Would you spend $200 on a rod?

sixtysevensg

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So, I'm going to check out a custom built 12' 6" surf rod this weekend. If I buy it, it'll be the most I've ever spent on a rod. It's kinda scary, but exciting too!
 
I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a rod. Heck! most of my rod/reel combos run $100 or less. I did just buy an Abu Garcia Revo SX off Ebay for about $80. I put it on an Ugly Stik which cost me $39. So that would be my highest prices rig so far. I'm still not sure if the fish can figure out who's got the most expensive rod/reel combo and only bite on that bait. I need to do some more research, hence I will go fishing more often.

I've been to Kiawah Island and fished for red drum with some success. Haven't caught any big ones but the couple small ones I caught were fun. I know there are some whoppers out there. I know a guy who has caught a number of 35" reds.
 
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If you fish enough, and fish certain baits and techniques you'll appreciate high end gear. I've never surf fished so I have no clue on that set up. I have a several $200+ fresh water rods. For light line finesse fishing they are invaluable. IMO it just depends on your experience, skills and techniques. I also use a $50 fiberglass rod a lot.
 
If you fish enough, and fish certain baits and techniques you'll appreciate high end gear. I've never surf fished so I have no clue on that set up. I have a several $200+ fresh water rods. For light line finesse fishing they are invaluable. IMO it just depends on your experience, skills and techniques. I also use a $50 fiberglass rod a lot.
I surf fished a long time ago off Carolina Beach. My most recent fishing has been on inland waterways. Brackish to salt water. My friend has had his best luck in Bass Pond (Kiawah Island) where he's caught quite a few bigguns. Last time I was down there they just weren't biting. We had our best luck on some of the pond outflows but even those were just small 12-15" reds and trout.
 
What I will tell you is this.... fish dont care how much ya rod cost. I have 200 dollar bass rods and reels and fish harris, jordan lake by me and havent caught a fish yet. Up north had the lakes figured out and it was great. I think the fishing is a bit different down here and havent had enough chance to figure it out. But once you do, and you feel the difference in higher end gear it does make a difference in your fishing experience.
 
If you'll use it often it's money well spent, if it'll decorate your den/garage it's money less well spent.
Cheap stuff works and these days can be quite good, but quality crafted items often have subtle traits that set them apart and make the experience better.
 
haha, haha, bwahahaha. I fly fish. What's the question again? It cost me $120 to build a rod to my specs. I did some work for a buddy and have a $400 fly reel to show for it.

It could be worse. My buddy had a custom fly rod rack built for his man cave closet. I think he has a problem.
 
Yes,
I've got a few setups in the $500 range, and I think worth every penny.
That said, I also have some less than $200 that work perfectly certain days and for different techniques.
 
What kind of rod? what are the rods ratings? Fishing rods and reels are like anything else, you get what you pay for. I started surf fishing and was just buying the $30 combos at the local tackle shops. They were fine for a while but eventually I started collecting higher end gear. There is a certain smoothness to higher end gear and you can usually feel the quality in a good rod and reel combo. In certain areas and when fishing for certain species it behooves you to be able to launch your bait 150 yards. A decent rod and reel will get you out there with correct technique. I have developed a crush on Carolina cast pro rods and akios reels. My 12'8" 4-8oz rod was just a little over $300 and the Akios scm 656 was around $260. It is my favorite rod and reel and I can put a 6oz weight on it and launch it well over 100yds. Most of the time it is unnecessary to cast that far. I still love casting that rod though and if I had better technique, I could launch it 200+ yards
 
What kind of rod? what are the rods ratings? Fishing rods and reels are like anything else, you get what you pay for. I started surf fishing and was just buying the $30 combos at the local tackle shops. They were fine for a while but eventually I started collecting higher end gear. There is a certain smoothness to higher end gear and you can usually feel the quality in a good rod and reel combo. In certain areas and when fishing for certain species it behooves you to be able to launch your bait 150 yards. A decent rod and reel will get you out there with correct technique. I have developed a crush on Carolina cast pro rods and akios reels. My 12'8" 4-8oz rod was just a little over $300 and the Akios scm 656 was around $260. It is my favorite rod and reel and I can put a 6oz weight on it and launch it well over 100yds. Most of the time it is unnecessary to cast that far. I still love casting that rod though and if I had better technique, I could launch it 200+ yards
We need to get up and throw some rigs! I just bought a 656 from Tommy a couple weeks ago and I love it! I threw it on a 12' Penn Battallion and am getting pretty consistent 100 yard casts with 5 ounces. I was a HUGE improvment over the Squall 25n I had initially gone with. Cheap is expensive!

Iwas looking hard at a CPS, but just didn't have the extra hundo laying around. I ran across this rod on a fishing forum and it's just down the road from me. It's a custom build from Rod Father out of Hampton Va. 12'6" Rain Shadow 1509 blank, Fuji guides and reel seat. I've heard that the 1509 will throw 12&bait if not more, but I seriously doubt I'll be fishing in those conditions. But, you never know. So, it's a heaver rod. They tend to be stiff and some find them hard to load, but those that love them, love them.
 
I have spent most of my life fishing in the salt.
Offshore, but mostly inshore for giant red drum, trout and flounder. (15 years of that as a professional charter captain)

If you like fishing that much and your gonna use it, buy good equipment, take care of it, and enjoy it. It will last you a long time. www.reelfishhead.com
 
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We need to get up and throw some rigs! I just bought a 656 from Tommy a couple weeks ago and I love it! I threw it on a 12' Penn Battallion and am getting pretty consistent 100 yard casts with 5 ounces. I was a HUGE improvment over the Squall 25n I had initially gone with. Cheap is expensive!

Iwas looking hard at a CPS, but just didn't have the extra hundo laying around. I ran across this rod on a fishing forum and it's just down the road from me. It's a custom build from Rod Father out of Hampton Va. 12'6" Rain Shadow 1509 blank, Fuji guides and reel seat. I've heard that the 1509 will throw 12&bait if not more, but I seriously doubt I'll be fishing in those conditions. But, you never know. So, it's a heaver rod. They tend to be stiff and some find them hard to load, but those that love them, love them.
That is definitely a heaver rod. You would probably need at least 8-10oz to load that rod which is great if you fish those conditions. If you do not drum fish in heavy currents I would probably recommend something lighter.
 
What I will tell you is this.... fish dont care how much ya rod cost. I have 200 dollar bass rods and reels and fish harris, jordan lake by me and havent caught a fish yet. Up north had the lakes figured out and it was great. I think the fishing is a bit different down here and havent had enough chance to figure it out. But once you do, and you feel the difference in higher end gear it does make a difference in your fishing experience.

For a free boat ride I'll get you on fish at Harris. :D

Reservoir bass fishing IS different than fishing natural lakes to some extent.
 
If you want to its your $.

It's funny how fishing rods are. When I shop for one it's for a particular type of fishing. Length first then line weight. Then I feel the response (flex). Once they're narrowed down to one or two the price sometimes isn't the highest.

I find it more difficult to find my "must haves": Cork handle and ability to breakdown.

-R
 
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Fly fishing is way more expensive. That seems cheap.
I don't have the knowledge, but my 13 year old minion does. He's been all about fishing for years now. He likes to visit a neighbor's pond a couple times a week just to practice different combos and techniques. He loves taking the kayaks out on the lake and rigging stuff up too. Our last 2 summer vactions have been centered around fishing... Now he wants to get into fly fishing, that stuff gets expensive quick!

I figure if I by a case of ammo and have a good weekend or two at the range that I really dont have anything to "show" for that $200 I just sent down range other than dirty guns. So if a rod is $200 and its what you need to get the job done, or better yet, its what you "want" to get the job done then go for it! You'll still have something to show for it other than some dirty guns at the end of a weekend. Lol
 
For a free boat ride I'll get you on fish at Harris. :D

Reservoir bass fishing IS different than fishing natural lakes to some extent.


Lol i wish.... im a lowly kayak angler. Although I do have an extra one one if you dont mind purple :) bought it for the wife i think its been used twice. I cant wait for a nice bass boat one day.

I was trying the shallows launched from the boat launch and paddled to toms creek area.
 
Lol i wish.... im a lowly kayak angler. Although I do have an extra one one if you dont mind purple :) bought it for the wife i think its been used twice. I cant wait for a nice bass boat one day.

I was trying the shallows launched from the boat launch and paddled to toms creek area.

My bass boat is up in NY in my brother's barn now. I mostly fish smallies in NY and VT anywway. A good kayak is on my list. I might join you out there. I've had some good luck in a few different areas on Harris. But it is much easier to get around at 60 MPH.
 
Ive never even been on a bass boat I can imagine how nice that must be. I did put together a nice setup with my kayak though. Got a wilderness systems 115x with lowrance fish finder and high rise seat. Stable enough that I can stand up to fish. What was killing me was id paddle over a 10 to 20 ft ledge and see fish stacking up on the edges, big balls of bait fish, but when i run a crankbait or spinner or even drop a senko, i get nothing not even a bite.
 
I started out buying cheapo rods and reels and have worked my way up to more expensive combos, still not into upper end stuff. But I figure $150 rod and $150 reel but I can get the exact length and action rod I want and the exact gear ratio reel I want. Just like guns not everyone needs a nightforce scope but the more you get into it you realize it makes a huge difference.
 
I've got an 18' Tidewater bass boat with a Merc 150 I bought for $1100. Deal of the century. I've been threatening to take it down to Kiawah so that my friend and I can fish some different waters. It's all been fishing from the bank so far. I really need to find some time to get it in a lake around here and shake out any gremlins. Haven't had time to use it since I bought it.
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I have spent most of my life fishing in the salt.
Offshore, but mostly inshore for giant red drum, trout and flounder. (15 years of that as a professional charter captain)

If you like fishing that much and your gonna use it, buy good equipment, take care of it, and enjoy it. It will last you a long time. www.reelfishhead.com
We did a lot of fishing in the Keys. Never knew what you might hook, especially at night.
The guys down there, most especially if they're billfish or tarpon guys, fishing rigs can run into the 4 digits no problem.
I never spent that much on rods & reels. I had no problem shelling out $500 for a speargun though. :D
 
I've got an 18' Tidewater bass boat with a Merc 150 I bought for $1100. Deal of the century. I've been threatening to take it down to Kiawah so that my friend and I can fish some different waters. It's all been fishing from the bank so far. I really need to find some time to get it in a lake around here and shake out any gremlins. Haven't had time to use it since I bought it.
hV1ehZzm.jpg

That is a crazy steal.
 
I've got an 18' Tidewater bass boat with a Merc 150 I bought for $1100. Deal of the century. I've been threatening to take it down to Kiawah so that my friend and I can fish some different waters. It's all been fishing from the bank so far. I really need to find some time to get it in a lake around here and shake out any gremlins. Haven't had time to use it since I bought it.
hV1ehZzm.jpg
You stole that! How do you sleep at night?
 
You stole that! How do you sleep at night?
It was a friend of a friend kind of deal. We gave him what he asked for it. But yeah, when he gave us the price, my arm broke the sound barrier reaching for my wallet.
It was taking up room in his shop and he hadn't taken it out in 8 years. But fortunately he had run the carbs dry before he parked it. I put some fresh fuel in it and it started right up. I also replaced the water pump impeller. Hopefully all I need to do now is throw a couple deep cycle batteries into it and go fish.
 
Actually, 200$ for a custom 12'6" seems cheap.



Bass fishing has gotten crazy expensive. I remember when a good AllStar rod and Shimano reel was 200$ for the set.

Pretty much that is now doubled.
 
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Actually, 200$ for a custom 12'6" seems cheap.



Bass fishing has gotten crazy expensive. I remember when a good AllStar rod and Shimano reel was 200$ for the set.

Pretty much that is now doubled.
It was a good deal from the get go. Guy said from 7 ounces and up it was a cannon. Can't wait to get some test hits on it tomorrow!
 
So after all this talk i felt i had to get out on Harris this morning. And woulda ya know I guess this thread was good luck. Caught my first bass outta there this morning. Decent size fish im very happy now. And yes before you all call it out, I had to put my hook glove on because i had a triple treble hook lure and ive been caught by them bad before. Usually for double treble cranks or plastics I dont pull it out.

20171022_122346.jpg
 
Back when I was building custom rods as a business you would be lucky to have bought the materials for 200.
 
I wish I had never read this thread as it got me to thinking about my boat, rods, reels and tackle. I just cannot believe I pay that much for something to fish with. I have not run my bass boat in over 2 years due to being sick and have just started back fishing when I can get an open back seat.
 
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