Hey guys,
Last year, I bought a St.Croix Legend Tournament walleye jigging rod. It is 6’3″ MLXF. I used it on a Canada trip I went on in August. I really liked it, but didn’t love the handle. I just met Eric Kraemer last weekend, the owner-operator of Kraemer custom rods. He started the business himself, and is very passionate about his work. I saw and held some of his rods. 2 guys I know, say his MLXF jigging rod is better than a St.Croix.
Thoughts anyone?
It’s what you like that matters ,when it comes to fishing rods,is one better than another ,who knows,i picked up a Elliott walleye rod,saving up and going to get a couple. DK.
For me, it’s all what feels comfortable and what gives me the best feel when jigging. the issue is that you really can’t try out a rod before buying unless you know someone that has it already. And if you want to get picky, some jigging rods may give you a better feel based on what you are jigging with like jig/minnow or jig/plastic
……if you want to get picky, some jigging rods may give you a better feel based on what you are jigging with like jig/minnow or jig/plastic
Store bought for me so far, there are many task specific options on the shelf already so there isn’t a need for custom imo. My guess, if I was to be a new ice angler starting up, I’d never have all the small shop ice rods I have now. I’d be running 13fishing , japanese Shimano and st. Croix product.
I shop around, rarely pay more than 30% off retail. The newest and more advanced blanks also typically have a delayed availability to rod builders, so you have different options on both sides. And as BigStorm pointed out, you can’t trial run a custom rod before creating it.
@ Kevin Cegielski, I have built rods for 20 plus years( i recently quit due to NO TIME anymore)but there are alot of factors that I put in play when building a custom rod for a person, Not one rod fits all.
I PM’d you my number and if you give me a call I can go into further detail about those factors.
Here’s my personal take on store vs custom for open water rods: I don’t see there being a significant difference in quality between high end rods from St. Croix or G. Loomis and custom makers. It seems that the big makers have already chosen to use the highest quality components and they aren’t afraid to charge huge prices for their top rods.
That all being said, I am a Tuned Up Custom guy, and I have been slowly adding more Tuned Up open water rods to my boat. I like that I can choose the look and handle options. I believe the quality of the Tuned Up rods are on par at least with the big boys, but the prices are lower. It’s one of the rare cases where a custom rod is actually a bargain compared to the store bought high end rods. For example, our highest end rod (APEX ELITE) goes for $275 or $325 with recoil guides, and our entry level rod (APEX) is $195. Compare that with the top of the line St. Croix (Legend X) for $440 and the entry level St. Croix (Triumph) for $100. It seems like a big part of the open water price is the name on the rod. My 2¢
Dan
I don’t see there being a significant difference in quality between high end rods from St. Croix or G. Loomis and custom makers.
No difference, or imperceptible differences? There’s differences in blank construction and origin, lots of differences…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan Baker wrote:</div>
I don’t see there being a significant difference in quality between high end rods from St. Croix or G. Loomis and custom makers.No difference, or imperceptible differences? There’s differences in blank construction and origin, lots of differences…
I said significant difference in quality, not specific components. All makers use proprietary blanks. I’m referring to overall quality.
The new St. Croix handles are goofy and uncomfortable with the way I hold my rods (in between the pinky and ring finger). My favorite handle of all time is the slim Fuji VSS-16 as on my favorite jig stick the Xtreme 69mlxf. Those days are over and will be going custom here on out unless I find used LES elites and XS xtremes. Recently picked up a used JTX-MAG Med-Lt w/cork but need to figure out how to move that stupid hook keeper as I hold my rods with my left hand. Word of advice to non-custom rod builders…HAVE THE HOOK KEEPER ABOVE THE REEL FOOT (cough cough G Loomis). Stop discriminating against us lefty fishers 
okay rant over…that said my next rod will be a TUCR APEX.
I’m glad we can take blank quality out of the equation. Everyone can pickup their blue ribbon now… 
The new St. Croix handles are goofy and uncomfortable with the way I hold my rods (in between the pinky and ring finger). My favorite handle of all time is the slim Fuji VSS-16 as on my favorite jig stick the Xtreme 69mlxf. Those days are over and will be going custom here on out unless I find used LES elites and XS xtremes. Recently picked up a used JTX-MAG Med-Lt w/cork but need to figure out how to move that stupid hook keeper as I hold my rods with my left hand. Word of advice to non-custom rod builders…HAVE THE HOOK KEEPER ABOVE THE REEL FOOT (cough cough G Loomis). Stop discriminating against us lefty fishers
okay rant over…that said my next rod will be a TUCR APEX.
Call Thorne bros. You’ll be very happy in the end
How are the custom rods for warranty? I’ve heard negative things about custom rod warranty compared to a high end off the shelf rod.
How are the custom rods for warranty? I’ve heard negative things about custom rod warranty compared to a high end off the shelf rod.
The Tuned Up Custom Rod warranty is the same for open water and ice. 5 year common sense. Defects are replaced at no cost, and accidental breakage is replaced for about half price.
Dan
Hey guys,
When it comes to the modulus # on a graphite blank, the higher the # is more sensitive? Please clarify if you know. For example…a croix SCIV is 42 million modulus. The higher end croix rods are higher than that.
Thoughts?
Hey guys,
When it comes to the modulus # on a graphite blank, the higher the # is more sensitive? Please clarify if you know. For example…a croix SCIV is 42 million modulus. The higher end croix rods are higher than that.
Thoughts?
The modulus number can be misleading, as it doesn’t refer to the overall blank configuration. A blank may be listed as super high modulus count but that might all be in just the but section of the blank. It is not a true quantifiable term for industry standard.
Dan
I said significant difference in quality, not specific components. All makers use proprietary blanks. I’m referring to overall quality.
Proprietary blanks?
APEX = Revelation
APEX Pro = Immortal
APEX Elite = Eternity 2
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dan Baker wrote:</div>
I said significant difference in quality, not specific components. All makers use proprietary blanks. I’m referring to overall quality.Proprietary blanks?
APEX = Revelation Yep spot on
APEX Pro = Immortal No different blanks built to our specs
APEX Elite = Eternity 2 No different line entirely
Just clearing that up
The price is not much different I would honestly go with which one feels better to you. Everyone has opinions about blank length tip heavy vs tip light rods.
With custom you can adjust the handle length to say 9.5″ for better balance or even 8 for a younger fisherman.
The mfg’s have a pretty good idea for what works for a good majority of fisherman, but if you want something tweaked go custom.
Just my two cents. Or .01 with inflation.
tswoboda wrote:
Proprietary blanks?
APEX = Revelation Yep spot on
APEX Pro = Immortal No different blanks built to our specs
APEX Elite = Eternity 2 No different line entirelyJust clearing that up
That’s interesting, I was going off pictures and descriptions on the website. Can you elaborate on where [who] the blanks are sourced? Is it something similar to Thorne Bros predator blanks and how they are basically scIV blanks on different mandrels?
Immortal is a different mandrel same strain pre-preg and fibers structure.
Elite is different. Not the same fiber or scrim.
They can’t compare to Thorne!
I suppose I’m just missing something but I don’t get the almost adversarial discussion involving the “Custom” rods topic.
If my memory serves me still, I think a few good guys got vanquished from this little IDO forum world involving a custom rod thread? 
I guess I’m just SMH…seems like these become another Ford/Chevy, Vexilar/Marcum sparring.
I understand there are those that start a thread looking for advice but then opinions creep in and then what do you get?
Most all of what I buy, I just do my own homework, go check it out, and if I like it and it feels right…I buy it, plain and simple.
In my experience there is no standard convention on what is rated Light, UL, medium etc. One company’s Medium is another company’s MH. I think you need to try and stick with one company’s rods so you can get the right rod each time you are adding to your arsenal.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
okay rant over…that said my next rod will be a TUCR APEX. 
