Shimano Compre vs. Powell Max casting rods, which is better??

[The Rooster]

Read a review on tackletour about the Powel Max 683C which is a medium heavy rod with extra fast tip, 6'8" long. It scored the highest scores I've ever seen them give to any one single product on that site. Think they gave it a 9.25 overall.  They showed the thing casting a Castaic swimbait weighing over 2.5 ounces even though the rod is only rated for 1/4 to 3/4.  Said it did it with ease and they were impressed.

I currently use Shimano Compre rods. I have a 6'6" medium heavy with a fast tip (also available in extra fast too though) that I use for jigs and worms.

I'd like to have a jig/worm rod that has no foregrip, better than average sensitivity, light weight and balanced. This Powell seems to be EVERYTHING I would want in a rod just from reading about it.

What I'd like to know is how does it compare to the Compre overall?? So far I see that it has better guides, they are alconite while the Compre has hardloy. Nothing was said about what type of graphite it has though. Compre is IM-8.

Cost is not too bad either. I'm paying $100 for the Compre but the Powell is $140. Not much more and since I only need one rod, this would be fine. Although I'm afraid after using it, if it REALLY does do all the things tackletour described, that I'm gonna want to sell the Shimano Compres and get more Powells.

Is there anyone here who has used both of these rods and can provide a comparison as to which one they liked better??

[Big Bait Fishing]

just buy a rod , any rod already LOL, just kidding you man !!!!!

that powell seems like a good choice !!!!

[SJex]

Buy the Powell, it a better rod and well worth the money.

[UBA]

After owning both I would say that the Powell is the better rod and worth the extra cost.

The sensitivity and weight is far better with the Powell than the Compre.

I think that the action on the 683C is more like a Med. than a MedHev compared to the Compre.

[The Rooster]

UBA,

When refering to action, you talking about overall stiffness or what?? Just want to make sure I understand you. I have no problems with the way my Compre feels but also since I do want another rod just for jigs/worms then I figured get one with no foregrip so my fingers can lay directly on the blank instead of cork for maximum sensitivity. Don't want to go any lighter in terms of stiffness of the rod though. A rod that feels like a medium would probably feel too weak to me. But I don't know. There's also a just plain heavy powered Powell too. Wonder if that would be the way to go instead??

pgersumky,

I was looking over several rods to do what I want. Don't have the bux now to get any of them which is probably a good thing cause it keeps me from making a quick decision and then regretting it later. I was thinking about that Okuma EVx at first but noticed it has an ACS reel seat. I think I'd rather have the ECS instead so I started looking again. I'll get one sometime. Just want to try to make sure it's the "right" one.   I do think I've pretty well settled on it going to be a Powell, all I have to do is nail down the power rating of which one to get, and maybe the length.  Never had a 7' rod and I'm thinking of going that way.

[LAO162]

Rooster, since you are already comfortable with the Compre models, does it make since for you to consider a Crucial?  They are about the same price point as the Powell and I assume that the Crucial's should have actions close to your Compres. 

On the other hand, I'm a new fan of split grips and no foregrips

[Deputy Dave]

Rooster

If you haven't already you might take a look at the thread I started "Powell vs. Kistler Magnesium" that's currently on page 2 in this section. There might be some useful information in there about the Powell rods.

[grimlin]

I'll take a powell rod over shimano any time of the day.My powell rod is the best rod i have in my rack....I absolutely love it.

I prefer the split grips and no fore grips on my rods...and Powell matches my needs perfectly. 

[The Rooster]

Rooster, since you are already comfortable with the Compre models, does it make since for you to consider a Crucial? They are about the same price point as the Powell and I assume that the Crucial's should have actions close to your Compres.

On the other hand, I'm a new fan of split grips and no foregrips

I did consider them but they have the foregrip and I want it without that this time.  Otherwise I'd just get another Compre.

[LAO162]

I've actually tried a couple Kistlers, but that's a different thread .  I've only handled Powells briefly, but I think they would give you a different perspective on rods.  You'll certainly know how you feel about the split grip etc...   

[DINK WHISPERER]

That is not even a fair comparison, POWELL by a long shot!

[Big Bait Fishing]

Rooster , you know i was kidding !! 

when paying good money for a rod , you HAVE to take your time and find the perfect one . i research ALOT about rods and try to gain all the info i can , i choose to go with having my rods custom made because i can't find one that is exactly how i want it , so i have researched all the components and come up with how i exactly want my rod to be like . when you buy a rod for yourself , it is for YOU and no one else , so take your time and choose what you want ............ 

[The Rooster]

Yeah I knew you were kidding.  I was just explaining my situation was all.

Seems I read somewhere that the makers of the Powell rods had input from someone involved with Dobyns rods too.  Is that right??  Just now on ***.com I noticed that a Dobyns Savvy rod is nearly the same thing as the Powell. Do these directly compare?? 

[The Rooster]

That is not even a fair comparison, POWELL by a long shot!

I'm really hoping that is the case cause I do love the Compre rods I have here.  If the Powell is really that much better over the Compre then for just that little bit more money it sounds like I am in for a treat.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Gary Dobyns was the chief designer of the

bass rods for Powell .......

from TT -

Background & Impressions: Leveraging nearly 100 years of rod building expertise, Keith Bryan, President and Owner of Powell Products, Inc., since 2002 has taken the company headlong into arguably, the hottest segment of today's fishing market, bass fishing. In our previous article, we shared with you, our discussions with Gary Dobyns, chief designer of the bass rod line, and what both he and Keith Bryan went through bringing these rods to market.

[kikstand454]

it seems like everyone is talkin you into the powell.

thats great.

keep me in mind when you go to sell your used compre's.

;D

[The Rooster]

Yeah I think it's gonna be the Powell.  I will definitely pick one up but it will be later this year for sure.  It will have to be a gift for an occasion though.  Such as my anniversary which is late October.  Too bad, but I think that's the one for me.  Just looks too perfect, has everything I want in a rod.  Hope it fishes as nice as it seems looking at it on the screen.  I might take a drive to feel one directly though.  Looked up the closest dealers to me on Mapquest and there is one 1 1/2 hours away.  Not too far past one of the lakes I fish.  I'll have to call first to see if they have any.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Yeah I think it's gonna be the Powell. I will definitely pick one up but it will be later this year for sure. It will have to be a gift for an occasion though. Such as my anniversary which is late October. Too bad, but I think that's the one for me. Just looks too perfect, has everything I want in a rod. Hope it fishes as nice as it seems looking at it on the screen. I might take a drive to feel one directly though. Looked up the closest dealers to me on Mapquest and there is one 1 1/2 hours away. Not too far past one of the lakes I fish. I'll have to call first to see if they have any.

just make sure you handle it first , for me , the Powell's have short handles , the model you are wanting has a 10" handle , way too short for me  :-/ but you might like it http://www.***.com/Powell_Max_Casting_Rods/descpage-PCR.html# click on the rod , then look to the right where they show the rods ..........

[The Rooster]

That's actually really comparible to the Compre I use now. I just measured them and they are 9" of cork. 10" hits right in the middle of the exposed blank cutout on the ECS reel seat. That would be fine with me. I would like to handle them first though to see if I like the overall "feel" in hand. Some rods have a way of feeling more refined than others. The St. Croix Triumph that was given to me feels inferior to the Compre's I use. Even to a Clarus that is more in matching with it's pricepoint, the Triumph comes up short in my opinion.  Both rods look similarly built, contain good components, but even when I fish them side by side the St. Croix just feels nowhere near as nice.  I don't want that Powell to be like that after I get it but from what I read here in this thread it doesn't seem like it will.

[The Rooster]

it seems like everyone is talkin you into the powell.

thats great.

keep me in mind when you go to sell your used compre's.

;D

If I sell them then I will post them in the flea market. They are both in like new condition. I'm a fanatic when it comes to taking care of things. Can't stand scratches. Both of these rods have been fishing for one VERY LIGHT season and look as if they were purchased yesterday. Cork is not even dirty.

However I am still debating whether or not I'd want to just keep them for other purposes.  One is a MH and would make a good spinnerbait rod.  But since I am such a self described fanatic then that means I'm also one who wants all the rods to match too so I'd probably get another Powell just for this purpose as well, necessary or not.