I'm really big on doing my thorough research on products before i buy, especially if I am going to be spending some big $$$$. Since I'm somewhat new to avid fishing.... being that I never really paid attention to brands, specs, etc..... I was curious to see what people think of these ratings, or if anyone has used any of them. 

 

RODS

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/wringer/tackle-test-2015-best-spinning-and-baitcasting-rods

 

REELS

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/wringer/tackle-test-2015-best-spinning-and-baitcasting-reels

 

I'm more curious about opinions on casting rods and reels than anything. 

 

Thanks for any opinions

I would put exactly zero stock in those reviews. They just repeat manufacturer specifications and assign numbers arbitrarily.

I think that the "best value" is a misnomer for the Curado. It would easily go to the CarbonLite IMO. Or even the AIRD, which I have heard delivers rock solid performance.

Check out tackle tour.  Many will disagree with some of their conclusions, but they do seem to attempt to explain their rationale for their ratings.

I would put exactly zero stock in those reviews. They just repeat manufacturer specifications and assign numbers arbitrarily.

 

Agreed... Lousy choices they made. And by the way Out Door Life is an old insignificant magazine trying everything to survive in a new era. It's laughable.

Check out tackle tour. Many will disagree with some of their conclusions, but they do seem to attempt to explain their rationale for their ratings.

Love their stuff. If not helpful, they are still good reads.

Kind of skeptical about the reviews...  Looks more like an ad for Sears.  I will look more in depth into this website.  I will come back to visit this thread again after I dig deeper.

You need to find the rod that you like and meets your needs. What I use you may not like.

Kind of skeptical about the reviews...  Looks more like an ad for Sears.  I will look more in depth into this website.  I come back to visit this thread again after I dig deeper.

I may still have this issue of the magazine... I may have to dig it up and post pics if everybody want's to look. Can't remember if I sold it or not.

Thanks for the input guys, I have checked out tackle tour as well. I just try and research from a few different sources to be thorough. A few sites I have checked I can kind of weed out usually, this one just had a few reels I KNOW are good reels so it peaked my interest in the ones I am not so familiar with that it rated so highly (***, Duckett 360)

Lews, Shimano,Daiwa,Quantum,Abu Garcia are all quality reels.

You need to find the rod that you like and meets your needs. What I use you may not like.

For sure !

 

When it comes to buying gear I try not to be swayed by reviews by other fishermen or publications.  So many reviews are based on the user using the item just a couple of times.  For the most part a new out of the box reel is favorable, I want to know what a reel is like after it's been used 100 or more times.  I see a lot reels here, I may use a friend's, that gives me a good staring point for that item.  

I think rods are a little different, durability does't seem too important as I've had very few rods in any price range that haven't lasted over time.  My criteria is pretty simple, how well it casts and how well it handle the species I'm targeting, the rod must be comfortable to hold.  I can buy something spec wise that matches what I'm looking for, until I'm catching fish I really don't know how it's going to work out.  

 

The best reviews are the ones I make myself, since I'm the one using the gear.