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Hi guys,

I've always been curious as to what the pros consider what the top most quality freshwater fishing rods are. Can anyone mention a few brands/models?

Armond

I prefer a cheap Shakespeare rod - but then, I'm no pro either I hear the pro's talk about G-Loomis a lot, I think.

First off, lets start by saying there are a ton of really great rods out there! My personal preference is for Shimano & G-Loomis rods and I always have them paired with Shimano Reels. This being said, here is a short list of some other high quality rods:
Powell
Lamiglass
Dobyns
St. Croix
American Rodsmith
Kistler
All-Star
and there are many, many more...

The other importnat thing, is that many rods maunfacturers have a wide variety of rod series, from basic entry level (udner $50) to high end elite rods that sell for $200-$400+ per rod.

I too have DOZENS of Shakespeare rods.....UGLY STICK they are called and each one is a treasure $25 to $35 bucks is all they cost.......I also have a G-loomis 7ft casting rod $248 for the rod alone.....big whoop, you pay for the name.....it has the same but & guides (FUJI) as a Shakespeare !!

I have a Lamiglass 1502 custom doohicky whatever rod too.... $700 bucks !
I have a St Croix Fly Rod $320 bucks !
I have several ALL-STAR rods I flounder fish with all the time.... $40 each

Fck em all !! day to day everyday I fish with a DIAWA D Shock rod reel combo......
at the local tackle shop......$29 bucks.....best rod/reels ever made !
Just last Sunday I taged & released 50, Yes FIVE ZERO - 50 flounder with my Diawa....I have 4 of them

I couldn't agree more! I have used several different rods, but when it comes down to it, the good old Ugly Stick always comes through. I have been using my favorite Ugly Stick (a 6 footer, two piece) for almost twenty years now. It still works great. The wrappings are finally cracking a bit, but I have caught a ton of fish on that thing. I even took it to Alaska and caught some ten and twelve pound silvers on it. They may not have the sensitivity of some poles, but when a fish bites, you can still feel it.
Kais
http://www.onetoomanyhobbies.com

There is not doubt that cheaper rods can catch fish, but I think its silly to state that an Ugly Stick is a good of quality as other rods mentioned. I guess it comes down to what you are fishing for and type of fishing. I am not saying anyone needs to spend more then $30 for a rod, but there is a definite quality difference in most of the more expensive rods. From quality of the blank, High Modulose Graphite vs Fiberglass. Fiberglass rods just do not have the sensitivity of graphite. And even though it say Fuji guides, there is a wide range of Fuji guides, not all the same.

Certainly, a better rod will help those who are into more "finesse" type fishing... Casting a lure and feeling for a bass to hit is a very different kind of fishing than throwing a line out into the muddy river water and waiting for a catfish to suck a hook into its mouth. There's not much finesse involved in hauling in a 40lb catfish in 3 knots of river current. Likewise trolling for stripers and other such methods doesn't take much finesse.

I've never fished for a largemouth bass, but common knowledge tells me that feeling a strike as quickly and clearly as possible is sometimes the delineating factor between reeling in an empty hook and reeling in an 8lb bass.

Fish On!!

SHAKESPEARE ROD -




TSUNAMI 5 STAR :




I WILL SAY THIS THO, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO LAND A BIG FISH ON A LITTLE ROD........

Catching big fish on a little rod requires a whole different kind of finesse...