Whats your Favorite Rod Brand?

  • fishingdaskoal
    EauClaire WI
    Posts: 927
    June 17, 2004 at 11:21 pm #1244467

    I happen to like Shakespeare Ugly Stik alot, whats your favorite brands?

    dustin_stewart
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 1402
    June 17, 2004 at 11:25 pm #309102

    St. Croix and uh………St. Croix

    ryan-hale
    NW Ia
    Posts: 1548
    June 17, 2004 at 11:32 pm #309105

    For the $ my favorite rod is the Pro Series Lighting Rods.I also have a custom made St. Croix Avid series that is a great rod.
    Ryan Hale

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    June 18, 2004 at 12:22 am #309109

    Berkley Lightning Rod. Add a Mitchell Avocet Gold reel and it’ll meet most of your fishing needs.

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    June 18, 2004 at 1:09 am #309111

    Without a doubt St. Croix rods either made at St. Croix or custom made at Hooked On Fishing in Rochester, Mn.
    Thanks, Bill

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    June 18, 2004 at 1:12 am #309112

    St. Croix 1st, then St. Croix, then St. Croix, then Techna AV.

    danwi
    westby wi
    Posts: 864
    June 18, 2004 at 2:02 am #309128

    with out a doubt St Croix Avid is my number 1 pole

    Jim K
    Mpls, Mn
    Posts: 192
    June 18, 2004 at 4:56 am #309144

    For trolling non stretch lines-Bass Pro’s Crankin Stick 7’6″ telescopic medium action. Went on line to order another one last week found them on sale, regularly $50.00 on sale for $30.00, ordered 2-thinking I should have ordered 3.

    stillakid2
    Roberts, WI
    Posts: 4603
    June 18, 2004 at 1:14 pm #309174

    IMHO, St. Croix is on top of the game, overall, more so than anyone else. I still use Mitchell, Berkley, Quantum, Shimano……. real popular stuff, and I can catch fish on them, but I never have “the feel” like I do with my Croix products. I never used to think that they’d be worth the money…. got a custom through a deal on eBay and I’ve been “Wrecked” ever since. I have a couple of Loomis models I really dig too but I’m like waterfowler…….. those Techna AV’s…….. there’s something about ’em…… and now that they’re being reintroduced for $100 less than they used to be, they’re right in that Avid market and the new handle design ROCKS! I like the old SiC guides better than the new titanium coated steel guides but there’s still a lifetime guarantee and I’ve used their service once before…….. first rate! They even sent me a shipping label so ALL costs were covered!

    There are a lot of rods I really like, but overall, product for product, value for value, nobody’s got the game nailed as well as St. Croix. And no….. I have no professional affiliation with this company. I’m just a HUGE gear junky.

    newt
    Pillager, MN
    Posts: 621
    June 18, 2004 at 1:21 pm #309176

    I buy rods not only for myself but for my son so price is a big factor for me. I like the Berkley Lightning Rods and have been liking the Rapala rods the last year. These are the best inexpensive rods I’ve found so far.

    Goldpig
    Omaha, NE
    Posts: 63
    June 18, 2004 at 1:28 pm #309181

    I am partial to Loomis, especially in jigging and rigging rods.

    AdamJohnson
    Brainerd, MN.
    Posts: 38
    June 18, 2004 at 2:54 pm #309200

    If you like Loomis or St. Croix, then you should definately try Lamiglas. All are hand wrapped and they use the same graphite stock as Loomis.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    June 18, 2004 at 3:13 pm #309202

    Dollar for dollar, my favorite rods are bass pro series.

    I have st. croix and loomis.

    However, my go to rigging rod for walleyes is the signature series by Keith Kavacajez (sp) I have an IM6 6’6″ rigging rod that blows away my st. croix premier. This rod only cost $60. He also have IM8 rods and HM-85 ($100) rods for the same presentation. The HM-85, I would classify in the upper end of Croix and Loomis.

    cfwalleye
    Posts: 42
    June 18, 2004 at 7:02 pm #309236

    Another vote for Lamiglas.

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    June 18, 2004 at 7:04 pm #309237

    St. Croix…made 135 miles from my house. Awesome customer service too.

    Dave Koonce
    Moderator
    Prairie du Chien Wi.
    Posts: 6946
    June 18, 2004 at 9:04 pm #309258

    Geesh, I’m suprised no one mentioned St.Croix Rods cuz thems my favorite !!

    mossboss
    La Crescent, MN
    Posts: 2792
    June 20, 2004 at 3:58 am #309318

    Falcon Rods, with St. Croix 2nd.

    wingdam
    WI, LaCrosse
    Posts: 11
    June 21, 2004 at 1:36 am #309391

    St. Croix Avids then Loomis

    jbb
    Minneapolis area
    Posts: 199
    June 21, 2004 at 2:34 am #309396

    ST Croix are excellent as are the Gander Guide Series and Cabela’s XML. Recently bought one of the new Browning boron rods and find them extremely light and sensitive.

    scottsteil
    Central MN
    Posts: 3817
    June 21, 2004 at 5:21 pm #309456

    I made the switch to St. Croix in 2003 and it was a great move! I highly recommend them. They make a perfect rod for almost every application, rigging, jigging, casting, pitching or trolling. Great Rods!!

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18706
    June 21, 2004 at 9:18 pm #309476

    St. Croix first and foremost. I also have a few Fenwicks I like very much. Just bought one. I have two HMG’s including the new one. I have one Tech AV that I like and use but I wouldn’t buy another.

    fireflick
    Alma WI
    Posts: 875
    June 21, 2004 at 10:51 pm #309483

    I would say St.Croix rods are a must. They have helped me cash over $40,000 in the last two years. You gotta love them. Espcially with there great warranties.

    yellowdog
    Alma Wi
    Posts: 1303
    June 21, 2004 at 10:56 pm #309484

    Hey Jared, speaking of rods; bring back my trolling rods

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    June 21, 2004 at 10:57 pm #309485

    It is funny when I see that so and so company uses the same blanks/materials as so and so….I have been with St. Croix for years now. They offer an entry level line with the Premier series that are affordable, and sensitive. For those looking for something a little more complex in feel/balance/tip loading, they offer the Avid and Legend series rods. Another plus with St. Croix is that they always stand behind their product. If you have any questions about rod types, and recommendations about St. Croix rods, a number of the IDA Pro Staff use them. Give a shout with some specific questions, and the answers will be there!
    Tuck

    kevinneve
    Devils Lake ND area
    Posts: 330
    June 22, 2004 at 3:01 am #309516

    I know what you are saying about claims they use (fill in the blank) blanks. If they do they are (fill in the blank) regected blanks.

    IM 6 is not IM 6 and so forth. Why the disparity in price?

    There is a lot of science and art in blank and rod manufactoring and those bargin basement rods are bargin basment blanks and workmanship. Kinda like tires, they are all made of rubber but they are all different. You get what you pay for.

    I have only a couple of St Croix but I like them so far. I will get more for sure as I wear out my other stuff. I’d like to try the Avids.

    I have some G Loomis GLX and IMX that I wouldn’t part with for anything.

    I have three models of Cabelas XML Walleye I use for slipbobbers, Vertical jiging and Pitching cranks that are OK but nothing great when you compare them with Loomis but knock the hell out of Ugly Sticks (worst rod on the market) and most of the other comparably priced store brands. They no longer make them for whatever reason.

    I used to lean towards Hagens but no more.

    I’m carrying at least 15 rods in the boat right now for about 5 different applications.

    cherilovell
    Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
    Posts: 1495
    June 23, 2004 at 12:30 am #309627

    Quantum Heat and the Ugly Stick are my fave’s. Wish I could find the Heat’s again – if anyone has some to sell or knows where to buy the old girl, please let me know.

    redneckjr
    Rosemount, MN
    Posts: 1037
    June 23, 2004 at 2:02 am #309640

    Gotta go St. Croix then Berkley

    stillakid2
    Roberts, WI
    Posts: 4603
    June 23, 2004 at 12:19 pm #309678

    Last night I tested out (for the second time) a Fenwick Venture rod. $50 at Wal-Mart and so far…….. VERY GOOD! 6′, 6-15lb. test, up to 5/8oz. lure…… nice flex on the tip with good “grunt” down the blank. So far, this rod has had a GREAT feel and I’m actually quite impressed with the confidence I have with it already. I haven’t kept track of the numbers but I know I’ve reeled in over 30 fish on her and never once did I wonder if I had enough rod to handle the job. It doesn’t have all the sensitivity of a Techna, Loomis, or St. Croix…….. but you guys on the Ugly Sticks……. try one. Seriously…….. just try one. Ugly’s will catch fish but I’m telling you, an upgrade WILL improve your skill level. The only thing I’ll use an Ugly for any more is trolling. If they were “the” ticket, it’s all Shakespeare would make…… but it’s not the case. All I’m saying……..is TRY a higher grade rod once. Borrow a buddy’s…… hook up with one of us who has other stuff and test drive it.

    You like looking at someone’s tackle box to see what’s in it? Try a new rod and reel once! Trying new stuff is FUN!

    bassking27
    La Crosse, Wisconsin
    Posts: 902
    August 10, 2005 at 7:21 pm #377593

    ST. CROIX i love the one i got from slop!

    stuart
    Mn.
    Posts: 3682
    August 10, 2005 at 8:13 pm #377604

    The one with the fish on the line

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