So I have a st croix premier rod. And a few other cheaper rods. But. I have noticed that that most of my rods have the same action. (A Walmart rod) I'm trying to think if it's better to buy a expensive rod. Or a cheaper set up. What y'all think. A more expensive rod or cheaper rod. No mater what I rods I use I get the same results.

The difference between VW bug and formula 1 car is the drivers skills.

If you can't determine a difference, buy what works for you.

Tom

.... Expensive rod....

They are probably all just fast actions rods that you bought.

.... Expensive rod....

They are probably all just fast actions rods that you bought.

One is. And one ain't.

My $2 & $15 rods were good. But the foam upper handle cracked from flexing. These are new old stock.

I won't spend over $100 on a rod. Buy what you like, you can afford, as long as your fishing. Do your own thing I do. I do enjoy trying different rods but I'm happy were I am now.

The difference between VW bug and formula 1 car is the drivers skills.

If you can't determine a difference, buy what works for you.

Tom

 

Winner winner!

My ol faithful Rhino rod (20 bucks from walmart) feels alive when I hold it. So sensitive! 

 

Still like my Rage rod, the rhino makes for a killer cranking rod/light rigs

You might not have developed that "touch" or "feel" with the rod that gets talked about quite often on here. Some people just have better reflexes and sensitivity than others like anything else, the good news is  I think you can develop this skill over time. ( I am still very much learning)

You won't know if a better rod will offer you any advantages until you try one.  Try a nice rod for your jig rod.  If you notice, like, and are able to take advantage of the increased sensitivity, you'll want an even better rod next.  If not, keep having fun with the rods you have and spend the money on baits!

 

Tight lines,

Bob

What WRB said is pretty much true. However; How can you develop the feel for sensitivity if you do not use a rod that has that sensitivity? When I started bass fishing all that was available was fiberglass rods. I remember when I picked up my first graphite rod and drug a T rigged worm across some gravel on the bottom. I was amazed at the difference in the feel. If I had never used that first graphite rod I would never have known the difference. I would suggest getting the best rod you can afford without breaking your bank or borrow a good rod from a friend and try it. You do not have to have the latest G. Loomis rod but a good quality rod will probably surprise you. Also, make sure the rod and reel you use are balanced. That balance is part of the feel of sensitivity. Just my .02. 

I guess what I was trying to say is action won't really change much. The weight and balance and sensitivity is what you pay for. If you find a cheap rod that you like by all means get it!

Don't mean to change the subject but just saw you're in MN and your pb is 7-8lbs. Did you catch that in MN?

Like Tom said... it's not the car, it's the driver. 

 

With that said, the St. Croix Premier is a higher end rod; you need to know how to utilize it in order to get any benefit over and Ugly Stik (other than weight, that is.) It's on you to determine what your needs are, and then to live within your means. What I believe is more important than the brand/blank of rod, is that you use the appropriate size/power/action for the technique that you're fishing.

 

The flea market section of this site is usually full of deals on higher end gear that will make the initial purchase less painful on your finances. 

 

You mention that you get the same results no matter if you use cheaper rods or your Premier. If that's because they feel the same to you, then perhaps you should work on your feel. There is a difference between your Premier and the cheaper rods, but until you can feel the difference it's not going to help you to have the higher end gear. The only thing I'd be afraid of is buying a bunch of low end gear and growing out of it, then buying high end gear to replace it. You're never going to grow out of that Premier. 

 

What Premier rod do you have? Maybe we can suggest the techniques you should use it for based on this. 

Like others have said,it's the driver not the car.You should invest more money on lures and tackle than a rod and reel.

One other point is that your reel will have a lot to do with sensitivity. For instance if you're fishing finesse baits on your St. Croix rod with a crunchy/sticking reel, the reel will make more vibration than your bait will. The reel needs to be smooth, not necessarily expensive, but well oiled and clean.

For my first expensive rod I picked one for the technigue I most enjoyed and did the most. For me this was a crankbait rod and the medium-mod action really helped pin the fish and I actually was losing fewer since the flex of rod kept hook in place and fish could not shake it off.

I am new at this but I did notice the benefit of matching a rod for the technique. My next rod was for frogs and the extra-fast action really help work the bait and the strong power gets the fish out of the thick stuff without a problem.

All in all, its been a fun experience learning and trying different things.

Just because you can make laps in a Formula 1 car doesn't make you a Formula 1 driver...sometimes you can make better lap times in the VW!

Just because you can make laps in a Formula 1 car doesn't make you a Formula 1 driver...sometimes you can make better lap times in the VW!

I'm guessing that most readers today wouldn't be able to do a lap in either car (standard transmission.)

The rod is more important to me, as long as reel has decent drag and proper gearing. spend the money on rod.

The rod is more important to me, as long as reel has decent drag and proper gearing. spend the money on rod.

I have won most of my rods. a few that are good and some that ain't.

I agree with the rod being more important unless the reel is total junk.  Line plays a part too.  

The techniques you're using these for can mitigate the difference to a point. If you're using them all for moving baits it can be hard to tell a difference at times. However, if you throw on a jig or t-rig and drag it over some gravel you should notice a difference in feel. if you don't then there's really no need for you to buy any higher dollar rods, but after using them, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell a difference. 

Yall gotta try fishing blind ,about 2 minutes into fishing a jig or t rig you can actually see what you feel in your mind.its a reality check

Just because you can make laps in a Formula 1 car doesn't make you a Formula 1 driver...sometimes you can make better lap times in the VW!

Watching someone who is skilled is very different performing the skill.

Tom