Rod selection decision

[msgf91]

I usually just do a lot research to find the current favorite rod for a certain technique or price range.  I used to try and stay at around $120 or less but I picked up the old Fantasista on sale for $150 and was blown away by the difference.  The 7'3 MH Fantasista makes my 7 M Veritas feel like a broomstick.   Now I want to try and find new rods as nice as the Fantasista but closer to the 200 price range.   So I've been researching Exprides and Levantes.  

[Bankbeater]

First off I want a well known and reputable manufacturer.  Then I look at the price for the type of rod I am looking for.  Lastly I try the rod out and if I don't like it then it goes back. 

[LCG]

Last year I reworked my collection. Tried every rod at every store near me. Brand had little bearing. Comfort, overall feel, action / power of the blank, guides, weight, build quality, user reviews to gauge sensitivity and durability, and price were the qualities I focused on. 

[Hook2Jaw]

My rods cost me between eighty dollars and two hundred and fifty dollars.  At first, I was a Daiwa purist in both reel and rod, but as I looked at more and more products I began to notice I could get a lot more for my dollar with other brands.  I've recently added quite a few 13 Fishing rods into my collection because I can pay considerably less for a blank as good as or better than a lot of other offerings.  I've got two complaints about their technology, but at the same time I'm not spending a lot of extra money for a Fuji reel seat and set of guides.

 

What drives my rod purchases is definitely feeling like I've got the best bang for my buck.

[Boomstick]

My first step is to identify my need for a rod. Is it a second MH/F rod just so I can have a backup in case I am using my other? Or am I looking for something specific to a presentation, like a dropshot rod or a jig rod? I'm more likely to spend the extra cash and move up a line or two for the latter, as if it's for moving baits I don't need the extra sensitivity and a mid grade rod will serve me just as well. If it's for vertical presentations, extra sensitivity is nice but something that many people overlook is how well does the rod balance with the reel? My jig setup is my most expensive setup, a heavier first generation Steez AGS with a light Steez SV, but with the light reel the heavier rod balances absolutely perfectly.

 

Somewhere along the way, I settled on mostly Daiwa rods for myself, largely due to input from other forum users. My kids also fish with me a lot, and over the years for their birthday or Xmas I'd get them new gear. I've bought my youngest St Croix Mojo Bass, later picked up a few Victory rods for his vertical presentations and my oldest got Dobyns. He started with a Sierra 704C and 703C, but ended up dropping his 704C into upper saranac lake so I got him a Champion XP 744C and eventually a Fury 734C for moving baits and a Champion 702SF for finesse for Xmas this year so he finally has a nice spinning setup. As a result, I have on the water experience with all three brands and a favorable view of them too. So if you see me often suggesting rods from these brands, that is why because I know I'm not leading someone in the wrong way.

 

Before I came on these forums and did the proper research (and got experienced enough to understand what I really should be looking for), I had some pretty bad rods, one which literally broke on the first cast. Now that I have more experience, I can usually tell if a rod will suffice for what I want to do with it if I get my hands on it, and I know what questions to ask specifically. But the nice thing about these forums is when I didn't know these things or when others do not, there are other anglers here with experience who do and are happy to share.