Any Fans of Powell Rods

[lunkerboss923]

Came across their website and they have the same Dobyns power system. If I recall correctly, Gary used to work for them. 

 

What's up with this company anyone tried the rods? Crazy sell on their website. Not finding a whole lot of info on them, but the Diesel would look good pair with my Scorpion MGL. 

 

Any information would be appreciated. 

[RichF]

I had a few Original Max crank rods.  They're fine.  Nothing special about them.  Don't be fooled by their website.  Those rods aren't "on sale."  The new Endurance line retails for $150 (see TW).  They revamped their website early last year and added that "sale" price.  They also jacked up the cost of their broken rod replacement fee.  $90 for a broken $150 rod...no thanks.

 

The first gen Diesel line retailed for like $69.  That $189 original retail price tag is silly.  Don't get me wrong, they-re decent rods, but that type of marketing turned me right off.  They're no longer on my radar.

[rangerjockey]

I had a pro staff deal with them some years back. I always liked them . That Diesel crankbait rod is a dandy and great deal at that price.  Keith is one of the genuine nice guys in the business.

[Diggy]

I have 2 newer Endurance Models   765 and 683

1 of the older gen 723. 

I like them. Pretty light and balanced. Got them all from TWH on sale.

The 765 was my most used since it can throw from 3/8-3oz. It covered all bases from the senko to swimbait for me with one rod.

[bulldog1935]

If anyone is interested in the history of Powell, they go back to E. C. Powell, split-cane, later glass and finally IM6 fly rods hand-made in Chico, CA.  

My Silver Creek 4-wt bought new in 1987 is the finest graphite fly rod I own, and both my girls grew up on it.  

Their status was once comparable to Sage, Scott, Fisher and Winston.  They were the first among pro-shop fly rod manufacturers to move production offshore, move inventory through discount tackle stores, generally lost their status among fly rod makers, but gained a market in salt rods.  I would expect their rod blanks to be among the best made for the price level. 

[Catt]

I have a Powell Inferno 703C Medium Heavy X-Fast.

 

Read all the horror stories of how they would shatter in your hands...nonsense.

 

Landed this little girl in heavy grass, zero issues.

 

 

[PhishLI]

I have the same rod as @Catt. More often than not the reels I use on it have straight 30lb braid. I fish choked out and snaggy rod killing water. 3 years without a hiccup. Nice and light stick with decent sensitivity.

[senile1]

The Powell Max line are solid rods in their price range.  At one time I had six of them in my arsenal.  I now have only three and I still have the original first generation Powell Max 683c medium-heavy which was my first Powell casting rod.  Other than having to replace a rod eye insert now and then, I have enjoyed my Powells.

 

A few years ago they produced the Powell Timax which did not sell very well and was dropped from production after a couple of years.  However, I bought one and still use it as one of my jig/worm rods.  It is a great rod.  I don't know if the big jump in price from the other series of Powells was the reason for its demise or not, but it surely wasn't the quality of the rod itself.

[Deeare]

I have a couple original endurance rods. I really like them and they are still going strong.   I picked up a couple max when TW had a big sale and I think they are great rods for the price (I paid around $120).  

Wow.   I just check their website and they list the max at $389 before sale price???    They have always been listed at the sale price of $189 on TW.  

[NorthernBasser]

11 minutes ago, Deeare said:

 

Wow.   I just check their website and they list the max at $389 before sale price???    They have always been listed at the sale price of $189 on TW.  

Saw that also. Hoping to get some sucker to bite. That's some weak marketing. 

[NYWayfarer]

I have the Max original series casting rod. It’s a medium action, very light and really only good for a few applications. I like it. Well made and still going strong.

 

I also have a Nuisance series spinning rod. I like this rod a lot but they don’t make it anymore. It’s still in my rotation.

[shackman]

I’ve got 4 of the original max series that I’ve had for years and I fish them regularly. 682c,683c,733c and 764c