Yet another Owner for the Infamous Carrot Stix

[Chance_Taker4]

A source close to me (fishing partner) told me that CEC has sold off Carrot Stix to a group of investors. They are relocating back to California from Toronto. He was on their Pro staff and received an email stating the company was sold off and at this time the pro staff program and all discount programs are canceled. There will be no new rods made until all warranty and individual back orders are fulfilled. The only change I have seen was their website now has all the rods listed as sold out but no other change via website or facebook. Why are people still dumping money into this brand and these rods? Just let them die in piece. I feel these rods are just money pits for whomever decided to own them next.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Even IF all past issues were resolved it seems to me starting from scratch would be easier than overcoming such a bad reputation. Maybe the new owner will use the infrastructure to launch a new brand. Time will tell. 

[Chance_Taker4]

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Even IF all past issues were resolved it seems to me starting from scratch would be easier than overcoming such a bad reputation. Maybe the new owner will use the infrastructure to launch a new brand. Time will tell. 

I don't think the name is repairable. The only way they could possibly make money is to change the name and look of the rods.

[ratherbfishin1]

1 minute ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I don't think the name is repairable. The only way they could possibly make money is to change the name and look of the rods.

I'll be honest I kind of think their rods look pretty cool, but only with the right reel...

[burrows]

I’ll buy them if they clearance them out half off I heard their pretty sensitive but have a bad reputation for breaking I remember when these rods were coveted amongst many anglers. I hope they can fix their issues.

[Hulkster]

paint them green and call them celery sticks.

 

 

[Backroad Angler]

The whole orange look of the rod, I don't think I've seen a uglier rod tbh

[Chance_Taker4]

4 hours ago, Burrows said:

I’ll buy them if they clearance them out half off I heard their pretty sensitive but have a bad reputation for breaking I remember when these rods were coveted amongst many anglers. I hope they can fix their issues.

I have 4 that I bought at pro staff pricing a couple years back. The black and orange ones. After seeing how many my partner went through I refused to use them in competition. I'll use them when I'm out for fun or give to people who I take out. They are incredibly light and sensitive but I think you could break one just by looking at it. 

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

paint them green and call them celery sticks.

 

 

They had a Wild Green rod in the lineup at one point.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

In all fairness if good rod handling practices were followed to the letter they'd  probably be fine. The only incident I have first hand knowledge of was a tx partner that high sticked his rod trying to get a snag free. But as usual it was blamed on a crappy rod. Deserved or not their rep is ruined so I stand by my original comment.  

[GeekOutdoors]

1 hour ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I have 4 that I bought at pro staff pricing a couple years back. The black and orange ones. After seeing how many my partner went through I refused to use them in competition. I'll use them when I'm out for fun or give to people who I take out. They are incredibly light and sensitive but I think you could break one just by looking at it. 

They had a Wild Green rod in the lineup at one point.

I dont know if celeri stick has the same meaning then in French but its not positive !

[OnthePotomac]

I picked one up at a Gander on sale for $80 when they were popular.  It is a 7' medium and only weighs 3.5oz and is an incredible rod for crankbaits.  Really easy on the old wrists for a long haul.  Six years ago and still going strong.  Yes, really sensitive.

[Deleted account]

I don't think anyone has purchased or transferred any of the remaining assets with the intention of making fishing rods, golf shafts, or anything else. The company is a study in what happens when enthusiasts who are passionate about a sport partner with investors and snake oil sales folks who are passionate about money. Last I checked e21 (short for element 21) belonged to AREM, and other than disgruntled investors holding the remnants of toilet paper, not much has happened recently. I could be wrong, I haven't spoken with anyone from the company in about 10 years or so. 

[Choporoz]

I've never owned one, but it isn't even the fragile reputation so much as the reports of atrocious customer service and broken promises that leads me write off the brand.

[Chance_Taker4]

1 hour ago, reason said:

I don't think anyone has purchased or transferred any of the remaining assets with the intention of making fishing rods, golf shafts, or anything else. The company is a study in what happens when enthusiasts who are passionate about a sport partner with investors and snake oil sales folks who are passionate about money. Last I checked e21 (short for element 21) belonged to AREM, and other than disgruntled investors holding the remnants of toilet paper, not much has happened recently. I could be wrong, I haven't spoken with anyone from the company in about 10 years or so. 

I'm probably wrong but I thought CEC bought CS from E21 in 2013 or 2014? In any event it's CEC's obligation to the brand that has changed hands.

[J Francho]

These were all the rage on the club trails I fished a decade ago.  All of them seemed to break.  I watched two snap on hook sets in one day.

[r83srock]

6 hours ago, J Francho said:

These were all the rage on the club trails I fished a decade ago.  All of them seemed to break.  I watched two snap on hook sets in one day.

Yeah they sure were! My buddy was on a collegiate team at the time and a lot of people had em. It was a good time to introduce the “new” $100ish dollar rod of that era. I knew guys who sold all their rods to buy those. Held a few, they were light! I just never bit due to horror stories.

[ratherbfishin1]

For me it is a lot about warranties.  I use some Bass Pro Rods even though some have said they give you a hard time if you break a rod I have had semi-good experiences.  Brands like St. Croix and G. Loomis are so great because you don't have to worry so much.  If carrot stix had great customer service I can almost guarantee you I would have at least one of their rods for non-competitive fishing when it doesn't matter as much if you are short one rod.

[ItsHardwick]

I’ve just recently heard all the negative stuff about the brand. My only personal experience with them is my 16 year old cousin has one he got 2 christmas ago. He beats the hell out of that thing like you could imagine a 16 year old with 1 rod would and it’s still going. It is very light. Sure hope he doesn’t break it, because he loves that thing lol. 

[Bluebasser86]

Feels like it would be about the same as naming a new cruise ship "The Titanic". 

[DogBone_384]

On 10/20/2018 at 9:47 AM, Hulkster said:

paint them green and call them celery sticks.

 

 

Green’s already taken.  Charlie Moore, a local sports show host up here in Boston, has his own fishing show and rod/reel line.  They’re VERY green.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Feels like it would be about the same as naming a new cruise ship "The Titanic". 

Thats being done

 

 

[Taylor Hobbs]

Iv had em all, from my loomis(s), all stars, ugly sticks, shimanos, St. Croixs, castaway, and besides My American rodsmith Ross my carrots stix which I have had the one I use daily for going on 6 years now and it’s probably my favorite rod of all time. If people knew how to properly handle and take care of their things than they probably wouldn’t break. Don’t get me wrong everyone has there dumb uhoh dummy moments and breaks a rod but it doesn’t matter what rod you have if your buddy slams the tailgate without paying attention your rods gonna break. Doesn’t mean it’s a crappy rod. More like a crappy friend if You ask me. Anyways I love my carrot stix and the only issue they have givin me is put to many fish in my cool to fast so I gotta call it a day to soon. reel life struggles...

[roadwarrior]

Not many fans left.

[DomQ]

14 hours ago, Taylor Hobbs said:

Iv had em all, from my loomis(s), all stars, ugly sticks, shimanos, St. Croixs, castaway, and besides My American rodsmith Ross my carrots stix which I have had the one I use daily for going on 6 years now and it’s probably my favorite rod of all time. If people knew how to properly handle and take care of their things than they probably wouldn’t break. Don’t get me wrong everyone has there dumb uhoh dummy moments and breaks a rod but it doesn’t matter what rod you have if your buddy slams the tailgate without paying attention your rods gonna break. Doesn’t mean it’s a crappy rod. More like a crappy friend if You ask me. Anyways I love my carrot stix and the only issue they have givin me is put to many fish in my cool to fast so I gotta call it a day to soon. reel life struggles...

You still fishing the banjo minnow as well or?

[MAN]

Carrot Stix had some great potential, just couldn't keep that momentum going. I always give them majority trend credit into the acceptance of all brightly colored rods we have now.