Light Tackle Spinning Rods

[Ogajiga]

I know this is a tough call cause none of us can afford the expense or time to comparison test all the rods out there...but...how much should one pay for a decent spinning rod? My high end now is Shimano Clarus IM7 and Fenwick HMG CV which do in fact feel a lighter and snappier than my "lower" grade rods. I know a lot of guys take pride in their high end rods like G. Loomis - are they really that much better quality and worth the $?

[willie525]

i havent tried the Fenwick, but the clarus rod are VERY good rods for the price i use them alot, our walleye trolling rods are the 7'11" models and are the best trolling rods ive used.

[SmokeyJ]

It is pretty much impossible to quantify something that varies depending on the user. Some people prefer x, some y. The only way to tell if the high-end rods are worth it to YOU is to get out there and handle some. It may not be possible for you to fish with one, but you could at least get to a sporting goods store and do some comparisons. I recommend doing this:

1) Take the rods you have that you like, and take the reels off of them. Then perform some "tests" with them, like mock casts, balance points, sensitivity (classic test for this one is to hold the rod tip on someone's throat and then have them talk and see how much vibration you can feel)

2) Go to a tackle shop and do the same tests with some higher end sticks. See if you can feel the differences, and if you think you may like them. Ask yourself, "what do I wish the rods I have would do better, and what characterstics of a rod would improve that?" Determining those factors and then doing whatever testing you can to see if those factors would be addressed by a high-end stick will determine whether or not YOU should spend money on them.

[HookUp]

Smokey hit it on the head.

I'm a gear 'ho and fish primarily spinning gear. Fished many top end rods, then started building my own because I got tired of buying a rod and taking a hacksaw and dykes to them.

G Loomis, St Croix, Lamiglass - all their top end rods are nice (not a fan of kistler, but that's more personal fishing preference).

Best bet is to bring the reel you use to a store, try it on a bunch of rods and buy the one that 'feels' good to you in the line and bait weight range that you'll be throwing.

Also, another tip is to buy what you can afford to loose or break. You may not want to shell out $300+ for a SCV Elite and drop it over the boat at Erie during a blonde moment.