Best fishing poles.

timm gage said:

when i lived in northern illinois, i had some gang bangers come across my property. i convinced them not to do it anymore. it was easy. 8 rds from my m-1 garand in to the dirt in front of them did the trick!

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You’re lucky you didn’t get in trouble.
Many years ago when I was first married we lived in fairly populated town about 30 miles from Philly. House was right off the street , we parked our cars on the street in front of the house. One night around 2:00AM I heard tools clanking out front. I looked out the window and saw a two guys with my car jacked up taking the wheels off. I immediately called the cops and went down stairs to wait. It took a while and when they had the wheel off ready to take it away. I grabbed my shotgun that was down there ready for an early morning turkey hunting day. It was unloaded. I flung open the door and pumped the action as loud as I could. Those two guys were out of there like lighting bolts. Right after that the cops showed. They cruised around looking as I waited outside. I noticed a person pop up from the dash and then lay back down in a car in an apartment lot across the street. I pointed it out to cops when they came back. Turns out it was the girlfriend/ slash getaway driver. Anyway I had to appear in court. Along with fingering the thieving scum I had some answering to do to the judge about the gun. The thieves thought that would be their way to get off I guess. I got a good tongue lashing from him. These days I probably would get fined or something.

Ya, everybody knows the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being racked lol

One problem with guns is you could end up using them. I know someone who did this. He shot a punk with a knife stealing his stuff and had to watch and listen to the kid crying for his mom and then gurgling in his own blood and finally dying on the front lawn. He is SO sorry he did that over junk that could have been replaced. It haunts him constantly, and it will never go away. NOT worth it!

The other problem is escalation. Back in the city, there are gangs, and if a person brandished a gun on one of them, the crew would come back at night and pepper their home with bullets. Usually, the ones who get hit are kids in bed or someone innocent. Again, NOT worth it. It's just stuff.

One thing I learned from city life is that a thief can't want what they can't see. Keep stuff out of sight. Or, you only let them see things they don't want, like my Mom's "rusty" old bike. They call this "street smarts."

Now, we live a half-mile off the paved roads and have a fenced yard with two Rottweilers and have never had an issue. The dogs do a good job as alarm and deterrent. Also, have really good insurance with agreed values.

Still, I hate thieves.

The Title reads "Best Fishing Poles"

Seems the posting has taken a turn.

ripdmup said:

The Title reads "Best Fishing Poles"

Seems the posting has taken a turn.

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Agreed.

I guess it has migrated to how to keep your best fishing poles from being stolen.

Getting back to the subject, I'm stating the obvious that the "best" is going to depend on the type of fishing. In terms of brands, I hear about St Croix a lot. Personally I've never used one and know nothing about them. If I were looking for a high end rod they sound like a good brand.

I like my Lamiglas rods, but have experience with only two of their rods. I use a Lamiglas Kokanee Tournament rod trolling for trout on down riggers. It is a great rod. In truth my Eagle Claw featherlight Koke rod is just as good at half the price. For general all around spinning rods, I still like UglyStiks. Maybe not the "best" but they give a lot of value for the $.

I love my Lamiglas Insane surf rod. It is the entry level of their surf rod line up, but I still thought it was pricey. Fortunately, I had a pocket full of gift cards, so there was much happiness!

Sort of related to the subject -- for some reason I'm not partial to the split handle or split grip style that is common in spinning and casting rods today. Probably because I'm as old as the hills, stuck in my ways, and that is just too new fangled. Haha.

I forgot, I also have an UglyStik steelhead rod I might use for salmon in the Delta if they ever let us salmon fish again.

Speaking of, is it a fishing pole or a fishing rod? I think it can be called both.

I probably had only Ugly Stick and Ugly Stick Lites, from late 80's to 2000. I can't recall ever breaking one or even replacing a tip guide. They performed even better for me when Spyderwire and Fireline braids came out. I kept them around for years, stored in the rafters in the basement. Eventually gave them away to some neighbor kids. I'd say they would still make a very good live bait rod and good catfish rod for OP. They mostly had a very moderate action which helps when fighting a bigger fish and casting bait.

For all the casting I do, I will not give up my very light St Croix's. Casting all day with a heavy rod, will wear my arm and shoulder out, especiall these days. Coming from the Ugly Stick world, the stiffer rods took a little to adjust to. My favorites do have a split grip, which did take awhile to get use too. But it allows for a lighter rod and fingers are usually on some part of the blank, so you can feel the pick-up easier. Going back to a full cork, now feels odd. I tend to go back on cold weather/glove days. I don't think there would be of any advantage using as trolling rods, though.

Speakin of fishing rods....

Background...{this is guna suck to admit, but here goes lol}

On or about Jan, 3 2023, I had my brand, spanking new St Croix Panfish Series 6'4" lite power, fast action pole in my hot little hand in the garage. Im looking at it lovingly and dreaming of all the crappie it's going to catch-I haven't fished with it yet mind you, as i just got it for Christmas.

Then I got snapped out of my dream by reality...I forgot the d*** ceiling fan was on and you guessed it; I turned the wrong way and sliced about 4" off the tip.



Did I mention I didn't even fish with it yet??

I digress...So I had the platinum (or whatever they cal it lol) insurance. I call St Croix, explain what happened and he tells me it will cost me $50 with shipping to replace it. I couldn't say 'book it' fast enough!!

Then I ask him how do I ship the old one back? He says, don't worry about it. Just keep it.

So this is where I am today. What say ye fine gentlemen of the forum??

Cut back it and re-tip? Or just cut it back to the eyelet and use that as the tip? It's the first eye behind the tip.



Thank you kindly

This latest return, was the first that the broken rod did not have to back to St Croix Just had to take picture and submit. Mine is broke 6” down from tip. Eventually I will put a new tip on it, but it will most likely be too short and stiff for any real use.

Lost But Happy said:

Speakin of fishing rods....

Background...{this is guna suck to admit, but here goes lol}

On or about Jan, 3 2023, I had my brand, spanking new St Croix Panfish Series 6'4" lite power, fast action pole in my hot little hand in the garage. Im looking at it lovingly and dreaming of all the crappie it's going to catch-I haven't fished with it yet mind you, as i just got it for Christmas.

Then I got snapped out of my dream by reality...I forgot the d*** ceiling fan was on and you guessed it; I turned the wrong way and sliced about 4" off the tip.

View attachment 121805

Did I mention I didn't even fish with it yet??

I digress...So I had the platinum (or whatever they cal it lol) insurance. I call St Croix, explain what happened and he tells me it will cost me $50 with shipping to replace it. I couldn't say 'book it' fast enough!!

Then I ask him how do I ship the old one back? He says, don't worry about it. Just keep it.

So this is where I am today. What say ye fine gentlemen of the forum??

Cut back it and re-tip? Or just cut it back to the eyelet and use that as the tip? It's the first eye behind the tip.

View attachment 121806

Thank you kindly

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I would put a tip top where the break is. Like @FuzzyGrub says, it probably won't be a great rod anymore, but who knows.

I'd break it in half so it fits in the trash. Or you could cut it short for ice fishing. How about a tomato stake? Or a cool drink stir stick. Or better yet, attach a swiffer pad to one end and clean the ceiling fan with it.
I'm sure you could use it for something, but the trash can makes it easy.

Broke

Lost But Happy said:

Speakin of fishing rods....

Background...{this is guna suck to admit, but here goes lol}

On or about Jan, 3 2023, I had my brand, spanking new St Croix Panfish Series 6'4" lite power, fast action pole in my hot little hand in the garage. Im looking at it lovingly and dreaming of all the crappie it's going to catch-I haven't fished with it yet mind you, as i just got it for Christmas.

Then I got snapped out of my dream by reality...I forgot the d*** ceiling fan was on and you guessed it; I turned the wrong way and sliced about 4" off the tip.

View attachment 121805

Did I mention I didn't even fish with it yet??

I digress...So I had the platinum (or whatever they cal it lol) insurance. I call St Croix, explain what happened and he tells me it will cost me $50 with shipping to replace it. I couldn't say 'book it' fast enough!!

Then I ask him how do I ship the old one back? He says, don't worry about it. Just keep it.

So this is where I am today. What say ye fine gentlemen of the forum??

Cut back it and re-tip? Or just cut it back to the eyelet and use that as the tip? It's the first eye behind the tip.

View attachment 121806

Thank you kindly

Click to expand...

Had a cheap rod break off it's top 3" on my rod locker lid...( yea I know, thought rod lockers were to protect your rods). Found a small metal tube that just fit over the rod diameter. Also added a piece of shrink tube with glue inside. The metal tube was filled with " goop" adhesive and slipped over the break. Once that dried, the shrink tube was slid into position and shrunk over the whole repair section. Working very well so far. Rod is a light action pan fish rod, other than noticing the repair, the rod functions well.

ripdmup said:

The Title reads "Best Fishing Poles"

Seems the posting has taken a turn.

Click to expand...

That is kind of what happens with normal conversation. If all were reported, half the content in these forums would be deleted.

The perfect example(s) of why I don't buy high-dollar rods happened last week while I was fishing with buddies in Canada.

After 5 1/2 days of fishing, my attention span wasn't what it needed to be. I failed to open the bale on my reel and made a cast. The force was just enough to pull the rod out of my hand and into the water beside the boat. My quick-thinking boat mate quickly threw a marker buoy on the spot, which was 25 feet deep. Then we rigged heavy spoons with large treble hooks and added weight so we could drag around the marker buoy to hopefully raise my rod off the bottom. My buddy hooked it on the third try and brought it up. That rescued about $110 worth of rod, reel, and lure. I now call that rod my "Lazarus Rod." It was dead, yet now it lives. While not fun, it wouldn't have been life-changing to lose that rod. Sometimes I wonder how many rods are at the bottom of that lake.

Another buddy on another day last week had a moment of inattention. His line (20# braid) got wrapped around the turning prop, which promptly wrapped up his line, the bottom bouncer attached, and then pulled his rod down to the transom where it broke into four pieces. That event wasted a $250 St. Croix fishing rod.

Ray Clark said:

The perfect example(s) of why I don't buy high-dollar rods happened last week while I was fishing with buddies in Canada.

After 5 1/2 days of fishing, my attention span wasn't what it needed to be. I failed to open the bale on my reel and made a cast. The force was just enough to pull the rod out of my hand and into the water beside the boat. My quick-thinking boat mate quickly threw a marker buoy on the spot, which was 25 feet deep. Then we rigged heavy spoons with large treble hooks and added weight so we could drag around the marker buoy to hopefully raise my rod off the bottom. My buddy hooked it on the third try and brought it up. That rescued about $110 worth of rod, reel, and lure. I now call that rod my "Lazarus Rod." It was dead, yet now it lives. While not fun, it wouldn't have been life-changing to lose that rod. Sometimes I wonder how many rods are at the bottom of that lake.

Another buddy on another day last week had a moment of inattention. His line (20# braid) got wrapped around the turning prop, which promptly wrapped up his line, the bottom bouncer attached, and then pulled his rod down to the transom where it broke into four pieces. That event wasted a $250 St. Croix fishing rod.

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If he got the 'insurance', St Croix will replace his rod. With a deductible of course.

Lost But Happy said:

If he got the 'insurance', St Croix will replace his rod. With a deductible of course.

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As long as he didn't throw the pieces out, I believe they will replace it.

I did drown a st croix, once, but was able to retrieve it.

For me, it's about the quality and feel, not the price tag. I mostly fish deep, fast moving water for big fish, using a very light jig. Sensitivity is paramount, or you simply won't catch, and it needs to have a stiff backbone down low so you can lift strong fish. X-fast action is usually best for that type of fishing.

For a long time, the Bass Pro Extreme 6'6" MH was a very good rod for the money. Then they stopped production, and the rod that replaced them looks cool, but is not nearly as sensitive or stiff for it's weight. To get the same action rod, it feels like lead in your hand. Not for me...

Then I used a friend's $350 G.Loomis rod. WOW!!!! It was everything I'd dreamed of. Power down deep, a smooth transition, and almost electric sensitivity. That messed me up! That's when I got into rodbuilding. I found some blanks by G.Loomis, their Mag Bass 804 in a GL3 graphite. I think I got them for $74 at first, and then Loomis got out of the blank business, so I got a couple more for maybe $35 each.

These are baitcasting blanks, but I built them into high-quality spinning rods. Truly outstanding rods. The first one I build caught thousands of pounds of stripers every year. Then an idiot employee ran it over with his truck, along with a couple of other rods. I normally don't worry too much about stuff, but that one actually hurt. That rod was like a friend. It's replacement is the same blank, but isn't the same.

I have a newer, medium action rod by Lew's that is great. They were $27 for a short time, then jumped up in price. GREAT rod for light inshore and freshwater fishing. I've caught some beautiful drum on those rods.

For crappie and freshwater fishing, I like the Shakespeare Micro-lite rods. Nice graphite, great feel and relatively inexpensive.

I have so many rods that it's rare that I buy anything anymore. I've started giving old rods that I'll never use away.