Ike's new rod.... baitmonkey is going to kill for this one

[The Rooster]

I thought that was a combo? The total was

less than the cost of the reel and the rod

was basically free.

:-/

I was referring to the color of the rod in the OP.

Not long ago, there was a big rush to find an orange or black reel to pair up with the Carrot Stix.

Now, other than the old stradics, where have you seen a production white reel?

Only white reels I can think of are from Cabela's. The Tournament ZX reel and also the Salt Striker reel.  Pflueger used to make a Pro Max that was white also, but as of last year it was discontinued. These are all spinning reels though.

[fishinflip415]

You give skeet,Ike, and vandam a Barbie pole and they will out fish most anglers. I know some people think it's all about the gear you use but really it's what's between the ears. I don know how many seminars I have been to where the top anglers say that fishing is 95% mental. Fishing gear are just tools it's up to the fisherman to determine which one works best in certain situataions. 8-)

[Pantera61]

You give skeet,Ike, and vandam a Barbie pole and they will out fish most anglers. I know some people think it's all about the gear you use but really it's what's between the ears. I don know how many seminars I have been to where the top anglers say that fishing is 95% mental. Fishing gear are just tools it's up to the fisherman to determine which one works best in certain situataions. 8-)

absolutely spot on!

[RichF]

I def think the new "budget" rods companies are coming out with are great for the sport. It's even better to see big names like skeet and ike using these rods. Bass fishing is starting to become out of reach for a lot of anglers out there, especially those who wanna fish tournaments. Its bad enough the way the economy is but trying to break out into this sport seems almost impossible to the every day joe. I'm speaking from my own experience of course. I want nothing more to fish the professional trail but the way the sport is heading...$$$$$ Not looking good for most of us.

[Big Bait Fishing]

http://www.tackletour.com/previewabugarciaveritas.html

I like it, Abu Garcia is going to cause me to go broke

Stop it, this is killing me !

Ike has switched from $400+ Steez rods to $99 budget rods! Of course, if you pay me enough to fish with it I'll fish with a broom handle and tell everyone its great.

Next thing you'll see is Ike flippin with a cane pole.

he fished with the light and tough rods more than he fished with the steez rods  :

[NHfroggin]

It looks like Ike is using his new rod.

-matt-

[DWG1984]

Might be why he looks so sad

[FishinTN]

As far as new guys trying to break out into the tourny scene and it being out of their reach money wise. If the boats we fish out of were not half the cost of our houses, we'd (not to mention our trucks) we could buy any and as many rods and reels as we wanted.

Still, I love being at a loss for what $100.00 rod to buy... ;D

[MarauderYak]

Looks like a great rod for a great price. I had the chance to talk to Ike Saturday night about these rods, and he said he's been very impressed so far. He also told me that they're developing a new carbon fiber rod, that is supposed to have similar properties of the Steez, even better, and at a price point of $200!!! He said those are probably about a year away....so the future for Abu rods looks extremely bright!

I wonder if BPS & Abu are having their rods made in the same place? The CarbonLite lengths & actions seem similar to the Vendettas.

I'm pretty impressed with the weight and feel of the 6'9" Vendetta I have so I'll check out these new rods when they're available.

Those Garcia rods are not made at the same factory as the Carbon Lite.  Pure Fishing is currently switching factories for a bunch of their rods, but it still won't be the same factory as the Carbon Lites.  The Cumara is made at the same factory as the Carbon Lites though.

[Pantera61]

Carbonlite and Cumara in the same facility?

[Jason Penn]

that's livin the dream right there!!!!

reasons why i would never be a pro bass fisherman

1. i'm lazy

2. too broke to gear up

3. not really a very good fisherman

4. don't want to have to go fish when its freezing!