I have always bought rods for the "value". Usually catch a rod on sale, if I like that model, I will buy more of that model and even try different models within the brand.

I'm going to be replacing my current arsenal of Rods and noticed threads where people inquiry about warranty before buying a brand. I have never even thought of a warranty and I have broken 3 rods in my life. Have you guys experienced rods breaking while catching a fish? Not talking about slamming your rod in the door of your T-top Trans Am like I did back in the day. Are rods breaking while landing quality fish?

I'm rethinking my approach to buying my new rods. But I have once again received an email for 40% off new rods from a brand I have used before. Going to call and discuss a few things with them as I think their brand is assembled in the USA.

What's important to you when purchasing Rods?

They gotta be cheap. Cause I use them hell outta them a break them often.

I am pretty particular when it comes to rods....to me the way the handle feels in my hand is #1. I want CORK handle all the way down. Falcon Low Rider Medium has been my favorite-but they have changed the newer models. Still have a reasonable price and have had zero problems. However, I have a very old All Star that is my favorite Worm/Fluke rod. The problem that I see is shopping for quality rods- Fishing Tackle Unlimited has been the best choice for trying to find new rods. I will not pay the price for G.Loomis and have been disappointed in TFO with broken guides. Bass Pro Shops doesn't have many of the rod brands....other than their own. $150 is my upper limit and I generally prefer under 7' in length to fit in my rod box. Rods must be held to purchase-I wouldn't buy on line. Just my 2cents

I kind of ride the line between value and performance. Oftentimes it all comes down to the deal. If I can get a good deal on it, I'll buy it and use it. I mainly have Falcon Cara's and Bucoos with a handful of St. Croix and 13fishing rods mixed in. Then one or two of each random rod brands as well, LuckyCraft, McCain, Megabass, Shimano.

Man I don't even realize rods have a warranty. Who the hell buys a rod worried about warranty. I buy a rod go out and fish with it. We put them in a box and on a boat deck where they get beat around, stepped on and everything else. If one breaks well it broke. Go buy another rod.

Thanks guys, that's the way I feel. Never bought a rod because of warranty. Usually under $150 for me

The Falcon and AllStars are the rods I have used the most over the years. I have retired some of them since the eyes have been broken on a few. I think I will buy some replacement eyes and get some of my old rods back in use. Seen Loomis rods snap on a hook set, and out of my price range anyway.

Looking for a couple of a weightless\T rig worm rods. My two 30 year old Falcon Carolina Rig rods are in great shape. Tried to retire them last year but never found a suitable replacement in the rods I have purchased the past few years.

Has Rod technology advanced any in the past 20 years?

thanks for the responses

Best bang for the buck. I use Falcons to the most part. I have a mix of Cara's and Lowriders and to tell the truth I don't feel a lot of difference, if any, between the two except the significant price point.

I buy a rod with the following in mind...not in any order

1) Best bang for the buck: Components can get expensive but the adage you get what you pay for comes to mind. There are some really great components that won't break the bank on rods.
Example: Megabass Lavente, Diawa Tatula Elite, Dobyns Champion

2) Which company stands by their product: Warranty matters to me...I've had brand new rods explode on a hookset...when sending back to the MFG if they stand by their workmanship that matters. I had a bad run in with a rod company that I will not name where their rod on the third cast snapped at the handle. After several emails, pictures, and sending in the defective rod...I got a 20% off barcode email. Even though this rod was well within their 1yr period.

3) Fit / Feel: The rod has got to fit good in my hand, it needs to be balanced, it needs to be light and sensitive, and it needs to have that "whip" that I search for.

Loomis & Powertackle and I deep crank with Powell.

Over the past year I've started replacing all my powertackle & Powell rods that continue to break with Dobyns. So far zero issue with Dobyns.

Durability and quality is what I look for.

Value & warranty are two things that I look for in a good rod AND for that reason I use a lot of Irods. Nope I'm not sponsored by them at all, but they have good actions for how I fish, they're reasonably priced, & they have a great warranty system (& trust me I have broken quite a few). Even if it's my fault breaking them it's a pretty good discount to replace the rod. You should look into them.

if it is rod that I need to feel the bait at all times.....I will spend a bit - 150-300 (that is not even top end, but it will get you in the 95% range of good), if it is for moving baits and such, 100 dollar rod or even less is just fine as long as it is strong, and light.....other than those parameters, I am not a brand guy though currently, most of my rods are older TFO tactical bass rods that I paid less than retail for.

After breaking every upper end super light rod I’ve ever had within the first year I’ve settled on durability and value. I don’t want a rod that needs a good warranty behind it that everyone rants and raves about… tells me that more of those rods are breaking or experiencing issues. When someone asks about a warranty on a rod and 30 people chime in to talk about how great the warranty service is I raise an eyebrow. Why do 30 people have experience with this warranty program?

I agree about warranty, only needed it once and they replaced based upon the warranty on web. But lots of folks talking about the great warranty they needed too. Here is your sign!!!

So I thought I better step my game this year if I wanted to play with the big girls.

The other 2 times I didn't even think about a warranty. Stuck the broken rod in the ground next to the driveway at the cabin. Was there for years, good reminder to be more careful when loading up. The other I called Falcon since it was a rare hard to found salt water model. Decided to put a new tip on it. They send me a tip, hat and stickers. Made a great spinnerbait rod out of it. Always been a Falcon fan.

How about Kistler? I have several Kistler Argon I use at Fork that have never failed. Just really don't like the texture on the rod and not real balanced in my hands. Any other models of Kistler for worming?

I have a Shimano Crucial that was my favorite TX rig rod for years. Its only 6.6 so it feels to short to me nowadays. Anyone have a 7ft Crucial that would trade.

Starting to see the value in my old gear compared to the new stuff.

I started building my rods for this exact reason. But I am a bargain hunter. About twice a year NFC(Loomis) puts their X-Ray blanks on sale for less than $100.00. This blank has surpassed all of my expectations. Then I hammer eBay for components I am looking for - even found 2 sets of Fuji Titanium Torzite guide sets for $60.00 each. Now I do have rods that I have $200.00 in but most are less than $150.00 but they are exactly like I want them.

100% Value. A rod is a rod at the end of the day. I use mine too hard to invest more than $100 - $150. This is an opinion, as some guys will swear you have to spend $400 plus on a rod.