6'6"-6'8" better than 7' and full grips better than split grips.

 

So I decided to keep the E6X and replace the Cabelas rod with another 6'6" med. rod. After many questions and input from members here I set my sights on a St. Croix Avid 6'6" med. fast with full grips.

 

Here's where the aspirin comes in. I have the KTP, Dicks, BPS, and Cabelas within an hour from here and no one carries or has this rod. I can order one but hate to spend the $$$ without seeing it in person, so I look to see what else is out there in stock. I keep looking at what else I might like, but wonder how they compare to the Avid.

 

 At this point I stall out, get a headache and go find the aspirin. Are you guys comfortable buying rods sight unseen? At this point I'm thinking of waiting until Spring and starting my search over again.

[22RangerZ520R]

14 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

Are you guys comfortable buying rods sight unseen?

I bought 14 Conquests sight unseen, I'm very comfortable.... 

 

Good luck with your search.

[flyfisher]

5 minutes ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

I bought 14 Conquests sight unseen, I'm very comfortable.... 

 

Good luck with your search.

id bet nobody in the country has 16 of those in stock anyways.

 

[Angry John]

It's a great rod and with the regular brick and mortar stores going out of business it's only going to get harder.  If your worried go used and you can get your money back if you dont like it.  It's my primary jerk bait rod and I love it.

[22RangerZ520R]

3 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

id bet nobody in the country has 16 of those in stock anyways.

 

I know of a few...... 

[new2BC4bass]

I've had to buy almost all my rods sight unseen.  Only one have I been truly unhappy with.  Best I can do is read reviews and hope for the best.  It doesn't hurt that every rod I've bought since getting back into fishing is better than the few I used to fish with.  The only rod I still use from those days is a Berkley Lightning spinning rod.

[LionHeart]

If you are pretty set on the Avid, go through the headache of ordering it.  If you like it, awesome.  If not, just return it.  Otherwise, you will always wonder.  

 

 

[LCG]

1 hour ago, jbmaine said:

For years I only had three rods, Two shimano Compre's and a Shimano Crucial all spinning ( that's all I do ) all full grips . Both the Compre's are 6' 6" med. one F one XF . The Crucial is 6' 8" med XF. I use the Crucial for weightless and light weighted plastics, and really love it for these applications. The Compre's I used for everything else.

 

 This year I got a new boat and could add two more rods, I got a Loomis E6X 7" heavy ( for cheap money ) for heavy baits, jigs etc. up to one oz. and a real cheap Cabelas  7"mh split grip for throwing up to 3/4 oz. 

 What I found is I like 6'6"-6'8" better than 7' and full grips better than split grips.

 

So I decided to keep the E6X and replace the Cabelas rod with another 6'6" med. rod. After many questions and input from members here I set my sights on a St. Croix Avid 6'6" med. fast with full grips.

 

Here's where the aspirin comes in. I have the KTP, Dicks, BPS, and Cabelas within an hour from here and no one carries or has this rod. I can order one but hate to spend the $$$ without seeing it in person, so I look to see what else is out there in stock. I keep looking at what else I might like, but wonder how they compare to the Avid.

 

 At this point I stall out, get a headache and go find the aspirin. Are you guys comfortable buying rods sight unseen? At this point I'm thinking of waiting until Spring and starting my search over again.

If you speak with someone at BPS they should be able to order one in for you. If it's not what you want don't buy it. They will sell it to someone. I have the avid x and it's a hell of a nice rod. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Nobody has ever been disappointed with an Avid that I have  ever heard of. They are the bread & butter of the St Croix lineup. Buy it with confidence sight unseen. I have owned at least six of them. 

[Tennessee Boy]

3 hours ago, jbmaine said:

Are you guys comfortable buying rods sight unseen? 

No.. I feel your pain but what choice do we really have.  The selections at even the largest tackle stores are disappointing.  Even if they do have something of interest,  it's hard to know if you'll like it until you fish with it.   It's a pain returning a rod that you've ordered online.  It's a pain shipping a rod if you decide to sell one that's not working for you.  Lots of pain..... now I need an aspirin ?.  Good luck in your search.

[GReb]

I haven’t bought a rod or reel off the shelf in 15 years

[jbmaine]

Thanks everyone,

I'll probably bite the bullet and order one, but it bugs me that what everyone says is such a popular rod is not carried in stock. There are times I am less than pleased with the world we live in today.

[haggard]

Hi neighbor @jbmaine - I'm now 99% certain I'm ordering the same rod when it becomes available (supposedly less than a month away) so you're welcome to try it out before you buy one. If it comes in before the temps get too cold, take it on the water for a day. I won't be ordering a reel right away so you'd need to use yours.

 

[TBAG]

Just get it, you'll like it, guaranteed.

 

I've got quite a few Avids and that exact model you're looking at is my dedicated jerk-bait rod.

[fishwizzard]

On 9/23/2018 at 8:08 AM, jbmaine said:

Are you guys comfortable buying rods sight unseen? 

Comfortable, no.  Do I do it all the time, yes. 

 

[J Francho]

I have around 20 Avids.  You'll like the rod.

[jbmaine]

5 hours ago, haggard said:

Hi neighbor @jbmaine - I'm now 99% certain I'm ordering the same rod when it becomes available (supposedly less than a month away) so you're welcome to try it out before you buy one. If it comes in before the temps get too cold, take it on the water for a day. I won't be ordering a reel right away so you'd need to use yours.

 

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

[Deeare]

On 9/23/2018 at 8:08 AM, jbmaine said:

What I found is I like 6'6"-6'8" better than 7' and full grips better than split grips.

You seem to know what you like for grip and length.   I'd also suggest confirming the handle length and reel seat you like and go from there.  

 

WAIT FOR A SALE (on eBay, Black Friday or Xmas time) and you should be able to find a good deal one one of the top brands:  gloomis, st croix, dobbins or megabass.  I have multiple of each brand above and they are all great......but I NEVER buy a rod unless I'm getting at least 20% off retail.  

[Crankin4Bass]

KTP should be able to order one for you too.

[NHBull]

I think the Avid may be the most universal rod with best bang for the buck at that price point.

I have a 7' and you are welcome to come on down and try it.  It would also be easy to sell, but you won't.  

[jbmaine]

6 hours ago, NHBull said:

I think the Avid may be the most universal rod with best bang for the buck at that price point.

I have a 7' and you are welcome to come on down and try it.  It would also be easy to sell, but you won't.  

That's a kind offer. I appreciate it.

Only problem is, with all the big bass you've caught in your lake,  I'd come down to try out the rod, and stay, and stay, and stay. My wife would miss me.?