I need A new Rod (Any Help?)

[bigfatsmallys]

I have approx 300-400 Monkey Bucks for a new rod and I really don't know which would be the lesser of the 2 evils, Should I get something custom or get a rod already made. I really don't know how much a custom rod would be and I know you need to know what type of fishing I plan to do with the rod. Well that's why I'm asking all of you. I fish from shore on Lake Erie in the Buffalo,NY area and we have some big fat smallys and big fat wallys up to 12+ lbs. I'm still trying to master my baitcaster as some of you know but I have a CuradoE7 matched up with a 6'8" Cumara, I also have a Revo Premier and I'm too lazy too keep switching reels on the Cumara, Should I maybe just get another Cumara but the 7'2" ? Or get something hopefully you guys can figure out.   I sure wish they would hurry up and build the BPS here in Buffalo that was suppoed to be already done but as always those politicians, if there's nothing in it for their pockets they don't want anything do do with it. I can't stand em. soooo crooked Any takers?

[islandbass]

I think you need to figure out what you want the rod to do for you. You have enough to buy 2-3 decent ready made rods.  Find the niches in your arsenal that are lacking that you would like to fill and go from there.

The advantage of custom is just that. You get to have the rod made EXACTLY how you want it. The graphite, rod guides, and even the color of the threads, etc.

For example, I might like a rod from company A but I might not like the guides that company A put on them.  For example, I wouldn't mind owning a GLX rod from a certain series from Loomis, but they come with recoil guides and while normally looks are secondary to me since I normally prefer function over form, for some reason, I CANNOT get over how unsightly recoil guides look.  I bet they are quite functional and know that they are very light, but I cannot get over that psychological hump.

However, if I had a custom rod, I could probably have the builder purchase the same blank (well, maybe not anymore. Just using Loomis as an example) and then put on TiSic guides and use a skeleton reel seat and a split grip.

If I could, and when I can, I am going to consult with our own George Roth here and have him build me a dream drop shot set up (spinning) and an ultimate light to ultralight casting rod to be mated to a Pixy. They are going to be sweet!

So decide on what niches you want to fill and go from there. Check out George and see if he is currently building if you want to go custom. I think his split grip design is phenomenal in what I envision as a split grip.

[Mike Cork]

BFS, one thought that pops into my head first is that fishing from shore with a longer rod can be difficult because of limbs bushes people on docks? The same size rod might keep you more consistant in knowing where your bait is on casts. However if you don't have these type of issues then a longer rod can allow for longer casts and better control over larger fish when you don't have a boat to help you manage them.

Custom rods can be awesome but in the begining I always recommend store rods until you have played with several action, sizes, and baits on those varities so you can really dial in what you want before you drop 3-4 hundred on a custom rod

[bigfatsmallys]

IT'S BURNING A HOLE IN MY POCKET, IF I LET THE WIFE HOLD IT IT'LL GO FOR THE HOUSE FUND BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW THAT I HAVE SAVED UP JUST FOR THIS OCCASION. i DON'T WANT TO BE STUPID AND JUST GO BUY ANOTHE NICE REEL AND OR ROD SO I GUESS I'LL LISTEN TO YOU GUYS AND I'LL PUT UP A LIST OF MY ARSENAL AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE SOMETHING OUT. STAY TUNED SAME BAT TIME SAME BAT CHANNEL  ONLY THE OVER 40 BATMAN GUYS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT SAYING. THANKS FOR THE HELP. HEY I JUST HAD AN IDEA CAN I PUT THE $ DOWN ON A USED BOAT SINCE I REALLY NEED 1, BUT AGAIN THE HOUSE FUND COMES INTO PLAY. THIS STINKS

[Joshawa]

Well if you are looking to spend that kind of cash you pretty much have the keys to the castle, a real if you will. Just go to the bait shop and spend some time getting the feel for different brands, bring some of your reels with you so you can seat them and see how they feel together.

When I'm not pressed for time I spend some time in fantasy land and I really like the Croix Legend Xtreme. But for the price the Cumara's are nothing to scoff at.

[islandbass]

IT'S BURNING A HOLE IN MY POCKET, IF I LET THE WIFE HOLD IT IT'LL GO FOR THE HOUSE FUND BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW THAT I HAVE SAVED UP JUST FOR THIS OCCASION. i DON'T WANT TO BE STUPID AND JUST GO BUY ANOTHE NICE REEL AND OR ROD SO I GUESS I'LL LISTEN TO YOU GUYS AND I'LL PUT UP A LIST OF MY ARSENAL AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE SOMETHING OUT. STAY TUNED SAME BAT TIME SAME BAT CHANNEL  ONLY THE OVER 40 BATMAN GUYS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT SAYING. THANKS FOR THE HELP. HEY I JUST HAD AN IDEA CAN I PUT THE $ DOWN ON A USED BOAT SINCE I REALLY NEED 1, BUT AGAIN THE HOUSE FUND COMES INTO PLAY. THIS STINKS

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