Skeet Reese Rods

[jenga]

I just saw the skeet reese rods at Bass Pro.  Just wondering if any of you have owned one and what you thought of them.  I am thinking of buying the crankbait rod.

Thanks,

Jenga

[KYntucky Warmouth]

The crankbait rod seems worthless, no backbone at all.  The Spinnerbait rod would make a good crank rod though.

[Beastie Bass]

I found every one I picked up was HEAVY! I also felt the crankin' rod was like a wet noodle. ;D

[burleytog]

I found every one I picked up was HEAVY! I also felt the crankin' rod was like a wet noodle. ;D

Heavy?

[K_Mac]

I don't own the crankbait rod , but I have used it throwing a 100 series Bandit. I really liked it. It may not have have enough power for deep divers, but I think it would be fine for all others. Just my .02 based on limited usage.

[torsten329]

I have the spinnerbait/worm rod and use it for cranking a lot. It works fine, but I'm not a big fan of the rod. I recently got a gold series carrot stick and the skeet rod doesn't even compare. If you wanted to get a skeet rod you can use for more than cranking the spinnerbait/worm rod works great for the $

[BassThumb]

I've never fished with them, but I hated them from the second I picked one up in the store and put a STX on it while shopping for cranking sticks. I wouldn't recommend these to anyone for more than $50. You can make much better use of that $80 in the flea markets on this site or others, or with a new St. Croix Premier for $100.

[skunked_again]

I've never fished with them, but I hated them from the second I picked one up in the store and put a STX on it while shopping for cranking sticks. I wouldn't recommend these to anyone for more than $50. You can make much better use of that $80 in the flea markets on this site or others, or with a new St. Croix Premier for $100.

what didnt you like about the rod?

[BassThumb]

I've never fished with them, but I hated them from the second I picked one up in the store and put a STX on it while shopping for cranking sticks. I wouldn't recommend these to anyone for more than $50. You can make much better use of that $80 in the flea markets on this site or others, or with a new St. Croix Premier for $100.

what didnt you like about the rod?

In my opinion, it has a very whippy tip with poor recovery, a very slow action, inadaquate backbone, poor sensitivity, and I didn't like the way it balanced and felt with a Revo mounted on it.

But if it works for you, go with it. I think the fast action ones would make for decent rods for moving lures where sensitivity is not critical, like buzzbaits and spinnerbaits fished on or near the surface.

[Deputy Dave]

Let me start out by saying that if this rod or rods in this price range work for you than more power to you. Fish on! However, it just amazes me how some of the top names in fishing seem to always endorse or come out with lines of rods and other equipment that is on the low-end of quality and performance. I've never fished a Skeet Reese rod but I have handled them several times in stores and the first thing that comes to mind every time I pick one up is "Ugly Stick". Even the KVD line of rods feel super heavy and have about the same sensitivity as a low end BPS rod. Fishing for as much money as these guys do I can't believe that they even actually use the rods that they endorse! It just goes to show you that the money they make on the tournament trail is only a small portion of their income. The real money comes from what they put their name on.

I guess if I ever had the opportunity to fish for a living I would want to use the equipment that most improved my chances to win every tournament that I fished. I'm sure that companies like Loomis, St. Crox, Kistler and Dobyns would love to have a line of rods with KVD or Skeet Reese's name on them! Quantum I guess is just a much bigger company and can afford to pay KVD alot more cash to use his name. Like I said, if they know they are going to fish with the line of rods that they put their name on why not endorse a great rod in the $250-$350 range. Wouldn't that rod be much better to fish for $100K with? It's not like Quantum doesn't already sell rods that are more expensive than this newest rod that KVD endorses. Why not just put your name on the very best rod that Quantum can make? I realize that they are trying to sell rods at a price point that "most" people will spend but I still can't get past the fact that I have to fish with the rods that I put my name on.

[firefightn15]

Let me start out by saying that if this rod or rods in this price range work for you than more power to you. Fish on! However, it just amazes me how some of the top names in fishing seem to always endorse or come out with lines of rods and other equipment that is on the low-end of quality and performance. I've never fished a Skeet Reese rod but I have handled them several times in stores and the first thing that comes to mind every time I pick one up is "Ugly Stick". Even the KVD line of rods feel super heavy and have about the same sensitivity as a low end BPS rod. Fishing for as much money as these guys do I can't believe that they even actually use the rods that they endorse! It just goes to show you that the money they make on the tournament trail is only a small portion of their income. The real money comes from what they put their name on.

I guess if I ever had the opportunity to fish for a living I would want to use the equipment that most improved my chances to win every tournament that I fished. I'm sure that companies like Loomis, St. Crox, Kistler and Dobyns would love to have a line of rods with KVD or Skeet Reese's name on them! Quantum I guess is just a much bigger company and can afford to pay KVD alot more cash to use his name. Like I said, if they know they are going to fish with the line of rods that they put their name on why not endorse a great rod in the $250-$350 range. Wouldn't that rod be much better to fish for $100K with? It's not like Quantum doesn't already sell rods that are more expensive than this newest rod that KVD endorses. Why not just put your name on the very best rod that Quantum can make? I realize that they are trying to sell rods at a price point that "most" people will spend but I still can't get past the fact that I have to fish with the rods that I put my name on.

Many people from all walks pay attention to these professionals and my bet would be that for the most part most of the retail sales within the fishing industry is generated by lower to middle class income purchasers. In order for these end users to associate themselves with their "favorite" fishing pro, they need products that they can afford. Everybody wins, the manufacturer from volume sales on a lower end product, the end user being able to buy a piece of logo'd or endorsed fishing gear for a reasonable amount of money, and the Kevin Van Dam's of this world because their fan base is getting what they want.

I guess what I am thinking is that the Skeet Reese's and Kevin Van Dam's could put their names to $300 rods, but why price your fans out of the mix?

[BassThumb]

I've never fished a Skeet Reese rod but I have handled them several times in stores and the first thing that comes to mind every time I pick one up is "Ugly Stick".

Exactly what it reminds me of, a slightly nicer version of the Ugly Stick, and a very ugly one at that.

[BassThumb]

Many people from all walks pay attention to these professionals and my bet would be that for the most part most of the retail sales within the fishing industry is generated by lower to middle class income purchasers. In order for these end users to associate themselves with their "favorite" fishing pro, they need products that they can afford. Everybody wins, the manufacturer from volume sales on a lower end product, the end user being able to buy a piece of logo'd or endorsed fishing gear for a reasonable amount of money, and the Kevin Van Dam's of this world because their fan base is getting what they want.

I guess what I am thinking is that the Skeet Reese's and Kevin Van Dam's could put their names to $250-300 rods, but why price your fans out of the mix?

You make a good point, but I disagree about one thing. Only those who stand to make a profit win in this situation. The end user does not. They just paid for the name at the expense of quality.

You should see how the local Cabela's pushes these things. I bet the mark-up is significantly higher than with quality brands whose rods, I assume, cost more to build. You can tell where the profit is by looking at how and where the product is displayed in the store, and with the Tessera, it's always front and center, at least in my experience.

[firefightn15]

Many people from all walks pay attention to these professionals and my bet would be that for the most part most of the retail sales within the fishing industry is generated by lower to middle class income purchasers. In order for these end users to associate themselves with their "favorite" fishing pro, they need products that they can afford. Everybody wins, the manufacturer from volume sales on a lower end product, the end user being able to buy a piece of logo'd or endorsed fishing gear for a reasonable amount of money, and the Kevin Van Dam's of this world because their fan base is getting what they want.

I guess what I am thinking is that the Skeet Reese's and Kevin Van Dam's could put their names to $250-300 rods, but why price your fans out of the mix?

Everybody who stands to make a profit wins in this situation. The end user does not. They just paid for the name at the expense of quality.

You should see how the local Cabela's pushes these things. I bet the mark-up is significantly higher than with other brands whose rods I imagine cost more to build.

The profit margin may be higher, but the fact of the matter is that it is still more affordable to those who can't afford to spend big bucks.  I do not disagree with what has been said of rod quality and as it happens, I have looked at them Reese rods myself and decided that they weren't for me.  There are a lot of people who don't understand technique specifics or materials, or balance, etc.  What they do know is what the have  to spend and what they are happy with.

[BassThumb]

What they do know is what the have to spend and what they are happy with.

This is true. That's why I directed this guy to the flea market or to a St. Croix Premier, which is in the same price class and a rod that they will likely be happier with.

[firefightn15]

The Premier is one rod that I feel is totally underrated.  While I like my Avids, I have had may of the Premiers and still have one.  For $100 it is still in my top five pics. 8-)

[BassThumb]

Yeah it is. I still use one for light topwater and jerkbaits. My favorite rod for $100 is a used Avid. ;D

[Hammer 4]

Dobyns...

[pat_walker_fishing]

1 word....JUNK!

[Deputy Dave]

You can pick up a BPS catalog at any time and find 3 or 4 different Quantum rods with KVD's name on them, as well as reels. I guess my point is, if I has to fish tournaments with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line every year I'm pretty sure that I try to work something out with my sponsors that allowed me to fish the best rod that they produce. I realize that Skeet and some of the other top pros stick to one or two lines of rods that they endorse.

Like I said in my original post, I realize that the companies are marketing their products to sell to their largest consumer group. I'm sure that for alot of fisherman spending $85 for a Skeet Reese rod or dropping $150 on a KVD rod is alot of money. But I think BeaverIslander hit it right on the head when he said that these guys are " they are paying for the name at the expense of quality"

I'm sure that someone with the power that a guy like KVD has in the sport he could fish the tournament trail with one type of rod that he endorses and then maybe fish with a rod like his current $150 rod on all the TV shows that he's on. To me this would be the best of both worlds but I've been a cop for the last 25yrs so that tells you alot about my level of intelligence! I obviously know absolutely nothing about the fishing business!!

[skunked_again]

1 word....JUNK!

how does one tell a difference between junk and quality in the store? id love to know because i have rods i hate that draw raves from posters and i have rods i like that draw boos.

ignoring the price and the name on the rod, what should i do to find a good rod while in the store?

[Hammer 4]

Usually, you get what you pay for..not always, but most of the time. Then the question is, How much do you have to pay to get a quality rod..?

[Beastie Bass]

I found every one I picked up was HEAVY! I also felt the crankin' rod was like a wet noodle. ;D

Heavy?

YEP, not to mention it did'nt feel balanced at all with a revo S or a citica! I would'nt even pay $50 for one, I'd save my money and buy a St. Croix!

[pat_walker_fishing]

skunked...i guess its just personal prefrance when i consider it junk...my buddy bought 2 of them and hated them...he sold them to me for cheap and they both have broke...I didnt really like the feel of them..I use the older all-stars that i have customize them to what i like...sometimes i wonder if A rod reese or vandam endorse is the same rod we buy for so cheap at bass pro or wherever...or its just looks like it cosmetically

[pat_walker_fishing]

since i stick to my older generation allstars...ive heard about alot of rods out there in the 80-100 dollar range are good sticks.....I know i lovethe way the look..thats why ive done all the work on the rods i have....i try to find mine on ebay or craigslist.....The guy i bought the skeet reese rods from went back and bought 2 falcon Boocoos and loves them