How many of you would buy a rod sight unseen?

[jdw174]

You're in the market for a rod.  You start going through the catalogs and see a half-dozen you THINK look good.  However, knowing  that one maker's medium is another's MH action, which one do you buy?  My SOP here is, if I can't actually SEE and HANDLE it, I won't buy it.  What do YOU do?

[roadwarrior]

Go to BassPro.

Actually, if I have had some experience with the brand or if a certain rod is specifically recommended to me by someone I feel I can trust, I'll order it sight unseen. For example, I have a Lamiglas SR705R which is technique specific. I bought it based on a couple of recommendations and after visiting the website for the skinny. I have been very pleased.

[jdw174]

Go to BassPro.

Actually, if I have had some experience with the brand or if a certain rod is specifically recommended to me by someone I feel I can trust, I'll order it sight unseen. For example, I have a Lamiglas SR705R which is technique specific. I bought it based on a couple of recommendations and after visiting the website for the skinny. I have been very pleased.

There is an exception to every rule, and my exception is the Team Daiwa rods.  I'd order those without thinking twice, but that's just me

[flechero]

like Roadwarrior said, if it's a brand I know, I'll buy sight unseen.  I have to buy blanks that way 99% of the time and I've only been fooled twice. (both with new [to me] brands)

[Fishing Doug]

I bought my last Loomis like that....I posted a topic about the SJR843 and received an overwhelming "you are gonna like it" so I ordered it.  On the other end of the spectrum-if there is a rod that I am not familiar with, I would want to hold it first.

FD

[MALTESE FALCON]

ONLY IF I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE BRAND. EVEN THEN I STILL PREFER TO HOLD IN MY HAND AND GET A TRUE FEEL OF THE ROD.

FALCON

[Lightninrod]

I bought my Kistler Helium LTAs and my Megabass rods sight unseen but based on reviews on Tackle Tour.  More than pleased with both companie's rods.

Dan

[senile1]

If you have been fishing for a few years, there are a number of rod brands that you are probably familiar with and could possibly buy sight unseen:  Fenwick, Falcon, G.Loomis, St. Croix, Kistler, All Star, etc.  However, I like to read a test of a rod, or obtain someone's opinion that I trust regarding the actual characteristics of the rod before I buy it, if I haven't used that specific model.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

ONLY IF I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE BRAND. EVEN THEN I STILL PREFER TO HOLD IN MY HAND AND GET A TRUE FEEL OF THE ROD.

FALCON

I have the same feeling as Falcon.  I have bought a few though sight unseen.  I am familiar with loomis actions because I have owned several.  I dont like to not see them first but sometimes you have to take the risk when no one carries specialty rods in your area.  That is one good thing about cabelas.  They send you a return postage label with all your orders.  Dont like it ship it back.  

[RoLo]

Though I normally recommend holding the rod in your hand,

I've bought most of my rods, sight unseen.

When you know exactly what you're looking for, it's a piece-of-cake.

> Do you know what "power" and "action" it must be?

> Do you know what "handle length" it must be?

> Do you know what "graphite modulus" it must be?

> Do you know what "length" it must be?

> Do you know what "lure range" it must embrace?

When you're all done, you'd be lucky to find ONE rod that fills the bill

That's exactly how I selected the Team Daiwa Light-and-Tough spinning rod.

I never even heard of that rod before I ordered two of them.

It was such a winner, I recently ordered two more for my wife and myself.

Roger

[Vyron]

I agree with Roger

[Floridabassking352]

I never used to buy my fishing rods without seeing/holding them first, but now I know a lot about different rod types and what kind to get for the techniques I'll be using it for. Now, I always buy my rods online, as long as it's a brand I'm familiar with or know is very reputable. Like my 6' 6'' Shimano Compre MH/Fast rod I recently bought. I had never used/purchased a shimano rod before, but I use their reels exclusively and am very pleased with them, so I knew they would make decent rods. I haven't had any problems buying rods unseen now that I know what to look for.

[jdw174]

Though I normally recommend holding the rod in your hand,

I've bought most of my rods, sight unseen.

When you know exactly what you're looking for, it's a piece-of-cake.

> Do you know what "power" and "action" it must be?

> Do you know what "handle length" it must be?

> Do you know what "graphite modulus" it must be?

> Do you know what "length" it must be?

> Do you know what "lure range" it must embrace?

When you're all done, you'd be lucky to find ONE rod that fills the bill

That's exactly how I selected the Team Daiwa Light-and-Tough spinning rod.

I never even heard of that rod before I ordered two of them.

It was such a winner, I recently ordered two more for my wife and myself.

Roger

And that's exactly why I mentioned them earlier.  When the TD rods originally came out, they were sold as spinnerbait models, worm, flippin' etc.  I never saw one that didn't fit the lure it was described as being for, and in some cases would work well with more than one type.  One of these days when i hit the lottery, I'm gonna order up about a dozen of them and replace all my main rods

[Raul]

Back in the dark ages when there was no Internet and getting an opinion ( or many opinions ) was a really hard experience you had to:

1.- Buy it unseen

2.- If you were lucky that someone had a rod similiar to what you were wanting ask him ( or her ) to lend it to you.

3.- If you lived in the States where there are tackle shops everywhere see it and feel it in your hands.

Me, not living in the States nor having someone with a similiar rod to the one I wanted I simply had to buy it unseen and pray for the best based on any information I could find in the few magazines available down here.

That how I bought my first good rod and that how I got my first GLoomis rod.

Like Roger mentioned, if you know what you are looking for you will find it and if you have previous experience with X or Y brand you know what you are going to get. One thing that bugs me is, with a few exceptions most rod manufacturers NEVER indicate the length of their handles  >.

Thanks to the Internet and to places like BR and it 's members it 's easier to find what you are looking for, if people like Dan ( LR ) whom I 've known for several years tells me Kistler rods are good man I would be dumb if I don 't pay attention to his recommendations.

[Catt]

I will not buy sight unseen; I will bring my reel, attach it to the rod, and tie on intended lure.

[FishTank]

Probably never, unless I was replacing something I had already owned or maybe if the rod and reel were highly recommended together.  There maybe a slim chance I would consider a custom rod from a skilled rod maker.

Through this forum, I have learned that is a good idea to take the reel you are going to use and mount it on the rod in question, just to see how it feels.  This way you have a good idea how the complete system feels and balances.  

[Redlinerobert]

I do it all the time.  I buy rods on Ebay based on what I know - Loomis, and Kistler mainly.  I've scored some deals!  

[TournyFish001]

if you only buy in person you are gonna miss out on a lot of good internet deals.  I don't buy any rods/reels around home because everything is way high retail and or not available locally-  do some research and ask q's- I have not bought anything I don't like "fishing wise"- sight unseen.

[eulerentinc]

i try to check out everything in person.  If i see it on paper ill go to the shop and check it out.  If i like it then i might try to find a good deal on the internet.  Otherwise, ill just buy it.  With BPS about 10 minutes away i have bought about 95% in store.

[Redlinerobert]

A Bass Pro Shop is due to open in Manteca in '07.  I have a feeling that I'll be spending alot of time there.  

[Bankbeater]

Never.  With companies constantly trying to cut back and save costs, the rod you buy today may be completely different from the one you buy tomorrow.

[lubina]

I only have 1 rod that was bought in the store. It is perfect, in theory, to get your reel, go to the store, try it and so on but you selection is going to be very restricted.

Most of my sets are technique specific and the result of my research with the manufactories, builders and this and other forums. I still have to regret one and rarely I've moved a reel to a different rod of the one I thought will be for it.

[texasbass1]

Usually I wouldn't, but I did buy 2 rods from Acadia. It is a mail order house, some of you may have gotten the flyers in the mail. I needed a couple of general purpose rods for less experienced fishermen and I was real suprise and please with the rods. The only draw back is that they have a limited selection. On the positive side they have a 30 or 90 day money back guarentee so that doesn't hurt.

[Redlinerobert]

Never. With companies constantly trying to cut back and save costs, the rod you buy today may be completely different from the one you buy tomorrow.

I disagree to a point.  Reputable companies like G Loomis don't downgrade their rods - if anything they make their rods better.  

[TournyFish001]

I agree with redlinerrobert- G Loomis GLX spinning rods now come with titanium guides- that is not cutting back or saving costs- plus the GLX price has been pretty much the same for the last 5 yrs.