what do you think of iRODS

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on November 28, 2010 at 9:32am

There are guys who will brag about there equipment. There is nothing wrong with being proud of things you worked hard for. But, that's not what good equipment is about. Its about being better at what you do.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on November 28, 2010 at 10:51am

I feel like right now, because of the massive amount of rod manufacturers it is important for us as anglers to develop our own styles and values regarding rods. Personally I have recently been talking to people and learning about the rod building process and what really goes into a Gloomis, St Croix, Lamiglas rod... I can tell you if you are on a budget there are still a lot of rods that are built with high quality blanks and decent components. My philosophy on fishing rods is buy something made in the good old USA if it offers good quality at the price point you are targeting. This is mostly because those companies possess some of the better warranty programs. I have also developed a specific set of things that I really like on my rods and I try not to stray from those because they provide comfort, which I feel makes for a better day of fishing. Look at things like grip and handle fit/material, length desired, type of guides, blank quality and the resin they use in the blank. There are several new rods and options coming out and it's a challenge to decipher it all. One of my goals for the future is to try not to buy a rod again without handling it because you can only get so much from the Tackle Warehouse reviews and talking to other people. Like Tag said a good quality rod that is sensitive and light will make you catch more fish in most instances, but there are also instances where it doesn't matter so much as stated by Joel.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on November 28, 2010 at 2:16pm

I don't agree with you at all, going from a heavier flipping stick to a lighter flipping stick makes you a better flipping fisherman....ha ha.... but seriously fatigue plays a large roll on how you present your lures if you are using a lighter rod fatigue comes in to play a lot later in the day or maybe not at all. The one contradicting thing I could say to what I just said is balance of the rod is probably even more important than weight.

All this being said to get a good balanced light stick that you can fish all day your going to have to pay for it period. Unless you fish alot you don't realize the differences in rods, or how rods load etc. and you wouldn't know the differences between a poor rod and a premium rod.

The Skeet Reese deal with Wright and Mcgill, the rods suite how he fishes, if you have noticed in the last few years Skeet is throwing mostly reaction baits, cranks, swimbaits, chatterbaits, topwaters, a slower action is what you get with cheaper graphite and this is the kind of action you want for reaction baits, also the sensitivity is not as important either. The other thing to overcome this lack of sensitivity and the slowness of the rods is fishing braid. Usually you will see Skeet flipping or using braid to flouro. to overcome the lack of rod.
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Chris J. Spencer said:

If your not catching fish on a forty dollar rod, your not going to catch fish on a two hundred dollar rod. I believe there is no reason to spend more than one hundred dollars on a rod and reel except to show off how much money you have. I'm not the best fisherman out there but I always boat at least a couple bass when I go fishin and my most expensive set up is a fifty dollar dawai reel and thirty five dollar abeu garcia rod.

Find something built for the technique your going to fish and practice your technique, thats what catches fish, not your expensive equipment.......

Permalink Reply by Mark Maderos on November 28, 2010 at 5:44pm

What I have seen from these type of manufactures, ( Powell, iRods, American Rodsmiths, etc.) is that they don't compare to the top of the line Loomis, St. Croix, Lami, Kistler when it comes to weight and sensitivity. The top of the line rods are that for a reason. But you also pay for that. What I do like about rods from these manufactures is that they do give a great combination of sensitivity, weight, durability, and actions. I have been really impressed with the actions most of these manufactures make. My Powell's for example have a really wide range of actions that really fit the need to specific technique's. Most of the these rods in this price range likewise do an excellent job at that. These companies have done a great job talking with and working with professional angler's to get these rods right when it comes to the actions needed for the job advertised and at a price that most anglers can afford. That $100 to $150 dollar range. These are rods that will last many years, provide the necessary sensitivity to feel the bites, and the actions to help you land more fish.
I do tend to not skimp on the reels though. I will spend top dollar on reels for previosly mentioned reasons. Most really good anglers can catch bass with a broom stick, provided there is a really good reel on that broom stick.

Mark

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on November 28, 2010 at 7:20pm

Generally I agree that all things being equal a good angler ( one that regularly finishes in the top) will do well with what ever is in their hand and will do better than the lesser angler, So Chris I think you make a valid point. They will find the spots, fish the spots and boat the fish better than someone less experienced, dedicated, skilled. I would say there is value in the quality equipment that is not revealed in a few minute session with that equipment. Drop shot a 3 day tournament with heavy gear and find out how important the light weight stuff is. I also believe there is an aggregate effect of all the quality features that make a difference in the end, but that difference is rarely an offset of time on the water, experience and dedication. Meaning the castability of quality line on a quality reel, on a quality rod, with the best boat, and best electronics is no comparison to an exceptional angler dedicated to their craft with the tools they have.

In the end I think you buy what fits your budget and make the most of it by spending time perfecting your craft.

Steve

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on November 29, 2010 at 10:14pm

I say buy the one that makes you the most happy.

ciao,
Marc

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