Higher End Rods Are they Worth It?

Bud Kennedy · February 02, 2021, 06:23:52 PM

As a disclaimer, I want to state for the record that I have never owned what you would call an upper end rod. Now given that statement I do really like the Dobyns rods I currently own and use. All of them are either Fury models and one Sierra Model. I really like these rods but they just don't have the feel that my custom rods exhibit.

I have been wondering and new starting to want to try a more upper crust rod just to see if I can really feel the difference and decide if it is worth the extra dollars to own. So If I buy a Champion series that many claim here provides superior sensitivity will I be able to tell the difference easily or is the improvement just a little bit. Then of course there is the xtasy and will an upgrade from a Champion be really noticed. I guess I am wondering if all of these claims are really true and would they provide any extra advantages for putting fish in the boat? I am saying these things only because I really don't see much difference between my fury models and the Sierra model. Am I missing the point or is it I just don't have the skills to tell the difference.

apenland01 · February 02, 2021, 06:43:45 PM

Nope, a rod is a rod is a rod. Save the money and buy other things.

Fun4me · February 02, 2021, 06:57:19 PM

If sensitivity and weight are important to you, then higher end rods are worth it IMO.

Pat Dilling · February 02, 2021, 07:05:42 PM

My opinion: Prior to the advent of braided line and fluorocarbon line, I think the higher end rods like GLoomis IMX definitely were an advantage. They simply helped you feel more, whether it was a bite or change in the bottom. I think the low stretch lines have changed that. Where the higher end rods make a difference today is in light weight, balance and superior construction. Years ago I got several Kistler original Helium rods and I felt they gave me an advantage. I now have one of the new Helium casting rods and it is also very good. One of the rods I use the most is a Dobyns Fury 703 spinning rod. I use it for all manner of finesse fishing, with a Daiwa Fuego 3000H reel, 15# Power Pro band with a 8# Seguar Red box fluorocarbon leader. The balance is good, it is comfortable in my hands and I can honestly say that I have felt bites on a slack line. The line has made the ultra sensitive rods less important. For the type of fishing I do, I do not feel that I need a 3-500 dollar rod to catch fish. Your mileage may vary.

Capt. BassinLou · February 02, 2021, 07:11:30 PM

Higher end rods definitely have their place. Everything from the blank, and the quality of its components play a huge role. The anglers budget will determine how high end they can go.

FD · February 02, 2021, 08:15:50 PM

I think up to around the $200 price point, the more you spend the better rod you get. Above that number you are getting into the low end range of customs and will always be a better investment than a high end factory rod.

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Polaris425 · February 03, 2021, 07:48:28 AM

I agree to a point. I don't see myself ever putting $400+ into one bass fishing rod.

But I've put $200+ into one several times and haven't had any regrets.

Case in point, I had a shimano convergence ($60 rod) crankbait rod. It was heavy, cumbersome, and I hated throwing crankbaits on it for that reason. I tried a $120 carbon rod that was much lighter, and felt great, and made throwing crankbaits more enjoyable. I didn't get tired as quick as with the shimano...

SO, in that case, yes... spending the extra $$ was WELL worth it, to me. I also invested in a Lee Smith (it's my texas rig rod) and it was also more than worth the $$ I spent. I've tried several rods for texas rig, and this one has by far been my favorite.

loomisguy · February 03, 2021, 03:34:08 PM

I will say I get a discount on a lot of stuff and so do a lot of other folks whether or not they admit it.
The G Loomis NRX is getting a bit long in the tooth but it's still the gold standard. They ain't cheap but there is a market for them along with the ZBone ,Destroyer and Xtasy.
Unless someone has actually owned them they really don't know and maybe they don't care but they don't feel like a $ 200 rod.
My personal thoughts on custom rods are that if you break it who's going to warranty it ? NFC or St.Croix ect. will cover the blank but be sure to ask if your on the hook to have the broken one stripped and the replacement rewrapped.

reitzells · February 03, 2021, 04:06:15 PM

IMO Absolutely!! But then there is two different versions of Higher End Rods..... Custom / Manufactured
I build my own custom rods and I have built $100 rods and $600 rods. I can 100% say that I will not build any more $100 custom rods for myself. Do they work...yes, Do they feel good ect... yes. I started using a high end blank a couple years ago and I thought I had a high end rod but then I went to the high end components it made a VAST change in feel of the rod. Now I have two rods with the same blank but different components (eyes, reel seat, grips) and I almost refuse to use the 1st version of the rod due to the difference it made in feeling bottom composition and subtle bite's. If one didn't have this version they may have never knew they had missed a fish, and to prove that if you are following these new sonar advancements you are seeing fish strike peoples lure without them even knowing other than watching it on their screen.

Manufactured Rods - There are some really great mfg rods out there that are absolutely incredible if you can afford them. I would just do your research to make sure you are getting high end blanks & components and not paying for a name if you chose to go this route.

Oldfart9999 · February 04, 2021, 06:08:42 AM

The old adage of "You get what you pay for" is still true for the most part, just depends on the integrity of the maker.
Rodney

Deadeye · February 04, 2021, 09:37:34 AM

It's all in Perspective.

Are you Fishing because you enjoy it?

Or

Are you Fishing because your trying to make a living or win tournaments?

If so that extra subtle bite (whatever that actually is) might make a world of difference to you. If not having a good day and catching fish is all that matters.

Heck I still hear of guys using old stuff like Glass Rods and Round Reels show up for a Week Night Tournament that no one has ever seen before in an older beat up boat, and they go on to spank everyone's butt and win.

Most I've personally ever paid for a Rod was in the $100 range and that was on sale. So probably $120-130 before.

They do what I need. That's all I can ask.

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Bud Kennedy · February 04, 2021, 10:31:28 AM

I am not opposed to buying better rods by any means. I just want information that gives me an idea of what exactly does a higher end rod provide to the angler. If the deal is sensitivity as a gauge for determining this then so be it. An example might be in reference to the Dobyns product line. Is a Champion X% more sensitive then a Sierra and then is the Xtasy X% more sensitive than the Champion models. I understand the improvement of materials in the rod blank/guides/real seat but then again How much more improvement would it be? I guess it my way of trying to understand if the higher end rods provide enough advantage to make the increased cost worthwhile. I am probably struggling with the price point being about the same as a custom. Makes me wonder if I want a big improvement then why not just buy custom?

Warranty support while important to many just does not overly float my boat. The cost to get a rod replaced under warranty in my mind devalues the advantage the "Partial" warranty provides. I guess it is all a matter how you look at it. Then again you bump up against individual preference to determine if it is worth it.

Another factor has to be the overall performance of the rod. Are the higher end rods more productive at keeping the fish hooked up after the bite? There are multiple factors to gauge this so this last question is fairly generic.

loomisguy · February 04, 2021, 11:39:14 AM

A lot would depend on what your plans are for it. I personally wouldn't spend NRX money for a moving bait rod. But I'm a dragger so the sensitivity I get from a NRX ,GLX or NFC blank is worth it to me.
Kistler uses the North Fork Composites (Gary Loomis )t-800 blanks on the KLX and Helium and the Xray on the Zbone.
You can pick up a KLX or Helium under $350 and they are outstanding .

Smallie_Stalker · February 04, 2021, 11:59:40 AM

"I am probably struggling with the price point being about the same as a custom. Makes me wonder if I want a big improvement then why not just buy custom?"

Truthfully that is a question that only you can answer IMHO. And the only way I see to answer it is that you have to have both a custom and a high end (however YOU define that term) to compare against each other.

Now here's my 2 cents worth on your first post in the thread. I own at least one rod in every line that Dobyns makes except the Colt and the Kaden.

In my hands the Champ XP is much more sensitive and has a slightly crisper action than the Fury. It is also lighter. There are also more rods lengths/actions available in this line than any of the others.

The DX series (Extremes) steps that sensitivity up a couple of notches and also has some rods like the 746 Flip that are just something special. With that sensitivity and the power to about pull a stump out of bottom there is about nowhere you can't fish with it. The DX line makes light bites easy to feel too.

IMO the Xtasy really shines it's best when fishing bottom contact baits. You can feel every blade of grass and if you know your aquatic plants you can even tell what type of veg. you're hitting. The difference between sand and mud is easy to tell etc. And light bites are very easily detected with these rods as well.

When fishing moving baits or topwater I think the Fury is an excellent rod and no need to upgrade. But when it comes to techniques where sensitivity and/ or bite detection is important than going up to a higher end rod will increase the odds of a hookup.

Like I said just my 2 cents.

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loomisguy · February 04, 2021, 02:55:18 PM

I'm surprised it took this long for Dobyns to get mentioned.

Smallie_Stalker · February 04, 2021, 03:37:49 PM

Quote from: loomisguy on February 04, 2021, 02:55:18 PM
I'm surprised it took this long for Dobyns to get mentioned.

Me too since Bud's entire first post was specifically about the differences in the various Dobyns series verses a custom.

loomisguy · February 05, 2021, 04:33:45 AM

Then put it in the Dobyns board. I have no problem with Dobyns .I own some ,even won a few bucks with them but the same 3 or 4 guys constantly beating everyone over the head with them is silly.

Bud Kennedy · February 05, 2021, 09:36:44 AM

Smallie, Actually my original post was a generic question not related to any particular maker of rods. I was hoping for any and all comments to help me understand if a higher end rod is really worth the extra dollars and also to inquire about how much more effective they may be. I only made reference to the Dobyns rods because that is what I have and am familiar with Dobyns and of course my Lee Smith rods.

Smallie_Stalker · February 05, 2021, 11:11:09 AM

Quote from: loomisguy on February 05, 2021, 04:33:45 AM
Then put it in the Dobyns board. I have no problem with Dobyns .I own some ,even won a few bucks with them but the same 3 or 4 guys constantly beating everyone over the head with them is silly.

First I apologize if I gave the impression that I thought you had a problem with Dobyns. That was not my intention. I know you are very familiar with a variety of rods and I always appreciate the knowledge you share.

Personally I only know recent rods from 2 brands fairly well - Abu Garcia and Dobyns. I would not consider Abu as high end rods. So I answered based on my personal experience.

Since Dobyns is what I know, and since that was the brand Bud mentioned in his first post (which I obviously misunderstood the intention) then that is how I replied.

As far as the same guys beating everyone over the head with Dobyns, I use Dobyns not because they are a sponsor here, but because they are my personal favorites. I am not beating anyone over the head just sharing my opinion. And I will NEVER apologize for that.

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Smallie_Stalker · February 05, 2021, 11:17:55 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on February 05, 2021, 09:36:44 AM
Smallie, Actually my original post was a generic question not related to any particular maker of rods. I was hoping for any and all comments to help me understand if a higher end rod is really worth the extra dollars and also to inquire about how much more effective they may be. I only made reference to the Dobyns rods because that is what I have and am familiar with Dobyns and of course my Lee Smith rods.

Bud looks like I owe you an apology as well. I find that as I get older and as I have more competition for my time than I should I often don't see the forest for the trees so to speak.

I try to pay attention to smaller details and often, as in this case miss the actual overall intention of the post.

Sorry about that.

I do believe that what I said about the only way to tell if a high end or a custom is better for YOU is that you need to have one of each and compre them against each other. Then you can decide if it is worth it for YOU.

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loomisguy · February 05, 2021, 11:58:46 AM

Smallie, You certainly don't owe me a apology. I would agree between the 2 choices you listed you made the right choice with Dobyns

merc1997 · February 06, 2021, 01:06:55 AM

well, here is my 2 cents worth for whatever that is worth. braid makes any decent rod pretty darn good. now if one thinks a high dollar rod makes you a better fisherman, then go for it. confidence is always a great asset. newer rods are lighter than those of yesteryear, and for us old folks that is really nice. to tell the truth, most so called pros would not even fish with any of my junk, but they still work for me.

to tell the truth, most folks never know a bass has taken their lure before it has already spit the lure out because of how they hold the rod and no matter how expensive of a rod you buy one will never feel that nothing bite before it is too late when you are palming the reel as most folks do.

i am going to make a statement that is not intended to make anyone mad, but to make you think. my brother is one of the best archers in the world. he often states how many try to buy themselves into being a better shooter, when the truth is about any low end bow will shoot way better than their capabilities. i have seen the same thing with golfers, and also pool players. i always used a house cue when hustling. so, work on your skills. learn to feel what that lure is doing every instance, and when something slightly different happened than the last three times you moved that jig, jerk! hone your skill in locating bass. the best basser in the world can not catch the first one, if they are not throwing it in front of one. really want to be a better basser, then work at it.

these are two simple things that will improve anyone's fish catching.

bo