I'm headed to the GRB today to see what I don't really need, but may want to buy. Anyone else headed that way? I'll be the long haired guy with 2 nine year old boys driving me crazy.

DVM

I went yesterday. Didn't buy anything, but there were a few good deals there.

Bought a rod from Waterloo for top water fishing, damn rod prices have sky rocketed! Can't wait to try it out with my new H20 express.

I went and didn't buy anything. Hear several times that a particular lure "Is unlike anything you've ever used" and it will "change the game of fishing."

I'll stick to the 3 lures I've perfected and keep it simple.

I have a neighbor on my street that is one of the organizers. I keep meaning to make it down there, but it was a busy weekend for me.

Not only have the prices increased but they have gotten light as hell. Those Sarge rods are something else.

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Bought a rod from Waterloo for top water fishing, damn rod prices have sky rocketed! Can't wait to try it out with my new H20 express.

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They've managed to start calling mass produced rods "custom" and charging "custom" prices. IMO they are all essentially the same. All very good rods, but essentially the same thing.

Bought more raffle tickets than I want to think about, several lures, almost bought a new reel but I can get it on Amazon for way less than the "show special" and because I am practically albino that shirt with the built in neck gaiter.

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fishag04
posted 11:07p, 03/09/14



Not only have the prices increased but they have gotten light as hell. Those Sarge rods are something else.

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And those lighter rods are more prone to breakage too. Unfortunately.

Trout, what are your thoughts on the Waterloo rods? I've stopped buying Castaways, American Rodsmith, etc. for the reason you stated. This Waterloo rod has double seated titanium guides, and a new reel seat that I've never seen that seems more secure, and it's specifically for topwaters. I bought a used "Green Rod" in January and have been very pleased with it.

I've also become a huge fan of the H20 express
series reels from Academy, great bang for your buck IMO.

Finn, I've noticed that as well, you can't use saltwater rods for cat fishing....that is a PSA.

DVM

[This message has been edited by DVM97 (edited 3/10/2014 10:30a).]

The titanium guides are the most durable for sure, but I don't like them because they are noisy when using braided lines. Shouldn't matter to me because I am done using braid, but the noise is just something I noticed. I did stop in that booth, but I didn't pay attention to the reel seats. The salesperson did say they would sell me the "Waterloo" blank, but I'm pretty sure it is a Batson blank that I can already get at much better prices. There are four seat manufactures for those type rods and they are all good. Most designs are built just to have style options to appeal to more tastes. Like I said, they are all very good sticks and it mostly boils down to service in the event the rod does have an issue, and Waterloo has a good reputation in that so you should be good. I have heard of breakage problems with the green rods ( Mickey Eastman) but I have to think it is not warranted as FTU sells a ton of them.
As far as those H2o reels I did the same thing a few years back. I bought 4 of them and the two I use have held up, with the exception of one thumbar that gave me trouble but they replaced it no questions asked. Shimano is still my go to, and I'm considering a new Citica right now as my oldest one needs new bearings and drag washer. Rather than replace, I just buy new. Something else, most rod failures are due to neglect and not manufacturing flaws so be sure to treat your rods with the same care you would a high dollar reel or weapon. A slight nick or scratch can create a stress point that can lead to breakage.

One more thing.. Castaway is still a very good rod company with high quality materials as is AR. AR has a tarnished rep due to a bad employee and some questionable service. I used them for years, but have decided to just stick with the rods I build. I've got one started now to replace my old AR that I had pulled out of my hand due to too much bug spray on my hands. It was at least a 17lb trout too.

[This message has been edited by Troutslime (edited 3/10/2014 10:57a).]

The rods I use for bull reds and sharks are entirely old school fiberglass. You can bend them over double and they don't break.

Trout - why are you done using braid?

I've gone through a couple Waterloo's. The lighter these rods get, the more fragile they become.

My only complaint about Jimmy at Waterloo is getting a hold of him. Literally, took me 6 months to replace my last rod because he wouldn't return an email or phone call. Kept calling the shop til I finally caught him while he was there.

The backbone of the rod is the most important, and all of these rod builders pretty much buy from the same blank manufacturers. So, most of the time, these rods all start from the same place, whoever has the best customer service gets my money.

I'll probably go with a Laguna for my next rod, I've heard they're turning things around over there.

Just my $0.02 but for 90% plus of fishing the difference between a $50 or $75 All Star/Castaway Academy special and a $300 Waterloo/Laguna/Kistler/etc is pretty much nonexistent.

Almost completely about dick-measuring.

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Trout - why are you done using braid?

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Not in order..
1. Too hard to get backlashes out
2. Digs into the spool and I've tried all brands and methods to prevent it
3. Doesn't like all knots
4. Can't cut it with teeth
5. No stretch. I throw topwaters quite a bit and a slower, softer hookset is preferred. Todays fast action rods makes this problem even worse.
6. It's expensive when compared to mono
7. I can feel the bites just fine with mono so sensitivity is not an issue
8. Hard to break if you get hung up
9. Casting distance is the same IMO
10. Noisy


I do like it on spinning reels as there is no memory but I rarely use spinning tackle

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Just my $0.02 but for 90% plus of fishing the difference between a $50 or $75 All Star/Castaway Academy special and a $300 Waterloo/Laguna/Kistler/etc is pretty much nonexistent.

Almost completely about dick-measuring.

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Ditto.

Same thing goes for fly rods although I do think there is a higher floor on prices there due to the manufacturing requirements of fly rods.

When I was in the market for a new 8wt I tested the Loomis NRX, Sage Xi3, and TFO BVK all side by side. The difference between the 3 in terms of casting and feel in the hand was pretty much zilch. The big difference- BVK goes for $250 vs. $800 for the Loomis or Sage.

I went with the BVK and prior to casting this one I was not a fan of the TFO rods at all. IMHO their TiCR and TiCRx rods were all about like casting a broomstick. They felt way to heavy and not crisp & responsive like the BVK.

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Just my $0.02 but for 90% plus of fishing the difference between a $50 or $75 All Star/Castaway Academy special and a $300 Waterloo/Laguna/Kistler/etc is pretty much nonexistent.

Almost completely about dick-measuring.

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Trout - why are you done using braid?

Not in order..
1. Too hard to get backlashes out
2. Digs into the spool and I've tried all brands and methods to prevent it
3. Doesn't like all knots
4. Can't cut it with teeth
5. No stretch. I throw topwaters quite a bit and a slower, softer hookset is preferred. Todays fast action rods makes this problem even worse.
6. It's expensive when compared to mono
7. I can feel the bites just fine with mono so sensitivity is not an issue
8. Hard to break if you get hung up
9. Casting distance is the same IMO
10. Noisy


I do like it on spinning reels as there is no memory but I rarely use spinning tackle

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It was at least a 17lb trout too.

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Interesting takes from everyone. I personally actually like braid, I like it's strength and durability. I've had braid on one reel for over 3 years with no issues, I generally tie on a 36" flourocarbon leader in 20# strength and have no issues with stretch etc. with either jigs or topwaters. If you tie on a monofilament backing to the braid it becomes even less expensive.

Monofilament in my hands has too much memory, especially with a bad backlash, and has to be replaced once a year. I know lots of professional guides and the opinions on braid vs monofilament are each based on personal preference. I will say braid takes a little while to get accustomed to casting, when you are "learning" to use it it does backlash a little more.

Refreshing to actually be discussing an outdoor topic.

DVM

DVM
I use swivels to combat the twist you can get throwing tails. I don't like the straight line/leader connection as that little knot can knock the rings out of the guides. Another plus for the recoils. You can get guides now that the rings are locked into the frame to combat this, but I still like swivels.

i need to get back to the water. haven't done nearly enough fishing this past couple of years.

Made it out Friday with the wife and baby in tow. No big purchases, but lots of eye candy. Guy from LaPorte has the molds for the old Shifty Shiners and bought a few. Too many rods and reels to justify buying another. Like the new Lew's though. Got a few TP's year before last and haven't used a Shimano since. I thought I was paying too much a few years ago when I started using the Castaway Skeleton series, but some of the rod prices at the show almost made me crap my pants.

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Made it out Friday with the wife and baby in tow. No big purchases, but lots of eye candy. Guy from LaPorte has the molds for the old Shifty Shiners and bought a few. Too many rods and reels to justify buying another. Like the new Lew's though. Got a few TP's year before last and haven't used a Shimano since. I thought I was paying too much a few years ago when I started using the Castaway Skeleton series, but some of the rod prices at the show almost made me crap my pants.

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He didn't get the old molds, he had his made. I visited with him and he pointed out the subtle differences in the two. His is a touch wider and has plastic eyes, while the originals were painted on and the weighting is a little different to improve its action. The originals tended to only "twitch" in one direction. I prefer these over Corkies because they stay in the water when you work them fast, yet the sink as slow as the Corky when a slow retrieve is preferred. The trout tourney last weekend was won using his baits.

Thanks Troutslime, interesting stuff. Was told they were the old molds; didn't discuss the difference with him at the show. Ready to try one out. That was the old "go to" bait back in the '80s wintertime fishing the Seabrook flats out of an innertube. That and a 51MR51.

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Thanks Troutslime, interesting stuff. Was told they were the old molds; didn't discuss the difference with him at the show. Ready to try one out. That was the old "go to" bait back in the '80s wintertime fishing the Seabrook flats out of an innertube. That and a 51MR51.

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I was there. Clear Creek class of 83.

Haha! Maybe met you there once or twice. Park at the bulkhead on Hester. Last place I could find Bingos was at a place called Reynold's on Main in League City, kind of across from Kilgore's. Quit fishing Seabrook after the '89 freeze then moved to Anahuac so that put an end to fishing this side of the bay much anyway.

I am also a fan of braid. I realize it is a matter of preference but I feel the sensitivity and casting distance isn’t even close. As DVM mentioned I feel like the cost is negligible when considering how often you will spool your reel. The only thing I really dislike about it is that it can be a pain to cut.

You can definitely feel the difference in weight of a $50 AR and $300 Laguna/Sarge. I am not sure if its $250 worth of difference though and I am not sure if it matters unless you are doing a marathon wade. Laguna had a pretty good deal running on their production rods that use the same blanks as the customs.