new BPS carbonlite rods LOL

[Dan:]

The grips are not foam, they are almost like golf club grips. The rods are surprisingly light but I can't say anything for the sensitivity.

[Goose52]

Interesting, just today BPS marked down (on-line) all of the Carbonlite Baitcasting and Spinning rods to $70 - regardless of length. Regular prices were $90-$120 - depending on length.

FWIW

[Stasher1]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

[L a r r y]

Interesting, just today BPS marked down (on-line) all of the Carbonlite Baitcasting and Spinning rods to $70 - regardless of length. Regular prices were $90-$120 - depending on length.FWIW

whooaaaaaaaa  I wonder why they marked them down?  Was sales not what they expected, or did they an over abundance of rods produced?  I think I might pick one up for this price, this could be my swimbait  rod in a 7' H x-fast.....That wouldn't be a bad buy IMHO

[Dan:]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Agreed. That was my thought when I felt them in store.

[Goose52]

Interesting, just today BPS marked down (on-line) all of the Carbonlite Baitcasting and Spinning rods to $70 - regardless of length. Regular prices were $90-$120 - depending on length.FWIW

whooaaaaaaaa I wonder why they marked them down? Was sales not what they expected, or did they an over abundance of rods produced? I think I might pick one up for this price, this could be my swimbait rod in a 7' H x-fast.....That wouldn't be a bad buy IMHO

I was wondering about the same things - low sales or just overstock???

OTOH, they had a hard time keeping the Carbonlite baitcasting reel in-stock and went out-of-stock 3 or 4 times on-line until getting caught up. The rods were always in-stock all that time...

I'm always a "value" shopper and IMO the higher-end BPS reels have features and price-points unmatched by the "name" brands and are a good value at regular price and a great value when on-sale. The BPS rods are often a good value when on sale...but at their regular price points there are lots of competitors. (I did stock up on the 2009 model Extreme rods when they were on clearance for $57 though 8-) A great value at that price...)

[MarauderYak]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Actually the guides on those CarbonLite rods are pretty expensive.  The reason you see so many mid/upper end rods moving away from Fuji guides is not because of expense, it's because of availability.  Fuji requires orders WAY in advance, and is notoriously difficult to work with.

[MarauderYak]

Interesting, just today BPS marked down (on-line) all of the Carbonlite Baitcasting and Spinning rods to $70 - regardless of length. Regular prices were $90-$120 - depending on length.

FWIW

Just checked, and that pricing was just a mistake.  If you want a higher priced one, better get it fast.  They are supposed to be on sale for $20 off.

[Darren.]

I have been checking out these rods every time I go to BPS. I had a chance to compare the 6'6" M (all spinning rods, fwiw) with a 6'6" M Vendetta, Mojo, Carrot Stix, and a couple more - the CarbonLite is like a feather at the tip whereas the Vendetta and Mojo were quite tip-heavy by comparison; felt quite similar to the Carrot Stix.

A BPS guy was cool enough to let me compare a couple rods with my spinning reel of choice (Shimano Spirex 2500 FG) and boy was the CarbonLite awesome.

I need to change that to present tense - since the "introductory special" price drop, I jumped on the 6'6" M. Took it out on the water today (dock), and though I didn't catch anything, I did get a good couple of hits from some small fish hitting a tiny tube. The feel was fantastic. Bottom jigging, shakey head worming, etc., was excellent. I could feel everything. Was just a tough bite today.

I did have a Berkely Lightning Shock in M power prior to this, but couldn't shake an unsettled feeling I had with the Shock so I returned it and waited until the CL went on sale.

Feel is better than the Shock, by a fairly large factor, IMHO.

Sorry I cannot compare it to Fenwick, Loomis, Cumaras, etc. Way out of my price league. :-/ (other than in-store comparisons).

The guides are very quiet with PowerPro, too. And like MarauderYak said, the guides are not cheapies, they are PAC Bay stainless with titanium carbide inserts.

A big thumbs up so far. Anticipate good things from this rod this season! 8-)

[Stasher1]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Actually the guides on those CarbonLite rods are pretty expensive. The reason you see so many mid/upper end rods moving away from Fuji guides is not because of expense, it's because of availability. Fuji requires orders WAY in advance, and is notoriously difficult to work with.

They can slap whatever price tag on them they choose. From a manufacturing standpoint, they're just stamped stainless guides with a roll-formed, plated metal insert. Nothing special, and far from high-end. The PVD coating adds to the cost, but is most likely necessary to keep the insert from grooving for the duration of the rod's one-year warranty...although that may fall under "normal wear and tear".

I'll go on record now, and predict that these guides fare no better than the ones currently in use on the Carrot Stix.

[MarauderYak]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Actually the guides on those CarbonLite rods are pretty expensive. The reason you see so many mid/upper end rods moving away from Fuji guides is not because of expense, it's because of availability. Fuji requires orders WAY in advance, and is notoriously difficult to work with.

They can slap whatever price tag on them they choose. From a manufacturing standpoint, they're just stamped stainless guides with a roll-formed, plated metal insert. Nothing special, and far from high-end. The PVD coating adds to the cost, but is most likely necessary to keep the insert from grooving for the duration of the rod's one-year warranty...although that may fall under "normal wear and tear".

I'll go on record now, and predict that these guides fare no better than the ones currently in use on the Carrot Stix.

You seem to be pretty sure.  I'd be willing to bet you $100 if you actually are that sure.  Of course you should know I've already seen 3rd party testing results for a bunch of rods (including these and original Carrot Stix) where extensive strength tests & durability tests were conducted.

I also know that Stacey King has been using CarbonLite rods for almost a year, and has had no issues despite being very rough on them.

And the inserts on original Carrot Stix are chrome plated steel.  The inserts on CarbonLites are PVD coated titanium-carbide.

PM me to work out the details of the bet.

[Bronzefly]

I actually held some of these in hand at the BPS the other day.  For the sale price of around $70, they seem like they have some potential.  They were light, have the sexy look that is so popular now, and felt like they might have some potential. 

[steezy]

Just checked the BPS website and that $69 price is gone on most of them, only the 6'6" are still at the low price.  Should have grabbed one of those 7'6" heavy xfast for 2oz swimbaits for $69, now its $99.

[Paul Roberts]

I have been checking out these rods every time I go to BPS. I had a chance to compare the 6'6" M (all spinning rods, fwiw) with a 6'6" M Vendetta, Mojo, Carrot Stix, and a couple more - the CarbonLite is like a feather at the tip whereas the Vendetta and Mojo were quite tip-heavy by comparison; felt quite similar to the Carrot Stix.

A BPS guy was cool enough to let me compare a couple rods with my spinning reel of choice (Shimano Spirex 2500 FG) and boy was the CarbonLite awesome.

I need to change that to present tense - since the "introductory special" price drop, I jumped on the 6'6" M. Took it out on the water today (dock), and though I didn't catch anything, I did get a good couple of hits from some small fish hitting a tiny tube. The feel was fantastic. Bottom jigging, shakey head worming, etc., was excellent. I could feel everything. Was just a tough bite today.

I did have a Berkely Lightning Shock in M power prior to this, but couldn't shake an unsettled feeling I had with the Shock so I returned it and waited until the CL went on sale.

Feel is better than the Shock, by a fairly large factor, IMHO.

Sorry I cannot compare it to Fenwick, Loomis, Cumaras, etc. Way out of my price league. :-/ (other than in-store comparisons).

The guides are very quiet with PowerPro, too. And like MarauderYak said, the guides are not cheapies, they are PAC Bay stainless with titanium carbide inserts.

A big thumbs up so far. Anticipate good things from this rod this season! 8-)

Thanks for the preliminary review.

As to the guide quality, a tip-top -the main issue- is a nearly instantaneous replacement.

Love to see rod technology progress and prices drop (not that this is the case here -who knows, yet).

I bit, and bought one at the sale price. First thing I'll do is put it on a scale. Is it really lighter, or just butt weighted?

Curious: For those of you who have one, where is the balance point (sans reel)?

[RoLo]

As most know, I'm currently in the market for a new rod, and the Carbonlite gives me one more option.

Although this may sound off-the-wall, the price-point of the Carbonlite tends to scare me off.

Throughout the years I've had the opportunity to fish with nearly all the rod brands out there (not all).

With regard to my replacement rod, I'm thinking seriously about several brands

such as St Croix, Daiwa, Okuma, Dobyns and yes, the Johnny Morris Elite (Kistler not).

The Okuma I now use is much more rod than I paid for.

My wife however, complains that the grip over time becomes uncomfortable for her.

I wouldn't even bring that up, but IMO Lois is a better judge of blank sensitivity and nuances than myself.

Incidentally, her favorite rod of all is the Johnny Morris Elite, and I've bought her rods worth twice the price.

Roger

[SWMIBASSER]

As most know, I'm currently in the market for a new rod, and the Carbonlite gives me one more option.

Although this may sound off-the-wall, the price-point of the Carbonlite tends to scare me off.

Throughout the years I've had the opportunity to fish with nearly all the rod brands out there (not all).

With regard to my replacement rod, I'm thinking seriously about several brands

such as St Croix, Daiwa, Okuma, Dobyns and yes, the Johnny Morris Elite (Kistler not).

The Okuma I now use is much more rod than I paid for.

My wife however, complains that the grip over time becomes uncomfortable for her.

I wouldn't even bring that up, but IMO Lois is a better judge of blank sensitivity and nuances than myself.

Incidentally, her favorite rod of all is the Johnny Morris Elite, and I've bought her rods worth twice the price.

Roger

I really like the J/M Elite rods also. The longer rods could use a shorter handle IMO though.

Another rod to look at is Rogue. GREAT rods. And you can add recoil guides to any of their rods for an extra $30. I've had one a couple years now, and want to get another.

[Paul Roberts]

As most know, I'm currently in the market for a new rod, and the Carbonlite gives me one more option.

Although this may sound off-the-wall, the price-point of the Carbonlite tends to scare me off.

Roger

Me too -or should have. But I've been made a sucker before. Seems there are A LOT of rods to choose from. Would like to have them all lined up next to a pool ready for testing.

Roger, what Okuma rod is it you like so much?

[RoLo]

As most know, I'm currently in the market for a new rod, and the Carbonlite gives me one more option.

Although this may sound off-the-wall, the price-point of the Carbonlite tends to scare me off.

Roger

Me too -or should have. But I've been made a sucker before. Seems there are A LOT of rods to choose from. Would like to have them all lined up next to a pool ready for testing.

Roger, what Okuma rod is it you like so much?

The lime-green bookends are both Okuma Concept C3 spinning rods [ C3-S-661MH ]

Lure Wgt: 1/4 to 1 oz <> Line Wgt: 10 to 20 lb <> 6' 6 (1-pce) <> Action: Fast <> $150

Titanium Guide Frames Zirconium Inserts <> Fuji Reel Seat (ported) <> Carbon Grips (no cork)

Paul, I'm not excited about my Kistler Helium ll LTX (in center), and certainly do not recommend

those Daiwa Advantage reels. I had the Daiwa reel apart and was pretty disappointed.

For instance, a looong bail-spring is used to forestall crystallization (work-hardening),

but the bail does not close completely every time, which is totally unacceptable.

Shimano has me over a barrel, I'm sticking with the posse

Roger

[Paul Roberts]

Thanks, Roger.

Sorry to hear about your Loomis.

[Stasher1]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Actually the guides on those CarbonLite rods are pretty expensive. The reason you see so many mid/upper end rods moving away from Fuji guides is not because of expense, it's because of availability. Fuji requires orders WAY in advance, and is notoriously difficult to work with.

They can slap whatever price tag on them they choose. From a manufacturing standpoint, they're just stamped stainless guides with a roll-formed, plated metal insert. Nothing special, and far from high-end. The PVD coating adds to the cost, but is most likely necessary to keep the insert from grooving for the duration of the rod's one-year warranty...although that may fall under "normal wear and tear".

I'll go on record now, and predict that these guides fare no better than the ones currently in use on the Carrot Stix.

You seem to be pretty sure. I'd be willing to bet you $100 if you actually are that sure. Of course you should know I've already seen 3rd party testing results for a bunch of rods (including these and original Carrot Stix) where extensive strength tests & durability tests were conducted.

I also know that Stacey King has been using CarbonLite rods for almost a year, and has had no issues despite being very rough on them.

And the inserts on original Carrot Stix are chrome plated steel. The inserts on CarbonLites are PVD coated titanium-carbide.

PM me to work out the details of the bet.

If I wanted to wager $100 on the longevity of the guides, I would just buy a Carbonlite rod and use it for a season. I honestly don't care enough to bother. I have no interest in the Carbonlite rods, and definitely no interest in the PacBay guides it's currently sporting.

I offered an opinion on the rods and guides in question, and made a prediction. If that somehow offends you, I honestly don't care. You're free to offer contrary prediction, if you'd like. Welcome to America. 

[MarauderYak]

I'm thinking that once people actually get a chance to use these rods for a while, they won't be quite as appealing as they seem online. Yes, they're light...but one of the reasons they're so light is the cheap guides they're using. They appear to be the same ones used on $20 Berkley Cherrywoods, Lightning Rod, Carrot Stix, and a few of BPS's cheaper rods like the Micro Lite.

Imho, a $100 rod ought to be sporting Hardloys, at least.

Actually the guides on those CarbonLite rods are pretty expensive. The reason you see so many mid/upper end rods moving away from Fuji guides is not because of expense, it's because of availability. Fuji requires orders WAY in advance, and is notoriously difficult to work with.

They can slap whatever price tag on them they choose. From a manufacturing standpoint, they're just stamped stainless guides with a roll-formed, plated metal insert. Nothing special, and far from high-end. The PVD coating adds to the cost, but is most likely necessary to keep the insert from grooving for the duration of the rod's one-year warranty...although that may fall under "normal wear and tear".

I'll go on record now, and predict that these guides fare no better than the ones currently in use on the Carrot Stix.

You seem to be pretty sure. I'd be willing to bet you $100 if you actually are that sure. Of course you should know I've already seen 3rd party testing results for a bunch of rods (including these and original Carrot Stix) where extensive strength tests & durability tests were conducted.

I also know that Stacey King has been using CarbonLite rods for almost a year, and has had no issues despite being very rough on them.

And the inserts on original Carrot Stix are chrome plated steel. The inserts on CarbonLites are PVD coated titanium-carbide.

PM me to work out the details of the bet.

If I wanted to wager $100 on the longevity of the guides, I would just buy a Carbonlite rod and use it for a season. I honestly don't care enough to bother. I have no interest in the Carbonlite rods, and definitely no interest in the PacBay guides it's currently sporting.

I offered an opinion on the rods and guides in question, and made a prediction. If that somehow offends you, I honestly don't care. You're free to offer contrary prediction, if you'd like. Welcome to America.

I'm not offended, or upset.  But you were telling people how guides are made & what their quality is when you don't know what you're talking about.  And I'm sure you've not used a rod with these guides in the past because they are brand new.  Misleading people as if you have actual knowledge of an item is NOT the same as offering your opinion.

As far as your prediction... you seemed extremely sure about it, so I thought maybe you'd like to profit from your forecasting abilities.

[Paul Roberts]

I received my Carbonlite today, and put it on a scale.

It's a 6-6 M casting.

And the weight is: : : : : : : :

4.0 ozs.

Not bad! It is not butt heavy, balancing several inches above the fore-grip. No measurements taken there, but I'm busy right now.

Later, if anyone's interested, (or not LOL) I'll get a balance pt measure and tip diameter (a good indicator of MOE). It's not a thick tip, I can say that.

It appears appropriately rated at M power, fast (maybe XF), 1/4-5/8.

[RoLo]

I received my Carbonlite today, and put it on a scale.

It's a 6-6 M casting.

And the weight is: : : : : : : :

4.0 ozs.

Nice drum roll :

I must say, for the price that's amazing levity!

Roger

[Goose52]

I received my Carbonlite today, and put it on a scale.

It's a 6-6 M casting.

4.0 ozs.

That's pretty light. For comparison, my GLoomis GLX MBR842C (a 7' mf rod) weighs 125 grams = 4.4 oz. A 6-6 GLX might go under 4 oz, but probably not by much. Sensitivity is another issue of course, but when it comes to weight alone - the BPS rod is.... light !

[Paul Roberts]

I received my Carbonlite today, and put it on a scale.

It's a 6-6 M casting.

4.0 ozs.

That's pretty light. For comparison, my GLoomis GLX MBR842C (a 7' mf rod) weighs 125 grams = 4.4 oz. A 6-6 GLX might go under 4 oz, but probably not by much. Sensitivity is another issue of course, but when it comes to weight alone - the BPS rod is.... light !

OK, I re-weighed the rods -with glasses on lol, and being careful to weigh it exactly at the balance point.

I have two BPS Carbonlites:

6-6 M, fast, spinning = 3.9oz.

6-6M, fast casting = 4.1oz.

I weighed my other rods too, and will start another thread (on rod senstivity), and see if others will add their rod weights too. I'm really curious what other rods weigh.

Oh yes, this was done on a postal scale, which I'm going to have to check calibration on. Will follow up tomorrow -again  : .