Something I have noticed is that certain areas prefer rod brands over another. In years past Gloomis used to be the fan favorite in my area. Everyone was buying a Gloomis rod. Today it seems that everyone in my area is buying St Croix rods.  Does anyone else see a pattern like this where they live? The same applies with crankbaits, i see more rapala bought than anything else.

Yeah, everyone down here in the Glades prefers Shimano, but I think thats everywhere, oooooooohhhhhh! lol

Yeah, everyone down here in the Glades prefers and loves our Abu's, but I think thats everywhere, oooooooohhhhhh! lol

I'm soooo proud of you bud!! Your finally coming to terms with yourself.

I'm soooo proud of you bud!! Your finally coming to terms with yourself.

 

I fell off the wagon again.

I don't think it has much to do with location as it does personal preference. I understand using these boards and forums to find experiences that other people have had, but in the end it's up to you.

It's hard to find a review from someone who isn't biased, for whatever reason, and tough to know their credibility.

Edwin Evers fishes Bass Pro Pro Qualifier reels, and if they're good enough for a top elite, they should be good for everybody, right? But, if you ask LgMouthGambler, if it's not a Shimano, you're throwing your money away.

I've had the Skeet Reese and Shimano Compre cranking rods and ended up selling both in favor of the Veritas Winch rod, but I do have 2 CuradoE reels.

In the end, it's all about sifting through the bull and finding what works for you, wherever that may be. I have found, however, that when you read a lot of reviews that are overwhelming positive, they tend to be correct, in my opinion. Check out threads on here for Jj's Magic, Rage Tail, Northstar, Pro Qualifiers, etc...

I don't think it has much to do with location as it does personal preference. I understand using these boards and forums to find experiences that other people have LgMouthGambler, if it's not a Shimano, you're throwing your money away.

Hey, I resemble that remark, lol

here in n. wisconsin St. Croix is very popular

I just go with what feels right, and what I can afford.

 

For me, Shimano Compre's feel right. St. Croix Premiers and Avids feel right (though I own neither yet).

 

I pick up Abu rods, various other manufacturers and like some, don't like others. I don't like all Croix or Shimano rods. Loomis rods feel good. And so on.

 

So as far as location is concerned, I'm not seeing that. I see more angler preference, type of warranty coverage, etc. At least in my dealings. For what it's worth.

I don't think it has much to do with location as it does personal preference. I understand using these boards and forums to find experiences that other people have had, but in the end it's up to you.

It's hard to find a review from someone who isn't biased, for whatever reason, and tough to know their credibility.

Edwin Evers fishes Bass Pro Pro Qualifier reels, and if they're good enough for a top elite, they should be good for everybody, right? But, if you ask LgMouthGambler, if it's not a Shimano, you're throwing your money away.

I've had the Skeet Reese and Shimano Compre cranking rods and ended up selling both in favor of the Veritas Winch rod, but I do have 2 CuradoE reels.

In the end, it's all about sifting through the bull and finding what works for you, wherever that may be. I have found, however, that when you read a lot of reviews that are overwhelming positive, they tend to be correct, in my opinion. Check out threads on here for Jj's Magic, Rage Tail, Northstar, Pro Qualifiers, etc...

E2 had fished the BPS branded gear for a while, he will leave it behind this coming year as he is now sponsored by Megabass.

Fwiw, St Croix rods seem to be fairly popular in my garage!

I don't think it has much to do with location as it does personal preference. I understand using these boards and forums to find experiences that other people have had, but in the end it's up to you.

It's hard to find a review from someone who isn't biased, for whatever reason, and tough to know their credibility.

Edwin Evers fishes Bass Pro Pro Qualifier reels, and if they're good enough for a top elite, they should be good for everybody, right? But, if you ask LgMouthGambler, if it's not a Shimano, you're throwing your money away.

I've had the Skeet Reese and Shimano Compre cranking rods and ended up selling both in favor of the Veritas Winch rod, but I do have 2 CuradoE reels.

In the end, it's all about sifting through the bull and finding what works for you, wherever that may be. I have found, however, that when you read a lot of reviews that are overwhelming positive, they tend to be correct, in my opinion. Check out threads on here for Jj's Magic, Rage Tail, Northstar, Pro Qualifiers, etc...

I am not speaking about the board but where I work. This board is filled with brand loyalty and even sponsor loyalty. 

E2 had fished the BPS branded gear for a while, he will leave it behind this coming year as he is now sponsored by Megabass.

 

That's interesting. Always smirk when big names switch to the highest $$ sponsor -- like the Lindner's dropping Shimano for Quantum. Money talks.

That's interesting. Always smirk when big names switch to the highest $$ sponsor -- like the Lindner's dropping Shimano for Quantum. Money talks.

 

Megabass is a big step up from BPS, it would be a hard deal to pass on just based on equipment and baits alone.   It would be interesting to know the details about the deal.

Megabass is a big step up from BPS, it would be a hard deal to pass on just based on equipment and baits alone.   It would be interesting to know the details about the deal.

 

Very true. I gawk at the prices of their gear. Heck, if I were E2, I'd have jumped ship without a second thought!

Ive noticed this when it comes to Dobyns, There are a ton of guys down in Cali using those sticks! But who's to say they arent also popular  up north

BPS Micro Lite's are big out here for river/creek salmon & trout . 8' and up .

There isn't a top pro (Elite or FLW) who uses off the self rods or reels. The sponsors give specific rods & reels made to the pro's specs and reels factory tuned or tuned by some of the pros. Rods and reels are essential to the pro's success, the use the top quality products.

Out west Dobyn's rods have become popular only recently, Gary hasn't been in the market very long and originally used Lamiglas rod blanks, then went off shore for scrimless rod blanks and Kigan giudes on his top of the line rods. Gary Dobyn's is still tournament fishing and just won the event at Oroville and he is very personable, great angler, stands behind his product.

Gary Loomis sold his rod company to Shimano several years ago and the brand lost a lot of anglers as a result. The new GLX and NRX are wonderful rods, but now $450 to $550 and going up, not for your average bass angler.

St Croix is available from a wide range of dealers and has a wider range of rods to offer, however I don't believe they offer a scrimless rod blank or state of the art guides and sure that will change.

Shimano and Daiwa offer excellent rods, however designed for the average bass angler, both make some great top end state of the art rods, limited production.

There are some excellent custom rods that builders use the best blanks, rod seats and guides available and worth looking into.

The bottom is customer service, lifetime warranties and free or low cost shipping, that keeps anglers satisfied with rods regionally.

Tom

A little off topic, but, who is E2?

Hootie

I have found that St. Croix seems to be more east coast and Dobyns west coast, I mean that's a hard thing to split but I cant find Dobyns rods around here and every time I see them in the hands of anglers they are typically more to the west.  I would love to try a Dobyns rod without the need to buy one first...  I personally grew up on Ugly Sticks, St. Croix and G. Loomis, pre Shimano, now G. Loomis rods are out of my reach and cant beat a croix for the price.

A little off topic, but, who is E2?

Hootie

 

Edwin Evers.  E + E = 2