Reviews

[Mobasser]

If I'm interested in trying a new product, I'll often read some reviews on it. But, we can't always believe all the reviews.             Some items that are widely accepted, don't always need a review, because so many people use them and have liked them for years.                                                 It always seems like the most controversial reviews are rods, reels, and lines. We've got to ask ourselves a few questions here.                                       1. How long was this product actually tested?                       2. How often was this product used over a certain period of time?                                       3. How well was this product maintained by the reviewer?                                                If he could honestly answer these questions, his review is probably pretty good. I've grown suspicious of reviews that rave about how great a certain reel is. The same goes for someone who claims it's horrible junk, while others give good reviews.            The horrible junk is many times user error. Before I buy a new rod or reel, I like to see a seven out of ten score for positive reviews. This usually means the product is pretty good, regardless of price.                        In some ways were all fortunate, to have these reviews available. It's a good way to at least compare products, and see what others have to say.                 But, it pays to be a little suspicious of them also.                        Do you read reviews on fishing gear before you make a purchase?

[OkobojiEagle]

yes

[DitchPanda]

I read reviews on here...that's about it.

[MN Fisher]

I check reviews in multiple places...probably why I don't buy 'new' models of anything...give it couple years for the bugs to show up.

[NYWayfarer]

I read reviews on all the fishing products I buy. I am looking for reviews that might confirm my suspicions about a particular product I am thinking of buying.

 

For example the new for 2022 St Croix Bass X rods. I remember the old version was “tip heavy” I looked for reviews that mention if the new version has the same trait. 
 

I also look for the same complaints on a particular item. If a lot of folks complain about the same thing I would have reservations about buying that item. 
 

For example the Abu Garcia Revo SX has the same bad reviews about the side plate falling off. Bad design made me wary to buy one. I did anyway and have no issues with the side plate.
 

[Finessegenics]

I do read reviews but I always double check with you guys first ? 

 

and good point @NYWayfarer. Even if something has good reviews but I see a few complaining about the exact same problem, I try to steer clear.

[Deleted account]

They've become pretty much useless. Most reviews are from folks with an agenda, those who don't have a clue, cat ladies that just had Petco refuse their expired coupon, and everything in between...

[volzfan59]

I read both product reviews and opinions expressed here. However I do so "with a grain of salt". Especially on here as we all fish differently. Some folks would rather shop at Walmart, nothing wrong with that, some guys like to order straight from Japan. Some folks are easy to please, some not so much. Plus, some folks would complain if you hung them with a new rope!

 

Here's what I'm saying, if I went off of some of the opinions here, I never would have purchased my BPS Platinum casting rods and reels, my Crankin' Stick rods or my Patriot spinning rods. I also own two St. Croix's and a Loomis Smallmouth Series rod. For my fishing, my BPS rods are every bit as good and, after 4 or 5 years, they are standing the test of time. Same for the reels, but I do preventive maintenance on my reels twice yearly.

[Mike L]

I also read reviews but at the same time try to find and talk personally to someone who currently uses what I’m looking for. 
Not much anymore for reels as I’m locked into Curado’s or Chronarch’s or even baits. I know what works for me and how to use them. 
Those experiments are over. 
 

Rods are a different story. 
@kingmotorboat knows his Dobyns and @T-Billy his Ark’s

 

I bought both products almost exclusively because of their recommendations. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[roadwarrior]

All of my new (to me) lure experiments come from reviews, mostly from here

at BassResource. Currrently adding this to the rotation:

 

 

[ironbjorn]

Half of negative reviews are all about the shipping times that have absolutely nothing to do with the product or in most cases the company itself.

[TnRiver46]

If you’ve never read the reviews for sugar free haribo gummy bears, do yourself a favor and set aside half an hour or so to do that 

[A-Jay]

I read reviews.

I'm still learning how to 'interpret' them.

Seems that may be a constantly evolving type of deal.

I can confidently say that I have benefitted from some reviews found in this forum.

Hope that continues.

Paying it forward, I've even done a few; in thread form here as well as in videos.

Can be a little tricky offering the details on any product.

While I'm hoping to present information that is 'objective',

Often seems heavily opinionated and loaded with personal preference. 

Regardless of which side of the review one may be on.

A-Jay

 

 

[PhishLI]

I have  4E+ width feet and high arches. Unless written by my clone, there isn't much useful found in any given shoe review beyond the grip of the soles and longevity. I look at fishing gear reviews the same way.

[king fisher]

What is amazing to me, is how I try and interpret a review with an open mind, and logic, and how the Bait Monkey interprets a review.  

A review of a crankbait could say -- Over priced, lousy hooks, doesn't stay tuned, colors fade, and bill broke after only one cast hit the bank.  I did catch a 10 pound bass on this crank, before it broke. 

     Me.-- Not worth the money, I already have more Crankbaits than I can fish.

     Bait Monkey.  New crank, special hunting action triggers Double Digit bass feeding response.  Don't be cheap.  You only live once.  How much is your PB bass worth?  You need a replacement for the crankbait you lost last weekend.  The negative part of the review is a trick.  The angler doesn't want many people to start fishing with the bait.  He only mentioned the DD bass because he couldn't miss an opportunity to brag.  Get it before the good colors are on back order.    

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

@T-Billy his Ark’s

Without ever giving much in the way of detail, @dodgeguy pounded me into submission with his metronomic endorsement of the 2020 Lew's Tournament Pro LFS. The $139 everyday sale price at the place that outfits sportsmen made it worthwhile to find out whether he was a kook or not. As it turns out this reel is now one of my most fished favorites. Its actual casting performance is top notch in my hands. Couldn't be happier. He's definitely less kooky than I might have thought beforehand.

 

@T-Billy's recent relentless flogging of ARK rods has me ready to bend the knee. The ARK Essence ticks a lot of boxes feature-wise, so why not. I'll find out for myself if he's batty after the next TW sale.

 

 

 

[gim]

I am interested in reviews of products that are generally more on the expensive side. I don’t usually need a review to buy a pack of plastics or any singular lure. But I might check out reviews on a rod, reel, rain gear, or electronics. And a review on a big purchase like a boat is certainly worth while. I have found that the best review is from someone who currently owns and uses the product. Honesty is hard to come by sometimes too, whether it’s positive or negative.

[Sphynx]

One issue with reviews is there is no objective standard between reviewers as to what constitutes a 5 star item or a 1 star item, what you think is the greatest bit of gear ever may be less impressive to me, and only merit 4 stars...neither of us are wrong, there are certain things they are useful for, problems with manufacturing or durability that repeatedly appear in a wide range of reviews are worth keeping an eye out for, I generally live by the theory that "no news is good news" and that the vast majority of people only review products to avenge themselves of a perceived slight, "how dare they sell me a piece of junk...I'll show them!" This is ALSO done (usually) without giving a company a chance to correct the problem, the people who are happy with a product are, as a rule, too busy enjoying the product to be bothered with writing a truly useful review unless they have a vested financial interest in it selling well. I think it's a step in the right direction that many platforms are enforcing policies that compel reviewers to tell you whether or not they are being paid/sponsored/compensated or whether or not the person purchased the item at their own expense, it helps me weed out the sales pitches versus the people who have no motive to mislead me intentionally. 

[Glenn]

At BassResource, we believe everyone should be able to make purchasing decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or fishing product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the content we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

 

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.

 

Be assured that we’re absolutely inflexible about our editorial autonomy. We never allow sponsors to influence the content we create, the reviews we give, or how we operate BassResource.

 

 

Our goal is to be your most trusted ally in your pursuit of bass fishing. BassResource only partners with trusted and credible organizations, manufacturers, and other service providers. Our readers and members know that if we recommend it, then it's passed the high bar we set, but only because we have tested and used the products/services first, before we put our name behind it. Only then will we recommend a product or service to you.

 

In some cases, BassResource's editorial team may rate or rank certain products or services. These ratings or rankings are determined solely by the editorial team(s) without regard to any financial or advertising relationship that may exist with companies that provide the product or services.  Our partners are informed of this policy and must agree to abide by it before doing business with us.

 

So while I can't comment on reviews you see elsewhere, the reviews you see here by myself and the staff are honest and straightforward based upon personal experience with the products.

 

Glenn

[A-Jay]

36 minutes ago, Glenn said:

At BassResource,

Be assured that we’re absolutely inflexible about our editorial autonomy. We never allow sponsors to influence the content we create, the reviews we give, or how we operate BassResource.

Glenn

 I for one, Really Appreciate & Respect that in a Big Way.

A-Jay

[Sphynx]

That's one reason that year after year I spend a sinful amount of time perusing this site, the exceptional quality of the members and the management style of the staff are up there too.

[T-Billy]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Without ever giving much in the way of detail, @dodgeguy pounded me into submission with his metronomic endorsement of the 2020 Lew's Tournament Pro LFS. The $139 everyday sale price at the place that outfits sportsmen made it worthwhile to find out whether he was a kook or not. As it turns out this reel is now one of my most fished favorites. Its actual casting performance is top notch in my hands. Couldn't be happier. He's definitely less kooky than I might have thought beforehand.

 

@T-Billy's recent relentless flogging of ARK rods has me ready to bend the knee. The ARK Essence ticks a lot of boxes feature-wise, so why not. I'll find out for myself if he's batty after the next TW sale.

 

 

 

LOL. I know I sound like a broken record, but I absolutely think these are the best value in the rod market that I've found. Until about 7 months ago I had never even heard of ARK rods. I now own 11 of them, and I'm a very happy customer.

 

Edit to add: Reviews are how I ended up here. Quite a few times I was looking for gear reviews online and found them in BR threads. There's some good sticks here who aren't being paid to hock products, giving their honest opinions on gear they've spent more than a couple days using. That carries much more weight with me than anything a sponsored pro has to say, or some anonymous review on a store site. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

If I see a lot of consistent negative reviews, that's a red flag.  Same for a lot of positive reviews.  Looking soley at a #/10 or ⭐ system doesn't tell the whole story.  I see this one a lot...

 

"Product X got lost in transit and didn't arrive in time for my vacation, tournament, etc."

 

That has nothing to do with the product itself and is a reflection on the carrier.  Not fair to give a poor rating.

 

I try to find reviews with supporting evidence, and not personal preference.  Just because a product fits (or doesn't) my needs, doesn't make it good or bad.  I'm more interested in the "why"?

 

There's a lot of garbage to weed through.  I check here, first.  

[Mobasser]

I agree that BR is the best for reviews. A kind of review on any gear can be found by just typing in the search bar. You can find good info on almost any rod, reel, bait, etc, and read the thoughts of folks who have used these things.

[Columbia Craw]

I’m not trying to split  hairs but a review and an evaluation are two distinct platforms.  Reviews. Just restate the information provided by the promotional staff for the company.  Anyone can restate features,  lengths, weights and what the design features are for, performance.  It’s the evaluation based on actual use and the background of that use. Then I factor in the subjective by the evaluator.  My wife watches cooking shows/competitions. They are so subjective due to personal tastes.  I bought a motocross bike years ago because of reviews. What a mistake. The bike did not fit my riding/racing style.  Take a bite, chew, spit out the bones then swallow the meat.