Re: Fishing Rod Debate
If a rod is doing all that you want, and you are happy with it, that all that matters. I think allot of it, is what you have become use to.
As stated above, the main difference is weight. In general, the more expensive materials allow for a thinner wall on the blanks. While some would think that the higher cost means higher durability, in fact, some of these materials are more prone to failure when abused. ie more fragile.
A number of years ago, most of my rod arsenal was Ugly Stick Lites. Very durable rods if they fit the type/style fishing you are doing. They worked great for bait fishing and crank baits, but really struggle with hook sets on weightless plastics, for example. Latter versions seem to have had problems with eyelets popping out of guides. Shakespeare will send you all the replacement guides you need. No problem changing a tip, but guides can be PIA. Today when I pick one of those rods up, it feels like a ton of bricks. Didn't back in the day when I used them, though.
Today, most of my rods are St Croixs with a few Shimanos. I have mostly Avids, but also a number of Premiers and a Mojo. ie middle/lower end of the St Croix line. Most if not all were purchased at discount. I have been happy with them. I have noticed on the Mojo, that the reel seat seems to loosen. It was new this season. My son, who also has a number of St Croixs, is "rougher" on his equipment and has managed to break a couple. The Legend Tournament and Avid were replaced with brand new rods from St Croix.
For myself, I don't see going back to discount wally world rods. I'll probably stay with what I have for considerable time to come. Higher cost production rods shave fractions of onces, and would probably try custom before going there. The danger is actually liking more expensive ones, and then upgrading the whole arsenal again.
