I've got rods at circa £50-£60 per rod and they catch me fish. I've never spent more than this per rod. I can cast decent distances for what I need. And then a pal of mine has three free spirit rods that cost him £1,260. What's your views on this price difference versus the lower prices rods? Is it worth it and what extra benefits come from spending an extra grand?
In reply to Post #1
There's some decent rods in the £50-60 price range these days but they will generally be mass produced in China on ‘average' blanks with a higher resin content. The build quality will not be as good, and the components will be of a lesser quality. I'd be surprised if they're still going after 10 years heavy use.
Your mate's free spirit rods will be made in the Uk on better quality blanks with better components, and better build quality. Like for like they will perform better for Longer, including casting performance.
I guess it's like buying a Kia or a Mercedes. They both do the same thing but the Merc will do it better, for longer, if well serviced, and is more enjoyable to drive.
There's some decent rods in the £50-60 price range these days but they will generally be mass produced in China on ‘average' blanks with a higher resin content. The build quality will not be as good, and the components will be of a lesser quality. I'd be surprised if they're still going after 10 years heavy use.
Your mate's free spirit rods will be made in the Uk on better quality blanks with better components, and better build quality. Like for like they will perform better for Longer, including casting performance.
I guess it's like buying a Kia or a Mercedes. They both do the same thing but the Merc will do it better, for longer, if well serviced, and is more enjoyable to drive.
In reply to Post #2
i dont think it is like a kia and a merc, some of the budget rods now a days are simply great, it might be like a kia vs a merc in price, but not performance , price is in no way scale reflected on what they deliver on the performance or longterm use, now a days, ive seen old rods go on and on, and cast far, etc, they might have better parts used,that will last alongtime, but the time they will last on top rods doesnt reflect the price to value, as a top end rod, doesnt do anything budget rods wont, and budget rods all have good fittings now that will serve 10-15 years no problem
i dont think it is like a kia and a merc, some of the budget rods now a days are simply great, it might be like a kia vs a merc in price, but not performance , price is in no way scale reflected on what they deliver on the performance or longterm use, now a days, ive seen old rods go on and on, and cast far, etc, they might have better parts used,that will last alongtime, but the time they will last on top rods doesnt reflect the price to value, as a top end rod, doesnt do anything budget rods wont, and budget rods all have good fittings now that will serve 10-15 years no problem
In reply to Post #3
Really??.....
Really??.....
In reply to Post #4
Yes. There will be a big difference between a Merc and a Kia but the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest rods won't be as big.
Anyone who insists on having the best rods to gain minor improvements will have to pay a disproportional amount to get them.
Yes. There will be a big difference between a Merc and a Kia but the difference between the most expensive and the cheapest rods won't be as big.
Anyone who insists on having the best rods to gain minor improvements will have to pay a disproportional amount to get them.
In reply to Post #5
It's the law of diminishing returns like stereo systems back in the day for vinyl records there comes a point where spending more money is pointless unless you have perfect hearing which most people don't. You won't get the benefit of the extra money unless you have the best technique and ability. Nice to have good gear if money is no object though. I'm not a formula one driver, but I'd like an Aston martin.
It's the law of diminishing returns like stereo systems back in the day for vinyl records there comes a point where spending more money is pointless unless you have perfect hearing which most people don't. You won't get the benefit of the extra money unless you have the best technique and ability. Nice to have good gear if money is no object though. I'm not a formula one driver, but I'd like an Aston martin.
In reply to Post #6
My mates is a cycling enthusiast, he'll pay a fortune for special parts because they are a few grams lighter but he reckons it all adds up. Up to him, it makes him happy
My mates is a cycling enthusiast, he'll pay a fortune for special parts because they are a few grams lighter but he reckons it all adds up. Up to him, it makes him happy
In reply to Post #7
have a same friend... he drives 4k mtb and I drive 300 decathlon one.. so far we walked 3 times home because his broke down
but is is light as feather
have a same friend... he drives 4k mtb and I drive 300 decathlon one.. so far we walked 3 times home because his broke down
but is is light as feather
In reply to Post #2
Free spirit rods are 'built' in the UK, the blanks are from the far east. Still, great blanks.
If you ask a mechanic nowadays, if using the car manufacturer as an analogy, All the lower end Merc actually run on Renault produced and supplied running gear and electrics......lots of cars now use parts from many other manufactures. Does this make them lesser in quality?
There are some very capable low to middle range rods, there made in the far east, they do the job well and will do for a considerable time. You pays your money .......
Some people like all the Gucci gear, some prefer to buy wiser.
Free spirit rods are 'built' in the UK, the blanks are from the far east. Still, great blanks.
If you ask a mechanic nowadays, if using the car manufacturer as an analogy, All the lower end Merc actually run on Renault produced and supplied running gear and electrics......lots of cars now use parts from many other manufactures. Does this make them lesser in quality?
There are some very capable low to middle range rods, there made in the far east, they do the job well and will do for a considerable time. You pays your money .......
Some people like all the Gucci gear, some prefer to buy wiser.
ive used my shimano velocitys for years, and for a ''budget rod'' i think they're one of the best bang for buck rods you can buy.
All these lot picking the car analogy to pieces 
The bottom line is it's the person using the gear that catches the fish. If that person is a good angler they'll catch more than many others, whether they have 10 quid rods or 1,000 quid rods will be irrelevant 99% of the time.
When I was a teenager and I 1st started fishing my local circuit waters I started noticing these strange "bank Tramp" types, with mismatched rods and reels, one of them even had the eyes taped on his rods rather than whipped on. Banged up old motors and clothes with holes in them....
They caught the majority of the fish though and only spent their money on things like bait and tickets and petrol. That's something that's stayed with me all my life. It is lovely to have top of the range gear but it'll make little practical difference most of the time.
The bottom line is it's the person using the gear that catches the fish. If that person is a good angler they'll catch more than many others, whether they have 10 quid rods or 1,000 quid rods will be irrelevant 99% of the time.
When I was a teenager and I 1st started fishing my local circuit waters I started noticing these strange "bank Tramp" types, with mismatched rods and reels, one of them even had the eyes taped on his rods rather than whipped on. Banged up old motors and clothes with holes in them....
They caught the majority of the fish though and only spent their money on things like bait and tickets and petrol. That's something that's stayed with me all my life. It is lovely to have top of the range gear but it'll make little practical difference most of the time.
In reply to Post #6
When I was into hi fi 20 years ago I knew a few folks who shared the same interest.
One bloke replaced his 1000 quid amplifier with a new one costing 3000 quid.
He invited all his mates round and they played some music and did a blind test.
The verdict was, the sound quality was equal and some tracks sounded slightly different with the new amp but not necessarily better.
When I was into hi fi 20 years ago I knew a few folks who shared the same interest.
One bloke replaced his 1000 quid amplifier with a new one costing 3000 quid.
He invited all his mates round and they played some music and did a blind test.
The verdict was, the sound quality was equal and some tracks sounded slightly different with the new amp but not necessarily better.
In reply to Post #12
What HiFI staff have been doing mental gymnastics to justify never doing blind tests for that very reason.
What HiFI staff have been doing mental gymnastics to justify never doing blind tests for that very reason.
I can chip in with a couple of examples here:
Carp - Couple of years back I bought a pair of Wychwood D201 rods for £100 (for the pair, new) and put Daiwa Black Widow 25A reels on them that cost me about £120 for the pair. I've caught loads of fish on this set up, can't fault it, does the same job for the purpose that any other rod and reel would.
I also have a set of 3 Harrison Torrix TE's with Daiwa Castizm 25QDA reels, much more money invested in these. I'd be lying if I said you couldn't see and feel the difference in quality, but then I'd hope so due to the cost difference!
The expensive set up feels lighter, smoother and just more refined in general. Hard to put a finger on it but you can tell.
Barbel - did my first full season on Korum barbel rods at £55 each and Shimano 6000DL RB reels at about £60 each. Caught loads of barbel to over 13lb and thoroughly enjoyed using them.
This season I've been using Free Spirit Hi-S barbel rods (£330 each) and Shimano 6000D reels (£140 each). Like the carp stuff, it hasn't increased my catch rate but you can tell the difference in quality without a doubt.
The biggest issue of course, is that you have to look after the more expensive gear a lot more carefully!
Carp - Couple of years back I bought a pair of Wychwood D201 rods for £100 (for the pair, new) and put Daiwa Black Widow 25A reels on them that cost me about £120 for the pair. I've caught loads of fish on this set up, can't fault it, does the same job for the purpose that any other rod and reel would.
I also have a set of 3 Harrison Torrix TE's with Daiwa Castizm 25QDA reels, much more money invested in these. I'd be lying if I said you couldn't see and feel the difference in quality, but then I'd hope so due to the cost difference!
The expensive set up feels lighter, smoother and just more refined in general. Hard to put a finger on it but you can tell.
Barbel - did my first full season on Korum barbel rods at £55 each and Shimano 6000DL RB reels at about £60 each. Caught loads of barbel to over 13lb and thoroughly enjoyed using them.
This season I've been using Free Spirit Hi-S barbel rods (£330 each) and Shimano 6000D reels (£140 each). Like the carp stuff, it hasn't increased my catch rate but you can tell the difference in quality without a doubt.
The biggest issue of course, is that you have to look after the more expensive gear a lot more carefully!
In reply to Post #1
Bit of a how long's a piece of string really mate. Think I've got around 38 rods in the tackle shed. Some budget, some over £600 per rod that are under 8ft, plenty second hand. All bought to do specific things. That's the main point for me. What do I want this rod to do for me that what I've got can't. Pay what you want for your gear. It's a hobby not a profession and as someone said earlier, price of the gear you use says nothing about the angler you are.
Bit of a how long's a piece of string really mate. Think I've got around 38 rods in the tackle shed. Some budget, some over £600 per rod that are under 8ft, plenty second hand. All bought to do specific things. That's the main point for me. What do I want this rod to do for me that what I've got can't. Pay what you want for your gear. It's a hobby not a profession and as someone said earlier, price of the gear you use says nothing about the angler you are.