I have 2 Favorite rods that i bought last year around this time. I have already had the rod tips break off twice on one rod and once on the other.

 

Anybody else have issues with Favorite?

Not me personally. Buddy had issues with one of the rods, not sure on the model. I personally stay away from anything "Googan Squad".

2 minutes ago, Gorris317 said:

Not me personally. Buddy had issues with one of the rods, not sure on the model. I personally stay away from anything "Googan Squad".

I haven't tried the baits so I can't say about them, but i don't think i will be buying anymore Favorite rods.

2 minutes ago, adbassfishing said:

I haven't tried the baits so I can't say about them, but i don't think i will be buying anymore Favorite rods.

I know there were some videos out on youtube about the rods. One guy bought a couple of the "high end" jackhammer rods and the guides were misaligned on all of them. I guess he had a huge hassle trying to get them replaced. 

We had a pretty lengthy discussion on them not long ago. I was not impressed from my limited time using them, but obviously there's some very recognizable pros putting their names on them and teaming up with them so there's that. 

 

6 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

We had a pretty lengthy discussion on them not long ago. I was not impressed from my limited time using them, but obviously there's some very recognizable pros putting their names on them and teaming up with them so there's that. 

 

 

Yeah they got some big ones now, but i have 10-15 yr old BPS rods that are more durable. I should mention i'm rough on my equipment, and i don't mind changing eyes every now and again but for this to happen 3 times in 1 year on two different rods is a bad indicator for me.

15 hours ago, adbassfishing said:

I haven't tried the baits so I can't say about them, but i don't think i will be buying anymore Favorite rods.

Their baits (especially the "bandito bug" and their craw) are just Strike King rage tail/bug knockoffs. They use the exact same patent for the claws. I kinda like the profile of the bandito bug more, but that's probably more catching me than catching fish. They're more of a crawdad scent rather than coffee too (which I actually prefer. Plastic+coffee=?), which probably doesn't matter imo.

15 hours ago, hwright38 said:

Their baits (especially the "bandito bug" and their craw) are just Strike King rage tail/bug knockoffs. They use the exact same patent for the claws. I kinda like the profile of the bandito bug more, but that's probably more catching me than catching fish. They're more of a crawdad scent rather than coffee too (which I actually prefer. Plastic+coffee=?), which probably doesn't matter imo.

I always gathered they were very similar, hence why I have yet to try them.

7 hours ago, Boomstick said:

I always gathered they were very similar, hence why I have yet to try them.

Unless you get a deal on them, they aren't worth it over the SK stuff. I broke down and bought a Karl's club membership or whatever ($50 for a year) to buy some re-branded catch-co jigs that I liked, and ended up picking up a couple bags for 30% off. 

 

If you use a lot of Rage Tails/Bugs it could be a good investment, but you'd need to go through a quite a few packs a summer to make up the difference after the $50 fee. We'll see if I can poke the tackle monkey enough to make it worth it.

I haven’t read many good things about the quality of the favorite rods ...I’m also not a fan of the googan squad stuff but I do like the natural color banditto bug for the clear waters around here 

I’m not a fan of the googans but their baits are licensed with the inventor of the rage tail just like SK is.  Strike king doesn’t own that tec either 

The old "It's not the arrow, it's the Indian" reply comes to mind. Professionals will use whatever stuff from makers who pay the most to put their name on it. They like us catch fish because we know where, when and how to fish.

 

Tyros who buy and spend inflated prices because an endorsed name is on it may get no better stuff than one with only a company name on it.

 

That said, I've used Ugly Stick rods so long if an expensive rod were given to me, I'd give it back.

I fish all spinning gear, i catch just as many fish as all my friends. Its the indian but there are ways to make the odds better, braid for me is a necessity to be able to use spinning gear for everything. 

Back on topic, pros are pros. Even if you just give them a pack of senkos, once they use the electronics to find fish they will catch them no matter whats tied on the line. 

Catching them is the easy part. Finding them is the hard part. 

I have no doubt googan baits probably catch fish, but at that price there plenty baits that do the samething at a cheaper price

Played with a few rods in a local gander mountain.  I am strongly considering picking up the big sexy 74mh.  It was very light and well-balanced, good tip to it, and looks filthy. The phantom felt decent bus I was not impressed at all with the sick stick or defender. 

Just make sure the guides are straight, i saw some at cabelas and on about half of them the first guide was off