Need Help-Rod Purchase Question

i can and will. first let me say i am not a rod builder and have never been
one, so i am not going to profit in any way from the advice.

first find a custom rod maker you trust. on this group, local or whatever.
second TELL HIM WHAT YOU WANT. don't expect the guy/girl to read your mind.
if you want a fast tip tell him. ig you want a long slow taper crankbait
rod say so. if you want a medium fast do all rod tell him that.

next figure out the line weight, lure weight and primary fishing styly you
want to do. tell the rodmaker what length rod you like and the style of
handle..

next and this is very important. shut up for a minute and let the rod maker
tell you your options and what you give up and gain with each blank he
offers. then next and just as important don't ask for a glx loomis blank
totally custom with all the best componets for $59.99. they hear it every
day. if you want the best pay for it. if you want the cheapest junk, go to
wal mart and leave the rod maker alone.

if you want a good rod at a fair price with what you feel is important, you
will get it from a good custom builder.

that all being said, here is my suggestion:

gl3 to imx comparable blank
medium with a fast taper for 8-14lb line
good high grade guides
at least 8" of cork handle
wire eye lure holder instead of the little flip flop piece of crap
no fancy wrap, just black on black
6'3" or 6'6"
price in the $150-200 range max

i would take a hard look at the st croix blanks if it were me. i think they
are very nice, but everyone has an opinion.

i am sure either rod builder on here would have something to add and maybe
correct. if so i won't take it personal, because like i said i have never
built a rod. but i have fished a lot of them and sold maybe 30 last year
for a rodbuilder that i liked real well.

crownliner

"Suthern Transplant" wrote in message
nk.net...
Greetings all,

Question: (I know we have at least a couple of rod makers in this group,
but
would value all suggestions)

I have trouble with the premium rods that are offered for sale today. My
trouble is the feel they have, particularly the stifness at the tip. I
have
not had the opportunity to fish with them and quite frankly the only
criteria I have to judge with is how they react to a simulated cast in the
store and I know this is not enough to truly judge their performance. (I
know rods are designed for specific fishing situations, lure weight, line
size, etc.)

Years ago, I purchased a few graphite rods when they were first offered
and
hated all of them. Yes they were light, but all felt as though I was
fishing
with a light broom stick in terms of lack of casting action, i.e. tip
speed.

Am I missing fish because of my decision towards casting ease vs.
sensitivity? (Telegraphing exactly what the lure is doing and subtle
bites)
I could be wrong, but it seems to me that there is a shift in rod design
towards making a rod which is all about feeling what's going on at the
business end vs. anything else. Am I right or wrong?

I cannot afford to purchase a rod and reel for each type of lure
presentation either. I am willing to purchase one or two, (For
baitcasting,
spinnerbait and crankbait as lures of choice) but I hate experimenting
with
my skepticism index so high. (I currently use fiberglass/composite rods
because of the more limber tip action.)

Can anyone steer me towards rods which have a balance between these
various
elements, and is a solid compromise for all-around bass fishing using a
bait
casting reel?

Thanks in advance,

Suthern

"Winter in the Midwest REALLY makes me wish I was in Dixie"

Now that's some of the sagest advice I've seen on this NG in awhile.

Good post Crownliner!

--
Dave Norton
"The Shadow"
Millennium Rods
"Crownliner" wrote in message
news:toXTb.215016$xy6.1112537@attbi_s02...
i can and will. first let me say i am not a rod builder and have never
been
one, so i am not going to profit in any way from the advice.

first find a custom rod maker you trust. on this group, local or
whatever.
second TELL HIM WHAT YOU WANT. don't expect the guy/girl to read your
mind.
if you want a fast tip tell him. ig you want a long slow taper crankbait
rod say so. if you want a medium fast do all rod tell him that.

next figure out the line weight, lure weight and primary fishing styly you
want to do. tell the rodmaker what length rod you like and the style of
handle..

next and this is very important. shut up for a minute and let the rod
maker
tell you your options and what you give up and gain with each blank he
offers. then next and just as important don't ask for a glx loomis blank
totally custom with all the best componets for $59.99. they hear it every
day. if you want the best pay for it. if you want the cheapest junk, go
to
wal mart and leave the rod maker alone.

if you want a good rod at a fair price with what you feel is important,
you
will get it from a good custom builder.

that all being said, here is my suggestion:

gl3 to imx comparable blank
medium with a fast taper for 8-14lb line
good high grade guides
at least 8" of cork handle
wire eye lure holder instead of the little flip flop piece of crap
no fancy wrap, just black on black
6'3" or 6'6"
price in the $150-200 range max

i would take a hard look at the st croix blanks if it were me. i think
they
are very nice, but everyone has an opinion.

i am sure either rod builder on here would have something to add and maybe
correct. if so i won't take it personal, because like i said i have never
built a rod. but i have fished a lot of them and sold maybe 30 last year
for a rodbuilder that i liked real well.

crownliner

"Suthern Transplant" wrote in message
nk.net...
Greetings all,

Question: (I know we have at least a couple of rod makers in this group,
but
would value all suggestions)

I have trouble with the premium rods that are offered for sale today. My
trouble is the feel they have, particularly the stifness at the tip. I
have
not had the opportunity to fish with them and quite frankly the only
criteria I have to judge with is how they react to a simulated cast in
the
store and I know this is not enough to truly judge their performance. (I
know rods are designed for specific fishing situations, lure weight,
line
size, etc.)

Years ago, I purchased a few graphite rods when they were first offered
and
hated all of them. Yes they were light, but all felt as though I was
fishing
with a light broom stick in terms of lack of casting action, i.e. tip
speed.

Am I missing fish because of my decision towards casting ease vs.
sensitivity? (Telegraphing exactly what the lure is doing and subtle
bites)
I could be wrong, but it seems to me that there is a shift in rod design
towards making a rod which is all about feeling what's going on at the
business end vs. anything else. Am I right or wrong?

I cannot afford to purchase a rod and reel for each type of lure
presentation either. I am willing to purchase one or two, (For
baitcasting,
spinnerbait and crankbait as lures of choice) but I hate experimenting
with
my skepticism index so high. (I currently use fiberglass/composite rods
because of the more limber tip action.)

Can anyone steer me towards rods which have a balance between these
various
elements, and is a solid compromise for all-around bass fishing using a
bait
casting reel?

Thanks in advance,

Suthern

"Winter in the Midwest REALLY makes me wish I was in Dixie"