Custom rods are always going to beat factory rods, dollar for dollar. Yes TFO rods are “factory” rods. The main reason custom are so better is that they are a one-stop shop. The rods are built in shop and sold in shop. That means they can use better components because they don’t need the 75% profit margin factory rods do. So a $200 custom rod is always going to be better than a $200 factory rod.. why? because the custom shop likely uses $150 in high end components on your rod where as factory rods will use $100 worth of components because they need the huge profit margin.
If you are searching for a quality rod, you won’t find it with a factory rod. You’ll probably find a good one, but not a quality one IMO.
TUCR, Thorne Bros, DH Customs, and places like that are where you want to spend your money if you want a great rod. Anyone who has held a high end custom rod knows how bad a $30-$40 factory rod is in comparison. I have fished with both st croix rods, 13 fishing rods, fenwick elite tech, gander mtns high end, and tons of el cheapos. None of them even come close to a custom rod. The 13 fishing was the best when it came to lightness and sensitivity, but it still was made with cheap components. Didn’t find that out until I sent the rod in to be customized and it was taken apart.
