Which is your favorite rod company?

[froteur]

Lays potato chips and rod companies ...... You can't just have one!

Perry

[dragon1]

I don't have a fav rod company off the rack because I don't get paid by any of them ...and I agree that there are several makes that I like equally well.

If "custom" was a choice, then I would have voted that route.

[Ichthyoangler]

I don't have a fav rod company off the rack because I don't get paid by any of them :lol: ...and I agree that there are several makes that I like equally well.

If "custom" was a choice, then I would have voted that route.

The original question posted by Cal was simply: "Which is your favorite rod company?" And, he acknowledges that ..."it's silly to limit yourself to one manufacturer".... and "if you could only have one... "which manufacturer would you choose?" I consider it in the same line of thinking as the TT "A Search For One" series on casting rods, which I enjoyed reading very much.

Now, at least one of the fishing rod companies listed to vote for - KISTLER, makes "custom fishing rods" and those words are part of their company name/logo. They also make "stock" rods which are available from Tackle Warehouse and other reputable retailers. Yeah, I voted for Kistler. I prefer the features that they offer on their custom Z-bone LE models vs. their's and other's stock models and can attest that their original Helium LTA's (circa 2004) are some fine rods as well.

[holden234]

Have used G Loomis and Dobyns for years and even have custom rods built on Loomis blanks 3 or 4 years ago. Started using some Daiwa and Cumura rods but have settled on Crucial rods. They seem to fit me better and are better suited to my style of fishing. Just my personal preference.

Let my fishing partner have most of the Loomis and Dobyns and he swears by them and will not use anything else if he has choice.

[wb3fry]

I have to go with the St.Croix rod.Been using them for several years and they served me very well.
The company also treat you good even after you buy the rod.
The price is right also.You get what you pay for...Go USA....
George...

[dragon1]

The original question posted by Cal was simply: "Which is your favorite rod company?" And, he acknowledges that ..."it's silly to limit yourself to one manufacturer".... and "if you could only have one... "which manufacturer would you choose?" I consider it in the same line of thinking as the TT "A Search For One" series on casting rods, which I enjoyed reading very much.

Yes, I read this, and answered appropriately...with a ":lol: " fish-fish seeker guy. For your edification, I voted Phenix as they are my fav off the rack rods currently, but they are not the only one...GLoomis and St. Croix are my most oft owned rods to this date...and most oft used blanks since 1995 along with Shikari.

Now, at least one of the fishing rod companies listed to vote for - KISTLER, makes "custom fishing rods" and those words are part of their company name/logo. They also make "stock" rods which are available from Tackle Warehouse and other reputable retailers. Yeah, I voted for Kistler. I prefer the features that they offer on their custom Z-bone LE models vs. their's and other's stock models and can attest that their original Helium LTA's (circa 2004) are some fine rods as well.

And Kistlers are still not considered custom by many...although I suppose, it may explain your reply.

[21farms]

if someone were to give me my choice of a set of rods for free, i'd choose g.loomis NRX. if i had to pay my money for the rods, i'd choose dobyns. so, i voted dobyns.

[lpquick]

if someone were to give me my choice of a set of rods for free, i'd choose g.loomis NRX. if i had to pay my money for the rods, i'd choose dobyns. so, i voted dobyns.

Well said....

[Buck2thPerch]

I have owned Gloomis rods, St.Croix Rods, E21, and various others. Sold and gave away most of my St.Croix rods and now I am mostly Shimano. The Crucial Line of Rods are worth every penny and stack up well to my more expensive Gloomis and St. Croix Rods. Not to mention the Cumara rods are better and or just as good as my high end Gloomis rods - plus, the Cumara rods are a better bang for the buck. Personally IMO, with Gloomis, you are just paying more for the brand name than anything else. Don't get me wrong they are very good rods. I did own 3 NRX's at one point but did not find it worth the money and sold them to get better reels. As stated in other posts, once you get into the $200+ range of rods, the quality and performance gains are minimal or not worth the extra money with few exceptions.

My vote - Shimano.

[vtbasser]

I went with Shimano. But I'm about to get my first Dobyns so I'm ready to be impressed.

[Cal]

I consider it in the same line of thinking as the TT "A Search For One" series on casting rods, which I enjoyed reading very much.

The search continues....

[Somerdink]

.

[lpquick]

My choice was Dobyns its not because Im on there prostaff its because they have proven them selevs to me as a quality product. There customer service is also top notch and there willing to help you out with your selection. I used them before I was on there staff and they have been really awesome to me.

Right and if you said St. Croix as a Dobyn's prostaffer I might of believed you.

[MikeLT]

Dobyns gets my vote. I have owned and fish rods from A LOT of the companies on the list and as much as I loved my Loomis and St. Croix sticks I sold them all and replaced them with Dobyns. He is building GREAT rod's and the customer service is top notch.

[KCL655321]

I honestly don't have one. I've got Fenwick, Kistler, Powell, Lucky Craft, & other rods & they all have their pluses & minuses. I go where the best deal is, regardless of the label that's on the stick. If I could choose any rod manufacturer to supply me with my rods regardless of price, I'd probably go with St. Croix. If I was forced to only buy from one rod company & not be sponsored by them, it'd probably be Abu or Powell.