WPCfishing

Duckett makes some nice rods.. I have no idea why they don't rate their rods. I suppose they want you to buy them to find out. lol However I will add if you don't know a rod companies logic there's no way to know what their power ratings will be like anyway.

I've never tried Tuf Line.. I'll take a look at it online. Power Pro on all my reels now. I find its the best thru the guides and is always consistent.

I use a BB1 Pro 7:1:1 for square bills and lip less cranks.. a BB1 5:1:1 for deep cranks and a Tourney Pro 6:4:1 for everything in between and spinnerbaits. All my other reels are 7:1:1.......

What happens to so called ratings when you get into the Magnums? Mikes busy so I'll tell ya.. When you get into magnum rods it a new rating world. A mag 5 is a medium .. A 4 is a heavy. The medium magnum is a stouter rod..

The 6' 10" Heavy Elite I bought was on sale for half price, the store had them orange tagged for half of that. I got it for $20.00....... It's as nice as any $100.00 rod. Even better than some.... I know they offer a 7'6" heavy, I'd like to get my hands one. The stores around me don't stock it. Before I bought them I had done a little research. All the articles I read stated they were mad in Canada. I was kinda pumped. I was a little disappointed when I saw the made in China sticker.. in the end it didn't matter.. it's a nice rod.

I'm not suggesting bearings shouldn't be replaced. Do what you like. I just offered my common sense take on the 7 bearings. I suppose if I was to add new bearings I'd be fine with 5's. A casting reel cannot possibly do any better with 7's even if its just for smooth short casting.

I've seen some of the Kistler rods. They look great, to bad the customer service/communication wasn't as good. In fact... I really don't know how good it is. They never answer they're phone. I've left messages a number of times... They don't call back so screw em! There are plenty of good rods out there offered by companies and builders that aren't to arrogant to communicate with potential customers.

Those times are crazy good.. But, what does it really equate to when you have to use more braking and spool axle tension. I'm fine with a quality reel and the bearings in it. Maybe a good bearing cleaning and that's about it.

After spending a pile of money and quite a bit of time with different lines I'll stick with Power Pro and P-Line CX. I've had great success with both. Of all the lines I've tried Seagaur Invisx (JUNK) was my least favorite line. Seaguar customer service is awful. After wasting $85.00 I thought it would be in my best interest never to buy anything Seaguar again.

I have a black 6'6" medium fast. I primarlily use it with light swim jigs, 1.5 square bills and lipless cranks. Rod cast great, it's well balanced and comfortable. I also have an Elite blue 6'10" heavy with micro guides. I use it for a veriety of 1/2oz+ baits. It's very lite at just 4oz. The Elite rod has a lot of back bone. They don't get a lot of use but I do I like both of them.

Good Luck with it!

I agree, I never abuse my gear. I always travel with the rods and reels in the vehicle and they're wrapped in a blanket. I suppose you could say my gear is important to me.

Mike, For the few extra dollars I'd opt for the better guide.When I'm fishing it's non stop for hours. I get out at least three times a week. I need a pro rod, especially for fishing heavy cover. I'm seriously considering doing tournaments again in 2016 so no room for less... I'll more than likely have Ralph build me 4-6 rods.

Hi Geoff, Thanks for that information. I'll discuss this further with Ralph. If my memory serves me right Ralph suggested the zirconia too. I absolutely want light weight and strong guide frames. Titanium would be nice. Which of your guides do you recommend? The two blanks arrived, an RX7 and an Immortal. I'm go to his shop to get a look at them tomorrow.

My builder ordered in two blanks for me to get a look at. Both are RainShadow, This is my first custom build. What was your first custom build? Are you still happy with it?

Consider a Lews Team Lite.. Silver reel. I use mine with a 6' Daiwa Team rod. The other reel for a bit more is the Lews magnesium. I use that reel on a couple different rods. Daiwa 6'6" MH Team rod and a 6'6" Tech rod. Both are outstanding reels.

Has anyone seen the Phenix Maxim rod? They're priced around $120.00 and offer sic guides.

Let us know which rod you like best then rate them all 2,3,4...

How much $ was the Kistler?

Nice rod... did you weigh it?

I'm glad all you guys are feeling better now...

I'm going with sic guides on my toad rod build. Off the shelf rods I like get a pass. Any rod around $100.00 these days will have decent guides that will easily handle braid.

I've got two Diawa Team rods. Both have Aluminum Oxide guides. The 6' weighs 4.1 and the 6'6" is 4.4. Both IM7 blanks. There fine for moving baits. I use Power Pro braid on both rods. The guide rings are fine.

Do you know which guides will be on them ?

In the mid range the aluminum oxide and alconite are very close. I would think the real difference would be the size, weight or both?