new rods

[grizkid]

just wondering if you guys think its worth spending alot of money on a rod strictly for burning the blades have the 16n trinidad but now just need a rod to put it on am looking at the new avao series by musky mayhem as well as the sling blade also got to fish with the tackle industie rod this summer and thought it was a pretty nice rod. ? is is it really worth blowing the bank on a rod basically good for 1 thing.for other rods i have an 8' gander mh with a 300 curado. a 8'6" gander h with a 700TE. and a 9' musky armour with a 400TE. leaning heavy towards the avao but just want a few opinions please

[dudeness]

Here is my theory. Reels burn out. Rods don't. If you get a rod with a lifetime warranty you should pretty much have it for life, Unless it goes in the drink. I like spending an extra couple bucks on the rods... That's coming from a guy that's been throwing blades on an $80 reel for the last 3 years, call me lucky but I think those Pete Maina reels are the bees knees.

[Sam Sterner]

I talked to Brad Hoppe from Musky Mayhem on the phone about thier Avaio rods and says he uses them for everything from blades to pounders, so this rod can cover a wide range of baits, not just burning blades. I was sold enough talking to him to get my dad one for Christmas.

[propster]

Dudeness, we only used them for 3 months last fall, but I think I might agree with you on that reel. Our first impressions are that they work pretty good. We got the 4.2 ratio and they bring blades in almost too easy, you don't hardly feel any resistance at all. Remains to be seen how the drag and gears hold up, but you've obviously had success so we'll see.

[Esox_Magnum]

I ran the Tackle Industries 9' XH last fall, I love it for big blades and rubber up to pounders. My blade specific rod is a 9' Predator but the TI compares well and you can buy 3 for the price of my Predator.

[grizkid]

sam i do get what your saying but with the 16n what are you really gonna throw besides blades no levelwind and at 46 per crankits pretty limited especially when ive already got the 700te.

[mainbutter]

It doesn't take much to make a good blade burning rod. You don't need to buy a $300 to have a rod that does everything you want for burning blades.

I'd never spend more than $80 on a rod for blades. However, I do like to have a rod rigged up specifically for that purpose in the boat at all times.

[scsavre]

Thats a tough question, I used to always go for the most expensive rods and reels. The last 2 seasons i have gone alot more conservative and i am very happy. I bought a couple of Gander rods and a Shimano (2 years ago I would laugh at the guy using these)but like i said i am very happy.

Someone said they would rather put more into the rod than the reel, I am up in the air about that. I think i would rather have the better reel (mid range), as long as the rod i was using was pretty good. It is nice to get a lifetime warranty on the rod though (even though i have never had to use it).

I have lost plenty of fish on reel malfunctions but in 15 years i havent snapped a rod (knock on wood). I understand why some rods cost so much, but really i am musky fishing, and 85% of the time i dont need much extra fineness or feel. I just wish it wouldnt have took me 13 years to figure this out.

You could easily stay under $100 for each or under $200 for the combo.

Either way I think you will be very happy. You will also find that the rods are very versatile and can be used for more than what they say on them.

[dudeness]

Propster, I been waiting for the other shoe to drop for 3 years. It finally took throwing mag dawgs this fall. Reel got a little rough, so I sent it in, 6$ for a new pinion and drive. Great customer service too. I beat the living day lights out of that reel too.

Back to original question, if your looking for a blade rod, your probably looking for something 8' plus. Not sure how many "cheap" rods at that length are out there. I like a good rod for casting, feel, and fighting the fish.

A rod that loads up nice on the cast will do half of the work for you and save your shoulders on a long day.

Feel, we're not jiggin for eyes but it's nice to feel thoughs blades spinning, if I feel a little disturbance, I'm popping that rod and a lot of times I set the hook on a fish, or loose some weeds. Nice to feel the blades when your slow rollin too.

Fighting fish, I guess boatside tactics fall into this category too, but it sucks when your rod wont absurb headshakes and all the other cool stuff fish do when they fight. You don't want to bring in a bait with straightened out hooks.

I got a 7'7" Loomis that works great for blades. Experts will probably say it's too short, but I cant wait to get a slingblade or something like that.

[Esox_Magnum]

The Tackle Industries rods are about $125 for a 9' and they will fit in an 8' rod locker. I have used the Gander rods and Compres, they are not even close to the same rods as the TI are. I use 2 rods now the TI and the Predator, will be adding 1-2 more TI's to replace a G Loomis and Thorne Bros C Series.

[grizkid]

Thanks for the input so far guys got some info from a friend he says bring your reel to the show and put it on a few rods see what rod balances it well or what feels good to you never thought about bringing the reel with before so i think thats what i will do. I am definatly gonna put it on one of james xh 9'. Is it april yet.

[Esox_Magnum]

I did the reel thing last year when I was trying to decide between a Sling Blade, Predator and Loomis Steel. I made them get me one out of a box. Made the choice simple after putting a reel on.

[nater]

I ran the Tackle Industries 9' XH last fall,

Does that rod have enough tip to rip the supermodels around on the 8? Or would you suggest the XXH?

[scsavre]

This is just making me want to get out buy some rods. Esox, I might have to look into the TI, seems like a good price point too.

I think the cheaper rods that i used this year were Gander, that ran about $80, I could feel my blades plenty good, slow or fast, which has never been difficult anyway.

As far as absorbing headshakes and boat side fights, I havent had that problem since upgrading from the old school 6 foot pool cues we used to use. I think i boated every fish by myself this year and the rods worked great.

I might have to get one of those Mania reels, seems like you guys have liked them and their service. I have to send a couple of Calcuttas back for repair today. Hope it goes as well.

Just get out there and play with plenty of rods, go for whatever feels best, If cost isnt an issue, get whatever you want, if you cant justify $300 just remember that the $100 rods get the job done too. Good luck

[50inchpig]

Lots of good rods out there but the Gander rods are a steal, couple oz heavier than more expensive rods but perfect action IMO for lots of different baits.

[Esox_Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Esox_Magnum

I ran the Tackle Industries 9' XH last fall,

Does that rod have enough tip to rip the supermodels around on the 8? Or would you suggest the XXH?

I think it does but only made a few casts with one. Weight wise it's only a shade heavier than my 9' Predator so it's easy on the arms.

[Muskiefool]

Get a rod made in the USA, lots of these new "Fad" rods out; pay for some quality.

[Esox_Magnum]

That pretty much leaves St Croix, even though my Predatord built on a Croix made blank it still on has a 1 year warrenty, for $100 I get a 5 year with my TI rods. Granted my Loomis are lifetime but still cost to replace them.

Nothing against Croixs but most cant afford $200-$400 for a rod, I can but choose to buy the TI rods and use the savings for baits, gas, and savings for a new boat.

[Musky Buck]

I go Calcutta's and Revo Toro's on Gander mountain rods, 7'4". Get a 2 year warranty I think and if it lasts 2 years you got it made, I have had to bring back 4 rods so far, but for the price, easy return to Gander, and I have had great luck sticking my bites, maybe I'm just better at it but they are my favorites although the quality is shaky, I wish it wasn't.

[john skarie]

St. Croix all the way. I'll buy fewer rods and pay a little more.

The rods are great quality and they have service second to none.

I also like the idea of buying a rod made in muskie country.

Besides, if we don't buy made in the USA than who will??

Support your American brothers and sisters.

JS

[Esox_Magnum]

I guess as long as I'm buying from an American company, I am supporting Americans. The small guys trying to make it in the muskie industries need our help to. Without them our choices get pretty limited. I own a few Crioxs myself and they are a great rod but in todays economy one must look at all choices.

I do try and buy American when I can but I also like having the best avalible and sometimes thats not made in the USA. I try and buy as much as I can from the local shops and small venders, hopefully the little I spend there helps keep them around.

I have never been a fan of cheap budget rods for anything, but after buying and using a TI rod that opened my eyes for sure. It's all the rod my Predator is. Time will tell what one lasts the longest. Ask me again in a year or two. If there is a problem I'll be sure and report it.

[Muskiefool]

Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why would somebody put a guarantee on a box? Hmmm, very interesting.

Ted Nelson, Customer: Go on, I'm listening.

Tommy: Here's the way I see it, Ted. Guy puts a fancy guarantee on a box 'cause he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside.

Ted Nelson, Customer: Yeah, makes a man feel good.

Tommy: 'Course it does. Why shouldn't it? Ya figure you put that little box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter, am I right, Ted?

[chuckles until he sees that Ted is not laughing too]

Ted Nelson, Customer: [impatiently] What's your point?

Tommy: The point is, how do you know the fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy; well, we're not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that's all it takes. The next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser, and your daughter's knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.

Ted Nelson, Customer: But why do they put a guarantee on the box?

Tommy: Because they know all they sold ya was a guaranteed piece of $#!+. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me.

Ted Nelson, Customer: [pause] Okay, I'll buy from you.

Tommy: Well, that's...

Tommy, Richard Hayden: ...What?

[Shawn Kellett]

LMAO!!!!!

I just had a vision of John (Muskiefool) doing "fat guy in a little coat".

[dudeness]

Muskiefool, I love it. Tommy could sell a ketchup popsicle to a women wearing white gloves!

One more thing, St. Croix makes other rods than just their Legends. I haven't bought a Premier in a long time but last I checked they had a 5 year warranty at a pretty competitive price. Not telling anybody what rod to buy, just saying St. Croix has different price points.

Bottom line, there are a lot of choices out there these days, best thing is to check them all out at a show or something and see what your most comfortable with. Find out all the details too. Some of these warranty's will be full replacement with some [PoorWordUsage] 60$ fee.

[nater]

I've liked my one Okuma with the lifetime warranty and busted a couple guides over the years. I only had to pay for shipping ($14) and the send me a brand new rod in about 1.5 weeks.

The TI rods seem like a really good choice but with the customer service I've had with Okuma and the telescopic 9'3" rod, I might go that route. They are both very reasonably priced 9 foot rods, saves me enough money to take my wife out panfishing from time to time during the summer.