Going For A Test Drive

[Mobasser]

When I bought my first good casting reel many years ago, I bought it from a small tackle shop. I paid half down, and paid the reel off the following week. When I made the first payment, the shop owner told me to be sure and bring my rod when I picked up my new reel. He liked to do this on all the new reels he sold if possible. By doing this, you could see how the reel would work with your rod. Weight, balance, and overall feel, could make for better more accurate cast. Since many of us shop on the internet nowdays, this isn't always possible. This winter I plan on upgrading a couple of rods. I buy most of my stuff at Academy, and I plan on taking my reel along and mounting on the rod before I buy one. I rarely if ever see anyone else do this but that's ok. It can make a difference in how the rod will perform for you. If it doesn't feel right, you can choose a different model, that will work better with your line choice, casting style etc. Do you try and do this with rods if you can? I still think it's the best way to buy a new rod.I would really like to take it out to the parking lot and make a few cast, but, that's probably asking too much. I'll probably be the only guy carrying my reel into Academy, but I don't care. I want the rod that works best, with the reel I plan on using. Anyone else like to do this too?

[jimmyjoe]

  Heck yeah. I take a rod for a new reel, and a reel for a new rod. The youngsters think I'm nuts, but the old farts like me just half-smile and nod. They understand. Before I developed arthritis, this wasn't NEARLY as important to me. It's different now; now it can be critical.  ?   jj

[mrpao]

I have done this before.

I have taken both rods and reels into a store to see how it would feel.

[A-Jay]

I have taken a reel to help match it to a rod, especially lighter spinning gear.

Also I have used the TW Demo program a few times to get a feel for a few casting reels.

IMO it's a cheap I easy way to 'try before you buy'.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/demoprogram.html

A-Jay

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Nope.  Only place I could do this would be at Cabela's....about a 45 minute drive.  Have purchase 2 rods there, but had no plans to do so when I went.  Didn't consider taking a reel.  I've purchased 3 rods that I got to handle before buying.  All the rest of my rods...and all of my reels have been purchased sight unseen.

 

Luckily I'm not fussy about feel and have no physical problems that might require me to need certain criteria to be met before purchasing.  Guess there are some benefits to being clueless. 

[J Francho]

I used to do this, but haven't in years.  In fact, I'm not sure I've bought a new rod in at least half a decade.  I have so many reels, I can mix and match to get the "starters" for my trips.

[Fishes in trees]

I wouldn't ever pay full price at Academy, just because sales & close outs happen pretty often and when they do happen the stock doesn't last that long.  The pat few months I've gotten several All Star rods at better than 50% off.   Had I waited to go there with a reel, those would have been gone.

You're in or near Kansas City, right?  Rogers in Liberty has close outs from time to time.  3 years ago, I seriously upgraded my finesse spinning situation when they put a bunch of Fenwick HM spinning rods on sale at 50% off or more.

I got four 5'9" Med power, extra fast tip spinning rods at $50 each.  Totally upgraded all my float stream fishing gear.

To the question of matching the rod to the reel, when I'm at Rogers I just borrow one of their reels to check for weight & balance.  Of course in that situation, you're not accounting for the weight of the line, but I haven't had to get that picky yet.

[Mobasser]

2 minutes ago, Fishes in trees said:

I wouldn't ever pay full price at Academy, just because sales & close outs happen pretty often and when they do happen the stock doesn't last that long.  The pat few months I've gotten several All Star rods at better than 50% off.   Had I waited to go there with a reel, those would have been gone.

You're in or near Kansas City, right?  Rogers in Liberty has close outs from time to time.  3 years ago, I seriously upgraded my finesse spinning situation when they put a bunch of Fenwick HM spinning rods on sale at 50% off or more.

I got four 5'9" Med power, extra fast tip spinning rods at $50 each.  Totally upgraded all my float stream fishing gear.

To the question of matching the rod to the reel, when I'm at Rogers I just borrow one of their reels to check for weight & balance.  Of course in that situation, you're not accounting for the weight of the line, but I haven't had to get that picky yet.

Agree. I picked up a Fenwick HMG 5'9 rod at Rodgers for 50 bucks also. I got the last one they had. I do think Academy has more sales more often though. Almost every time I'm in there they have something on sale.

 

[new2BC4bass]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

I used to do this, but haven't in years.  In fact, I'm not sure I've bought a new rod in at least half a decade.  I have so many reels, I can mix and match to get the "starters" for my trips.

I've purchased rods in the past year, but still have several more reels than rods.  Think I am down to about 8 more reels than rods.  Very few rods so far have a dedicated reel.  Would be a lot more dedicated combos if I could afford to retire and move near my fishing buddy in Florida.    Would have much more time on the water to try out different combinations.

[WRB]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

I used to do this, but haven't in years.  In fact, I'm not sure I've bought a new rod in at least half a decade.  I have so many reels, I can mix and match to get the "starters" for my trips.

Haven't bought a new rod in 50 years.....sponsors must be supplying them.

 

The days of mom and pop tackle shops where you could try out rods and reels before buying are becoming rare.

Tom

[J Francho]

37 minutes ago, WRB said:

Haven't bought a new rod in 50 years.....sponsors must be supplying them.

Half a decade is 5 years.  I'm not even 50 yet, lol.  I have a few rods from sponsors, but it's been awhile since I've been sent one to review.  When I bought my rods, I bought Avid, Legend, GLX, Champ Extreme, so no real reason to replace anything.

[fishballer06]

Maybe it's just because I'm a young buck, but with technology these days, I can read online or ask guys online how certain rods and/or reels pair up together. It's a great time to be alive. 

[new2BC4bass]

46 minutes ago, WRB said:

The days of mom and pop tackle shops where you could try out rods and reels before buying are becoming rare.

Tom

Sad.  I like Internet prices, but spending time in a mom and pop shop talking to the owners and other customers, seeing and handling gear is a good time for me.  The mom and pop store I always visit on my vacations to Florida was no longer there this year.  Enough to make a grown man 

 

I will pay a few dollars more for an item to help them stay in business.  Unfortunately it takes more than a couple dedicated people to support such places.

[jimmyjoe]

8 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

I will pay a few dollars more for an item to help them stay in business.  Unfortunately it takes more than a couple dedicated people to support such places.

   True, very true. I support local. Some people say they do, but they really don't.  People don't realize that what they do affects all of us, in ways that might not be immediately obvious. 

   Maybe they don't realize it ....... or maybe they just don't care.      jj

[Catt]

I have done this since the 70s when the number of manufactures of graphite rods boomed.

 

One thing I hate is this whole technique specific craze, I don't need Gary Loomis telling me what worm rod I need.

 

My last Crucial worm rod was designated a spinnerbait rod!

 

Like @A-Jay I occasionally do the TW thing.

Edited November 12, 2019 by Catt
Operator Error

[J Francho]

Back in the 90s, I picked up a sweet worm rod by Fenwick.  It was designated for walleye rip baits.

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

I have done this since the 70s when the number of manufactures of graphite rods boomed.

 

One thing I hate is this whole technique specific craze, I don't need Gary Loomis telling me what worm rod I need.

 

My last Crucial worm rod was designated a spinnerbait rod!

 

Like @A-Jay I occasionally do the TW thing.

 

46 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Back in the 90s, I picked up a sweet worm rod by Fenwick.  It was designated for walleye rip baits.

And I 'burn' spinnerbaits - with a cranking reel.

It's a wonder we catch any bass at all ! 

A-Jay

[WRB]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Half a decade is 5 years.  I'm not even 50 yet, lol.  I have a few rods from sponsors, but it's been awhile since I've been sent one to review.  When I bought my rods, I bought Avid, Legend, GLX, Champ Extreme, so no real reason to replace anything.

What was I thinking..century! Someday you will be my age and if isn't fun.

I appologize, 90% of my tackle is over a decade old now, the new stuff is now 7 years old.

Peace,

Tom

I believe we owe Gary Dobyns for application specific rod designations. Before Dobyns it was basically power and action with suggested line size, we decide how to use the rods and I still do.

Tom

 

[FishinBuck07]

Rods and reels always get fitted at the tackle shop for me.  I am not buying something that is in my hands constantly online.  I am lucky and have an amazing local shop, their selection puts Bass pro to shame.  I buy everything I can in this shop!

[new2BC4bass]

15 hours ago, FishinBuck07 said:

Rods and reels always get fitted at the tackle shop for me.  I am not buying something that is in my hands constantly online.  I am lucky and have an amazing local shop, their selection puts Bass pro to shame.  I buy everything I can in this shop!

You are lucky.  I have a.....forgot how to use English's Sporting Goods not too far away.....but fishing sucks in this area so even Dick's selection (rods especially...and reels) isn't very good for the enthusiast.  Lots of cheaper stuff for people that fish once or twice a year.  Closest Walmart sells even cheaper stuff.  They have decent lures, but never a sale.  I buy lures when Dick's has them marked down.

 

EDIT:  Apparently I mentioned a store I wasn't supposed to.  Sorry.

[Mobasser]

15 hours ago, Catt said:

I have done this since the 70s when the number of manufactures of graphite rods boomed.

 

One thing I hate is this whole technique specific craze, I don't need Gary Loomis telling me what worm rod I need.

 

My last Crucial worm rod was designated a spinnerbait rod!

 

Like @A-Jay I occasionally do the TW thing.

Catt, I agree. The technique specific rod thing has gotten kind of dumb. Like you and others have said, the label on the rod may not always be the best for your own fishing style. 

[Catt]

If I asked a dozen anglers what their favorite jig rod is I'm pretty sure I would get a dozen different answers.

 

If those answers is not what I'm looking for in a jig rod are all 12 wrong?

 

NO!

 

Their answer is RIGHT, for them.

 

The only way to really evaluate a rod is time on the water, I've bought rods that after one trip to lake & it's... Nope!

[NYWayfarer]

I have quite a few spinning and baitcasting combos (Lew's Mach 1, Mach 2 and Mach Crush) so I don't need to worry about how rod and reel match up.

 

As to the original question, I do not take my rods and or reels into a store to see how they fit with an item I am thinking of purchasing. With the way I keep my gear looking I would be stopped by store security with the belief that I was shoplifting.