PondBoss Posted May 8, 2011 Posted May 8, 2011 I saw a few of these at Academy today, they were super cool looking. If I didn't know any better I'd say it was a Vendetta with a different paint job. Does anyone have any info on them? Quote
Gotta-go-Fishin Posted May 9, 2011 Posted May 9, 2011 I bought one last year. Like you, I was impressed with the looks. After a day on the water, I quickly took the rod back. It does not fish as well as it looks. Also, after only minutes on the water, one of the guide eye inserts broke out and was cutting my line. Maybe they have improve the quality since, but definitely not a Vendetta last year. Quote
Super User Gatorbassman Posted May 9, 2011 Super User Posted May 9, 2011 I bought one last year. Like you, I was impressed with the looks. After a day on the water, I quickly took the rod back. It does not fish as well as it looks. Also, after only minutes on the water, one of the guide eye inserts broke out and was cutting my line. Maybe they have improve the quality since, but definitely not a Vendetta last year. I'm not sure if you're talking about the same rod. If I uderstand it right Academy just came out with those rods last month. Quote
PondBoss Posted May 9, 2011 Author Posted May 9, 2011 Yeah the rod I"m talking about is called ETHOS I believe. But it is relatively new (only out a month or so) , but I have heard a few bad stories about the previous rods, heard some good reviews also though. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted May 9, 2011 Super User Posted May 9, 2011 Don't buy it just because it's super cool looking , that's definately the wrong reason. Quote
PondBoss Posted May 9, 2011 Author Posted May 9, 2011 Well I'm aware of that. Looking cool is just an added bonus. It's light weight and balances very well. Like I said, it looks and feels exactly like my Vendetta minus having cork handles. Quote
Bassyak Posted May 9, 2011 Posted May 9, 2011 I bought the 7'6" Heavy model last month and tried it on one outing as a frog rod. It was light and decently balanced with a Curado 200E, and hard to resist with Fuji components at $60. But there was not much tip for casting Rage Toads. I didn't try it for bottom contact baits, so I can't really comment on sensitivity. My biggest beef was that the fit and finish was pretty sloppy. I looked at all the available rods at two different stores and all had issues, primarily epoxy splatters, drips, and runs, slight guide misalignments, blank warp to one side or the other, and gaps between the cork and the rubber grommets at the transition to the blank. I picked the best one I could find and it still had noticeable defects. Not a bad rod, I guess, especially for $60 with Alconites and Fuji reel seats, but it couldn't compare with my Powell and Loomis sticks, or really even my Shimano Compres. I returned it and ended up buying a Abu Vendetta from Amazon for less than $50. Much nicer rod for the money IMO based on the fit and finish, and feel after casting around the yard(though I haven't tried it on the water yet). Quote
PondBoss Posted May 9, 2011 Author Posted May 9, 2011 I bought the 7'6" Heavy model last month and tried it on one outing as a frog rod. It was light and decently balanced with a Curado 200E, and hard to resist with Fuji components at $60. But there was not much tip for casting Rage Toads. I didn't try it for bottom contact baits, so I can't really comment on sensitivity. My biggest beef was that the fit and finish was pretty sloppy. I looked at all the available rods at two different stores and all had issues, primarily epoxy splatters, drips, and runs, slight guide misalignments, blank warp to one side or the other, and gaps between the cork and the rubber grommets at the transition to the blank. I picked the best one I could find and it still had noticeable defects. Not a bad rod, I guess, especially for $60 with Alconites and Fuji reel seats, but it couldn't compare with my Powell and Loomis sticks, or really even my Shimano Compres. I returned it and ended up buying a Abu Vendetta from Amazon for less than $50. Much nicer rod for the money IMO based on the fit and finish, and feel after casting around the yard(though I haven't tried it on the water yet). Thats too bad, you are the first thing I've seen negative about it. I'm hoping your store just got a bad batch or something to that effect. The ones at my store were very clean and well made looking. Quote
PondBoss Posted May 14, 2011 Author Posted May 14, 2011 I ended up buying the 7' med/hvy swung in the first fish and the rod broke about a foot from the tip. Took it back got another one and haven't had any problems yet. Will keep updated with how it goes. Quote
PondBoss Posted May 17, 2011 Author Posted May 17, 2011 Managed a couple of fish on my new H2O Express Ethos 6'6" MH. I Gonna say that my first rod was a fluke when it broke, cuz this one is handling it's business as it should. Guys, you gotta give these rods an honest try and see what you think. I'm pretty sure you'll be impressed. They are light weight, balanced well, and fuji reel seats with alconite guides. They are pretty solid. Just for kicks I weighed it, and it comes in at a whopping 4.1 oz. Also weighed my Vendetta that is 8 inches shorter (broken tip) and it weighed 5.5 oz. Talk about a light weight rod that you'll be able to fish with all day long. Quote
Fishing N Boots Posted May 18, 2011 Posted May 18, 2011 I purchased the H2O Express Ethos 6'6" MH with also the H2O Baitcast Reel. Got it all set up and honestly, i dont think ill buy another reel. This thing is awesome. The rod actually has alot of feel. My manager was the first one to buy the reel about a year ago and told me that he will never buy another reel. The gentleman that actually introduced me into the rod is a Tournament Fisherman for North OKC B.A.S.S. Quote
PondBoss Posted May 19, 2011 Author Posted May 19, 2011 Who is he? I'd like to ask him some questions about tournament fishing. Please PM me Quote
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