Alright, time to stir things up .  I came across this idea when I purchased a brand new G. Loomis CR722C GL2 rod for $75 ($125 at Cabela's), and a brand new Lamiglas Competitor CC-665 rod for $37 ($90 from various retailers).  I started to think, dollar-for-dollar, what is the best rod out there?

e21's Carrot Stix arguably provides the lightest, most sensitive, most technologically advanced rod on the market today in the $150 price range.  Some people on this forum have compared Carrot Stix to Steez...at a difference of about $300.

So what say you?  Is e21's baseline Carrot Stix the best deal out there?

This post is not about "what is the best rod out there, period".  This is about Quality-to-Price ratios...from Cabela's Fish Eagle II rod ($15) to Daiwa's Steez ($499).  

In other words, dollar-for-dollar, what rod delivers the most bang-for-the-buck?

Where did u find a cabelas fish eagle II for $15, cause that is a good deal. they are 79.99 on their website and that is a decent rod.

Bang for the buck, I'd have to say Carrot Stick for the rod and Zillion for the reel.  The Zillion is 95% of what the Steez is for $200 less retail.  

St. Croix Avid for $100 ($140-$170 MSRP) or St. Croix Legend Elite$204 ($340 MSRP).

I recently bought an AC70MM and an EC70MHF at these prices (free delivery, too!).

Bang for the buck, I'd have to say Carrot Stick for the rod and Zillion for the reel.  The Zillion is 95% of what the Steez is for $200 less retail.  

Oh, but that last 5% is sooooooooooooo sweeeeeet.

I have used $300 Lomis's, St. Croix Avids and Legends, Kistlers, Airrus's and a lot of high end rods. And at $150 the e21 Carrot Stick blow away everyone of them. Not only the best bang for your buck rod out there but more than that imo. I have never used a better rod. I wasn't too sure at first but when I used it, it was just amazing. I'm sure Matt 5.0 will say the same thing. If you buy one, it will be the only rod you ever use again, if you don't like it, I'm always looking to buy another one.

vintagerod,

e21's Carrot Stix arguably provides the lightest, most sensitive, most technologically advanced rod on the market today in the $150 price range.

Who says? The 4 people here, that might actually own one. They don't have more than a few outings use at most. Wait a couple of seasons and see what happens...

I still haven't seen anything written about catches with these veggie stiks.

Sorry IMPO no it isn't.  

More than happy with mine so far. I like it, and that's all that matters IMO....

Sorry IMPO no it isn't.

Have you tried one yet?

Uh, Boyd Duckett caught alot of fish and won alot of money with the carrot sticks this past season and it was on tv.......is that enough proof??????????  :

The best rod dollar-for-dollar is the cheapest one you can find.  There is a diminishing marginal return, in terms of quality, as rod prices increase.

Uh, Boyd Duckett caught alot of fish and won alot of money with the carrot sticks this past season and it was on tv.......is that enough proof?????????? :

Ya, he wasn't sponsered by them in the Classic he as still with Airrus, but in the Major he won he was sponsered by them but is pictued still using Airrus Rods, go figure.

isnt e21 like a  newer version of airrus...like isnt it the same owner?? i've been wondering that for a while

The best rod dollar-for-dollar is the cheapest one you can find. There is a diminishing marginal return, in terms of quality, as rod prices increase.

Hmm...

Do you catch a lot of big bass?  

:-/

The best rod dollar-for-dollar is the cheapest one you can find. There is a diminishing marginal return, in terms of quality, as rod prices increase.

Hmm...

Do you catch a lot of big bass?

:-/

lol

isnt e21 like a newer version of airrus...like isnt it the same owner?? i've been wondering that for a while

Ya, same guy, different technology. They are making golf clubs out of it and everything. All I know is that it is REALLY REALLY light, and REALLY REALLY sensitive, blows away an Airrus.

yeah thats what i thought...thanks

The best rod dollar-for-dollar is the cheapest one you can find.  There is a diminishing marginal return, in terms of quality, as rod prices increase.

I agree to a point.  For example, I wonder just how much "better" the Boyd Duckett Series will be over the baseline LTX.  According to e21's website, the Boyd Duckett differs from the LTX with:

Better Guides

a different grip

Gold anodized butt cap

And you pay $100 more for those niceties.  So, bang-for-the-buck, will the Boyd Duckett deliver?  My guess is the cheaper LTX would provide a better value.

The best rod dollar-for-dollar is the cheapest one you can find. There is a diminishing marginal return, in terms of quality, as rod prices increase.

I agree to a point. For example, I wonder just how much "better" the Boyd Duckett Series will be over the baseline LTX. According to e21's website, the Boyd Duckett differs from the LTX with:

Better Guides

a different grip

Gold anodized butt cap

And you pay $100 more for those niceties. So, bang-for-the-buck, will the Boyd Duckett deliver? My guess is the cheaper LTX would provide a better value.

x2, I'll stick to the LTX's.

Its all about you. If you want whatever it is and you can justify the price, by all means get one, its better than settling for something you really don't want to get the best bang for the buck.

Time spent fishing with what you wanted to buy is priceless.  

I have e21's spinning and casting rods that I paid $120 each. Aside from a somewhat short grip, I like both rods. Not too many products are offered with a life time over-the-counter warranty.

Last May I saw a 6 year old, first time fishing, hook a 5 lb LMB on a blisterpack Zebco combo his Dad had just opened an hour earlier that morning. Seeing that kid and his Dad reeling that fish to the bank made my day. That was a lot of bang for the buck.

Uh, Boyd Duckett caught alot of fish and won alot of money with the carrot sticks this past season and it was on tv.......is that enough proof?????????? :

:-?I Agree Boyd Duckett was on TV and yes he won a lot of money! I must however challenge the rest of your statement. Perhaps you should check your facts! Mr Duckett won The Bass Master Classic using a Airrus Flipping Stick and at Lake Dardanelle looks like the same blue color rod in his hands there to and says in winning details he won on a 7'6" flipping stick. I do not think E-21 has one . This is after he left Airrus..Check the December issue of Bass Master Page 80 Looks like same blue Airrus Terry Scroggins flipping stick to me.

Where can you get the carrot stick? :-?

Where can you get the carrot stick? :-?

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/rods.html

I'm still waiting on the new sugar cane sticks. Now that's some tough, durable fiber.