Has anyone actually seen this rod first hand, I just read that the release date is at the end of this month, from the photos that I saw it looks to be a good looking rod, I'm a big fan of the pro angler and its the only rod I prefer to use but I also like checking out new products and getting knowledge from those that have seen or used them

Watched a video about the rod. Looks very good. I think they may be missing their mark with the customer. Many catfish guys will not spend much on a rod when they can buy a rod that will work fine at Academy for fifteen bucks. I wish chad the very best and yes I will probably buy at least one of the new rods.

Nice looking rod. For that price. I'd rather get 3 Rippin Lips super cat 8'-7-6'. Or some of the lighter Pro Anglers

Catfish fishermen are different than bass fishermen. Catfish guys are happy to settle for a less than the latest electronics, boats and equipment. Heck I mainly fish catfish because catfishing is more fun than standing on the front of a 60,000 dollar ranger and throwing my arm out with a 600 dollar shimano and the 300 dollar Loomis. I realize that some folks are trying to get rich on the people fishing. Really all I need is a boat that floats and something that stinks to fish with. I don't need to spend thousands on bait , tackle and boats.

I personally prefer Pro angler over any other rods but i always love having other options . I have met so many people who usually settle for ugly stick or cheaper ones ...i guess when it comes to catfishing people look at pricing doesn't matter how the rod performance is . I am def going to get one of those rods just to see how good they are but i need few more of those new PA rods.

Those Pro Angler rods are awesome rods for the money. I don't think you can go wrong with a Pro Angler in the rod holder.

I do like my ugly sticks. I do dumb things like step on them and close them in the rod box and they handle it. The CF rods have a good warranty and I have no doubt chad did a great job on the design. I will be buying a CF but don't have a reason to believe I will be done with my uglies.

Some forum members have used variations of the rod on guide trips with me since I've been testing and changing aspects of the rod for nearly a year but most had no idea what they were at that time and they looked nothing like the final product. Many aspects of the rods have changed since then though.

The final version has been under wraps and something we kept quiet intentionally. Several people have used it as I passed around some test rods to get feedback from others once the design was finalized. I know they check in here now and then because they emailed me and told me about this post (knowing I don't check in here much) but they don't post here, it's unfortunate because they'd be a great resource.

I expect to have rods next week or early the following and we should have inventory in retailers shortly after that. We've already been contacted by a number of dealers in Texas so I expect local availability through retail outlets shortly after that. They'll also be available through a number of Scheel's Sporting Goods stores as well in the immediate future (though that doesn't help us Texans much).

ProAngler obviously has a loyal following and has a great rod. My use of them has been limited, I'l be the first to admit. I know the ProAngler guys and Doug well and have for what I'd guess to be over 10 years. I send people to ProAngler, I refer business to Doug and will continue to do so in the future.

My work with Whisker Seeker and developing this product doesn't change that or anything else for that matter. I'll continue to send people to ProAngler for products, continue to send people to Doug to fish and wish them the best of luck with everything they do in the future.

Comparing this rod to an Ugly Stik is an apples and oranges comparison. If you're happy with an Ugly Stik, buy an Ugly Stik, if you like Pro Angler, buy Pro Angler. If you like your healthcare plan you can keep your healthcare plan

I'll agree there's many catfishermen who'll never buy anything but an Ugly Stik but there's a TON of catfish anglers who'll never buy an Ugly Stik and want something more. There's a ton of catfish specific rods that are being sold every day that range from $60 to $90 and people love them. I've even tested some for a company in the past year that's a catfish rod that retails at over $200.

The very rod I used as the basis for the design of the Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle was a St Croix Classic Cat Rod that new sold for $200+ and now sells used for as much as $800 at times. We started with what we knew was a higher end designed and did everything we could to build a higher end rod yet keep it affordable and have offered an unprecedented warranty.

People said nobody would buy $40K catfish boats and they sell like hotcakes and manufacturers are in a race to build their version of them. They said catfish anglers wouldn't but $2000 side imaging units and they did, some of them two on their boats and then they jumped to buy another $1500 bolt on 360 imaging option.

That being said, not sure what else I can add of value at this point. It's yet another product available to catfish anglers that's an alternative and another step to help promote and grow the sport. There will be some that love the rod, there will be some that don't care for it and many who will never consider it because it's not a "$15 Ugly Stik" and that's OK.

If you want information you can find it here.

Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod from Whisker Seeker Tackle
http://www.catfishedge.com/rod/

I have nothing but respect for chad and have never met him. I have purchased a couple of his teaching ebooks and they are great.

Great video and I really enjoy your Catfish Edge site. You have taught me a lot about catfishing. I think your new rods are going to be a big hit. They look awesome.

Thanks! I think so too, they're selling fast!

.

I ordered a 1 piece and love it. I have never owned a Pro Angler and assume I might love them as well, but warranty, s-glass, weight, and composite cork handle gave this pole the nod. For me, at the end of the day I don't let a $20 bill stand in between me and exactly what I want. If I add all the $ I have spent on b.s. gear, I could have 10 of these with Ambassadeur Prorockets. Whisker Seeker's shipping is super reasonable and they use USPS (I am a mailman). I couldn't ask for a better suited rod for my needs and as my others get retired, they will be replaced one by one with these. Per Whisker Seeker; coming out with a spinning and heavy version in a month. I don't know Chad or Whisker Seeker. Just my 2 cents.

My kids bought me one for my Birthday in January. It is a very nice rod. I have not caught any big blues with it yet but it hadles some big channel cat well. It is much more pretty than my slimy ugly stiks too.