A bunch of low end or a few high end

[btune]

As you see there are many opinions on this. It is an individual choice between function and price. I am old enough to remember that what we can buy now is much better than what was around years ago. I build my own so I use blank costs as the yardstick for my rods. I have blanks from $15 to $180 and more, they all work and do the job to some degree at least, the best blank for my use is not allways the most expensive. With so many choices it is difficult to say what is the best route and impossible to name a "best" rod because what I think is best is probably not what you think. With thousands of blanks to pick from no one will ever use more than a small percent. The fun is in the trying!

[Jason Penn]

You are correct. The Zillion Rods are XFast and are just as as good or close to the Steez. But the question is, do you really need a $500 rod for reaction? I think $150-$200 rods would do perfectly for reaction rods vs the XFast feel/sensativity rods. Me, I have Cumara Fast action rods for everything else besides cranks, while my zillion rods with the Xfast tips are for worms and jigs and where sensativity counts. I had a chance to get brandnew Steez Rods for $250 and declined it to get the Zillion rods (for less than $200 ofcourse). Just my opinion.

I'm talking about plastics & jig rods, not spinnerbaits & cranks. The 7' MH SVF & 7'1" H Comp-X are a slower action rod than the Zillions. If you dig x-fast rods (just not my thing)the Zillions are pretty slammin!

[Pen3]

Brand new Compile-X or any ML steez for $250 and i would be all over it If you're talking about the 6'2-6'3 steez rods i saw at Ganders then no thanks.

[njbasscat]

If your a dragger go with high end rods. If your a winder go with medium priced rods. I do both and currently have 7 high end rods for jigs, worms, etc and 10 medium priced rods for moving baits.

[bigfish85]

Remember the law of diminishing marginal returns. Going from a $40 Ugly Stick to a $250 IMX is an enormous step. Going from that same $250 Loomis to a $450 NRX isn't nearly the same. To me, the gains aren't as significant.

They'll all catch fish in the end.

[Smalleyez]

Ultimately, it really comes down to what you can afford and what makes you happy.

This says it all.

[Pen3]

Remember the law of diminishing marginal returns. Going from a $40 Ugly Stick to a $250 IMX is an enormous step. Going from that same $250 Loomis to a $450 NRX isn't nearly the same. To me, the gains aren't as significant.

They'll all catch fish in the end.

My brother went from a Skeeter ZX225 to a Ranger Z520 and people with $10k Deep V boats give him crap all the time They all say in the end they all help you catch fish.

Its a perfect running '07 ZX225 with 225 HPDI and hes going to give it to me for $8k

[spicytuna]

Remember the law of diminishing marginal returns. Going from a $40 Ugly Stick to a $250 IMX is an enormous step. Going from that same $250 Loomis to a $450 NRX isn't nearly the same. To me, the gains aren't as significant.

I remember when I finally convinced a buddy of mine to switch from an Ugly Sh*t to a Loomis MBR 783C IMX. The first time he tied a jig on that rod, he would set the hook every 10 seconds... thumping rocks!

[Buck2thPerch]

Remember the law of diminishing marginal returns. Going from a $40 Ugly Stick to a $250 IMX is an enormous step. Going from that same $250 Loomis to a $450 NRX isn't nearly the same. To me, the gains aren't as significant.

They'll all catch fish in the end.

Exactly my point.

And yes, Penn...I had at least 4-5 models of the Steez rod in both spinning and casting to choose from. Instead I opted for the Zillions. Just didn't find it worth the money.

[Tokugawa]

I prefer a few high end, versatile rods over a bunch of low end rods. First, it makes your decisions on what to take a lot easier. Two, you'll always enjoy fishing with them. Three, you'll actually use them more. If you buy a $100 rod and it sits because you have two other $120 rods you like better, then you've wasted $ on the rod that just sits.

Just my take...

[Buck2thPerch]

I prefer a few high end, versatile rods over a bunch of low end rods. First, it makes your decisions on what to take a lot easier. Two, you'll always enjoy fishing with them. Three, you'll actually use them more. If you buy a $100 rod and it sits because you have two other $120 rods you like better, then you've wasted $ on the rod that just sits.

Just my take...

I agreed Tok. But not many can aford to get $500 rods. Plus the performance gains and differential is soo minimal between $240-$500 rods that I find it not worth it to spend almost double for minimal gains. And my rods get used but well cared for. I went from 15 rods in the $90-$180 range with 2-3 Loomis rods. Sold everything and bought new rods. So now I am down to just 8 new rods all are Cumaras and Zillions with one or two Crucials in the mix(Crucial flippin rod is the only one I kept its not tip heavy, excellent balance and my favorite for flippin). I spend more on my Reels. Planning to get two Type-R's if I can sell a couple of Curado 200E7's and or might sell one new Cumura just to get the Type-r's. Like you said, rather have 5-7 rods that are used constantly vs 15 rods and only use 1/3 of them. Money well spent IMO.

[Birdi23nls]

I vote for a few high end rods. I just seem to enjoy holding an awesome, light, well balanced, and senstive rod in my hands. are they worth $400 to $600...probably not, but you only live once

[Smalleyez]

Put me in the few high end rods camp, too. I want to smile a little each time I one pick up. I'm at an age where I deserve it!

[inbow]

I have always bought low end equipment. I decided a year ago to start slowly upgrading to higher end stuff and have not regretted it. I have decided on Dobyns rods (Savvy and Champion). It is just a much more enjoyable day on the water because of the lighter weight rods. I have to save longer to buy them, but it is worth it.

[Pen3]

Planning to get two Type-R's if I can sell a couple of Curado 200E7's and or might sell one new Cumura just to get the Type-r's.

Sounds like you are contradicting yourself. A brand new Smoke 100 cost $190 and a Brand new Type R is $600. Is the Type R 3x better than the Smoke? I don't think so. Don't say you can get a used Type R for cheap because you can get a used Smoke for cheap also. You want the Type R cause its rare and more fun to fish and same can be said with people buying high end rods too