I have been a notorius Waterloo fishing rods guy for some time - half of it is because im a believer in the product the other half is the great job marketing they do for a fishign rod company.

Long story short, while casting (not on a fish), my HP Slam Mag snapped in half. I will be reporting this to Waterloo to see if theyll replace or do a $100 swap or something to that effect as it was not user error.

If not... ill be in the market for a new rod.

Does anyone have experience with both? Thoughts?

This will be my bigger baits rod - strike pro hunchbacks, medium top waters, corkys etc.

Waterloo owners are the biggest of A&M fans.

thanks for the heads up - i have 7 of their rods between my wife and I.

That said the one that broke was the most "high end" of them, the others are mostly phantoms and salinity series.

mike

I've seen a few Waterloo's snap in my day although it has not happened to me (w/ my Salinity's). I don't think anything feels better to me than a G. Loomis though!

I've been using the McCain Coastal Elite Series for 2 years now. Love them. Aggie owned company and a lifetime exchange policy if you need it...I've put mine through the paces and haven't have any breakage to date.

I have used Waterloo for years. Last year I switched to Sarge. The fit and finish of the Sarge exceeds the Waterloo. I am a Sarge fan now.

I own both. I know the owners of both companies on a first name basis. Both make a high quality product. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I know my last 2 rods were one of each, and no complaints so far. I've been fishing Sarge rods since he opened it up, and was fishing Waterloos since the current owner moved it to Victoria.

My problem is, I am not sure which one to suggest over the other. I love mine equally!!!

lazuras_dc said:

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I've seen a few Waterloo's snap in my day although it has not happened to me (w/ my Salinity's). I don't think anything feels better to me than a G. Loomis though!

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Back when Ryan was still the owner, all of his blanks were made by G. Loomis. Is that not the case anymore?

Regarding Laguna, I guess I haven't been exposed to it. For the kind of money I'm spending I direct it to familiarity I guess.

+1 for Laguna

Waterloo replaced my HP Lite and I only had to pay shipping. They even let me change the color pattern instead of rebuilding the same rod or giving me one off the shelf. I think you'll be good

Laguna did the same for me on a Custom Texas Wader II

Both rods were bought used from a friend and both were built originally when the companies were under different ownership so pretty incredible how they stood behind the name

+1 for Sarge

I have found that Sarge's craftsmanship and rod selection are just slightly higher than Waterloo. That being said, Waterloo did come out with their new carbon mag rods this year which were ridiculously light in the hand at the Houston fishing show.

I'd recommend an ugly stik. It can withstand terminal Shumard casting forces that are lethal to even the finest custom rods.

Count me in for Waterloo! I haven't tried Sarge Rods yet but heard really good things and man are they good looking. I have tried fishing other rods on the Lower Laguna for years now and I just feel Waterloo is the best bang for the buck. Even the Salinity is an awesome rod!!!!

I have been fishing before and when we ran into a mess of bull reds I broke my Falcon Expert, CastAway Invicta both broke only to leave me with my Waterloo HP Lite to real in two bull reds. I've never thrown anything else since then.... (ok that's a lie. Maybe a GLoomis)

The higher end rods are more susceptible to incidental damage, in my opinion. I normally keep all my Waterloos and Sarges in a rod tube when not in use.

The only one I have ever had break, was a Waterloo, which was my fault. The week before we went to the coast, I was throwing a buzz bait with it for some bass. On the way home, instead of fighting the mosquitoes long enough to disassemble it and put it back in the tube, I left if in the back of the truck. I think that buzz bait, spinning in the wind, really weakened the rod. I took it in, and told him the story, and he made me another one. I think I paid for a replacement blank, but do not recall.

The moral of the story is this. If I spend more than $200 on a rod, I should be taking good care of said purchase, and it will last a long time.

I have a Waterloo, which I have been fishing with for over 10 years, that doesn't have an issue. I have landed some huge reds on it over the years.

I can tell you do not buy Hook Spit rods. I had two break about 18 inches from tip. Contacted Hook Spit they told me I would have to send them back and pay for all shipping but since they were over a year old no warranty and if they determined it was defective blank I would still have to pay $50 plus shipping for a new rod. What a hassle, don't buy Hook Spit. This rod was purchased from Anglers Anamious in Katy who said this is common with Hook Spit.

Berkley Lightning rods and Ugly Sticks... I'm too rough on rods to buy upper end stuff. Same with sunglasses. Just use a pair of polarized clip ons. Easy to replace for not too much money. And the fish dont care.

So, I just traded a NEW Revo Beastx 40 for a Sarge Hassle. How did I do?

I love the Hassle for an all around rod. I think it is great!

Sage doesn't have an r in it.

I've had two Waterloo's break in the last year. Both out of warranty so Waterloo wants shipping plus $100 each rod to fix and then I'll have to pay return shipping. Talk about standing behind your product. I used one of the rods and it snapped just from working a damn topwater. Waterloo are just disguised trash.