Cabelas XML Rods

[Saladmander]

Does anyone have any experience with any of the Cabelas XML rods?  We had a Cabelas open up near home a little while ago, and I was looking at some of the XML rods.  Does anyone know if they make the rods, or does someone make them for them?  Was wondering if they're any good for the money.  Thanks.

[shortbasser]

The Brown truck just delivered my first Cabela's rod yesterday. It is a Fish Eagle XML. I am quite happy with the feel and construction of the rod. 2 things triggered my purchase. The weight kit and the fact that it just happens to have a 25 year warranty. I wish I could tell you that I had it "wet" already but temps in the 20's don't push me out the door for the water.

I did grab the 2008 version that is just a tad bit different than the 2007. Both are on sale. It will have a Revo STX mounted on it when I head for the water.

So far so good.

Oh, for the folks that order rods. This rod came packed in a solid poly rod shipping tube, Packed in a cloth rod sock and wrapped in foam to keep it from crashing around in shipping. Survived the trip in super shape.

Shortbasser

[Lucky Craft Man]

Ahhh...The Cabelas XML rod. After fishing with many brands of rods, I have settled on two specific brands I use for bass. One is G Loomis (various types) and the other is Cabelas XML. I have 8 XML rods (from the heavy baitcasting all the way to the spinning rod) and I have been very pleased with them. I think they are the most comfortable rod to hold (I like the double exposed blank under the reel seat) and if you weigh the rod just right, it almost feel weightless in your hands. The warranty is better than any other rod company (including G Loomis, who has the second best warranty), which is one big reason I use them. Once, my nephew stepped on the tip of one of my XML's and I took it back without a reciept, and walked out with a brand new replacement with no questions asked. The sensitivity of the rod is very good (I would say it is just under if not close to a G Loomis G3 and definitely more sensitive than a G2) and has plenty of backbone for handling good sized smallmouth (or largemouth for that matter). It is one rod I would recommend to someone who was looking for a good rod at an affordable price that is backed by the best warranty there is.

PS I do not like Cabelas XMLTi's. They are not much lighter than the XML's and they don't have the ability to add balancing weight to them like the XML's (I find the XMLTi be a little tip heavy).

PPs After rereading my response, it almost sounds a little like a commercial. Sorry about that, I am just a fan of these rods.

[Saladmander]

When I saw them at the store, I thought they looked and felt like a quality rod.  The price was pretty reasonable.  Their website showed some pretty good reels available as a combo with those rods, so I figured they must be decent.  I have never had to replace any of my Loomis rods (knock, knock), but are they pretty stiff about the "manufacturers defects" thing?  

I think that's pretty cool that Cabelas stands behind their rods like that.  For all intents, a 25 year warranty is just as good as a lifetime warranty in my book; especially if they replace them when accidentally broken.  

I know some of the guys on here like the Shimano Crucial rods, too... pretty much in the same price range.  I ask about these because, like most of you, I'm a big time gear junkie.  I have some reels that need a stick, and I gotta slow down a bit 'cause I got a kid on the way.  Was looking for some good rods in the $150 range.

[Lucky Craft Man]

In response to your question about Shimano Crucial rods, they are not bad rods, but their warranty is not as good as people say.  The "over the counter" warranty is a myth.  I purchased one that got broken in transport.  I figured that it was no problem since I could just go and hand it in and receive a new one.  Well, first, I didn't have a receipt (I am bad about keeping receipts) so there was no proof of purchase and they couldn't exchange it for me.  Also, if you do have a receipt and you have had the rod for over a year, then you have to send it to Shimano (you pay shipping) and if they determine the damage occurred because of manufacturers defect, they will replace it.  It they determine it was your fault then they will charge you to repair it if you would like it repaired.  This experience is what has kept me from buying any more Shimano rods (I value warranty over almost everything else, because if I am spending that much money on a rod, I want some backing on it).  The G Loomis warranty has two parts.  The first part is similar to as I described for the Shimano rods (since Shimano owns G Loomis), but the second type of warranty service is the Xpeditor service.  With this service, you pay $50 (which covers shipping both ways) and they send you a rod in 2 or 3 days and you place the broken rod in the tube they sent you the new one in and mail it back with the return label they provided.  Then you have a brand new replacement with no questions asked.  This warranty is not as good as Cabelas, but for the amount of money you pay for a G Loomis, $50 for a replacement seems reasonable to me.  

[grimlin]

They are good rods...i've been using mine all year last year and it held up with alots of abuse.I got mine as a combo set.

If i had to i would buy another one.Honestly i like cabela's rod's better than the extremes.

[Saladmander]

I had the opportunity to check out the Extreme rods also.  They look really nice, but felt a little heavy in my hands.  Just wasn't the same feel that I had when picking up the XLR rod.  I did like the color though, and how you could see the braid through the section of rod above the grips.  The reel seat was interesting.  It has this clicking mechanism that helps lock the reel into the seat when you set it.  I have never seen that before.  I'm not a big fan of specs in big bold letters on the rod, though.  It says, "60 Million Modulus" in big bold letters... that seems kinda cheesy to me.

[lubina]

In response to your question about Shimano Crucial rods, they are not bad rods, but their warranty is not as good as people say.    

Agree with you. I have a similar experience with my first, only and last Crucial.

[surfer]

I had the opposite experience with my crucial at BPS.  Walked in with broken tip and no receipt.  Walked out with a new rod.  I didn't even do a song and dance for them.

[hammer84]

I'm a big fan of the XML rods.  I have several and plan on adding a few more.  They are light ( not super light ) and built well with a great warranty.

BTW, my local Cabela's has them in store this week for 59.99.  AT that price they can't be beat !!!!

[shortbasser]

I had the opportunity to check out the Extreme rods also. They look really nice, but felt a little heavy in my hands. Just wasn't the same feel that I had when picking up the XLR rod. I did like the color though, and how you could see the braid through the section of rod above the grips. The reel seat was interesting. It has this clicking mechanism that helps lock the reel into the seat when you set it. I have never seen that before. I'm not a big fan of specs in big bold letters on the rod, though. It says, "60 Million Modulus" in big bold letters... that seems kinda cheesy to me.

Just got my new 2008 model XML this week and they dropped the "60 million Modulus" off. No sign of it for this year.

Shortbasser

[shortbasser]

I'm a big fan of the XML rods. I have several and plan on adding a few more. They are light ( not super light ) and built well with a great warranty.

BTW, my local Cabela's has them in store this week for 59.99. AT that price they can't be beat !!!!

That is an incredible price for the Fish Eagle XML rod considering that I just paid $139.99 for mine this week.

Shortbasser

[Saladmander]

Wow, really?  I think I'm gonna have to grab a couple and try them out.  I hope the Cabelas near my house has the same deal.

[LAO162]

How is the action on the MF Rods.  MF, F, XF?  In my case I would be thinking about using it for a worm rod.  Thanks.  Leon