I think pros use custom made rods from their sponsors made to look like off the shelf rods not all the time but sometimes. Carrot sticks used to do it for Boyd duckett?

16 minutes ago, Burros said:

I think pros use custom made rods from their sponsors made to look like off the shelf rods not all the time but sometimes. Carrot sticks used to do it for Boyd duckett?

I think so too. I think about it all the time. The main reason I think this is due to the example of Abu Garcia and Ike. For example, if you are a pro sponsored by Abu Garcia, why would you use a Veritas? Esepcially when they have superior rods such as the Villain 2.0, Fantasista Premier. It's all marketing by the fishing companies IMO. 

 

I'm by no means an expert in marketing/advertising but I figure that they decided that by Ike using a Veritas rod it will be appeal to the masses and get more people to buy the rod. A lot of people aspire to be like Ike so they are more likely to buy a Veritas than a $300 rod. Just my take on it.

Imagine a rod snapping on a pro during the classic wile live streaming or during an elite series someone will definitely see it happen specially with social media nowadays. That could ruin a company seriously that would have some serious impact on their sales.

They just say the are testing and developing the next generation.  There rods may have an extra inch or two a new taper or maybe rings with sic instead of aluminum oxide.  My point is if discovered the already have the answer waiting.

I don’t really think so. Maybe the top guys, maybe. I know one guy in FLW who uses factory St. Croix, nothing different. 

16 minutes ago, r83srock said:

I don’t really think so. Maybe the top guys, maybe. I know one guy in FLW who uses factory St. Croix, nothing different. 

Yeah the top guys for sure not the majority.

42 minutes ago, r83srock said:

I don’t really think so. Maybe the top guys, maybe. I know one guy in FLW who uses factory St. Croix, nothing different. 

I agree with Burros in that its mainly the top pros like KVD, Gerald Swindle, Ike, Skeet Reese that get a top of media attention. I just am not convinced a top level pro is using a sub $100 rod when the company has better offerings. Ike is the example that appears to stand out to me. 

Let’s not forget, the pros are using quality mid range rods because that’s what most of us can afford. Sponsors will push a rod that has a legit chance of selling high numbers. Most of us aren’t gonna run out and buy a $600 Steez because our favorite pro is using one. Notice all the Daiwa pros are using Tats and Zillions and a few CTs. Hmmmm, how well are they selling right now

13 minutes ago, jtesch said:

Let’s not forget, the pros are using quality mid range rods because that’s what most of us can afford. Sponsors will push a rod that has a legit chance of selling high numbers. Most of us aren’t gonna run out and buy a $600 Steez because our favorite pro is using one. Notice all the Daiwa pros are using Tats and Zillions and a few CTs. Hmmmm, how well are they selling right now

Youre right that they try to use product that is affordable to relate better with the average fisherman. But I'm almost 100% convinced, as well as many others on the forum, that they are not truly fishing the rods they show. For example, for KVD I am sure they use there best blanks and put the graphics of a more affordable KVD rod. I am sure he also gets one of a kind rods for his setups to his desired specs.

 

Another example to illustrate this is golf. For many years Tiger Woods used the Nike One Gold ball but Nike would label the ball as the Nike Platinum ball to promote the ball. I am 99% sure the top pros that are widely recognized do the same. 

 

I could be wrong but that's just what I think.

 

 

 

Believe KVD, Skeet Reese and the like use rods and reels that are sold to the masses...not the low end but excellent rods and reels from their sponsors...they receive excellent feedback...

 

powerful message...

I don’t actually think quantum makes   A true high end rod but I do think KVD gets to pick the best of the lot.

KVD is a freaking legend his rods are customized to his standards without a doubt.

 

20 minutes ago, greentrout said:

 

I have owned reel and rods from just about all the major manufacturers but I have only owned two Quantum reels and 1 Quantum rod and never had an issue. I know many people who love their Quantum stuff and I have nothing negative to say about the company. Their parent company is actually from my hometown so I know a good bit about Quantum. While Quantum isn't my first choice they do make some good products that I can recommend to others with confidence. I can't say that about every manufacturer but I am not going to name any names haha ?.

 

On July 22, 2018 at 9:54 PM, Stephen B said:

I agree with Burros in that its mainly the top pros like KVD, Gerald Swindle, Ike, Skeet Reese that get a top of media attention. I just am not convinced a top level pro is using a sub $100 rod when the company has better offerings. Ike is the example that appears to stand out to me. 

The majority of pros do use the same store bought equipment anyone can purchase off the shelf. Just Fast forward to the 50 second mark and have a listen. Do you think Swindle would straight face lie to the consumer ?

 

 

 

What does a rod do for the bass angler?

If you can answer that question you should know all rods aren't the same.

Rods used to cast crankbaits are not the same as rods used used for bottom contact lures.

Rods used to cast faster moving lures like crankbaits primary function is casting those lures accurately long distances.. Rods used to fish bottom bumping lures primary function is to cast those those lures and help the angler to detect unseen strikes.

2 very different functions.

Nearly any rod can effectively cast lures, a moderate action action rod casts better then a stiffer fast action rod, so the moderate rid excels in casting. However a moderate action rod dead end lure feedback and not a good choice for bottom contact lures. 

Any modern fast action rod superior in bottom contact lure feedback because it deadens line movements less then a moderate action rod.

So tell me why would a pro need a state of the art rod for moderate action use?

Tom

I'd trust the Pros tenfold more than these clowns on Youtube who are sadly emerging as the new market share grabbers hawking average gear for inflated prices.  I'll not expand on this for respect for forum rules.

7 hours ago, J.Vincent said:

 

The majority of pros do use the same store bought equipment anyone can purchase off the shelf. Just Fast forward to the 50 second mark and have a listen. Do you think Swindle would straight face lie to the consumer ?

 

 

 

Oh I believe they use the same stuff we use bought off the shelf no doubt, I also believe that the top pros probably the top 5 percent do and are able to get some of their rods customized to a specific standard that may not be available in their standard line up. I’m talking rods not reels.

   You can’t tell me that if KVD ask for a 6’9, 1/2 rod with a 17, 1/2 handle for whatever the reason he’d want that ?? You can’t tell me they wouldnt do it for him.

 

21 minutes ago, Burros said:

You can’t tell me that if KVD ask for a 6’9, 1/2 rod with a 17, 1/2 handle for whatever the reason he’d want that ?? You can’t tell me they wouldnt do it for him.

 

And then it's released at ICAST ?

6 hours ago, puddlepuncher said:

I'd trust the Pros tenfold more than these clowns on Youtube who are sadly emerging as the new market share grabbers hawking average gear for inflated prices.  I'll not expand on this for respect for forum rules.

wait....but....but.....he listed 647 sponsors at the end of the video! He must know what he is talking about!!!!

11 hours ago, greentrout said:

 

LOL ? My post from 7 years ago.

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

And then it's released at ICAST ?

And it would win best of show!?

 

The other side of the coin is the very best fish what they designed and the company makes to their specs.  Kvd has his own series that de designed and put his name on.  When off the shelf is custom made from the factory just for you.

I believe for the most part it’s off the shelf gear just with much higher quality control. The manufacturers aren’t going to send a pro equipment without inspecting it to make sure every measurement and detail is perfect

I don't care about over sensitivity, but I hate long handle. For pros who catch one fish after another, bigger and bigger ones, and they horse the fish to the boat ASAP, I can understand long handle. But, for most of us who cast and cast and catch only one or two for the day, why we need that long handle? And we enjoy the process of fighting with fish, why we need a long handle?