Reviews

[GRiver]

I read reviews, you have to be open minded when you reading them. Somebody’s problem with the item might not be a problem for me, it just might be a plus. 
Some reviews you can tell they are “ salting the mine” so to speak, like another person said here “ it almost sounds like they read it off the brochure” or they use terms or words that no one uses. 
Other  reviews should be on the shipping companies…. Who would write a bad review on a Ferrari because the “lot boy” scraped it down the garage door bringing too. 
I like the search here on BR, it’s more of somebody that actually tried and used kinda of opinion. Like “ The brand xxx line faded badly” ok that tells me he at least spooled and had it on the reel for a while.

 

[the reel ess]

On 1/29/2022 at 10:24 AM, Mobasser said:

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?

I think the reviews on BPS, Cabela's and Academy are more on the level. I never trust reviews on a vendor's site. They can so easily just delete the ones they don't want.

[Spankey]

I’ve been enjoying using a couple of Abu Garcia Winch Series Crankbait Rods the last few seasons. They have been working for me flawlessly and rod action of these have probably helped in fish catching and landing. (I like the rods so much I believe this to be true)

 

But I bought and tried my first one after reading poor Veritas Rod Reviews. Rod breakage was biggest complaint. I’ll go with user error first. Handel of rod at shop the way I did if it were gonna break I think it would have in tackle shop. I fish a second Winch now. No complaints at all. 
 

If I were to base anything on reviews I’d have to throw out the #5’s and #1’s. Maybe base a decision in the middle. 

[cyclops2]

I can ABSOLUTLY, HIGHLY, WITHOUT RESERVATION recommend  the 1970 edition of the Mitchell 300 reels.

 

 

 

[Spankey]

1 hour ago, cyclops2 said:

I can ABSOLUTLY, HIGHLY, WITHOUT RESERVATION recommend  the 1970 edition of the Mitchell 300 reels.

 

 

 

I still trout fishing (sometimes) with the 310 ultralite version of that reel from back at that time. Wish I had $0.10 for every trout I got with that thing. 

[cyclops2]

I got the Ultra itch way back. But the tiny reel spools did not like 4# Mono at all . Too much drag everywhere in the rod & reel. Plus the bail springs were way to stiff / tight.  still have 3 of the Diawas in the drawer. Line take up was a joke when the fish came at me. The long fight usually resulted in a belly up pike 20 minutes after release.

[Gera]

I don't read/watch any reviews, monkey tells me directly what to buy. 

[PhishLI]

On 1/29/2022 at 8:54 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said:

So far the sensitivity has been impressive.  The only faults of my particular rod is that the cork isn't great

 

12 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The guides on the Essence aren't micro guides by any means.

 

On 1/29/2022 at 8:54 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said:

The guides are on the bigger side and the open ended keeper may cause some headaches in the future,

Now here's some review info that's useful to me. I want bigger guides for the model I'm choosing with the idea being that I may use a leader on the spot occasionally, and I'm not about removing my shoes and socks to tie a FG knot while standing in dirt or a pile of leaves. U-40 will settle the cork issues good enough for me, and all I ask from the gods is that any rod I'm eyeing will have that exact hook keeper. I fish lots of skin hooked plastics. It's perfect for me. Thanks!

[Spankey]

40 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

I got the Ultra itch way back. But the tiny reel spools did not like 4# Mono at all . Too much drag everywhere in the rod & reel. Plus the bail springs were way to stiff / tight.  still have 3 of the Diawas in the drawer. Line take up was a joke when the fish came at me. The long fight usually resulted in a belly up pike 20 minutes after release.

Never a problem with that 310. Has only ever  seen Trilene XL 4#. Its on a Mitchell 5’ UL, was not bought as a combo.  Don’t know rod number or name off the top of my head. My UL stuff has been hammered over the years. 
 

Old Lew’s on an UL Loomis 80’s is my favorite. Followed by SC Premieres with some 750 Shimanos. Can’t find a 750 Shimano to save my life these days. 
 

No reviews back then. 

[cyclops2]

I quickly learned to only LOOK at rods in a shop with no price tags on items.

 

How much money do you have sonny ?  You are still $ 10 short. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

22 hours ago, T-Billy said:

10-4. Good info. Thanks. Both the Tharp and Essence are listed as having K series guides. I'd describe the Tharps guides as semi micro. I made the mistake of assuming they were the same on the Essence. My bad. Sounds like with the Essence you get mediocre cork, full size guides, and a different seat for the extra $50. 

I agree with you based on that info, that the Tharp HB series is the better value.

It's not necessarily the entire guide train that's big just the stripper guide.  The size of the frame makes it look bigger then it is.  It looks like a heavier duty double foot guide you see on an inshore rod.

The cork may just mediocre on my particular rod.  It's supposed to be AAA according to Ark, but I've seen AAA with much less filler.  Some companies are just notorious for using sub par cork.  Surprisingly I've heard that MB is known for not having good cork even on higher end rods.  

This winter is killing me man.  Normally I fish all winter and the extended frigid temps have had the lakes locked up for what seems to be longest few weeks of my life.  I've been able to scrape a few bass out of small holes in particular spillway.  Like I said I've only gotten a handful of fish on that Essence since I got it.  I'm anxious to get it out and see what it can really do when these fish turn on in the next couple weeks.  It's so close I can taste it.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 1/30/2022 at 5:37 AM, Catt said:

I will not write a review unless I've personally used that product for at least a year. Of course some products take a lot less time because they are that bad.

 

As for others reviews I can quickly tell by looking for "buzz" words that clue me in that it's just regurgitated BS. Some are so blatantly obvious they're hilarious. 

 

Powell Inferno probably had some of the worst reviews I've ever read. Some guys actually said the rod would explode in your hands. After being asked by a rather large online tackle store to evaluate an Inferno I agreed just to see how bad they really were. After a couple months I bought it & am still throwing 3 or 4 years later.

 

On 1/30/2022 at 6:17 AM, PhishLI said:

My eyes roll into the back of my head each time I read or hear a "reviewer" mouth the word "workhorse" in reference to a reel.

Kool-Aid Drinking Regurgitated Buzz words I see are "versatile" for every Megabass rod review and "balanced" for every Dobyns rod review.  

Also this "__________" fishes 2x above or way above its price point or to that effect. Saw this many times with Kistler rods then they raised their prices and now "Oh they aint worth that price get'em on sale.

[Boomstick]

On 1/29/2022 at 12:17 PM, TnRiver46 said:

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 

don't forget about the banana cutter as well