Ok guys please bear with me on this one since i don't find a lot of info on this one even online, when i swing the rod to 
simulate a cast (this is the best way to re-produce the noise while not out fishing) i hear this "click" noise.

I've actually donated and sold several rods since i cannot stand dealing with it, was even turned down for a warranty claims 
since it's a "normal wear and tear" but one out of the two exact same rod model for example will make the click noise and 
the other one will end up being just fine, these noise in my case are typically found around or about a foot up from the 
reel seat nut and in some case right in the joint between the reel seat and EVA or cork handle. spinning rods are a
little bit easier to diagnose since most of the noise are located on the broken epoxy glue that are holding the guides.

I've been upgrading my casting rods about in the $200-$350ish price range hoping to avoid any of these issues but it seems like
it's the same thing all over again compare to rods below that price range, in fact the other day, upon inspections and testing of

a newly purchased Loomis rod, i had to re-pack and send it on it's way back for a replacement cause of a exact darn clicking noise.

 

Would you call these "clicks" a manufacturing defects right out of the box?

 

Thanks Guys!
 

Just purchased 2 identical rods, one of them makes a clicking noise on the cast. It's in the handle area and the rod will be returned immediately. I'm not having a handle component fail down the road, conveniently after the warranty runs out. The sound is extremely irritating to me. Brian.   

guide feet, handle components, and reel to rod interface can be the culprit. Also the sound can travel so that it appears to come from somewhere other than where it originates. Intermittent clicking and pinging sound in expensive road bikes make me a lot of money...