5 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

Uhhh , my first thought is what happens to the quality and consistency of the Dobyns rods once sold ? … Look what happened to All Star rods once sold - they are the same in name only today . 

This goes for a lot of companies across many industries.  The founder has a vision, starts the company, the company earns much respect and reputation, founder(s) sell out because they're wanting to retire or do something else, parent company slowly dilutes the acquisition to the point it's only recognizable by name only.  I can't think of any company that was bought out that ever retained the vision and reputation of its founders.  It just doesn't happen, especially with many publicly traded companies that shave dollars any way they can to appease shareholders.  In these cases, the value of the company is based solely on brand recognition and not the actual products.  Products slowly start to decline in quality as bean counters begin to replace the engineers. Eventually, engineering and labor is sent elsewhere to maximize profit.  That stuff doesn't happen overnight, it's a long and drawn out process that can take many years, if not decades.

On 5/1/2024 at 4:12 PM, Glenn said:

GSM is a growing company with great leadership.  They're on their way to being the leading company in fishing AND hunting. 

 

Gary made a terrific move!

To be fair , I'm willing to give GSM a chance and see what they do with Dobyns rods and hopefully they will buck the norm and keep Dobyns rod quality production / line up intact (unlike what happened to All Star rods when they were bought out) .

On 5/3/2024 at 5:05 PM, alonerankin2 said:

I’ve used Loomis since 96, I’ve just literally purchased 2 GLX rods and just received a new IMX crank bait rod. 

Same although I started using Loomis in 99. I have bought 2 imx pro rods in the last two years and they are both incredible. Shimano has done very well to keep Loomis great. That in itself is a rarity after buyouts etc. 

7 minutes ago, Hulkster said:

Same although I started using Loomis in 99. I have bought 2 imx pro rods in the last two years and they are both incredible. Shimano has done very well to keep Loomis great. That in itself is a rarity after buyouts etc. 

 

I have purchased 2 new GLX models and 1 IMX model in the last 8 weeks, all of these rods are impeccable on quality, design and feel. They are worth every penny. I also use IMX pro blue rod designed for the salt, a 3 power moderate.. it’s equally as stellar. Although expensive to get into its money well invested. I can’t say that about any other rod maker in the world, not even St. Croix.. 

I should probably add, I’ve purchase a KLX rod that was incredibly well made, but was a total dud on feel, it was a heavy 6 power and I sent it back. It wasn’t built on Gary’s rod blank but rather the Chinese made blank..I do have other KLX and Helium rods made with Gary’s blanks and they are again, exceptional. 

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

Same although I started using Loomis in 99. I have bought 2 imx pro rods in the last two years and they are both incredible. Shimano has done very well to keep Loomis great. That in itself is a rarity after buyouts etc. 

Something the Japanese do that we don't, keeping a successful company intact after buyout.  The best example of this is McIntosh Labs, manufacturer of audio equipment.  They were purchased by Clarion, a Japanese competitor in 1990.  Clarion let McIntosh run as they did previously, keeping engineering and manufacturing in New York.  The Japanese philosophy is to not mess up a good thing, and McIntosh was and still is hugely successful.  In the fishing world, Pure Fishing Japan is entirely separate from Pure Fishing USA and offers products many would associate with the Abu from decades past.  Same thing with Fenwick.  Over here, Pure Fishing owns them.  In Japan, it's Tiemco and the Japanese Fenwick rods are vastly different and superior from what we get.  In Japan, the tapers and designs are reminiscent of the Fenwick of the 1970s; the products that garnered the well deserved reputation.  Over here, we get comparably cheaply designed and manufactured rods with the Fenwick logo attached.

So far I think GSM has done a great job with Yamamoto, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. And +1 on the "at least it's not pure fishing". 

 

 

 

On 5/5/2024 at 1:14 PM, alonerankin2 said:

I should probably add, I’ve purchase a KLX rod that was incredibly well made, but was a total dud on feel, it was a heavy 6 power and I sent it back. It wasn’t built on Gary’s rod blank but rather the Chinese made blank..I do have other KLX and Helium rods made with Gary’s blanks and they are again, exceptional. 

Kistler uses Dobyns blanks?

20 minutes ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Kistler uses Dobyns blanks?

Wrong Gary.

Gary Loomis NFC blanks that Kistler was using and not Gary Dobyns blanks. At least that's what I'm guessing.

Kistler is going to be the new Dobyns. Hopefully Trey doesn't take the bait of Private Equity. GSM Outdoors is public enemy #1 to me. I just purchased a Kistler and I'm very impressed. In fact, they remind me of Dobyns rods a little bit. They operate about 20 minutes from my house. It's bittersweet for Gary and I do wish him well. 

On 5/5/2024 at 11:24 AM, MiceNReets said:

What happened to All Star rods?

They are junk now.

Wish I had checked in here before my latest purchase, Ordered two rods, SA 703C and a SUF 701C, on June 11. So far have received the 703, the 701c is still processing. Neither were listed as out of stock, This is super slow compared to previous orders.

 

I'm also waiting to get a replacement for a broken 704c.

 

Its looking like I may not have my new rods for an upcoming tournament this weekend, this was never a concern in the past with a two week lead time.

 

All of that aside I like buying from a small/family manufacturer I'll probably be going with Taipan rods in the future.

Check out folks impressions of Sage fly rod s after they were bought be Far Bank Corp.  Both the change in lifetime warranty policy and repair/customer service.

On 6/15/2024 at 6:36 PM, dodgeguy said:

They are junk now.

 

Allstar did decline in quality for awhile, but recently went through an overhaul in manufacturing processes that brought them back to how they used to be.  Perhaps you're referring to that period when quality was an issue.

2 hours ago, Glenn said:

 

Allstar did decline in quality for awhile, but recently went through an overhaul in manufacturing processes that brought them back to how they used to be.  Perhaps you're referring to that period when quality was an issue.

Didnt know that. Do they make rods comparable to what they were ? Do they compete well with today's top brands . I'd love to c them come back.

I haven't had personal experience with them, so I don't have first-hand experience.  But I do know they're making them like they used to now.  They claim to be back like the good ol days.

I haven't seen anything catalog wise.Allstar was a staple in my equipment at one point.

 

43 minutes ago, Glenn said:

I haven't had personal experience with them, so I don't have first-hand experience.  But I do know they're making them like they used to now.  They claim to be back like the good ol days.

If so that’s wonderful. They used to be one of the best rods for the money. Hopefully academy will still carry them.   

Just for informations sake, GSM is not a private equity firm trying to make a buck.  Take a look at their website and you’ll see they have been a player in the hunting world for a very long time.  Their purchase of Yamamoto and some other fishing lines have not resulted in a drop in quality.  If anything they have increased the offerings.  There have been absolutely -0- changes to Dobyns and there are no plans to do so.  Same people making the same rods with the same materials.  Not to say that won’t change but as of now it’s business as usual. 

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Just for informations sake, GSM is not a private equity firm trying to make a buck.  Take a look at their website and you’ll see they have been a player in the hunting world for a very long time.  Their purchase of Yamamoto and some other fishing lines have not resulted in a drop in quality.  If anything they have increased the offerings.  There have been absolutely -0- changes to Dobyns and there are no plans to do so.  Same people making the same rods with the same materials.  Not to say that won’t change but as of now it’s business as usual. 

Count me in on the camp getting delays on orders. ALF used to have a fool proof program with Dobyns for customers in Texas. You order a rod from them, they process it directly to Dobyns who then ships directly from headquarters. I was told that there have been countless Dobyns orders, not solely in Texas, that have been delayed due to their new software that was implemented by GSM. The customer service rep told me that it will get worse before it gets better. I have been a long time customer of Dobyns but I'm really getting a sour taste in my mouth towards them. Gary has found out about the delays and he is getting very impatient about the problem. I'm hoping this is just transfer of ownership issue and they are ironing out the kinks. On a side note, I tried a Phenix rod the other day and it left a lot to be desired. Was not impressed. Kistler is about 15 minutes from my house and they have some good products. I might start building a collection with them. 

On 5/1/2024 at 2:42 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Saw it earlier.....just another brick in the wall of the corporatization of the fishing industry.   Sucks.  

 

 

Gary is heck of businessman and I respect him so much.

So looks like I will get my 701 tomorrow. So 9 days to my door, not terrible but not what I am used too from Dobyns.

 

However it seems that a rod section I sent in for warranty didn't to go where I mailed it (CMH 100), supposedly someone from GSM has it and Dobyns knows nothing about it.

 

And now they are telling me that my rod section has not been received. I mailed it on the 14th.

 

 

On 6/18/2024 at 9:18 PM, lunkerboss923 said:

Count me in on the camp getting delays on orders. ALF used to have a fool proof program with Dobyns for customers in Texas. You order a rod from them, they process it directly to Dobyns who then ships directly from headquarters. I was told that there have been countless Dobyns orders, not solely in Texas, that have been delayed due to their new software that was implemented by GSM. The customer service rep told me that it will get worse before it gets better. I have been a long time customer of Dobyns but I'm really getting a sour taste in my mouth towards them. Gary has found out about the delays and he is getting very impatient about the problem. I'm hoping this is just transfer of ownership issue and they are ironing out the kinks. On a side note, I tried a Phenix rod the other day and it left a lot to be desired. Was not impressed. Kistler is about 15 minutes from my house and they have some good products. I might start building a collection with them. 

 

In the same camp unfortunately. In the past ordering Dobyn's through ALF would always ship in stock rods within 1 business day. My most recent order was placed on June 16th, sent over to Dobyn's by ALF on the 17th, and after multiple calls and emails between ALF and Dobyn's finally shipped yesterday July 10th. Per ALF the Dobyn's sales rep couldn't even find the order in their system and had to re-enter it manually.

Was reading this old thread because I just noticed Dobyn's was sold last year.  Bought two of their rods this year and they still feel good.  

 

I don't' really understand the Pure Fishing hate.  Last year I broke two Fenwick rods and they replaced them with newer models no questions asked.  Didn't even require me to mail in the broken ones, just accepted my photo evidence.   I also used a lot of Berkley line, tackle, etc. in fresh and salt with great results.  

 

Smaller companies like Kistler was a completely different experience.  I broke a zbone model within warranty and they said they would give me a big discount to replace it.  But the discount was based on inflated MSRP so it was essentially the same original price I paid when they ran their sales.  I opted just to throw the rod away.   Have not bought Kistler since.    

32 minutes ago, Eynt said:

I don't' really understand the Pure Fishing hate.

In my case - it's cause Pfleuger discontinued their upper-end casting reels. I still consider the Patriarch one of the best casting reels out there - but if I want any now-days I have to buy used.