I was browsing the pawn shop near the house and came across an older American Rodsmiths Rod. Apex Titanium @ 7ft. It has some boat/dock rash, but the tip is intact and appears to be same as the rest of the guids (all intact as well). 8-17 lbs line and 3/8 - 3/4 lure weight.

Anyone fish one of these rods (esp. saltwater) give me some input.

I used to fish those rods, cheap and not very sensitive. They weren't even made by ARS, they were Chinese and made for Academy.

ya pawnshops do offer fishing rods for sale at discounted price. Those who are in search for cheap rods, it is a great destination. There are many stores where i have come across hunting and fishing stuff, one I remember is cash pawn sales. You can find many online pawn stores.

Those rods sold for $49.99 at Academy. I still have one in the garage, been there about 3 years now.

I have always thought that shopping at a pawnshop perpetuates the crackhead who steals everything they can to get one more high. If no one bought stuff at pawnshops, then they would quit buying stolen stuff from crackheads.

If you are looking for inexpensive fishing rods, try finding them on sale at Academy or Walmart. They have bigger selections and return policies.

Well pawn shops have helped pay my bills a couple times in the last year. There arent enough crackheads out there to fill a pawn shop with merchandise. I would venture to say that the majority of items a pawn shop has for sale were purchased from the legal owners of the items.

Pawnshops have a unecessary bad rap, a police friend of mine said that according to police estimates only maybe 2% of the items in pawnshops is stolen and with the current laws, of requiring ID when one pawns or sales an item to a pawnshop, that it helps in catching thieves

Pawnshops are a great place to find some good equipment at a discounted price.

Last month, I found a Shimano Curado G7 for $50.
It was making noise, but after a good cleaning and lubing, it works great.


And yes, Pawnshops do often get a bad rap. They have helped make ends meet when I needed it (especially in these past few years). They require ID whenever someone pawns, sells, or buys something from them.

I spoke to some of the owners of the 'mom & pop' shops.
They're good honest folks that know how to conduct a business.

Pawn shops are always my first preference when shopping. They have got almost all tools and stuff. Great condition and affordable price.

Most of the time I find "lower end" fishing rods and reels, but will run across some deals that I can't pass on. My latest find was an older Calcutta 150 for $49.99. I've found old green Curados on All Star rods and have purchased them.

Sure it's old technology but the bass don't realize it when the steel is driven in their jaw!

cool

LOL, ain't no such thing as an "honest" pawn broker. Like some other professions they are what they are.

The other day I got 2 rigs for $100... At a hock shop. Out Here in the backwoods n swamps where I live, everyone fishes n hunts so there's always good toys here. Anyway, 2 rigs, 7ft all-star classic series w a quantum code reel, the other is a 7ft code rod also with quantum code reel... Both had some mud n what not on the reels, cleaned and oiled they cast and retrieve like new. Probably $400 worth easily for $100. I won

I bought 4 or 5 of them around 2008 or so when they came out. They were 50 bucks at Academy. They are heavy and not very sensitive but really stout. I used mine with braid for fishing Falcon. I got tired of breaking good rods. I never broke an Apex and I did some serious hook sets at Falcon on several 6-7 ponders.

I usually buy my fishing gear new but I love checking out pawn shops everywhere I go.

Found the Shakespear President II, 1980 HB, pictured below in small town pawn shop on way to Lake Monticello, last year. It was covered in dust in the back of the display case. Bought it for $30 and later found out online they go for $100 to $150 on ebay if you can find them. Cleaned up like new, took it on the water twice, caught only one fish on it and retired it...my biggest bass of the year, 8+ lbs.





My favorite and best find was a Shimano Calcutta 400 mounted on a custom graphite rod. Stopped at a pawn shop in Little Havana section of Miami on the way to Flamingo in the Everglades to fish, 4 years ago. I almost died when I asked how much and the guy says $40 bucks. I couldn't get my money out fast enough.


Calcutta 400 on custom snook rod.