I’ve been using ALX for couple of years and they make a great product with different price points. Very recently I bought 3 Kistler KLX rods and I’ll tell you my 1 and only experience (only been on water once since) is 110% positive. Plus they’re made in Texas and the owner Trey is right there and more than willing to talk to you about your needs via phone/email or in person. He also has multiple price points. I can’t say enough good about my experience with Kistler rods.

I'm no a brand loyalist, but for the money I like Powell Rods (under $150)

I have purchased a few of the Dobyns on the forum. Love the feel, weight and balance. They have tons of back bone and never have an issue turning a fish. I find them to be a great value.

Z

i got rid of almost everything, retaining my 4 falcon boocoo med med 7' rods, with okuma spinning reels on 'em all. also kept a 7' academy rod. $59. i like blue. lol.

I'm new at using a Spinning Reel so I need advice on what rod to use not the brand. I'm thinking about a 6 are 7 ft. one piece medium heavy. Will this work with any where from a 15 to 30 lbs Catfish are any other fish that size. This will be for fresh water..
I have more reels most are the Push button and a few baitcasting which I never could get used too. I learnt some new cuss words with them backlashing.

Daiwa.

For a 30lb catfish I'd go with an extra heavy power rod. I think that a medium heavy rod designed for bass fishing isn't up to the task for a fish like that. Ain't no 30lb bass, and precious few 15 pounders. I'd go with a 7'6" rod with a heavy or extra heavy action. And a suitable spinning reel to handle 65lb braid.

Power Tackle
Powell
Kistler
Shimano
Dobyns
Duckett
Falcon
Majorcraft
Daiwa
Loomis
FXreme
Megabass
Reel Time
Low Down Custom
and several other custom rods.

Yes it is a tough rod but it lacks a ton of sensitivity. Fine for fishing for cat fish.

The distribution center (warehouse) is in Sulfur Springs. They are not made there.

I purchased a 6'10" Daiwa Tatula rod off TFF in pristine condition and it is the best rod I've ever used after using Falcon for years. If there was 10 more years of fishing in my future that's all I'd have paired with Daiwa Tatula reels.

I like Ugly Stick GX2 and the 10' Tica Libra. Both of these rods have solid stainless steel guides, so they don't chip inside, and are very durable. The 10' Tica Libras are great rods for the long cast, and for a 10' rod they are pretty light and handle really well. Plenty of backbone for slinging a long way. Not a "heaver" though, I normally use no heavier than 3 ounces of lead and that will be with cut bait or smaller live sunfish.

I fished with ugly sticks for a long time but since the GX2 came out I stopped buying any rods that don't have solid steel guides with no ceramic lining or whatever. That stuff inevitably chips with hard use.

I used Falcon alot growing up and some other high dollar stuff, but I kind of grew out of high dollar rods as I grew out of being a "bass angler". Falcon rods are (or were at least) great rods though.

I mostly just bank fish with live or cut bait now, and some days just use zebco 202's or etc. just for the fun of it. I would imagine there are better choices than Tica Libra or Ugly Stick for slinging lures all day.