Crazy expensive rods worth it??????

[Mudslide]

When fish are aggressively biting, a cheap rod is as good as an expensive one. It's when the bite is light that the cream rises to the top. In fact watching a high vis line move sideways before you ever feel a thing will often turn a no fish day into a successful one. It's always attention to detail that separates the Men from the Boys. If you're finesse fishing for walleye, use a high vis 10 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader and a decent $100 plus graphite rod. You'll out fish your friend with the uglystick and 10lb mono, 5 to one, at least. JMHO.

[fish gunner]

Originally Posted by Mudslide

When fish are aggressively biting, a cheap rod is as good as an expensive one. It's when the bite is light that the cream rises to the top. In fact watching a high vis line move sideways before you ever feel a thing will often turn a no fish day into a successful one. It's always attention to detail that separates the Men from the Boys. If you're finesse fishing for walleye, use a high vis 10 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader and a decent $100 plus graphite rod. You'll out fish your friend with the uglystick and 10lb mono, 5 to one, at least. JMHO.

A car antenna is also sensitive. Please look at the catalogues , the rod manufactures have a rating system. a fast action ul rod is a sensitive rod if it costs 50 $ or 500 $ finish, warranty and actual wt of out fit is the difference they both fish the exact same. if from the same maker. Im now going to take my closed face mantique on a fiberglass rod off the wall and fill it with powerpro 30-10 I got for 5 $ at a pawn shop . The go kik my fishing buddies hind end ."a good worker never blames his tools" a wise man .

[Mudslide]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

A car antenna is also sensitive. Please look at the catalogues , the rod manufactures have a rating system. a fast action ul rod is a sensitive rod if it costs 50 $ or 500 $ finish, warranty and actual wt of out fit is the difference they both fish the exact same. if from the same maker. Im now going to take my closed face mantique on a fiberglass rod off the wall and fill it with powerpro 30-10 I got for 5 $ at a pawn shop . The go kik my fishing buddies hind end ."a good worker never blames his tools" a wise man .

You're right to a certain extent but both the material and construction methods used are going to make a huge difference in actual performance. (I include weight in my definition of performance) Fiberglass is not as sensitive as graphite, period, but as you mention, braided line is a great equalizer. A good worker uses the best tool he can get his hands on and it makes a difference.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

a fast action ul rod is a sensitive rod if it costs 50 $ or 500 $ finish, warranty and actual wt of out fit is the difference they both fish the exact same. if from the same maker.

This statement is false. The are VERY significant differences in sensitivity between rods of the same power and action as you go up and down any manufacturers lineup and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Power is related to overall force it takes to bend the rod, action relates to the manner in which a rod bends when loaded, neither is related to the sensitivity of a rod. The differences in sensitivity are due to graphite type, resins used, construction method, and numerous other factors.

Good craftsmen know the value of good quality tools and using the right tool for the job.

[fish gunner]

Originally Posted by Walleyedude

This statement is false. The are VERY significant differences in sensitivity between rods of the same power and action as you go up and down any manufacturers lineup and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Power is related to overall force it takes to bend the rod, action relates to the manner in which a rod bends when loaded, neither is related to the sensitivity of a rod. The differences in sensitivity are due to graphite type, resins used, construction method, and numerous other factors.

Good craftsmen know the value of good quality tools and using the right tool for the job.

Oh prey tell what is this unknown thing that seperates expensive vs reasonable priced out fits .what you are trying to explane is the lb curve of a rod,not someting used in NA rod specs.
Remember sharkskin fly line $$ crap or how abt other must have $$ gear that sells for a few $ at a garage sale . some poor fella paid top dollar for it now its just meh at a yard sale .beta max, lazer disk all high end bricabrack being used to hold dust in the cellar. If one fishes at a pro level or aspires to fair enough but just remember bob issumi gets his gear given to him .the best in any feild does not pay for thier tools some one pays them to use those tools unlike the rest of us (hobbyists) we pay to play. And two weeks ago my 20 $ okuma reel on my free rod out fished the rest of the boat ?? Hmm how can that be an egeal claw out fishing a shimano lol happens every day . The littl barbie rod at dickson usaly gets the largest fish while me and my friends stand there with a few hunderd to a thousand dollars each in gear.

[justinO]

Nothing out fishes Shimano

You are free to have your own opinion as to what is a good product and what is not good or over priced. If you are catching lots of fish on your rigs now, no need to buy anything else.
Tight lines

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Walleyedude

This statement is false. The are VERY significant differences in sensitivity between rods of the same power and action as you go up and down any manufacturers lineup and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Power is related to overall force it takes to bend the rod, action relates to the manner in which a rod bends when loaded, neither is related to the sensitivity of a rod. The differences in sensitivity are due to graphite type, resins used, construction method, and numerous other factors.
Good craftsmen know the value of good quality tools and using the right tool for the job.

Agree But very, very few people if any would be able to feel/distinguish the difference in sensitivity in most rods in the $80.00 plus range. And there are some sensitive gems in the 30-80 range as well.

[Alberta Bigbore]

Originally Posted by fedfred

The only people that buy expensive gear are the ones think money will make up for everything.

wrong

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by fish gunner

Oh prey tell what is this unknown thing that seperates expensive vs reasonable priced out fits .what you are trying to explane is the lb curve of a rod,not someting used in NA rod specs.
Remember sharkskin fly line $$ crap or how abt other must have $$ gear that sells for a few $ at a garage sale . some poor fella paid top dollar for it now its just meh at a yard sale .beta max, lazer disk all high end bricabrack being used to hold dust in the cellar. If one fishes at a pro level or aspires to fair enough but just remember bob issumi gets his gear given to him .the best in any feild does not pay for thier tools some one pays them to use those tools unlike the rest of us (hobbyists) we pay to play. And two weeks ago my 20 $ okuma reel on my free rod out fished the rest of the boat ?? Hmm how can that be an egeal claw out fishing a shimano lol happens every day . The littl barbie rod at dickson usaly gets the largest fish while me and my friends stand there with a few hunderd to a thousand dollars each in gear.

There are significant differences in what rods are constructed of and how they are constructed. Thats a simple fact, not my opinion. I listed several key factors in my last post, you can do your own homework on that should you choose to. Others who wish to have accurate information on rod composition and specs should do the same, the manufacturers have tons of info on their websites. Better yet, go down to The Fishin Hole and talk to the guys there, a couple of them are fountains of info on this topic.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

Agree But very, very few people if any would be able to feel/distinguish the difference in sensitivity in most rods in the $80.00 plus range. And there are some sensitive gems in the 30-80 range as well.

I used to think that to, then I had the opportunity to try several rods back to back and truly fish them, not just touch the floor with them in the store. That really opened my eyes.

I don't think you give people enough credit, I think most people could feel the difference between an $80 rod and a $200 rod. I also think they would feel the difference between a $200 rod and a $400 rod.

Whether or not that difference in feel is worth the money to people, well that's another story lol.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Walleyedude

I used to think that to, then I had the opportunity to try several rods back to back and truly fish them, not just touch the floor with them in the store. That really opened my eyes.

I don't think you give people enough credit, I think most people could feel the difference between an $80 rod and a $200 rod. I also think they would feel the difference between a $200 rod and a $400 rod.

Whether or not that difference in feel is worth the money to people, well that's another story lol.

You sound like the a rod rep.. Have fished a couple upper end rods and have to disagree.

The difference they feel might be weight - lighter in the pocket

[fedfred]

When you're spoiled beyond understanding with technology you lose perspective of what can be accomplished with improvised or primitive methods. I've pulled out pike hooked with a necklace string for a leader with 4 lb test line spooled on a piece of wood no thicker than a pencil surrounded by foam when ice fishing. I was out-fishing guys using $40 tip-ups and $80 rod/reeel combos, boy did they look stupid to me. So guys spending $800 on rods that pull out the same size fish as a $7 childrens combos doesn't look any smarter.

I bet those guys that fish for alligator gar with string and a bottle laugh the same.

[Walleyedude]

Originally Posted by huntsfurfish

You sound like the a rod rep.. Have fished a couple upper end rods and have to disagree.

The difference they feel might be weight - lighter in the pocket

LOL.

I guess we'll agree to disagree.

Everyone will have their own sweet spot for value, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[Calgaryguy1977]

Pikergolf sait it best in my opinion,
Sports car vs beater car. they both get you from point a to point b but one gives you more style and comfort.

That said I tend to lean to the value type stuff. I mean I dont buy all bargain basement but you will never catch me buying 400-800 rods unless its a fly rod....and even then its unlikely.

To me its all about presentation and strategy...thats what will catch you fish. Im comfortable than my less than expensive gear and Im happy with that because I catch a lot of fish with it.

Some guys were touching on it earlier how its like diminishing returns. You will notice a huge difference between a 20 dollar rod and a 60 dollar rod but not as much of a difference between a 60 dollar rod and 150 dollar road..so on and so forth. I think we call that diminishing returns.

To each their own though....the real question is what's important to you?
For me that's mid range functional gear.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Walleyedude

LOL.

I guess we'll agree to disagree.

Everyone will have their own sweet spot for value, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Agree

[N8orDie]

Some rods for specific jobs only come in the higher end price range...for example, it's hard to find a decent cheap hinge-tipped drop shot rod. In those cases, paying for the specialized rod seems to be worthwhile.

BUT, I really love my Shimano Voltaeus...and it was like 40 bucks...