Hey everyone,

I've been checking out this site for a while and there is a lot of helpful info. This is my first post and I know it's kind of an old thread but I needed to respond to the "double blind" comment.

In any scientific experiment, depending on the type of data analysis you are going to use, you have to control every variable but the one or two that you are testing. In the case of the rods, this would be the experimental variable to be tested and this would be controlled.

You could do this by having different people fish different rods but at the same time and place.

In this example you have the variable of angler skill level between the different anglers. Not to mention that they cannot each be fishing in the exact same place for the exact same fish. Every fish reacts and hits bait a slight bit different. This example would not be a valid scientific study.

If you have one person fish the different rods, you still are not fishing for the same fish. It is impossible to control the "fish" variable. Also you have a sample of one which does not lend itself to acceptable data and it would not be a valid study.

I think most people would agree that you can tell the difference between a high end rod and a low or moderate end rod. Even if it is just the weight of it which makes for a much more comfortable fishing day.

With most things, you do get what you pay for up to a certain point, at that point I think it comes down to personal preference and ability. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $2000 set of golf clubs and a $300 set, but I know any professional golfer could. They would even tell you the differences between $2000 sets made by different companies. Same thing with fishing.

A few years ago I was fishing with a friend who was using a Loomis while I was using a $75 dollar rod. We were both dropshoting the same bait in the same general area. He was catching fish and I wasn't. It was a very light bite and they weren't swimming with it. He let me use his Loomis and I could feel the bite. I was sold. This was as close to "scientific" as it's going to get for me.

If the fish are hitting hard then any rod will transmit the "tick" but to be able to tell the difference between bottom content, different types of vegetation etc... as well as the fatigue factor I personally will stick to the high end rods.

If you don't feel comfortable paying the money for a product that isn't "scientifically" tested, then that's your choice, but I don't think you will ever see a "double blind" experiment of fishing rods with valid experimental methods. You would be testing "feel" which can not be properly compared between different people.

Sorry for the long first post...just my $.02