Team All Star rods?

trent · July 30, 2009, 12:52:06 PM

$:-\$ If Team All Star rod's say Houston, TX on them does that mean they were made in the USA?I know the newest rod's are made in China

,And Houston,TX are no longer stamped on the rod's.Are the one's that have it older stock?Thanks for a very informative website.

Jrob78 · August 07, 2009, 11:47:55 AM

I was wondering the same thing. I bought one at Academy about a month ago, they had some that had Houston TX on them, but most didn't. The plastic cap on the butt of the rods are different too. I made sure to get a Houston one hoping that they were made in the USA.

trent · August 08, 2009, 02:27:20 AM

THANKS.I am glad to get a response!

blake711 · August 08, 2009, 08:04:44 AM

Jrob78- Be careful with some of the All Star, Castaway and American Rodsmith rods that Academy sells. Most if they are less than 85 bucks are made in china for Academy specifically. You won't be able to find any info on the manufactures website about them is your first clue they are not their high end rods. They are just made overseas for them and they put their name on it so Academy can sell a cheap rod with a name brand. I have tried Academy's brand of All Star and American rodsmith rods. Both were taken back for poor balance and feeling heavy. They weren't that much heavier in reality the balance was just so poor they fell like a broomstick. Also most are IM-6 which is just a mid grade rod. You can normally find a better quality rod for the same money in a different brand.

As for the original question. I believe the Team level and above are still made in Houston. Their website still states that http://www.allstarrods.com/as_teamfw.html also a quick call to them should answer your question Phone: 1-800-347-3759. I have always had good luck on the phone with them and with American Rodsmiths.

trent · August 08, 2009, 05:19:29 PM

Yeah,I noticed today at Academy that the new Team All Star rod's have made in China stickers on them,And they do not say im10 graphite,Or Houston,Tx anymore.Also was shocked to see Kistler magnesium rods made in China also for 149.00.

:shocking:The only one's that were made in the USA are Falcon.

miarob · August 08, 2009, 07:13:20 PM

I have a Team All Star, All Star Platinum, and one of the cheap broom sticks as you call them. I have to say that the broom stick catches just as many fish as the higher priced models. Balance is not that bad either. In fact, I'm pretty sure the broom stick get more use than the Platinum. With me, the sensitivity is not as big of issue since I'm a line watcher. If you don't keep a semi tight to tight line, you won't be feeling the bite very well anyway. I agree it's not as expensive or as high of quality material used in the construction of the broom stick but, they aren't total trash either. I've been able to spend a little more money on rods lately(some folks can't) but, I'll wear the cheap ones out before I throw them away.

Jrob78 · August 08, 2009, 09:01:08 PM

The All Star Classic is Academys "house brand" All Star rod. The rods I am speaking of are the IM 10 Team All Star Rods. They have a few that say IM 10, and Houston Tx on them, and the majority don't say either of those things but look almost identical. Also the Houston rods have Fuji reel seats while the others don't. The windings are different too. The price however is the same. I haven't looked at BPS or anywhere else to see how their Team All Star stock compares.

miarob · August 08, 2009, 09:34:14 PM

According to the info on All Star website, all the Team All Star rods are supposed to be made in Houston, made with IM 10 blanks and have Fugi guides. The one I have does have all the features listed. It wouldn't surprise me if that has changed but, there is no mention of it on their site.

trent · August 09, 2009, 10:39:24 AM

Yes they have not updated their website in a while since Shakespere bought them out and moved their manufacturing to China.

.I have always used All Star rod's until,I found this out.I think from now on I will be buying made in the USA Falcon rod's,Or Loomis.As with everything else money is more important than customer satisfaction,Or loyalty to the customer.I am more surprised about the Kistler rod's that ,I found made in China,And still trying to command a 149.00 dollar price tag.What a shame.

miarob · August 09, 2009, 12:54:36 PM

I have been looking at the Falcon rods as well. Seems that Academy and Dick's are selling off their All Star line around here. I have always used All Star rods too. Have you tried the Falcon rods yet? If so, what do you think about them?

trent · August 09, 2009, 01:20:39 PM

I did have two Falcon Lowrider's that,I loved.Unfortunately they had to be sold because times were tight 4 yrs ago.They were fantastic rods at a good price.The only non All Star rods,I have owned(trigger)that is.

blake711 · August 09, 2009, 02:52:58 PM

Falcon headquarters is 30 minutes from me. They are very big here in OK. I have fished some of them. They are a nice rod but a bit stiff and heavy for my likes. I am interested to try a bucoo and see how it stacks up against the Lowriders. Most folks I know that really like them fish the Cara line.

As for made in china its sad but a lot of the American companies have gone the route that basically anything under the $200.00 price point has gone over seas. There are still a few that keep it all in the USA Falcon being one. The other I can think of off the top of my head is Lamiglass. I think there is one other that makes all their rods in USA but it escapes me at the moment. While I am picky about my reels being made there. Its not the big a deal to me about that rods. I fish mainly shimano rods and they are all made in China. The crucial is the lightest toughest rod for the money I have found with best warranty of any rod.

North Branch · August 15, 2009, 03:08:51 PM

I'm pretty sure that the St. Croix Avid is still made in USA. Fine rod for under $200.

Pablo4x4 · August 19, 2009, 04:23:33 PM

It's sad to see a good company change for the bad. I have one All Star Team rod and love it (made in Houston). I am actually in the search of a new rod and by reeding this I just won't buy another All Star. I don't live in the USA but I think is important to spend my money on the same economy block where I live. North America needs this (Canada, USA and Mexico) and this is pointing me in the direction of St Croix. I also have one of them, thanks to the advice and help on chosing it from George Roth who also built it fot me (it was a St Croix blank). China products even when they are cheaper, they don't offer the same quality in IMHO.

trent · August 21, 2009, 10:08:02 AM

I agree 100% Pablo.Went to Bass Pro last night and the same thing there. No Houston,TX rods.If the rods are now made in China why would you drop the IM10 graphite off of the rod unless you went to something lower quality.Thats what I'm talking about trying to sell basically the same looking rod for the same price with lesser quality.

Pablo4x4 · August 26, 2009, 03:44:34 PM

Well I think I got very lucky last week

There's a webstore here in Mexico that sells fishing equipment and I found a Allstar team crancking rod (TAS844CB) that had the Houston, Texas words in it. I bought it and it's in my fishing tackle corner already

I didn't have a rod for crankbait so this comes to complete the whole set.

Now I have 4 rod/reel combos to fish drop shot, jigs/worms, spinnerbaits and cranks

I thinks I'm all set for some years now.

trent · September 06, 2009, 10:50:56 PM

Thats great Pablo,I found two myself now there are none around here.Enjoy and good luck with those giant bass you have down there.

Pablo4x4 · September 07, 2009, 08:50:47 AM

Well, I got the chance to take the rod for a spin last saturday. It worked well, Only that it was a slow day for fishing. This was the largest catch of the 3 that got hooked and fortunatly it was cought on the new all star.

Second picture is with my fishing buddy of the day.

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tcole007 · September 17, 2009, 08:30:55 PM

Many of you are knocking on the rods that are made in China....look at your reels and tell me where they are made from? If you are so hard on USA made items, then you should buy reels that are made in the USA. ARDENT and AVET are made in USA.

trent · September 17, 2009, 10:51:19 PM

You missed the point of the whole topic.I understand what you are saying,But what I was talking about was the fact that All star is all of a sudden selling the same looking rod without Houston,TX and no more IM10 graphite markings on the rod for the same price,And i'm sure it's a lower quality rod.All of my reels are Shimano. Originated in Japan,And still in Japan.Not from USA then to China.Have not tried the Ardent reels yet.

Bassboss · October 17, 2009, 09:11:25 AM

Hmmm.......

I've been looking at these rod for a while. If I get one, it'll be form tackle warehouse, they still say they're made in the US with IM10 graphite. Anyone wanna back that up?

muddy man · October 17, 2009, 09:20:12 AM

No the new Team Allstars will not say HoustonTX , I dont know about the IM 10 badge, The quality is the same, I only use Fenwick Bait Casters , but I did own a Team AllStar Spinning rod, which I gave to a friend, It did say Houston TX, and it was several years old
He just bought a Bait Cating from TW and it did not say Houston TX, but the quality remains the same, so no worries.