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Posts: 770
| Guys rank your top 5 rod companies. I'm looking for new rods but it seems like everyone suggests you buy a $400 rod. From my searches and what I have read St. Croix and Elk River are Very popular. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | T3clay - 4/5/2018 6:37 AM
Guys rank your top 5 rod companies. I'm looking for new rods but it seems like everyone suggests you buy a $400 rod. From my searches and what I have read St. Croix and Elk River are Very popular.
I really like my TI rod as well as my Okuma.
Both can be had for much less than $400. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | One St Croix built by Thorn Bros
Three Predator built by Thorn Bros
G Loomis built by Thorn Bros
Three Diamond back " pre China made blanks built by Thorn Bros
Basically if it's built by Thorn Bros you have a great rod |
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Posts: 304
| I have a St. Criox Muskie Mojo that I got for well under $200 dollars that does everything I need it to.
Along with that, my favorite rod, a Fenwick Elite Tech Predator, can be had for right at $200 (unless you find a sale). That rod is the reason I will never buy a rod more expensive than $200. If that one ever happens to have something go wrong, I will just buy another Fenwick and not think twice. |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | My best piece of advice is to decide what your "go-to" rod specs are and have a custom rod built on that design. I usually carry 4 muskie rods, but it seems one of them gets 60%+ of the casts I make. I won a custom rod from KT Professional Edge on this site last spring and I CANNOT BELIEVE how nice it is compared to stock rods with an identical blank. The custom grip and guides make it much lighter and more comfortable to cast all day.
The up-front cost for custom is probably double that of an entry level stock rod, but you will never regret the purchase. I still have 3 stock rods from St. Croix and Maina (bass pro), and they're all good sticks, but they are specialized for certain situations. If I ever break my custom, you better believe I'm getting another one built. |
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Posts: 983
| If you're looking for more of a budget friendly rod I'd put Chaos at the top of my list |
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Posts: 2337
Location: Chisholm, MN | Thorne Bros Predator
St. Croix Sling Blade
TI's for trolling and spares |
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Posts: 770
| Anyone know where I can find more info on Thorne bros customs, I don't see anything on their web page |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | Call them ask for Lonnie he is the head rod builder great guy to work with |
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Posts: 1000
| 1. Thorne predator to your specs
2. St Croix LT
3. St Croix Legend Elite (#3 because I think the LT is better value)
4. St Croix Mojo/Premier
Budget: Okuma, because for warranty claims all they require is that you cut the 4 inch serial code section and mail that in, vs shipping the broken rod in an expensive tube like everyone else does. |
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| if i would be you i would get a shimano compre. imo for it price you can't find a rod that good with a lifetime warranty.you can also look at some the really underrated fenwick et pred |
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Posts: 1348
Location: Pewaukee, WI | My personal preference for the quality and price would be Black River Rods. A member on this site (muskyjason) makes them. |
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Posts: 2337
Location: Chisholm, MN | T3clay - 4/5/2018 3:03 PM
Anyone know where I can find more info on Thorne bros customs, I don't see anything on their web page
https://www.thornebros.com/collections/featured-products/products/th... |
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Posts: 1084
Location: Aurora | If yer hung up on new rods and looking at 9 footers or longer, I'd suggest you consider having a TI built to yer specs. Factory built TI's fish like an 8'6" cuz of the longer handle. I really dig their MH & XH a lot. Also, definitely check out Toothtamer, especially for heavier stuff.
If yer open to used, keep yer eyes peeled for older compre's, St. Croix Avids, Lamiglas Hartman models, and some Fenwick models are nice too. I even have a Daiwa Heartland rod I love. |
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Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | ER
TI
SC
TB
MI |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | For the money you can't beat the Professional Edge rods, got to toss a new one this fall and for over a week in temps that didn't see 32. His eyes did not ice up and like my Predator, and when they did they were an ease to de-ice. Was my main rod while the Predator sat on the bench. Both are great but for the money the one of the best rods on the marker!!
Troyz
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | No order here but St Croix, Elk River, Chaos, KT Pro Edge... haven’t received my KT Pro Edge yet but was impressed enough to order one. |
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Posts: 770
| thanks guys! lots of great info! |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | jvlast15 - 4/5/2018 8:30 AM
Along with that, my favorite rod, a Fenwick Elite Tech Predator, can be had for right at $200 (unless you find a sale). That rod is the reason I will never buy a rod more expensive than $200. If that one ever happens to have something go wrong, I will just buy another Fenwick and not think twice.
This. I wish I would have discovered this rod before I bought my big nasty. The big nasty is a good rod, but I find myself using the fenwick more often. |
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Posts: 427
| It depends on what I use it for.
Jerk baits=Shimano Compre
Blades up to Double 8 and Spinner baits=St. Croix legend
Small Cranks=St. Croix Premiere
Jigging=Shimano Compre
Just a reminder St. Croix Mojos are basically Premieres that are made in Mexico. Great rods too if cost is your concern |
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | NathanH - 4/5/2018 7:28 PM
No order here but St Croix, Elk River, Chaos, KT Pro Edge... haven’t received my KT Pro Edge yet but was impressed enough to order one.
You will not be disappointed! KT gets my vote for sure. had my XXH last fall and it handled blades to monster dussas just great. Had him do the thickest syncork grips he could for mine and i'm now a syncork convert.
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | In no particular order:
Abu
Fenwick
Vexan Big Game
TI
Tooth Tamer
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Posts: 558
| Another 1 for Kt professional edge rods are very hard to beat! Bought one before the season last year and that was my go to rod all season while the big nasty sat on the bench. Liked it so much I got another one being made right now. Check em out. Promise you'll love it! |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | I’ll add another vote to the fenwick elite tech predator. I actually sold my big nasty because I prefered the fenwick action. If only the butt section was a touch longer it would be perfect. For even less money the bulldawg rods are nice sticks and have no complaints with TI or Tooth Tamer as well. |
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Posts: 1660
Location: central Wisconsin | What is KT? |
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| sworrall - 4/6/2018 11:58 AM
In no particular order:
Abu
Fenwick
Vexan Big Game
TI
Tooth Tamer
which abu ? |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Jeff78 - 4/6/2018 6:41 PM
What is KT?
Keith Terlindin Progessional Edge rods. He makes great rods. |
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Posts: 1144
Location: Minnesota. | |
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Posts: 2337
Location: Chisholm, MN | Jeremy - 4/6/2018 7:55 PM
Buy me another one while you’re there  |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | If you want to try a TI Musky or Vexan Big Game let me know. I have a few show rods left i cannot sell at retail as they were the demo rods for 2017/2018 shows. email us at [email protected] if you want a 9ft Vexan or TI rod. A few have already bee bought but let me know.
James
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