High End - Specialty Rods

[KickNBass]

Aside from the usual players in the metro, i.e. Thorne Bros, Capras, Joes, Fleet Farm, Gander, Cabelas...

...are there any other places that have high end specialty bass rods. Not custom rods, production rods, looking for some variety of manufacturers here.

[Nick Kuhn]

You usually see quite a few options at the show in the Spring. Otherwise I really can't think of anyone else that carries them.

[KickNBass]

That's a good point, plus there's that new bass fishing sports show in Blaine in April too...

[Presco]

JR's Tackle up in Brooklyn Center has (had) a pretty good selection of nice rods and reels. I thought I had heard he was going to stop selling rods, but not sure. You may want to call first depending on how long your drive is. His shop is really more of a storefront in a warehouse area, but he discounts a lot of his stuff.

There is also Trails End in Fridley. They might sell rods, I can't remember.

[KickNBass]

Thanks, Trails End has rods but they're mostly old stock.

[bASS_BLASTER]

That's about it. Its nice to touch, feel and hold a rod in person but nowadays the internet has the best deals. Mostly marked down prices, some with free shipping and no taxes.

[itchmesir]

That's about it. Its nice to touch, feel and hold a rod in person but nowadays the internet has the best deals. Mostly marked down prices, some with free shipping and no taxes.

yup.. rarely have i paid store prices for rods i have bought online.. or honestly for ANYTHING i buy online... after figuring in gas and taxes to your purchase total.. online is almost always the way to go.. actually just got a rod for $120 less than its retail price today... and honestly if you go with a rod brand you're familiar with.. i highly doubt you'd really need to test it first

also some sites now.. like Cabelas.. allow you to field test rods for up to 30(or 60.. cant remember) days with a no questions asked return policy

[KickNBass]

Quote:

i highly doubt you'd really need to test it first

No offense but I really disagree with that.

Compare a 7' MH between St. Croix, Loomis, Abu Garcia, Carrot Stix, whatever, they can be very different.

It's no different than clothing.

I have no problem buying online and have done it myself but only after I have it in my hands and preferably have compared it with other rods.

Maybe at this point a guy like me has to, as you said, rely on a return policy if he wants to try some of these rarer brands.

[itchmesir]

No offense but I really disagree with that.

Compare a 7' MH between St. Croix, Loomis, Abu Garcia, Carrot Stix, whatever, they can be very different.

It's no different than clothing.

I have no problem buying online and have done it myself but only after I have it in my hands and preferably have compared it with other rods.

Maybe at this point a guy like me has to, as you said, rely on a return policy if he wants to try some of these rarer brands.

oh i didn't mean comparing multiple rod brands.. i mean.. if you have used mainly st. croix rods.. you should have a pretty good sense of what to expect if you end up ordering a st. croix online

Also reading reviews tends to help a bit when really stuck between two brands.. sure in the end it comes down to personal preference.. but if review after review is picking one rod over another.. it can usually be a safe bet

[mww24]

also. if you have questions go to bass boat central into the rod and reel forum. there is some tackle nuts that have used it all.

[Sportland_Bait]

Send me an email or private message. I can get you a better deal on most brands you are looking at. Just let me know what you are thinking about. We sell most of them.

Jason Erlandson

[email protected]

[bASS_BLASTER]

What can you do for a megabass destroyer 72x4. Can you beat $409, no tax and free shipping? j/w someone I know is looking for one....

[bASS_BLASTER]

sorry, didn't see your email listed

[fishuhalik]

$409 for a rod?! i'm sorry, but regardless of my paycheck i could never spend that much on a rod. my combos cost almost half that much, & i feel like i have pretty decent setups! there's nothing a $400 rod'll do that a rod half that much won't do.

[itchmesir]

$409 for a rod?! i'm sorry, but regardless of my paycheck i could never spend that much on a rod. my combos cost almost half that much, & i feel like i have pretty decent setups! there's nothing a $400 rod'll do that a rod half that much won't do.

The only thing I like about more expensive rods.. besides the increased feel and performace of the rod is Lifetime Warranties... i like knowing that if the rod ever breaks.. that it will be replaced.. and i wont have to spend another $200-??? on a rod to replace it... it'll get replaced for free(defects) or at a fraction of the cost of a new rod(user error)..

[fishuhalik]

you get that same warrenty with alot of "cheaper" rods. the only ones i've personally had to return were lamiglass & st. croix. my bro-in-law slammed the lamiglass in the truck door & it was somewhere around $50 to replace it, & the st. croix broke on some reeds & they replaced it free of charge. a buddy of mine melted his lamiglass on a lightbulb & they replaced it for the same approx. $50. just remembered, i also broke a gander rod, it was one of the more expensive ones around $120. i actually really liked it. i just brought it in & they gave me a new one, no ?s asked.

[BTL]

I noticed my local Walmart is now selling those yellow Skeet Reese rods :-P

[KickNBass]

I don't fault anybody for buying high end stuff. If you are really looking for something specific, or are an enthusiast, it's easy to get there.

However, performance wise/bang for your buck I think I could get way with a cheap rod much easier than reels etc. There are some really nice rods out there for pretty cheap.

[Sportland_Bait]

I think the Shimano Cumara deserves looking at. It is an awesome rod at a moderate price.

Jason Erlandson

[bASS_BLASTER]

Now everything works the same way. Here's how I see it.

[KickNBass]

Nice boat...

[bASS_BLASTER]

Nice boat...

see what i mean

[mww24]

409 for a rod. why not if thats what you like. personally I wouldn't because I don't have the funds. But if you do more power to you. Like I said kicknbass. go to bassboatcentral. There some serious tackle junkies there. maybe even find some used stuff for a good deal.

[Cecil]

So, if you have nicer stuff you are just showing off?

[bassfshin24]

If I had the money I would be all for it. There's a reason those prices are that high...high quality. Would love to try one out just see what it feels like. I saw some Daiwa rods on TW that were in the $500 range.