Fished today with a friends Tessera (spelling) Skeet Reece rod. It was nice, but nothing seriously more noticeable or better than my $23 Quantum Torsion from Wal-Mart. The main difference was length. My $23 rod is 6'6 and the Tessera is 7'2. It may have been a shade more sensitive, but I'm pretty sure that has to with the tip being longer and thinner. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me it seems like the reason people swear by expensive stuff is so they can justify the purchase.

IMO i don't think these skeet reese rods should be labeled as a higher class rod. Yes they do cost more, and yes I do have a couple. But I do not believe they are extremely higher quality than a cheap rod. WAL MART sells these rods too (online), but if you take away the 25 dollar yellow paint job, you only have a rod that is about $65 dollars. Compare another "higher end" rod. I think you'll notice a difference in a rod that is, $25, $85, $105, and $150-$180. You'll find subtle differences each step you go up.

Pondboss -- what are you fishing with? Bottom contact baits like jigs and worms, or moving baits? For moving baits you're likely to not notice the difference as much. But the different should REALLY become apparent for bottom contact baits.

Generally speaking the more advanced fisherman uses a better, more sensitive rod, but imo those are the anglers that need it less, they know how to recognize bites. A less experienced fisherman in my mind who is serious about fishing should obtain a good midrange priced rod and reel. There is a lot to be said about fatigue using heavier cheaper gear, oldtimers like myself remember fishing all day long with heavy clumsy gear and never getting tired, but light is nice.

Pondboss -- what are you fishing with? Bottom contact baits like jigs and worms, or moving baits? For moving baits you're likely to not notice the difference as much. But the different should REALLY become apparent for bottom contact baits.

I fish mainly jigs and plastics.

Also to address some others, I fish almost everyday during the season.(almost 365 in OK) I can't remember one time that I've ever wondered if I was getting a bite or if I was hitting cover. I will say though that I grew up with a swimming pool and would spend hours flipping baits and bouncing them off chairs or whatever else I could throw in there so I could learn the difference.

I fish mainly jigs and plastics.

Also to address some others, I fish almost everyday during the season.(almost 365 in OK) I can't remember one time that I've ever wondered if I was getting a bite or if I was hitting cover. I will say though that I grew up with a swimming pool and would spend hours flipping baits and bouncing them off chairs or whatever else I could throw in there so I could learn the difference.

If it works for you that's great. That being said, I gotta go:

My new Dobyns Champion will be here soon!

I fish mainly jigs and plastics.

Also to address some others, I fish almost everyday during the season.(almost 365 in OK) I can't remember one time that I've ever wondered if I was getting a bite or if I was hitting cover. I will say though that I grew up with a swimming pool and would spend hours flipping baits and bouncing them off chairs or whatever else I could throw in there so I could learn the difference.

If it's working for you I wouldn't change and if it's putting fish on the hook you are ahead of the game. My most expensive rod is the Cabelas XMLTi which retails for $189 (last years model) but it is also my least used rod in my arsenal. My Xml, Prodigy and Magtouch rods spend more time on the water and are mid priced rods all caught on sale and all better than what I was previously using. I fish mainly moving baits like crankbaits and my prodigy rod is way ahead of my daiwa d force but I didn't break the bank and don't consider it high end either. There are always sales to get into a better rod and that's how I've taken advantage of getting the best rods for me to catch fish.

After all is said and done you're still going to use the cheaper rods and that is great for you , so fish on dude.

I am in the minority here. I don't use high price rods. I have and went back to old faithful ugly sticks. My opinion they have the best feeling with a good backbone and are cheap. I was comparing one the other evening next to a 120 dollar rod in my garage ugly stick flex and sensitivity other rod broke in 3 pieces. I bought my first one in 1984. It is still intact but retired.

Ignorance is a blessing sometimes.

If I'm so ignorant. why don't you explain it. Otherwise you have made a completely "ignorant" post.

It's like getting to test drive a Ferrari and going back to a Geo Metro. They both can get you from point A to point B but the Ferrari will run circles around it.

If you're just fishing for fun then a $25 dollar rod will get the job done. If you want to fish tournaments or clubs where theres money on the line then of course you'd want the best you can get your hands on. Some people just do it because it's there hobby and they're enthusiasts who enjoy having nice stuff. Some might not be able to justify a Steez or Loomis set up but to each his own.

If I'm so ignorant. why don't you explain it. Otherwise you have made a completely "ignorant" post.

PM sent !!!!!!!!

I am in the minority here. I don't use high price rods. I have and went back to old faithful ugly sticks. My opinion they have the best feeling with a good backbone and are cheap. I was comparing one the other evening next to a 120 dollar rod in my garage ugly stick flex and sensitivity other rod broke in 3 pieces. I bought my first one in 1984. It is still intact but retired.

Surely ye jest? I have (3) Ugly sticks... Trolling and my ultra-lite.

If you use technology correctly, it can make you a better fisherman.

Dude, did you seriously break a $120 rod in a garage test?? An Ugly Stik is going to outbend any rod out there, I'd never test bend of a rod by what my Uglies will do.

That said, I love my Uglies and my Shimano Compres. I fish them side by side for different reasons.

I had a lot of trouble spending $200 on my first high end stick. I was in the store for hours comparing rods, talking to sales folks, etc. I finally talked myself into it (Loomis Shakey Head spinning rod). My fishing success immediately took a big step up. I was fishing the same water, with the same baits, with the same partner in the back of the boat. Before buying that rod, we were about even in fish count at the end of the day. But I started to steadily blow him away with the new rod. Like 4 to 1 or more advantage. It was really that dramatic. I realized I was setting the hook on fish he was never even feeling, or feeling too late.

I had no problems at all spending more on higher end rods after that. I fish a lot of deeper, bottom contact baits. Shakey heads, jigs, rigs, etc. Usually in 20-40'. I personally think the added sensitivity is well worth it.

Well, I ended up buying a Berkley Amp.($40) Does anyone have any info in this rod? 6'6 med, should be lighter and more sensitive than what I've been using. In theory it should be a slight upgrade. If there is a noticeable difference, I could see myself eventually wandering into a $100 rod.

A decent cheaper crank bait rod. Too whippy for anything else.

my opinion is, buy the best rod, price wise, that you can afford. are the higher priced rods worth it? absolutely!. lighter so less fatiguing, more sensitive, better casting accuracy(which I honestly thought was bull@#$% until I experienced it) better warranty, and the satisfaction of owning and using a fine piece of equipment.

Like one of the other guys said, a Ferrari and a Geo will get you from point A to B, but which is more enjoyable and fun? Once I bought my first Loomis IMX I was sold. Up until that point I thought a good reel was more important.

Would you rather walk 5 miles in pair of prison shoes or a pair of New balance?

It is really all about what kind of fishing your doing and how much...Fish what you like and enjoy...

You only live once...now go live it

I used to fish cheaper rods and caught fish. this year i baught a veritas and its like im actualy in the water feeling what my lure feels. it is crazy sensative and am in love with it im saving to buy a few more to boot all my other rods. i handed my veritas to my nephew to try and hes a walmart only guy so most of his stuff is cheaper and he was amazed how much you could feel. befor i could just tell either rock or grass now i can feel if that rock has a crack in it of if its just pea gravel etc.

I am in the minority here. I don't use high price rods. I have and went back to old faithful ugly sticks. My opinion they have the best feeling with a good backbone and are cheap. I was comparing one the other evening next to a 120 dollar rod in my garage ugly stick flex and sensitivity other rod broke in 3 pieces. I bought my first one in 1984. It is still intact but retired.

You mention the flex and sensitivity of the Ugly Stick. An Ugly Stick is more flexible than anything else out there, but that is one of the reasons why they are much less sensitive. Stiffer fibers tend to transmit more vibrations to the anglers hand while a flexible rod tends to absorb more vibration.

It's all about personal preference. I have used high and low end rods. I have been out fished by decent anglers with high end rods and have out fished decent anglers with lower end gear. If you spend too much time worrying about brands. You are not spending enough time wetting your line. I can miss just as many bass as the next guy.

Just got my AMP and it's super cool. I'm really impressed at how light it is and the way it feels in my hand. Took it to a local pond to test it out for a few casts and caught fish on my first 2 casts. (Hopefully a sign of things to come) Also was really impressed how the rod loads up for casting, and noticed extra distance with less effort. If they just had a 7' heavy I think I'd have everything I needed. Good job Berkley on a pseudo high end rod at a low price.

That being said, if you're using a 25 dollar rod and catching fish, who cares. The fish can't tell whether you're using a cane pole or a 500 dollar rod. All that matters is that you enjoy what you're using.

Couldn't agree more. If you don't feel like you need them, don't buy them.

A $200 rod can't substitute for experience. If you or I have been fishing the same Quantum for a few years and know exactly what that rod feels like when X happens, then we're better off than someone with a $500 rod and 3 hours fishing it. I't more or less a moot point on most things except bottom contact baits, and even then experience will outweigh gear quality. Do what works for you, and what you enjoy. I've never had a fish check my equipment before.

A $200 rod can't substitute for experience. If you or I have been fishing the same Quantum for a few years and know exactly what that rod feels like when X happens, then we're better off than someone with a $500 rod and 3 hours fishing it. I't more or less a moot point on most things except bottom contact baits, and even then experience will outweigh gear quality. Do what works for you, and what you enjoy. I've never had a fish check my equipment before.

I'm glad someone feels the same way I do. Where were you when I was being accosted by the rod snobs? lol To be honest it was hard for me to justify spending $40 on my AMP and $40 on the Lightning I got just yesterday. That being said, I'm glad I did. Just hard to believe that $ outweighs experience.