When Keith Combs beat Ike in the Texas bass tourney two years ago, Ike was using full cork rods, there are no full cork Abu rods. I've seen other pros do the same thing,and in my opinion the pros use high end rods but keep enough sponsored ones around to make it look good.

Ike uses, or has used in the past, Fenwick rods for cranking.   Fenwick is under the Pure Fishing umbrella.   Now that he has his own rods, he might not use them anymore.

Has anyone looked at his new rods? The paint on them looks pretty darn nice. The reel seat is painted too. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. It may be "slippery when wet".

I like the guides too.. stainless is tougher than Ti. The 7'4" rod is 5.3oz. The 7' is 4.7 oz. I can't get a good answer from Abu or any of the dealers I spoke to regarding the power rating. I think it's a 6. The model is: IKE74-6

Has anyone looked at his new rods? The paint on them looks pretty darn nice. The reel seat is painted too. I'm not so sure that's a good idea. It may be "slippery when wet".

I like the guides too.. stainless is tougher than Ti. The 7'4" rod is 5.3oz. The 7' is 4.7 oz. I can't get a good answer from Abu or any of the dealers I spoke to regarding the power rating. I think it's a 6. The model is: IKE74-6

I thought they looked good too, better than any of the other AG rods.  If I were buying an Abu rod, that would be the line I would choose from.  The 6 is definitely the power number and probably compares to other Abu rods.  I don't have any experience with them though.

Im selling a reel I've used for a couple hours with square bills.

After I get the funds for it I'm buying the Ike rod.

6 power works for me as long as it has the tip he claims

it has. What makes you so sure it is a 6 power?

Im selling a reel I've used for a couple hours with square bills.

After I get the funds for it I'm buying the Ike rod.

6 power works for me as long as it has the tip he claims

it has. What makes you so sure it is a 6 power?

Because rod model numbers usually always include the length and power.  The first 2 numbers are length, sometimes in inches, sometimes in feet, depends on brand.  The last number is the power.  The problem is, those power numbers really only compare to other rods from that manufacturer.

Because rod model numbers usually always include the length and power. The first 2 numbers are length, sometimes in inches, sometimes in feet, depends on brand. The last number is the power. The problem is, those power numbers really only compare to other rods from that manufacturer.

The numbers have me convinced too. I'm thinking

the 74-6 is a Magnum MH rod. The weight of the 74 compared

to the 7 is another indicator. I agree each brand has

there own rating system.

The numbers have me convinced too. I'm thinking

the 74-6 is a Magnum MH rod. The weight of the 74 compared

to the 7 is another indicator. I agree each brand has

there own rating system.

If you look at the other models, the medium is a 5 and the heavy is a 7.  Most other rod companies don't use those numbers to represent those powers but that is still what it means.

If you look at the other models, the medium is a 5 and the heavy is a 7.  Most other rod companies don't use those numbers to represent those powers but that is still what it means.

I do agree with you and what appears to be the rating system was my opinion

or hope.

You can use the little table they supply on the site

http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-rods-casting-rods/1373583.html#specifications

Says it's a medium heavy power-fast action

You can use the little table they supply on the site

http://www.abugarcia.com/abugarcia-rods-casting-rods/1373583.html#specifications

Says it's a medium heavy power-fast action

Right

I ordered the 74-6 this morning. It should be here Late Friday or Saturday morning. 

Very Interesting Subject Let me see if We can shed some light.. 

The Ike rod's look pretty nice. If you watch his rod video's you'll see he has framed each rod specifically to it's task. Anyone own one? Please post your opinion. Compare it to other rods in the same price range.

 

I don't think Mike is using these rods. In fact I'll bet all the pro's are using custom built rods with sponsor labels on them. What's your take on it?

Yes.. Pros use Customs! They need the advantages in every way. Now are all the rods on their deck customs? It really depends on the angler. Just try to pay attention to the decks when photos and videos are taken. Now sponsors want them to "talk"about their product, but doesnt mean they use it 100% of the time, this is true especially if the manufacturer doesnt have the rod spec. We have several "pros" that come to us for a custom rod specific. Cant share the information of who, but it happens. Sometimes our rod blanks and components then get knocked off lol.. 

 

So.. Do Pro's use customs, Yes. Do all? Who knows, your never going to get someone to tell you. Do they get a custom and put a decal from their rod company on it? Maybe.. But again, you'll never know unfortunately. 

 

Do you realize how many combos the pros have? And how much it would cost to have that many custom rods made and wrapped to look like his? 

 

Ike makes a lot of money doing what he does, but I reeally doubt any pro would do that with all the rods they use, that would just cost way too much. 

Money isn't the object. Customs aren't expensive if your a pro.. Just say your XXXX and you can get a custom. As for Ike doing this.. No one will really know other than his close circle. 

 

Custom rods take time to build...and money.

Pros are hard on rods.

Pros also have tight budgets.

Its simply not economical or logistical to use custom rods unless sponsored by mhx or mudhole.

Take time to build yes.. Money.. Sometimes. Pro's and everyone are hard on rods.. They are fishing rods. Im offended you didn't mention the RainShadow lineup from Batson JK.. 

Again.. We have several pros that aren't on our prostaff that come to us for a custom. Plus a plethora of custom rod builders that build for pros as well. They just can't stand up on the podium and say they used this custom rod from so and so.. 

 

I know two pros on the elite series that have a custom in their boat. There is no label on the rod, just raw blank with all components needed to complete the build of the rod. So do I think there are some pros out there that have a custom in their boat? Of course. Do I think they have a custom in their boat that is made to look like their sponsors rods? Absolutely not. They don't try extremely hard to hide it, but they also don't flaunt it either. 

There is a big field out there.. 187 or more.. with at least 20-30 rods.. so that is between 3700-5600 rods... To say there aren't any customs is just naive. Of course there isn't a label on the rod Now I have heard of custom rods that are made to look like their sponsors rods.. But that doesnt happen very often. You are right.. They never flaunt it! 

 

When Keith Combs beat Ike in the Texas bass tourney two years ago, Ike was using full cork rods, there are no full cork Abu rods. I've seen other pros do the same thing,and in my opinion the pros use high end rods but keep enough sponsored ones around to make it look good.

Exactly.. Try figuring that one out

Very Interesting Subject Let me see if We can shed some light.. 

Yes.. Pros use Customs! They need the advantages in every way. Now are all the rods on their deck customs? It really depends on the angler. Just try to pay attention to the decks when photos and videos are taken. Now sponsors want them to "talk"about their product, but doesnt mean they use it 100% of the time, this is true especially if the manufacturer doesnt have the rod spec. We have several "pros" that come to us for a custom rod specific. Cant share the information of who, but it happens. Sometimes our rod blanks and components then get knocked off lol.. 

 

So.. Do Pro's use customs, Yes. Do all? Who knows, your never going to get someone to tell you. Do they get a custom and put a decal from their rod company on it? Maybe.. But again, you'll never know unfortunately. 

 

Money isn't the object. Customs aren't expensive if your a pro.. Just say your XXXX and you can get a custom. As for Ike doing this.. No one will really know other than his close circle. 

 

Take time to build yes.. Money.. Sometimes. Pro's and everyone are hard on rods.. They are fishing rods. Im offended you didn't mention the RainShadow lineup from Batson JK.. 

Again.. We have several pros that aren't on our prostaff that come to us for a custom. Plus a plethora of custom rod builders that build for pros as well. They just can't stand up on the podium and say they used this custom rod from so and so.. 

 

There is a big field out there.. 187 or more.. with at least 20-30 rods.. so that is between 3700-5600 rods... To say there aren't any customs is just naive. Of course there isn't a label on the rod Now I have heard of custom rods that are made to look like their sponsors rods.. But that doesnt happen very often. You are right.. They never flaunt it! 

 

Exactly.. Try figuring that one out

 

Spoken from the horse's mouth.. I suppose any Beta rod keeps them from the claws of the sponsors.

Spoken from the horse's mouth.. I suppose any Beta rod keeps them from the claws of the sponsors.

Its more like this.. They all need to win. Well what happens if your sponsor doesnt have a heavy frog rod? Or a Glass Crank? Or a very HM spinning rod.. etc.. You can only imagine with all the places they go, they not only fish differently but also fish a variety of different techniques. There is no way way from a rod manufacturer to accommodate for 100% of everything out there. They need to go for the 70-80% of the most popular lakes, techniques, .. etc.. So what happens if you don't have it in your lineup? Either you do poor at the event with your rod sponsor or you get a few custom rods..

Picture a different sport: Golf.. You think ever golf player is using the exact stuff you buy off the shelf? Never.. Now maybe the head is the same, or possibly the shaft is similar, but I know 100% that you need to win. Slap a label on your golf shaft and call it your brand. 

 

This is why spy photos are always fun. Lets play guess whats on the deck

I like the idea of the guess what's on deck game! It sounds interesting. Try to find a short video segment or a photo and post it on here with a different rod than he is sponsored by.

Its more like this.. They all need to win. Well what happens if your sponsor doesnt have a heavy frog rod? Or a Glass Crank? Or a very HM spinning rod.. etc.. You can only imagine with all the places they go, they not only fish differently but also fish a variety of different techniques. There is no way way from a rod manufacturer to accommodate for 100% of everything out there. They need to go for the 70-80% of the most popular lakes, techniques, .. etc.. So what happens if you don't have it in your lineup? Either you do poor at the event with your rod sponsor or you get a few custom rods..

Picture a different sport: Golf.. You think ever golf player is using the exact stuff you buy off the shelf? Never.. Now maybe the head is the same, or possibly the shaft is similar, but I know 100% that you need to win. Slap a label on your golf shaft and call it your brand. 

 

This is why spy photos are always fun. Lets play guess whats on the deck

Everyone take a picture of Justin Lucas' deck when he won the Elite series on the Sacramento River...  Prime example of someone using stuff the same as we can all buy.  Just because one pro does it, doesn't mean that THEY ALL ARE.  There are plenty of them that are beating everyone with stuff right off of the shelf.  YES, there are some out there that do it, but it's not NEARLY as many as people seem to think.  From the way these threads always go I think you'd be really surprised at how LITTLE these guys care about what rod they're throwing.  

I like the idea of the guess what's on deck game! It sounds interesting. Try to find a short video segment or a photo and post it on here with a different rod than he is sponsored by.

Easy one to use is Byron Velvick.  He used his Rogue Swimbait rod to win a tourney when he was on Duckett's staff.  Kinda said a lot about Ducketts at the time. 

I'm confident all the name branded rods out there for sale a great rods. I believe the pro's had a lot to do with some of or all of the design decisions.

However, if I were a pro I would have to have rods in my locker that cannot be possibly be sponsored rods. The rod line would be way to big..  On another note the rod's that aren't in the line are most likely made for them by the sponsor rod company more often than not. So yes, I agree with Glenn.

 

On the other hand batson make a great point too.. We need boat deck pictures.

Does anyone think Lebron eats Mcdonalds?? Sponsors are $$$ for any pro, and they merely need to advertise for that company. 

It's the Indian not the arrow.

Ok Glenn what brand of rods do you use?

Your are the pro here.

Does anyone think Lebron eats Mcdonalds?? Sponsors are $$$ for any pro, and they merely need to advertise for that company. 

 

I don't eat McDonalds.. Yuck.

I don't eat McDonalds.. Yuck.

I like there sausage biscuit with egg and cheese. Chicken nuggets, fries.

The money I saved on Bizzbaits I can afford to eat at Wendy's now above the dollar menu. It's decent burgers on the fly

The Ike Garcia rods look good? I can't switch again I'm on the wagon for now.

I like there sausage biscuit with egg and cheese. Chicken nuggets, fries.

The money I saved on Bizzbaits I can afford to eat at Wendy's now above the dollar menu. It's decent burgers on the fly

The Ike Garcia rods look good? I can't switch again I'm on the wagon for now.

I'm sure it's a loaded wagon!

So let say a company sent you 25 rods to test for them. How much time do you think it would take you to evaluate all of them? 

It actually happened to me when I was a field tester for one of the major brands.  Baitcasting and spinning.  Every one, I think it was about 15.  They give you the time you need to do so effectively and correctly.  If I recall correctly it was at least 6 months, probably closer to 8.

They don't want smoke blown up their skirts or happy talk.  If something doesn't feel right, you are to tell them.  If something doesn't work right, you are to tell them.  It's a pretty intense thing.