Is rod/reel aesthetics super important to you?

[CM-fisher]

Not really. I like cork grips and dislike crazy colors. That's about it. I still bought a Lew's tp1x rod even though I wouldn't consider white rods to be my favorite. It felt good in my hand and it's a good price.

[gim]

Lots of responses in this thread based on color.

 

Does anyone buy a rod based on how much cork it has, or doesn't have anymore?  I've noticed that most rods used to have a full cork handle, and now a lot of them have split cork.  Maybe its because the cost of cork has gone up in price, so manufacturers have removed some it to save costs?  I've got both, and really have no preference either way based on how it looks.

[Jar11591]

I put function over form, but I certainly appreciate a slick looking set up. I do minor cosmetic upgrades on some of my gear. 

[dodgeguy]

2 hours ago, gimruis said:

Lots of responses in this thread based on color.

 

Does anyone buy a rod based on how much cork it has, or doesn't have anymore?  I've noticed that most rods used to have a full cork handle, and now a lot of them have split cork.  Maybe its because the cost of cork has gone up in price, so manufacturers have removed some it to save costs?  I've got both, and really have no preference either way based on how it looks.

I used to like full grips but since rod balance has gotten way better and rods are lighter I love split grips.

[gim]

4 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

I used to like full grips but since rod balance has gotten way better and rods are tighter I love split grips.

I've also noticed that some rods do not have any cork above the reel seat anymore.

 

So does the "look" of the full or split cork play a role?  Or is it mostly balance?

 

I know a couple people who absolutely refuse to even consider purchasing a split cork rod.  The ironic thing about that is they've literally never held one or used one; its solely based on how it looks.

[dodgeguy]

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I've also noticed that some rods do not have any cork above the reel seat anymore.

 

So does the "look" of the full or split cork play a role?  Or is it mostly balance?

I think it looks lighter so it feels good to my brain. But when they first came out the rod balance was not as good so lightening the butt made it worse. I definitely like the look.

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, dodgeguy said:

I think it looks lighter so it feels good to my brain. 

 

                                                 

[Alex from GA]

I'm not fussy as long as it's light.  I just weighed my finesse worm outfit and it totaled out to 9 oz.  I just bought a Diawa Tatula spinning reel that weighs 6 oz filled with 6 lb mono and the rod is a custom Rainshadow blank.

[Bankbeater]

No.  

[crypt]

23 minutes ago, Bankbeater said:

No.  

this....

[Johnbt]

I'm partially color blind.

[Log Catcher]

I won't buy any rods in the bright green, orange, white, or any other bright obnoxious color. I also want a full cork grip. Don't want any split grip rods. Other than that as long as it works like it should it is okay with me.

[FrnkNsteen]

Aesthetics are secondary to me, but I have to admit that if all things are equal, I will match up colors, just not if it doesn't work well together.

 

I like cork and I think the Phenix Ultra MBX rods are gorgeous, but I put a reel on it and didn't like the feel l, so I passed on it. 

 

Function first, then start considering how they look!

[Derek1]

I wouldn’t buy any of the loud colored rods period. 
as much as I would like to say I only think about the performance. I would rather them not be ugly. 

[Cbump]

7 hours ago, gimruis said:

Lots of responses in this thread based on color.

 

Does anyone buy a rod based on how much cork it has, or doesn't have anymore?  I've noticed that most rods used to have a full cork handle, and now a lot of them have split cork.  Maybe its because the cost of cork has gone up in price, so manufacturers have removed some it to save costs?  I've got both, and really have no preference either way based on how it looks.

I much prefer look and feel of full cork handle over anything else. 

[Lead Head]

I will never buy a rod or reel because of its appearance. I will however, NOT buy a rod or reel because of its appearance. 

 

Matching rods and reels has become moderately important to me since I started building my own rods. Previously it didn't really matter, but now I don't want to tell someone "yeah, I built that rod," and have the combo looking like a mix-matched train wreck of colors. I also tend to dislike "shiny."

[Boomstick]

They could make the rods magenta with a yellow handle paired with a lime green reel for all I care as long as the rod & reel does what it's supposed to.

 

Disclaimer: Perhaps there would be an increase of people laying unconscious in areas I commonly fish at if they ever made this combo...

[Cbump]

3 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

They could make the rods magenta with a yellow handle paired with a lime green reel for all I care as long as the rod & reel does what it's supposed to.

 

Disclaimer: Perhaps there would be an increase of people laying unconscious in areas I commonly fish at if they ever made this combo...

 

Buy this then. It’ll do what it’s supposed to. 
 

 

[garroyo130]

2 minutes ago, Cbump said:

 

Buy this then. It’ll do what it’s supposed to. 
 

 

 

If it was called the Megabass Annihilator and priced at $3,100 there would be a waitlist for this ... 

[Boomstick]

4 minutes ago, Cbump said:

 

Buy this then. It’ll do what it’s supposed to. 
 

 

That is pretty ugly.

[Cbump]

 

10 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

That is pretty ugly.

 
 

Aha! So aesthetics does matter a tiny bit. 

12 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

 

If it was called the Megabass Annihilator and priced at $3,100 there would be a waitlist for this ... 

This actually cracked me up lmao

[Boomstick]

7 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Aha! So aesthetics does matter a tiny bit. 

Not really, I didn't say I'd rule out based on looks. What is that btw?

[Cbump]

ProFISHiency combo

 

its crap. I’ve held one at bps. 

[Big Hands]

There are so many good choices out there that are not particularly gaudy or hideous that I don't feel like I have to purchase and use something that is gaudy or hideous to my aesthetic sensibilities. . . but I wouldn't promise that I won't. 

 

There is one particular rod that I have been interested in that is pretty much all silver, and that isn't aesthetically pleasing to me. It's somewhat unique and by all accounts is well made and fishes very well for it's intended purpose. I'd consider the silver, but I don't like it. If I am being honest, if it was a pastel or neon anything, I would likely pass no matter how good it was. There is bound to be something else that will do the job that I don't hate to have in my hands. 

 

Form follows function, and then it needs to fit my needs and then finally my wants.

 

1. Function
2. Form
3. Fit
   • Needs
   • Wants - aesthetic qualities are considered here

If it doesn't pass the criteria before it, it isn't being considered beyond that. If it fails aesthetically, it could still be a deal killer for me. 

 

Aesthetics are dealt with in the 'wants' part of the process. If it doesn't pass muster for the previous considerations, aesthetics are not getting considered no matter the color, style, etc.. I tried making rod and reel purchases based primarily on looks a few times, and those were not my best purchases.

 

1. The ABU Garcia 1021 Plus comes to mind. I just knew that was going to be an amazing reel because it was expensive and looked very futuristic at the time. Turned out to be the most mediocre reel I have ever owned. The build quality seemed less-than-stellar, and it was the worst casting reel I have ever owned. It was even more frustrating since I paid more for it than I ever paid for any reel up to that point.
2. I purchased a Fenwick Hooksetter rod BITD that was also very expensive for my sensibilities at the time and it was a mixed bag. It flares out and get pretty fat just before it gets to the integrated reel seat that is cut into the blank so a reel sits very low in the rod. An excellent idea that was rather poorly executed. I blew out the piece that holds the reel foot down setting the hook on a calico bass on the Long Beach Federal breakwall one night and the reel came off into my hands. It's a weak piece and I broke the replacement part as well. I replaced the part again, but now I keep the back of the reel foot lashed tightly to the rod with a zip-tie so I don't blow it out again. It's a great rod other than that and I caught my PB on it. 

 

The Fenwick Hooksetter is a love/hate thing for me, but that ABU Garcia 1021 Plus just turned to 100% disdain and disappointment.

[newapti5]

3 hours ago, Cbump said:

 

Buy this then. It’ll do what it’s supposed to. 
 

 

 

Gee, who came up with this pattern? It looks like the vomit of a rainbow unicorn.