I know that Loomis as well as the other high end rods are of excellent quality but the rods the pros use are of other brands like Diawa, Shimano, Quantum... Are the rods they use similar to what we can buy off the rack or are they using blanks that are not available to us?

Thanks

I might open a can of worms here. But can you say marketing...

IMPO. I truly believe that the pros take the time to pickup their sponsors gear (rod, reel, tackle) whenever the camera is on them. What you don't see are the custom reels and rods that many pros are actually using....

Tight Lines!!!  

I don't know if this applies to fishing rods, but the golf clubs that the pros use have NOTHING in common with standard sets offered to the public. For eample, Tiger's #7 iron may be 1 1/2" longer than "normal" and be fitted with a #4 clubhead. Each club is "custom made."

Now, I'm not saying Tiger couldn't score -8 with clubs right off the rack, but I assure you, that's not something he will be using at the Master's Tournament!

You are right on RW.  Tiger's (and all pros) clubs are made specific to him.  Club length, lie angle, thickness of the grips. etc.  Golfers are pry just as peticular about their equiptment as fishermen.  Always tweaking their equiptment in some way.

I bet Tiger could par your local muni with just a 7 iron.

Most rod manufacturers make some pretty good sticks.  Simply put, you usually get what you pay for.

great post! I often wonder about that as well... as far as the reels and rods- we know they tune their baits more often then not I am sure their combos are all moded out as well.  :-X

I doubt that the reels they get come moded directly from the manufacturer, but I'm sure each of the pros can service/upgrade their own reels, or they all have their own personal "ReelMech" on speed dial.  I'm sure if you deconstructed their reels you would see improved gears, upgraded drag systems, etc.

Most rod manufacturers make some pretty good sticks.  Simply put, you usually get what you pay for.

+1.  You just can't get around this.  

Hawgin,

I doubt that the reels they get come moded directly from the manufacturer, but I'm sure each of the pros can service/upgrade their own reels, or they all have their own personal "ReelMech" on speed dial.

Oh man do I wish.....

I had a mobile service center, that I towed to tournaments in the 90's.