So what are the best rods if you had unlimited funds like if you had Bill Gates check book what would be the rods to have.

Complete customs, on Gary's NFC - HM Blanks, Titanium/SiC guides, and of course a Fuji reel seat. Complete the looks to what fits you.

Wouldn't change a thing cause I'm already fishin' them. My custom St. Croix's and NFC's.

Now if we're talking production rods, I couldn't tell you. If I had the bills though I would take a hard look at some NRX's, and top of the line Croixs. Phenix seems to have some great blanks as well, from what I hear. Probably thrown some Dobyns Champ Extremes in there too.

EDIT: Since we're talking about unlimited money here, you might as well start shelling out the big bucks for those JDM Daiwa's too. Some nice $700 dollar reels, lol

No doubt customs...

BUT if we are talking production rods, I would lean heavily on Loomis GLX and Dobyns DX...and maybe a Megabass thrown in too.

NRX

i would rather buy a nice home on a lake!

I'd probably go all custom, man that'd be sweet... or trade all my current sticks in for comparable Dobyns DXs and start ordering Zillions, Pixies, JDM Stellas, and Cores!!!

I agree that custom is THE way to go but I'd like to remind everyone: You don't need unlimited funds to have custom rods as fine tuned fishing instruments! If investing in even a mid level rod there may well be a custom alternative.

I only have one choice, and that is St. Croix Legend Elite, I have a couple Customs and they are built on the same Blanks, I really don't think the Customs are any better than the Factory Built Legend Elite. The only advantage with custom is your personal preference for appearance, as the factory uses the best components available on the Elite, and if you like half of a handle the Extreme, after owning nearly every premium manufacturers rods over the last 50 years, I think the top end St. Croix Legend Elite and Extreme rods are the best rods made at any cost by far. I can't say that for any other rod manufacturer, and Ive owned about all the name brands!

G. Loomis anything

I love the imx series, will be purchasing several more this winter to vary length, action, power..Best I've ever used

I only have one choice, and that is St. Croix Legend Elite, I have a couple Customs and they are built on the same Blanks, I really don't think the Customs are any better than the Factory Built Legend Elite. The only advantage with custom is your personal preference for appearance, as the factory uses the best components available on the Elite, and if you like half of a handle the Extreme, after owning nearly every premium manufacturers rods over the last 50 years, I think the top end St. Croix Legend Elite and Extreme rods are the best rods made at any cost by far.

custom rods are built to the exact specs that YOU want. type of line, type of reel, guide spacing, handle lengths all affects how the rod is going to be built.

No idea what would be best but if I had that kind of money I'd just buy some of everything and find out what was best.

custom rods are built to the exact specs that YOU want. type of line, type of reel, guide spacing, handle lengths all affects how the rod is going to be built.

As I said, the only thing I would want different would be looks. St. Croix already builds a rod for anything I would want in the Legend Elite and Legend Extreme models, in the configurations that I would ever want. For those wanting a custom rod the St. Croix blanks I mentioned would be my only choice! If they prefer the best. I have had a few customs made, and that was something I thought was special 30 or so years ago, believe me, I have most of what I would ever want, and with close to 20 St. Croixs, I have made my choice, regardless of price! I could choose a rod from there catalog to replace any Custom rod I have had built, and be perfectly happy with it.

megabass, evergreen, or custom.

-gk

I dont think I'd change a thing. I love my zombie and Powell rods, lew's reels, and toray fluoro. I would however build a custom swimbait rod. Anyone have any suggestions on who to talk to about that? Lol

I would throw in a few megabass rods, forgot to mention that haha

Ruling out custom rods, I would say Loomis GLX OR NRX.

Otterod on the blank of your choice.

I would however build a custom swimbait rod. Anyone have any suggestions on who to talk to about that?

Greg Ross and/ or Adam Cargill. PM me for more info.

I havent fished with any higher end rods. I have a few Veritas, Ducketts, Skeets. But i recently picked up a St Croix Rage rod and i am absolutely blown away. I have it paired with a Revo Premier and the combo is feather light and sensitive. If money wasnt an option, I would have all Rage rods. I would have to buy a G Loomis though, just to see what all the hype is about.

The rods are easy, I'd go with all custom. I'd probably build my own after investing in top building equipment, or build my own wrapping machine. The problem with custonm is finding the blanks that you like. I fish NRX, but can I buy the NRX blank? If not, then what blank can I buy that is on par with the NRX? Dobyns makes a very nice looking rod. I don't have any Dobyns, but I think I like their look more than the NRX. I'm not saying they fish better, just look nice.

I almost bought a couple Megabass rods but I just couldn't do it without seeing their rods in person.

Another problem with custom is finding someone who REALLY knows how to properly assemble a rod. Pretty colors and nice components won't make the rod fish right if it's not built correctly.

I would concentrate on reels. I'd like to get a couple tricked out Calcuttas, Megabass and few others that would easily be in the 1k range, or close to it. I couldn't imagine pairing one of those reels with a factory, boring looking rod, regardless of the maufacturer.

I'm more than content with my Redbones, only the fish I catch matter.

I agree that custom is THE way to go but I'd like to remind everyone: You don't need unlimited funds to have custom rods as fine tuned fishing instruments! If investing in even a mid level rod there may well be a custom alternative.

And a well made mid-level custom can still be a better stick than some of the so called high end production rods.