Berkley Cherrywood Glass

[hanson]

Yippee! Yippee! Yippee!

From what I've been told, the Cherrywood Glass rod by Berkley is the "next" replacement for the venerable Berkley Reflex rod. I'm not quite sure why Berkley can't leave well enough alone but oh well.

The original Reflex rod has a white blank, with an EVA foam handle.

This was replaced with the "new" Reflex which has a white blank with red wraps, and a very nice cork handle. I've got 3 of these rods and love them very much.

When the Reflex disappeared, the Glowstick hit the market. I don't think I will ever own a Glowstick. If I do, it'll be for Star Wars light saber reenactments. LOL! The rod is a good idea, but not executed very well.

And now we have the CherryWood Glass. The CherryWood is available in several models:

- 8' Casting, MH action, 1-4oz lure weight, 10-25lb line test

- 7' Spinning, M action, 1/2-3oz lure weight, 10-20lb line test

- 8' Spinning, MH action, 1-4 oz lure weight, 10-25lb line test

- 9' Spinning, MH action, 1-5 oz lure weight, 10-30lb line

These rods are not white, rather a reddish color. I can't tell exactly from the small pictures on Berkleys site but they look like pretty cool rods.

All rods are 2 piece and the best part is the price, $37.95. Not too shabby for us budget minded catfisherman. Team that with a Garcia 6500 or 7000 and you have an awesome cat combo for under $150!

I've got to thank my cattin' friends from Montana for giving me the tip on this rod.

I've got an 8' MH Casting on the way so I can compare it against my Reflexes. Will keep ya'll informed.

Its amazing how many good catfish rods are on the market now. A few short years ago, it was hard to find good rods, and heck, manufacturers were dropping catfish specific rods from their lineups. Berkley dropped the E-Cat, St Croix dropped the Classic Catfish, Berkley had been playing around with the Reflex, etc.

[rushing]

I dont think it will be long before we start to see more higher end rods being offered by rod comapnies again.

[hanson]

Holy Smokes...

price correction guys...

Catfish Connection has these rods for $23.30 (8' Casting).

I'll let you know if it really is a Reflex when it arrives.

[bgreen82]

hey, just got myself into a 6500c3, now i need to pair it with a rod. once you get your cherrywood glass you will have to let me know. was looking more at a 7' since wont be casting too far and will be using in a boat often i hope, but maybe 8' will have to do. let us know.

[hanson]

Will do sir. Should be any day now I hope.

If they are anything like the Reflexes, you are getting a very versatile rod for $25. I fish Sturgeon with them, Flatheads, and they handle the sumo Red River channel cats very well.

[Ralph Wiggum]

bgreen,

Check out the Quantum Big Cat series. I know Moore's Bait has them. They're 7'6" so they are not too huge for a boat, and you get a nice rod for ~$35.

[hanson]

Is it your birthday Ryan? I see the cake by your name!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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Is it your birthday Ryan? I see the cake by your name!

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Perhaps it is...

[bgreen82]

happy b-day dude, one month before mine.

[hanson]

My Berkley Cherrywood came last night!

I tell you what, its a dead ringer for the discontinued Berkley Reflex rods.

A couple things to mention...

- The rod has a dark red blank. Like it or not, its red and not white, black or some other "cool" color. But I'm OK with that.

- The rod guides are gold colored. They match the blank pretty well! The amount, size, and spacing of the guides is identical to a Reflex.

- Cork grip is slightly different. The rear grip is about 2" shorter than a Reflex.

Other than that, they are the exact same rod and I'm excited!

Now some folks never liked the Reflex rods, I do! The action is a little bit lighter than a Moyer Boss 3 or a Quantum Big Cat. I think these are perfect rods for Red River channel cats and "most" of the flatheads we encounter. I did land my 48lb flat on a Reflex.

I'm going to pop by Moore's and talk to Bob about getting a couple of these rods in the shop. They really are a bargain for the quality of rod you get.

[Big Cat Dad]

Quote:

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I'm going to pop by Moore's and talk to Bob about getting a couple of these rods in the shop. They really are a bargain for the quality of rod you get.

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I think that's probably reason enough for Rod Manufacturers to keep the high end rod off the market. It's hard for companies like St. Croix to market a rod over $100 when there are viable options out there for $25.