Halo vs Favorite?

[MattyV]

Are Halo rods any good? I see a few complaints about them back in 2015 but are those still valid? or has the company improved? I am Between a Halo Black Widow or a Favorite Phantom Rigged. Any tips or info would be good. 

[FishTank]

Pass on both.

[swhit140]

I've never used either brand. I wouldn't buy either one, not my cup of tea color/finish wise for me. 

 

 

[MattyV]

21 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Pass on both.

Any reason why?

[walleyecrazy]

I picked up a few of the Favorite rods a few years ago to see how they were. I haven’t had any problems with them, but I do think that there are much better rods out there at any of their given price points. The phantom  rod for instance is at the same price point as a Daiwa Tatula, and for me it just isn’t as sensitive as the Tatula. I can’t say they are bad rods, just not worth the money they are asking given the competition that is out there. The three that I do have currently sit in the corner with the rest of my unused gear just in case I need them if I break something. 

[FishTank]

When I have looked at what they had to offer they seemed like gimmick rods.  Of course, any rod can catch fish but these rods seem cheap and out of place compared to other rods near their same price point.  Weird rubbery handles are always a turn off for me.  The heavy coating on some of them is also an odd thing.  The guides on some of the ones I have looked at from both Favorite (this past year) and Halo a few years back were not well wrapped and did not line up well.  Overall, there are plenty of other rods that would catch my eye before these would. 

[garroyo130]

31 minutes ago, MattyV said:

Any reason why?

Bc you want to buy rods from a rod company not a marketing machine

[MattyV]

4 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Bc you want to buy rods from a rod company not a marketing machine

It seems like Favorite rods are over pushed because of the Googan Squad. I am more or less looking for what the best rod is for $150. My cousin has a Halo Starlight Pro and it seems just as nice as any sub $100 Lew's. I have used a couple of Lew's rods the last 2 weeks. 

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, MattyV said:

It seems like Favorite rods are over pushed because of the Googan Squad. I am more or less looking for what the best rod is for $150. My cousin has a Halo Starlight Pro and it seems just as nice as any sub $100 Lew's. I have used a couple of Lew's rods the last 2 weeks. 

If you like Lews theres nothing wrong with that. 

 

I have been very pleased fishing my Lews Carbon Fire i bought based upon recommendation from board members here. 

 

I have the heavy model for frog fishing and its a dream to cast. Only complaint would be the reel seat but its not anything i cant live with. 

 

Anyhow to answer your question about best sub $150 rod it really depends on what youre doing with it but for the price Dobyns Fury

 

[Stephen B]

40 minutes ago, MattyV said:

It seems like Favorite rods are over pushed because of the Googan Squad. I am more or less looking for what the best rod is for $150. My cousin has a Halo Starlight Pro and it seems just as nice as any sub $100 Lew's. I have used a couple of Lew's rods the last 2 weeks. 

For around $150, the Ark Tharp Series, Phenix Feather are my top choices. St Croix Mojo Bass, Shimano Curado, Daiwa Tatula are great options as well.

[Hower08]

If you want a quality light weight sensitive rod for 150 or under look at ARK rods. The tharp series are awesome and right around 130 I believe and the lancer pro is $99 and I feel it fishes way above it's price point. Extremely light and sensitive.

     

           I like it better than my $160 daiwa tatula rod I bought last year. I feel the prices could be flipped on them. I use my daiwa rod for light weight flipping spinnerbaits and swim baits and when you really lay into one it makes some pretty odd sounds down around the handle. Almost like theirs voids between the cork and rod blank or something you can almost feel the handle flex on the blank

[MattyV]

Thanks for all the pointers. I have a Abu Garcia Revo SX on the way. I found a brand new one on Ebay for $134. I just want a good rod for it. 

[Tywithay]

I'd keep an eye on the sales here on this website. For $150 or less, you can find some awesome rods. Loomis E6X readily go for that amount and they're excellent. Lots of other good ones as well. 

[Beeno]

I also would pass on both halo and favorite just because I have no personal experience with them. Their are a lot of quality rods that are in the 150 dollar price point that I would rather focus on Abu Garcia makes very good rods and it would pair up great with your new revo. I personally am not brand specific but I  have experience with Abu Garcia rods and they never gave me any issues and they are very sensitive Also depends on what your going to use the rod for, something you should consider also when buying a new rod.

[gilkeybr]

If you wait until Memorial Day, TW will have 15% off and you could get a Tatula Elite for less ~$150.  That would be hard to beat.  

 

Or find a quality used rod.  Champion XPs can be found for $150ish pretty often.

 

Finding used equipment in good condition is the best way to save money fishing.  Someone else absorbs all the depreciation.

 

Brian

[dodgeguy]

For 149$ you can buy a Johnny Morris Signature series. Sometimes they go on sale. Has Fuji alconite guides. Has a 10 year warranty. You're not getting a better rod for the money.

[MattyV]

Alright. Thanks for all the info everyone. ?

[Fishingmickey]

Halo over Favorite any day. I have two Halo's and like them very much. I don't like the Googan squad or anything they are pushing.

FM

[NYWayfarer]

19 hours ago, walleyecrazy said:

I picked up a few of the Favorite rods a few years ago to see how they were. I haven’t had any problems with them, but I do think that there are much better rods out there at any of their given price points.

This sums it up nicely.

 

I like my Favorite Balance but at it’s MSRP there are better options.

 

My recommendation is the Lew’s TP1 Black at $129 it’s a nice stick. Light and sensitive. 

[Shimano_1]

Few of my buddies have a few of the halo rods and they're nice sticks. I'm not sold on favorite although I dont bash em cause I've never even held one. If they feel good to you and suite your needs get what "you" like. 

[rangerjockey]

Of those 2 Halo without question. The Guy who used to own Halo is now running ARK.