My grandfather bought nothing but All star rods, when I was growing up. Last year was the first time I bought one and it broke in a few months. Heard that Shakespear had bought them out and they have not been the same since, for obvious reasons. Replaced it with a Falcon bocoo. I just noticed that the tip on it is shattered. I am sure it was stepped on or crushed somehow.
I sent them an email. We will see what my options are.

Anyhow, what rods do you buy and why?

I swear by ugly stik for my basic all around rod needs may be owned by shakespear but the things never break so I don't complain, as for specialty for this or that I go with what ever feels comfortable (stores dont like me to much) I usually give a few flicks while in the store to feel the snap and can generally tell the quality of the rod in a few flicks

The one in my sig pic.

I've been an All Star guy for a long time, have a mess of them. Got on those Abu Garcia Vetrias rods last year but really haven't used them a whole lot.

I've only snapped one All Star and it was my fault for being a DA, I have had friends tell me of Carrot Stix and G Loomis rods snapping on hook sets.

There is a brand of fishing rods called "13" fishing rods and the one I use is called the omen. great actions, sensitivity, durability, and very quality rods. Best thing is they're only 100 bucks, worth checkin out. St croix is my # 1 brand because of they're very specific actions and durability. 2 is loomis, and 3 is falcon. But for the money the omen rod is my favorite. St croix mojo bass is another good cheap rod. Hope that helps

Loomis, Fenwick and Duckett.

Temple Fork Outfitters, they started as a flyrod brand and now they do baitcasters and spin casters. They are absolute amazing rods, I've never felt anything more sensitive than a tfo rod, they also have a lifetime no-fault warranty, meaning no matter how it breaks, ie over your knee caused you get ticked they will replace it. They also have a special edition series of rods specifically made for Heroes On the Water, designed by Jim Dolan and G. Loomis with part of the proceeds from sales going to HOW. I am slowly replacing all of my rods with tfo rods. I have a carrot stix rod ond it is really nice but it doesn't even compare at all to my tfo rods. Im even selling my carrot stix rod.

My cat rods are proangler that I got from Deerstrangler at the spring GTG. I have two for almost a year and they are awesome. I picked up a all star drop shot a few weeks back for mostly crappie. It looks like the tip may break just by looking at it wrong, but it is doing great and love the sensitivity, it's my go to ultra light for now. At the last Pro Angler show I had a great chat with Mr. Collins with TFO rods. He answered a lot of questions that I was confused on, I see a new TFO rod in the near future. My Bass rods are bass pros brand and they are ok. I got a big discount on them a couple years back, if it wasn't for the discount they would have stayed at the store, but I don't chase bass very often. A few guys on the forum build some really really nice rods, Wafflejaw has some real talent and builds some beautiful rods. My next purchase will be a TFO or one of Wafflejaws.

I go with shimanos and gloomis. both are very light and sensitive.(imo) oh and the warranty.

For me, it's whatever is on sale. I usually buy rod/reel combos that would cost between $15.99 to $24.99. My last pair of $15.99 rod/reel 5'6" light action combo lasted pretty long until the tips broke on them, but both were my fault mishandling during loading/unloading & getting frustrated with a snag. After that, I bought expensive to me replacement rods that were $34 each. I still have both my $19.99 samurai 6'6" med action rod/reel combo by daiwa & both my $24.99 9' medium action surf rods for bank fishing. I've caught fish on all of them from sunfish to sandies to stripers to lmb's to catfish to hybrids...yada yada yada. Caught the most fish on my light action rods. I would put my rods up against any expensive brand out on the market. It's not the rod, it's the person holding the rod.

Been a longtime Castaway fan....the Texas made rods, not the cheap Academy China [censored].

I have let Kistlers creep into my line up lately though. They have some good deals in their web store and on eBay.

Kistler looks like they have finally got their blank supply stabilized and Castaway just came under new ownership. Hopefully the good things will continue, but you never know about these things until some time passes.

for cats and big toothy fish i'm a big fan of ProAngler.

For bass I've always been a castaway fan, but I got a bsp carbonlite rod the other day that is changing everything.

I've still yet to find an ultralite rod that has the perfect combnation of backbone and sensitivity for my liking.

I have several for bass, Shimano crucial, Dobyns Savvy, and Falcon Caras. St.Croix for crappie. Castaway for salt/inshore fishing. I hear good things about Walker Nelsons custom bass rods, Kistlers, and Pro angler rods for crappie and catfish but have yet to try them. I buy good rods because they are generally better suited for the lures and techniques I'm going to use when targeting certain fish. All of the rods I own came with at least a 5 year warranty which is important to me if I'm spending more than $50 on a rod.

All mine are Falcon, however I do plan on buying something special for dragging plastics, just have to figure out which one, leaning towards a GLoomis product.

If you haven't had the opportunity to try the TFO Tactical Series I would encourage you to do so. These rods are well made with excellent action and sensitivity. I would be happy to let anyone try one of mine.