All Star Rods

[BNKrust]

I have an IM10, ASR, and an Instinct and all have served me quite well. I really like the ASR and plan to buy a few more. For around $100, they're hard to beat. The only rod in that price range that I might rank higher would be the Falcon Lowrider, but it's negligible.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I had some similar questions a while back about Allstar rods. Cart7 ( who has a huge amount of fishing knowlege ) sent me a very informative message. He said I could pass it on to you. I hope he doesn't mind me posting it here for all.   FFI - AKA Matt Crum

Quote from Cart7

""""""First off, I have no knowledge of the Instinct series or the new ASR rods. From what I've read by those that have one on this forum, the ASR rods are pretty nice. They're IM10 blanks like the TAS series but also have split grips. They're supposedly amazingly light weight. I've never used a split grip rod before and am not sure I even want to though this rod line does intrigue me.

Now for the lineup I'm familiar with:

All Star American Classics - First off, don't let anyone tell you different. The new Classics are just as good as the old. I've fished with both and can't tell the difference. The rods are IM6 construction, are sensitive and amazingly lightweight. I still have 2 of these. A 6' med/fst I use for small cranks, small spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. The other a 7' mh I use for pitching. These sell for around $90 retail but you can get them at Bobby's rods and reels for around $75 each new. Great rods.

Team All Stars - These are probably their biggest sellers. IM10 construction. Durable. Honestly, weightwise, these rods are virtually the same weight as the Classics but more sensitive. I no longer have any of these but am looking for a TAS Big Boy for flippin. The big boy series are heavier duty rods in the TAS series made exclusively for pitching, flippin and froggin. These are great rods. Bobby's has the TAS rods at $85 each. $100 for the Big Boys. BPS and Cabela's sells them for around $99 - 109.

Platinum series - These are the top of the line. Keep your Loomis GlX's or Kistlers and their $300 price tags. These are the best bargain going for soft plastic fishing. I don't have Platinums per se. I'm using the old Titanium series. The only difference is Titanium guides vs non for the Platinum series. It's not a big deal. These rods are light, light like a GLX or Kistler and very, very sensitive. The last time we were at Washco, dink picked up one of my 7' Titanium worm rods and compared it to his St Croix Tournament Legend rod. He couldn't believe the All Star was so light weight. He was floored when I told him you can pick up new platinums for $115. BTW, these rods are tough as well. I know you've read the Loomis guys saying that if their blank gets a nick in it, it's a break waiting to happen. Well, I've got a 7' Titanium I use for C rigging. I've had it a few years and the big egg sinkers have beat that rod up pretty good. Everytime I set the hook I expect that rod to break and yet it just keeps on going.

Like I said, the cheapest place right now for All Stars is Bobbys. Classics - $75, TAS - $85, ASR series - $75, TAS Big Boys - $100, Platinums - $115. Shipping is like $18 and he can ship 3 rods at a time.""""""""

[Flywatersmallie]

I've been looking at trying one of these for some time, unfortunately the only retailer that carries them in my area is Dick's and they only have the Select there. If I am going to give these things a fair shake, I wanna hold a Platinum or ASR or even a TAS. Hard to buy a rod without having a real idea what you're getting. I'm in the middle of walleye country.... medium or medium light spinning rods as far as the eye can see, you really have to look for bass type stuff or have it special ordered. One of my local shops is good about ordering single rods so I can play with them first, if I dont buy them, to the rack they go but, they can't get All Star stuff either  >