"Made in USA" rods, affect your decision?

[SwimbaitDave]

In my recent Crankbait rod search, I have found alot of rods being made in China, and not the U.S. With the economy the way it is I feel more strongly about buying a domestically made rod and avoiding the foreign ones. Still, it seems the "Made in USA" tag is getting harder to find, and when found, only on most manufactures high end lines.

Does where a rod is made affect your decision on purchasing it, or does functionality come over place of manufacturing?

[Dan:]

No, not really.

[BrianinMD]

Not really when buying but the All Star Graphite rods, if I remember correctly, are all made in Texas.

www.allstarrods.com

[Infidel.]

Well functionality comes first but made in USA plays a role.  I am not going to pay double for it. But for me it is worth an extra 10-20% to keep that money in the states. But that doesn't mean that all my rods are American made. Just my Lamiglass, St. Croixs, and Rogues. Don't know if Loomis are US made or not. Doesn't state it one way or the other on mine.

[Infidel.]

Not really when buying but the All Star Graphite rods, if I remember correctly, are all made in Texas.

I had an Allstar made in China.  Lamiglass, Allstar, and St. Croix all have low end rods made overseas.

[Land Surveyor13]

Made in the USA plays into everything I buy.  I live, breath, work and play in this country.  Sending my dollar to China, Japan, Indonesia or wherever does nothing for this country.  I know I can't get everything made here but I do my best to do so.  Just my $0.02 worth.

[roadwarrior]

Well functionality comes first but made in USA plays a role. I am not going to pay double for it. But for me it is worth an extra 10-20% to keep that money in the states. But that doesn't mean that all my rods are American made. Just my Lamiglass, St. Croixs, and Rogues. Don't know if Loomis are US made or not. Doesn't state it one way or the other on mine.

I'm not 100% sure that entry level rods are made here, but G. Loomis has always made their rods in Woodland, Washington.

[Infidel.]

I'm not 100% sure that entry level rods are made here, but G. Loomis has always made their rods in Woodland, Washington.

Thanks for the clarification.  I had heard that they moved production overseas when Shimano bought them and my GLX doesn't specify.

[roadwarrior]

I just found this on their website (FAQs):

3. Where are your rods built?

All of our rods and blanks are hand crafted here in Woodland, Washington.

8-)

[Pantera61]

Loomis may be made in the US but the $$$ are going to Japan, Shimano's home address.

[MitchIsFishin]

Can't speak for the balance of the line, but GL2's (I previously owned 2) are made in china.

[Muddy]

No, my main criteria is buying rods that I like to use and have a history of holding up for me.

[Cigarlover 1]

Not really when buying but the All Star Graphite rods, if I remember correctly, are all made in Texas.

www.allstarrods.com

I believe their newer model rods in the $100.00 mark like the ASR series are now made in china.

To answer the question it doesn't affect my decision necessarily. I'd prefer to buy American made but I'm not going to break the bank to do it.

[Bassoholics Anonymous]

I've never really put much into it, but all of my current rods are made in the USA (St. Croix Premiers, Avid, and Loomis IMX).

Can't speak for the balance of the line, but GL2's (I previously owned 2) are made in china.

I wasn't aware that Loomis ever made any rods outside of Washington. St. Croix has rods made overseas, but Loomis...

[daviscw]

I don't. It would be virtually impossible to buy nothing but American fishing stuff.

[stormrider]

funny you started this thread. I just bought St. Croix Avid instead of a crucila because I saw made in China on the Crucial.

[Primus]

The vast majority of my rods are Loomis or Roques and one of the reasons I've bought them is because they were made in the USA. The one chinese rod that I still buy is the BPS crankin stick, tough to turn down when they are on sale for $40 and I've been very pleased with this series. I don't buy American made all the time, but I will often pay a few dollars more when it says "made in the USA".

[bighed]

Yes, makes a difference to me.  I'm fishing almost all Falcon rods (one Loomis 820) and love them.  I think they are competitive with, if not superior to, anything in their price range.   Wish I could replace the Shimano and Daiwa reels.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Yes, makes a difference to me. I'm fishing almost all Falcon rods (one Loomis 820) and love them. I think they are competitive with, if not superior to, anything in their price range. Wish I could replace the Shimano and Daiwa reels.

Ardent maybe????

[Certified Public Angler]

I just bought a St. Croix...so Go USA!  I'm pretty sure it's made in the US...

[Gatorbassman]

I'm more concerned with keeping money in my wallet at the point. I don't care what country it's made in.

[The_Natural]

It makes zero difference to me.  I work hard for my money, and buy the best product regardless of origin.  The rest of the nation finally realized this as well, and the 'big 3' automakers were doomed.  

[Muddy]

Toyota had the single worst year, but were in better shape to begin with

[Guest beowulfx71]

after losing my manufacturing job(plant shut down went to china)and only earning 2/3rds what I made 5-10 years ago I do not buy made in china products unless I can find no alternatives. I try for made in USA, but other democratic countries with open markets like Japan or Western Europe is ok too. If we dont all start boycotting all the cheap china crap we will all be working at WalMart for $7 bucks an hour selling their products.

[Muddy]

It's an International Market Place now. Computers,rapid transportation and modernized shipping as well as a modern communication system have the whole world in the market, Rather than bemoan it , it would do us good as a nation to figure out how to be the major player in it. It is happening whether we like it or not, we all better get used to it and learn how to work it to our advantage.