between rods once they get to a certain level of quality. I have several decent rods ranging from light to medium heavy. The cheapest is a $30 Rapala classic and the most expensive is a $129 Kistler crankbait special. In all honesty I have to say that these rods are very good. When it comes to actually "feeling" or "sensitivity" I must be honest and admit that it's not how much I paid for them or what the modulus rating is that determines how much feedback I get out of my rods. What seems to make so much more difference as to what is getting up the rod to my brain is the rating of the rod, the action, how tight the line is, and how long the rod is. It's nice having a lightweight rod but once I get out on the water I don't see that as that big of a deal. I want the rod to be comfortable to hold, more than I want it to be light.
I would like to see an experiment done with a few expert anglers(or an admixture of fisherman ranging from beginners to seasoned professionals) where a true double blind test was set up and then the anglers do an evaluation of their rods. I think we would be very surprised at the results. It's the same way in the stereo industry as well as the wine industry. When true double blind tests were set up for stereo amplifiers, and high end cables, even the most descriminating golden eared listeners could not hear the difference between the super high end stuff and the moderately priced stuff. Same with wine. I'm not putting down high end rods. I just think that we need to get more objective about testing them.... and a good way to start would be with a true double blind test. How many rod manufacturers do you think will be willing to help out with this sort of test? How many of you would make your purchases based on more(not solely) true scientific testing?

I would have to completly disargee with you! All of the rods I now own are high end rods, over the past few years I have been upgrading. There may not be a notable difference to some people w/ a 30.00 rod and 100.00 rod but once you get into the best rods G-Loomis, kistler and Japanese stuff you wont be able to go to Wal-Mart and pick up a rod that does not feel crappy. I think most people who have alot of experence with rods of all calibur will argee with me, once you start fishing the best rods fishing with a cheapie has a difference bigger than night and day.

Hey let that Bass go I wanna catch her some day
http://www.calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/tmcustoms/

I'm following you Rockstar. The expensive crankbait series rods or rods used for reaction baits are difficult to distinguish from the reasonably priced rods... but as you get into the high end Loomis GLX, ($300+) etc. the differences are more obvious. It comes down to the weight of the rod (in ounces) vs. the sensitivity & strength. Those high end rods are VERY addictive.

My $0.02
It comes down to what a fisherman "needs" vs. "what would be nice to have". MANY of the lower priced rods present a GREAT VALUE. And if guys want to buy a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th outfit, the reasonably priced rods are a great way to do it.

I've never tried the Rapala rods, but thanks for the tip. Shimano Clarus casting Berkely Lightning Rod spinning sticks have been a good value for me.

Mike F

I can't comment on any "blind testing" but I do know this. Last weekend, I was throwing one of my 7' Kistler Heliums(Medium Casting) for about 2 or 3 hours. I picked up a a 7', Medium-fast, Fenwick Techna AV rod to throw a shallow cr/bait that was tied on. It was like "night and day" as far as my perception of the differences and the Techna is a decent, moderately priced rod, but it felt like a pool cue in my hand. No, I'm not exagerating to make a point. There was that much difference in the 'feel'(not just the weight difference) between those two rods. And no, I'm not a tourny guy. I have no sponcers and just fish as a weekender.

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

The fish don't know if the angler is using a K-Mart special or a G-Loomis GLX. If a bait is presented correctly they'll eat it.

That said, a VW Bug will get you around the track at Daytona. It just won't do it at 250 miles per hour! (If that makes any sense to you)

Many of the inexpensive rods are made overseas. That's part of the reason they're so cheap. Obviously components are too. My main problem with these rods is how they are constructed. And some high end rods aren't immune. Short cuts are still taken to reduce production costs.
I believe if you want to spend $300 on a rod, you should find a custom rod builder you trust and get it done right.

Chris

I used to think the same thing until I used a GLoomis GLX. Changed my mind forever...now that I have invested countless dollars I am still happy with my choice. Just remeber the lighter it is the more sensitive it is}(

Thank you for your replies. So far no one has truly answered my question. Would you make your purchases based on objective testing of your equipment: if ever some independant company did a "True Double Blind Test" on them? And what if after that testing it turned out your favorite high end rod faired no better than a middle of the road one? With all due respect the only information about any equipment one can get, wether it be on this board, or in a magazine, or on a manufacturers site, is anecdotal at best(with the exception of some of the specs they provide), and testamonial in most cases. What that boils down to is this- unreliable information. That is the nature of testimonials and anecdotal information and that is all that any of you have been able to offer.
The reason I used the stereo industry as an example is because in my younger years I used to be into them, and it illustrates my point so nicely. I thought I could hear the difference between $150 amps and $5,000 custom jobs. Then a few enterprising fellows came up with a way to test a number of these jewels against a bunch of golden eared nerds like myself who were convinced they could hear the differences hands down. When the tests where done there were a lot of red faces. In actuality, there was no discernable differences.The same was true for the thousands of $ they spent on cables. One honest manufacturer out there now tells them to use the cheap Radio Shack stuff, if they want to spend more just send them a check for however much they think cable should cost. I'm not saying that will happen in this case with high end fishing rods. That would be foolish. I don't have a crystal ball. But until a true scientific test is set up and run it just cannot be said objectively that one rod is in fact more sensitive than any other rod. You can tell stories all day long about how your expensive rod(s) is in fact so much better than your previous cheaper rod but there is just no way to take your personal prejudice out of the equation. It doesn't mean your judgement is in any way wrong. With a double blind test it forces everyone to be 100% honest about every rod they test and we would get some very surprising results indeed. I can bet that's why it hasn't been done yet. I don't think the top end manufacturers want to really see how their rods would stack up against the other rods out there.

http://www.tackletour.com/images/piche76HC03.jpg

I don't know how a double-blind rod test could be done as the various configurations would identify the rod to the experienced Basser. The pic of that Kistler Helium shows its differences and it wouldn't be a "Kistler" if you disguised it.

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

I do a ton of night fishing and the rod needs to be sensitive so you can feel what's going on. With my GLX for example I can feel the difference between just about everything on the bottom. You can feel the bass pick up light baits off the bottom and drop them etc;

There are several good rods out there that aren't Loomis. It all comes down to personal preference and how often/serious you are about fishing.I fish a lot so I want the best. But for you maybe a lower end rod is perfect for you and what you fish with. I would reccomend trying to fish with new people and ask to try their equipment out and feel the difference for yourself.Then make your decision on if the stout prices are worth it.

Insofar as a double blind test might be difficult with respect to other brands against Kistlers: Kistler could indeed run tests amongst themselves against say the three different lines it sells. I personally own a Kistler KCBS7. I'm hard pressed to see or feel much of a step up in sensitivity, or fit and finish between it and my $50 Fenwick(I actually think the Fenwick has better guides). Perhaps the LTA's are better, but at another $100 over my Graphite Plus we are talking some major deminishing returns(just my humble opinion). However I would buy another Kistler over a Fenwick for two reasons- one it's an all American made rod, and their service is A+. All this talk of objectivity is fun to talk about, but if you really want me to buy a product- make it here in America and show me you know what service and the customer are all about. Then I'll be your loyal customer.

Rockstar,

I don't think I have develop enough "feel" for me to appreciate the top end rods so I will talk about something I know. I played tennis for 25 years. After a while I developed my feel for tennis rackets. It wasn't price or name that made the difference but personal preference. I saw a lot of folks trying to "buy their game" in tennis and also on the golf course. Until experience is built up, there just is not enough of a reference point to measure against.

I have owned $300 Prince rackets and $59 clearance specials but is the guy holding the racket that determines the outcome of the game - not the racket. A hacker with top end gear is still a hacker. Andy Roddick could beat me using a corn broom. I have a feeling it is similar with rods.

Opinions expressed are my own...

BillH