Rod Questions

I am in the market for a couple new rods. I recently broke not one, but two Cabelas IM7s by setting the hook, so that brand is off limits for me (and should be for you too!! )

I am looking for a medium weight, universal rod that I can troll and rig with.

I also would like a lifetime warranty with that rod, similar to my G-Loomis that I own and like. I would rather pay a little extra right now for that nice rod with the lifetime warranty, as opposed to buying (2)-$75 rods every year.

Thanks for your help.

st croix is my favorite , ive been using them for about 10 years no problems. they come in all differnt price range with the premeir beeing the least expensive. they have a good warrenty but i dont even remember what it is because ive never broke any.

St Croix can’t go wrong

A 6’6″ Avid is as about as versatile as you can get and is time tested by many folks on this site that have stated there own testimonials.Price wise they are right in the middle of the competition that offer lifetime warranty.

I like St Croixs,have a nice feel

My shimano Calarus has a LT warranty. Just used it after I snapped the end off. Got it back in about a week. I think they go for about $70? I like it too!

Like most guys on this site, I own many different brands of rods and like most of them, but in my humble opinion it is very hard to go wrong with the 6’6″ Avid by St. Croix–go to Dean’s place and try one out on the dock. I have witnessed their warranty with friends breaking their rods and St. Croix has been flawless.

Jeremy

St. Croixs. Go down and see Dean at Everts for a try and buy. You try the rod, you like it, you buy it. If it doesn’t suit your fancy, your not out any $.

Best thing going!

Jami

Jason Sullivan who is a ida member makes rods out of ST Croix Blanks He will set you up just tell him what you are fishing and what type of presintation you are using and he can set you up I have one and I am ordering more this fall for xmas the one I have I just love by far my best rod

Just PM him at [email protected]

Kevin

does Cablea’s make exchanges for rods? I’ve always thought they stood behind their product, and would be very interested to know if they have a product flaw

Try Acadia Sports @1800 877-733-5874

what about uglystick? they have a 5 (?) year warranty. and the there under $50.00

I will explore the idea with talking to Cabela’s and let you know. I will also shop the options stated on here with St. Criox being the front runner.

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does Cablea’s make exchanges for rods? I’ve always thought they stood behind their product, and would be very interested to know if they have a product flaw

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I can’t believe that Cabela’s won’t take back a broken rod and exchange it for a brand new one. They take EVERYTHING else back, why wouldn’t they take a broken rod back?

I recently took a Bass Pro rod back to Bass Pro. They replaced it no questions asked.

Like Dean at Everts said, go with a St. Croix Avid med rod. I have used St. Croixs for years and love em. Very well built and sensitive. Great rods from a great rod company.
Thanks, Bill

I just snapped an Avid 6’8″ MXF casting rod on a hookset last week

We’ll see how good their warranty service is

I think the only thing St. Croix gets a little up tight about (re: warranty) is when you use heavier line than what the rod is rated for. If I remenber their warranty info does mention that.

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I think the only thing St. Croix gets a little up tight about (re: warranty) is when you use heavier line than what the rod is rated for. If I remenber their warranty info does mention that.

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How do they know what line you use?

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I am in the market for a couple new rods. I recently broke not one, but two Cabelas IM7s by setting the hook

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Wow , that must be one heck of a hook set . I actually broke a cabelas tourney trail im7 earlier this summer when i was hooking the lure to the hook loop, didn’t even bend the tip hardly at all, it just snapped, but then again a rod isn’t meant to have stress put on it at an angle like that, and i was somewhat intoxicated And thats why you should always let the line free and reel it up tight, not bend the tip to get the hook secured.

Anyways, why don’t u go with another loomis if your looking for a high end rod with a lifetime warranty? Their lifetime warranty/replacement programs are hard to beat.

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I think the only thing St. Croix gets a little up tight about (re: warranty) is when you use heavier line than what the rod is rated for. If I remenber their warranty info does mention that.

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How do they know what line you use?

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Honesty

In case you were wondering though, G-Loomis actually states that using a line rated above what your rod is rated for is like red-lining a vehicle, another reason u should use extra care when using high rated braids for some tactics and species.

I am looking for a high quality rod. Doesn’t have to be high in price! I love the Loomis, but they have to be close to the most expensive rod out there.

Just take the rods back to Cabelas and they will exchange them no questions asked.

Jason

Ralph, I bet that they can spot a rod that was broken by using heavier line than recommended in a minute. They build the things, test them, stress them, break them and put alot of research into them in general. Given their warranty they sure should if they don’t. The rod you broke has a max line rating of 14lb. By the way, nice catfish

Not saying I was using heavier line than the rod was rated for. The way it snapped, I suspect a scratch or flaw in the blank. I was just curious if they could tell.

My check was cashed by St. Croix, so I am assuming I will have a new rod shortly

I was just kiddin. Have the Avid 6’8″ MXF myself and it is my favorite. Great all around rod that can be used for alot of different methods. Good to see St. Croix stand behind their stuff.

And St.Croix rods are MADE IN THE USA!! I will not purchase anything but St.Croix.

I fish jigs and slow sub surface soft plastics almost exclusively and have built over 100 custom rods from Loomis blanks. They are great and expensive. For the money,sensitivity, durability and guarantee, Falcon Cara is almost impossible to beat. I got a lot of’em

Cabelas will take their rods back, no questions asked. I have had to return a few of there not so expensive rods back because of the same thing. One was even snapped on a weed, I guess I was pulling too hard. They took them back with out receipts and gave me a gift card so I could get whatever. I upgraded the rod and would still buy cabelas brand for that reason. AS GOOD AS LIFETIME TO ME.
On a side note, I got a reel from bass pro for a gift and didn’t like so I took it back to cabelas, because they sold it too, and they took that back as well, here’s your gift card sir!

I love it there!

The fact is that most of us who build rods will see some broken rods returned along the way. But the rod will break from a defect in the first several trips out – anything beyond that and it is FAR more likely the break is caused by mis-handling the rod. When the blank glances of the edge of the boat, for example, it may not break on the spot – but the next weight applied to blank – be it fish or snag – POW!

No amount of warranty will prevent this – only greater care in handling the rod. That said, I tipped a 5 gallon bucket full of minnows over in the back of my truck a few years back and both of the Loomis IMX blanks broke on the next trips out. I did learn a bit from the experience and at least was able to rebuild the blanks Loomis sent me for replacements. That said, the high price you pay initially for these blanks offsets the easy replacements. This is true of all the upper brands with warranties.

Either way – there are some very good rods out there – search for the action you need, the price you like and take good care of those precious blanks – they are more fragile than they can appear.
Chuckles