Escaping the Fishing Rod Rabbit Hole!

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Tragedy struck a couple of weeks ago!  I managed to lay waste to one of my favorite fishing rods. (I’m gonna spare myself the embarrassment of explaining how I did it.)  So … I began the process of selecting a replacement.  And, having a little pride, I refused to come on here and ask, “What’s the best baitcasting rod for under X dollars?”  I already knew what I wanted, how I would use it, what reel would be paired with it, and what I would spend.  Sounds simple … on the surface.

 

Background:  The rod was an older Okuma TCS Frog and Swimbait Rod.  It’s 7’2” and rated for lures from 3/8- to 2-ounces and I used it for everything from jigs to frogs to SPRO Frogs to T-rigs to Magdraft swim baits.  Even tossed the occasional spinner bait!  Was it ideal for everything? Not to a purist, but worked for me.  So I figured I’d just get another one - and promptly fell down the rabbit hole!  Seems the new version ain’t getting the reviews that I saw for the original; SO, the hunt began.

 

After researching websites and plowing through pages and pages of discussions here on Bass Resource, I finally came up with a list of potential replacements (in no particular order):

 

Ark INVOKER Pro (Mag Hvy)

iRod Fred’s Magic Stick IRG754F

Falcon Expert (Hvy)

Dobyns Sierra (Hvy)

Shimano Expride EX173XHA (XHVY)

Okuma TCS (New Version)

ALX IKOS Thunder IC90F6

 

Now here’s how I’m getting out of the rabbit hole without pestering the members of Bass Resource! I’m jotting down the names of members who spoke highly of each model.  For example, the Okuma has received high marks from @Glenn and @roadwarrior.  Dobyns has been espoused by @dodgeguy and @northern basser.  Can’t forget that @WRB raves about iRod. Once this process is complete I’m gonna put Post-Its with each rod model on my wall, blindfold myself, spin around three times, and chuck a dart.  This way, no matter which rod I select, I have someone to thank if I like the rod and, conversely, someone to blame if I don’t!

 

Problem of new rod selection solved without starting a lengthy thread. (Well, except for this long-winded entry.)  Don’t need rod recommendations but comments on the process will be gratefully accepted.  Thanks for reading!

[garroyo130]

I hear you on this one. I too struggle with rod purchases. One thing Ive noticed is that new rods tend to have a deceptive feel to me. Some rods will feel good in hand and on the first outing but as I get to fish them more, I start to find things I don't like. Others feel meh but grow on me. There's also a much bigger market within my price point for rods but its difficult to get all of the ones i want to try in hand. 

[ghost]

Expride. I have the current Zodias and I can imagine the Expride is that much better.

 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@ghost:  Careful there. Your name’s gonna end up on my list! ?

@garroyo130:  This was written tongue-in-cheek, but I agree with you. I live approximately 1.7 miles from the edge of the earth and have no way of getting my hands on equipment before I buy. I have made many purchases based on the info from the members and so far have not been disappointed.  Just have to research to determine which opinions to trust.

[WRB]

The only rod that can effectively cover 3/8-2 oz lures including frogs is IROD Gen 3 IRG754F imo.

Tom

[casts_by_fly]

The falcon amistad will do it also.  3/8 oz of total weight is pushing it but 3/8 oz 0us a plastic or a 3/8 jig/blade bait is enough. I’ve thrown 1 3/8 spinnerbaits and a-rigs far in excess of 2 oz. A keitech 6.8 (1.5 oz) plus a 3/8 swim bait hook is no problem. I use mine as a heavy pitching and frogging rod. 

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@casts_by_fly:  Curse you, vile servant of the Evil Monkey!  

[MiceNReets]

Good selection of rods.   That Okuma TCS frog rod is amazing.  I feel it can do so much and I’ve used it for so much. Makes an excellent chatterbait rod.   It’s my fav rod.  Always curious on the new version but keep hesitating to pull the trigger.  That Scott Martin version is just perfect.   Good luck on your hunt for a new rod.  

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

@WRB:  You’re already responsible for the iRod being at the top of my list!  I’m actually thinking about scrapping the whole dart idea.

@MiceNReets:  Same rod as I used and loved.  Just not sure about the new design.  That’s what started this whole effort.

[Hammer 4]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The only rod that can effectively cover 3/8-2 oz lures including frogs is IROD Gen 3 IRG754F imo.

Tom

Tom isn't the only one who raves about Irod's. Great rods, with one of the best customer service's in the biz.

[WRB]

I don’t personally know Matt Newman owner of IROD although he lives nearby. 

I do know Matt’s customer service is excellent and used his Swimbait and Magic sticks. A friend of mine broke 3 rods when they went under a bock cleat in the wind. Matt replaced all 3 rods with new Gen 3’s for $80. I use tried out the Gen 3 MXF spinning rod the last Thursday and it’s excellent, very light weight with new Gen 3 blank design, very impressed.

Tom 

[bulldog1935]

7 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

Don’t need rod recommendations but comments on the process will be gratefully accepted.  Thanks for reading!

The only way the thread is going to work the way you expected is to Purchase the rod, then explain the process you used. 

Help me spend my money threads almost never focus in on any forum, rather they always shotgun into people espousing their wider ranging recommendations.  Part of that, they rarely read the OP details.  Also, marketing has Palov'ed us from the cradle to feel smart about having made the right purchase choice.  Aside from that, you have a process that will help you focus in on what you need, while this thread goes all over the place. 

[Choporoz]

I applaud you for attempting to apply logic and information gathering to the process. 

 Good luck. 

I have bought at least two dozen rods over the last 10-11 years.  Of the three 'favorites', 

 

One was recommended by many here

 

One was an impulse store purchase largely because it was over 50% off MSRP and I'm a sucker for a perceived deal

 

One was recommended by exactly one person on here; someone I knew little about, and I had no good reason to evaluate their judgment 

 

So....I guess I am saying is that to me, luck is every bit as important as process

[MidwestBassAttack]

I’ve got two of the new TCS frog/swimbait rods and quite frankly…like them even more than the first-release! I have one rigged up as a frog rod and the other is my Texas rig and jig rod.

 

Sensitivity and balance are absolutely perfect!

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

Wow!  Remind me not to do this again!  Things are getting a little out of hand.  My intention was just to subtly encourage folks to do a little homework before asking a “What is the best …?” type question.  It isn’t supposed “to work”.  If it has a goal, it’s just to maybe provide a few yuks and to point out that by using the Search option on here, a user can get (in my opinion) enough info to make an intelligent decision regarding a purchase. It took a little time but I’m completely satisfied with the selections that resulted.  Can’t ever get them all though. And the dart thing doesn’t work anyway.  Blindfolded I managed to stick the darned thing into the vent hose for my clothes dryer.  In any case, I made a selection and I’m satisfied. And don’t worry … no one is gonna get praised or blamed.  Final thought - as @Choporoz pointed out, it’s always a craps shoot if ya can’t get your hands on it.

[JMac603]

No experience with that list but can we all agree that it SUCKS when a company changes/discontinues a stellar product?!

[Deleted account]

8 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

I hear you on this one. I too struggle with rod purchases. One thing Ive noticed is that new rods tend to have a deceptive feel to me. Some rods will feel good in hand and on the first outing but as I get to fish them more, I start to find things I don't like. Others feel meh but grow on me. 

This is a real thing, and not just with fishing rods. It's not the equipment, it's the user, and is caused by a couple or both real, perceived, and imagined factors. Sadly, I was recently separated from 21 (or 22) of my favorite fresh water rod/reel combos, nothing high end or extreme for the most part, just what I selected through the years that works (worked) for me, now I find with even very similar rods, I'm feeling like I'm just not in synch and automatic as with my old sticks.

[LrgmouthShad]

Get the iRod, you must

[J Francho]

What is the difference between your rod and the TCS rod at TW?  It looks exactly the same. I agree though. I have two and they among my faves. 

[The Bassman]

11 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

I hear you on this one. I too struggle with rod purchases. One thing Ive noticed is that new rods tend to have a deceptive feel to me. Some rods will feel good in hand and on the first outing but as I get to fish them more, I start to find things I don't like. Others feel meh but grow on me. 

Well said. I own six Shimano Zodias spinning rods. This arsenal start with one JDM model that I tried to sell twice initially.

[Tennessee Boy]

13 hours ago, GrumpyOlPhartte said:

Once this process is complete I’m gonna put Post-Its with each rod model on my wall, blindfold myself, spin around three times, and chuck a dart.  This way, no matter which rod I select, I have someone to thank if I like the rod and, conversely, someone to blame if I don’t!

 

Before you make such an important decision by throwing a dart.   We need to have a discussion about the dart.  What brand of dart are you planning to use?  The weight of the dart is very important and the material used in the point.  It's hard to make recommendations without knowing more about your throwing technique and the distance you will be throwing from.  You don't want to be fishing the wrong rod because you selected the wrong dart.   Oh and then there's the issue of balance.  It's very important to use a well balanced dart.  Balance depends on how you grip the dart of course.  If you can post some more specifics maybe we can help with your dart selection.  

[dodgeguy]

LOL 

[ironbjorn]

You're going to want to bump that Sierra up to the 5 power, mag heavy. A Dobyns 4 power heavy is just what you'd expect out of a medium heavy.

[dodgeguy]

26 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

You're going to want to bump that Sierra up to the 5 power, mag heavy. A Dobyns 4 power heavy is just what you'd expect out of a medium heavy.

Absolutely 

[FishTank]

Since the OP has already selected a rod and asked about the process. I brake me rod selection down like this.... 

 

NEW ROD (non Tournament)...... This in addition to what already own so it's something I probably don't need. First, it has to add to my fishing fun. Next, I want it to compliment my rods and not be a total repeat of other rods.

 

BROKEN ROD UNDER WARRANTY...... I get the replacement and hope it's exactly the same as the old. Loomis and usually St.Croix excel at this.

 

BROKEN ROD OUT OF WARRANTY..... I take into consideration what I am using it for. Then I address the things I'm picky about... grip, real seat guides, etc. Finally,  warranty.  I want either lifetime or 15 years. For what they cost, I think it's part of what I am paying for.

 

TOURNAMENT RODS..... These are going to be rods were sensitivity and durability are the most important.  They will also hit my pocket probably the hardest but not always.  These rods are going to be what I call legacy rods... Rods lines that have been around for years that fit into my rotation of rods. These rods will ideally have a similar feel and I will also know exactly what to expect from them. Warranty again is key. 

 

For rods lines that I am unfamiliar with,  I will research until I'm blue in the face. Once I have narrowed it down,  I save my money and I wait to find the best price.