Local shop in Chicago called Fishtech, had a lot of rods in stock for this season.

The stand outs were:

*All the new Tatula Elite rods. The new rods are over all darker grey with a black reel seat. They do look pretty sharp, especially next to the older Elite series rods they had there. They feel nice. The jerk bait rod with the cork grips is super nice feeling.

* Kage rods feel fantastic

 

* St Croix Legend Panfish  6'9" L spinning rod is fantastic, and seems really versatile in that range.

* St Croix Legend Bass rods( All in, Rip N Chatter, Power Finesse-kind of a weird name for this one)

Spinning rods feel really nice.

* St Croix Legend Walleye Spinning rods (all of them)

 

* Shimano Expride- They only have the older models in stock at a reduced price. This is the most models (both Casting and Spinning) I've seen at a time, and I have to say they are all pretty great. I have two spinning rods (L and ML) of this series that are great. I would have picked up the 7'2" MH, but I am full up right now on casting rods.

* Curado rods are nice at their price.

 

*G Loomis GCX spinning rods-No casting were in stock. These rod feel great, well balanced, and nicely assembled.

Typical Loomis taper and feel. I would love to handle the casting rods.

 

**The only rods to get a sad face from me are from Kistler

They have some Argon and KLX rods. Both lines seem oddly balanced, and clunky to me.

Don't see the appeal. Especially at the price.

 

Oh man!!!! Another local!!!!

 

I stopped in there for the first time about a month ago and was blown away by their full selection. High end rods, reels, baits, JDM goodies, the list goes on.

 

The guys there were great to talk to as well.

 

I will definitely be back there dropping a few hundred soon!!

28 minutes ago, MidwestBassAttack said:

Oh man!!!! Another local!!!!

 

I stopped in there for the first time about a month ago and was blown away by their full selection. High end rods, reels, baits, JDM goodies, the list goes on.

 

The guys there were great to talk to as well.

 

I will definitely be back there dropping a few hundred soon!!

Definitely an impressive amount rods. A great shop.

Thanks………

 

ya jerks  

 

Now I have to get my butt up there from the southside to be in a real shop.  I have enough problems buying stuff with the internet. 
 

If either of you fish SW MI, this place has a pretty great selection too. 
https://www.clearh2otackle.com/
 

scott

If you find yourself in the north burbs (palatine) anglers international resources has a great selection of rod, reels, and high end tackle. I checked out fishtech a couple year back during the height of covid but as you can imagine they were wiped out.

Great!?! Now I have more places ti check out!

 

I live in Indiana and run down to Cincinnati with aome friends to Bass Pro for the Spring Classic sale every spring. Guess we will have to make a run north to Chicago some time!