Rod Quiver Pic Thread

[72Twenty]

I'll start. At the moment, I only have three rods in my garage, but my dad owns like 12 rods and I usually have my pick of any of his to use when I am fishing with him. Here are mine:

Top: Scientific Anglers 9ft 6wt, 2 piece. It is a cheapy and rather stiff, but good for the lakes around here and fighting the wind. It would be my fly rod equivalent to 'rock skis', I guess.

Middle: Fenwick Eagle 8ft 6wt, 2 piece. My dad bought this one for me back in the early 80's as my first rod. It was made back when Fenwicks were made from Sage blanks. It is a nice rod and great for smaller streams. Super easy to cast.

Bottom: Marryat 9ft 5wt, 3 piece. My 'everyday rod; use it most of the time. Great for most applications around my area.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/72Twenty/Rods.jpg?t=1177032814

[SKISC]

I have around twenty. All bass rods. Will take pics tomorrow as I get them ready for a tournament. Most are Shimano Chronarch's or Chronarch mg's. They are matched with either an Esox or All Star rod. I have a few older Shimano rods. I like this thread.

[scarz111]

The kids behaving nicely. Top to Bottom:

1. 9 wt. Ugly Stick, Pflueger Supreme 1890 reel
2. 6 wt. Lamiglas, Pflueger Trion 1956 reel
3. Old School hand built 7 wt. Conolon Missilite, Pflueger Medalist reel. Older than me.
4. 8 wt. Sage Launch, Sage 1680 LA

And standing up we have "Big Momma". 130 lb rated Lamiglass, Penn 114 HL Special Senator. Whompin Stick.

[72Twenty]

The kids behaving nicely. Top to Bottom:

1. 9 wt. Ugly Stick, Pflueger Supreme 1890 reel
2. 6 wt. Lamiglas, Pflueger Trion 1956 reel
3. Old School hand built 7 wt. Conolon Missilite, Pflueger Medalist reel. Older than me.
4. 8 wt. Sage Launch, Sage 1680 LA

And standing up we have "Big Momma". 130 lb rated Lamiglass, Penn 114 HL Special Senator. Whompin Stick.

Nice... your photo is dated 4-20. :D

[scarz111]

Thats sweet. I did not notice that. I guess I live in the future. Maybe my apartment is a black hole.

[DamRepublican]

being a technical asshole who watches too much discovery channel, I believe a black hole will only allow travel into the past(theoretically), as it bends the space/time continuum around so that you can travel back to a time that is already past, however correct me if I am wrong

[scarz111]

I think my head just exploded. I have no concept of the space/time continuum. Maybe my camera is trying to tell me something.

[bio-smear]

Dude, 7220... this fishing thing is getting out of control. You've got like, what? 15 fishing threads in 1 week? And now, your rod quiver? :D What next, your reel bags?

I only have 1 flyrod.

[schwerty]

Dude, 7220... this fishing thing is getting out of control. You've got like, what? 15 fishing threads in 1 week? And now, your rod quiver? :D What next, your reel bags?

I only have 1 flyrod.

Keep it comin' 72 !! I'm starting to waste considerable amounts of time in here....your threads are better than most fishing forum sites.

-------

Have you been up to the mile lately?

[72Twenty]

Dude, 7220... this fishing thing is getting out of control. You've got like, what? 15 fishing threads in 1 week? And now, your rod quiver? :D What next, your reel bags?

I only have 1 flyrod.

You wanna see my reel bag? :p

[bio-smear]

You wanna see my reel bag? :p

Don't start a barbershop bubble gum war you can't finish. :D

[hop]

Hmm, no pics of the entire quiver at once, but it includes:

6' Shimano Trevala (Diawa Saltist 30T) squid and tuna killer
8'6" Guide's Choice salmon moocher (w/ Shimano Icantremember) dorado/salmon killer
8' Seeker Persuader (w/ Shimano TLD star 15-30 or Charter Special 100) Striper/halibut killer
6'6" Sabre S-glass spinning rod 6lb class (w/ Shimano somethingorother) striper/salmon/freshwater killer
7' Shimano Beastmaster BL1703 (w/ TLD star 15-30 or Charter Special 100) tuna/striper/shark killer
6'6" Diawa sealine 40lb class w/ Diawa 50H (Lingcod/halibut)
8' Kunnan downrigger rod (w/ Abu Garcia 6500c3 or Penn 940) older surf/striper/salmon killer
St. Croix 9' 5weight w/ system 1 (overhead branch killer)

[pechelman]

2 rods, maybe looking for a 3rd

Sage DS 9ft 8wt w/ lamson reel (light-med inshore duty or bass)
Sage VPS-Light 8'6 4wt w/ galvan large arbor (trout, small stream, really bought for EC fishing around the smoky mountains)

potentially debating between a 5 or a 6wt fast action 9ft'er.

[Pow4Brains]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/Pow4Brains/flyrodquiver.jpg

Redington Wayfarer 10’ 7 weight with Bauer LM4
St. Croix Ultra Legend 9’ 6 weight with Lamson Lightspeed
Redington Wayfarer 9’ 5 weight with Gloomis Venture 5
Redington FSF 7’-6” 3 weight with Austin Forbes
No shown – Orvis T3 9’-6” 9 weight will Battenkill reel (Got for *free* with TU lifetime membership. God, I wish I would have picked something else cuz it doesn’t see any use! Or maybe I need to go on more Steelhead trips…)
Soon to be added – A spey rod

[Andy_B]

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u195/adb1228/rods006.jpg

Redington CPS 9' 5wt Lamson Velocity
TFO Pro 7'6" 3wt Hardy Marksman.

[72Twenty]

Is it true that Sage owns Redington now? I thought I heard that somewhere.

[Pow4Brains]

Yup, and the reason (I think) the new rods don't have an "unconditional" replacement warranty:rolleyes: I believe, this is also the reason we are seeing the Albrights taking off.

[Lumpy]

I'll start. At the moment, I only have three rods in my garage, but my dad owns like 12 rods and I usually have my pick of any of his to use when I am fishing with him. Here are mine:

Top: Scientific Anglers 9ft 6wt, 2 piece. It is a cheapy and rather stiff, but good for the lakes around here and fighting the wind. It would be my fly rod equivalent to 'rock skis', I guess.

Middle: Fenwick Eagle 8ft 6wt, 2 piece. My dad bought this one for me back in the early 80's as my first rod. It was made back when Fenwicks were made from Sage blanks. It is a nice rod and great for smaller streams. Super easy to cast.

Bottom: Marryat 9ft 5wt, 3 piece. My 'everyday rod; use it most of the time. Great for most applications around my area.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/72Twenty/Rods.jpg?t=1177032814

I've got the same old Fenwick Eagle in a 5-6. That has been the most indestructable, bomber piece of equiptment I've ever owned for flyfishing. Its caught anything from black rockfish, to 35 lb kings. I used it on the Kenai one year for reds...I had a bruise on my sternum for weeks after a virtual 20-hour stretch of yarding Kenai sockeye with it. That little rod would just hum at the reel seat like it was going to blow at any moment. I still use it for dredging lakes with full sink. I like the slow action of it...its like the Pocket Rocket of rods (but holds up longer under duress).

[pechelman]

2 rods, maybe looking for a 3rd

Sage DS 9ft 8wt w/ lamson reel (light-med inshore duty or bass)
Sage VPS-Light 8'6 4wt w/ galvan ob-2 (trout, small stream, really bought for EC fishing around the smoky mountains)

potentially debating between a 5 or a 6wt fast action 9ft'er.

and just added to the quiver after some very sucessful egayslaying

St Croix Legend Ultra 9' 6wt 4pc w/ galvan ob-4

stoked!
now who wants to go fishing once this runoff chills out

[Pow4Brains]

I'm in.^^^^^^

[vanisle]

Trying to explain to some non skier co-workers how you can never have too many skis when one says "you mean like fishing rods"...nuf said;)

[MALONE]

Loomis GL3 w/ a okuma diablo red*

[Jer]

being a technical asshole who watches too much discovery channel, I believe a black hole will only allow travel into the past(theoretically), as it bends the space/time continuum around so that you can travel back to a time that is already past, however correct me if I am wrong

That's correct - if you survive spaghettification. And that's a big if.

"Spinning, winding, still descending
Like a spiral SEA UNENDING!
Sound and fury drown my heart
Every nerve is TORN APART!" - Rush, "Cygnus X1"

[Free Range Lobster]

The big gun fly quiver. (One more spot to fill... the 10-12 range which is the little brother of the TFO Bluewater in this shot)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i113/lazergunpewpew/fishing/rods1.jpg

Orvis Powermatrix10 9wt w/ STH 9/10 (have another STH 9/10 kicking around here somewhere)
Penn International 4G-AR
Abel 14wt
TFO Bluewater Medium Action (they say 13-15 but its more of a 12-15)

More stuff later. :D

[ak_powder_monkey]

I've got an ugly stick, a baitcaster thats been slammed in car doors, a 13 year old shakesphere ultra light, a fenwick 7.5 ft 6wt. (glass) a cabelas stowaway 5 pc. 8.5 ft 5 wt. and an elkhorn 8-9 wt. 9.5 ft.

[Pow4Brains]

Dood, as sad is it is, you can post pix.

[Kai]

My rods are mostly bamboo. (I've got some graphites, but they're pretty much loaners anymore.)

3 Weight Joe Arguello
5-6 Weight Nicolas Taransky
4-5 Weight Tom Nigro quad
6 Weight Wayne Maca
6 Weight Chris Bogart
5 Weight Dave Collyer

Details here:

http://www.larsonweb.com/bamboo/index.html

A couple of pictures:

http://www.larsonweb.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/collyer-mmm-red-1.jpg

http://www.larsonweb.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/osprey-ferrules.jpg

[bio-smear]

Kai wins.
He has no rods that aren't named after a person.

[72Twenty]

Yes, very nice collection! Honestly, I would be afraid to even touch them. My clumsy ass would probably break one. :D

I notice in your pictures that they seem to have two tips. Is this typical of 'boo rods? Is it in case one breaks? Or are they different in some way?

Just curious.

[L8APX]

Sage SLT 8'6" 4wt - small streams and tiny things hatching situations
Scott A2 905 9' 5wt - go to dry and nymphing rig
Scott SAS 906 9' 6 wt - meat and taters gun and some light bass action
TFO TiCr 9' 9 wt - Salmon, steelhead and striper.

Soon to add list
TFO 07 110 4 DC Switch 11' 7wt - steelies and streamer madness for browns
http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/graphics/DCswitch.jpg

And the wish list
Scott S4905 - 9' 5wt = pure trout catching sex machine

For those creatures living in deep dark holes, watch out.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w162/scombs01/IMG_1934.jpg

[yonskion]

My rods are mostly bamboo. (I've got some graphites, but they're pretty much loaners anymore.)

3 Weight Joe Arguello
5-6 Weight Nicolas Taransky
4-5 Weight Tom Nigro quad
6 Weight Wayne Maca
6 Weight Chris Bogart
5 Weight Dave Collyer

Details here:

http://www.larsonweb.com/bamboo/index.html

A couple of pictures:

http://www.larsonweb.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/collyer-mmm-red-1.jpg

http://www.larsonweb.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/osprey-ferrules.jpg
Serioulsy dude......nice
did you have those built or are they "hand me downs"?

[72Twenty]

Update on mine (I'll take pictures one of these days)

RODS:
Scientific Anglers 9ft 6wt, 2 piece
Fenwick Eagle 8ft 6wt, 2 piece
Marryat 9ft 5wt, 3 piece
Cabela's Traditional 9ft 7wt, 2 piece
Albright Meridian 9ft 6wt, 5 piece (on the way)

REELS:
Ross Flyrise 2 (6wt) - 2 spools (on the way, replacement of my Flywater 2)
Orvis Clearwater (5wt)
Orvis Battenkill (8wt)
Albright Popo Agie ELA (7wt)
Scientific Anglers (6wt) - cheap one that came with my SA rod
Ryobi (6wt) - I got this one about 25 years ago with my Fenwick rod

[Kai]

Serioulsy dude......nice
did you have those built or are they "hand me downs"?


I had them all built for me. Each one was commissioned with a particular stretch of water in mind. I was fishing my 3-weight today on Boulder Creek, the water it was made for.



Yes, very nice collection! Honestly, I would be afraid to even touch them. My clumsy ass would probably break one. :D

I notice in your pictures that they seem to have two tips. Is this typical of 'boo rods? Is it in case one breaks? Or are they different in some way?

Just curious.


Bamboo rods traditionally have two tips. Some have matched tips, in which case the extra tip is a spare in case one breaks. Some have different tips, typically with one tip tapered for dry flies and the other tapered for heavier nymphs.

You shouldn't be afraid to touch them. Bamboo is stronger and more resilient than graphite. I've broken a number of graphite rods, but never a bamboo rod. They are remarkably durable, provided that you don't close them in the car door etc.

[Obama Nate]

Kai, those rods are absolutely stunning works of art. I especially like the Dave Collyer rod--beautiful. I learned to fish using a bamboo rod, but I haven't picked one up since I was given a fiberglass rod many years ago--and like most, I am now using the graphite. But I have, from time to time, thought of trying the bamboo again. Your pictures and your website (which I enjoyed very much, thank you) have re-inspired me to give bamboo a try again; if only for the sake of nostalgia. Thanks for posting.

[schwerty]

Holy shit. Kai's post made me drool.

[5B]

Since there's some appreciation for bamboo here...

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff215/imcbradley/cane.jpg

I inherited these and am afraid to fish with them. I fish with cheaper Sages, 4-8 wt.
top to bottom: Leonard, Cortland, Hardy

[Kai]

Since there's some appreciation for bamboo here...


I inherited these and am afraid to fish with them. I fish with cheaper Sages, 4-8 wt.
top to bottom: Leonard, Cortland, Hardy


Don't be afraid to fish them. They are fly rods. They are made to be fished. They are not nearly as fragile as people seem to think.

Not fishing them is like having a ferrari in your garage that you never drive because you're afraid you might get a rock chip on the paint. It's just wrong.

Fish those rods. You won't be sorry.

[schwerty]

Don't be afraid to fish them. They are fly rods. They are made to be fished. They are not nearly as fragile as people seem to think.

Not fishing them is like having a ferrari in your garage that you never drive because you're afraid you might get a rock chip on the paint. It's just wrong.

Fish those rods. You won't be sorry.

Not that I entirely disagree but I broke a bamboo stick and have witnessed 2 other snaps. :eek:

They are expensive toys/art to bust. If I ever get another, I'm only taking it out wading where the banks are not easy to take a spill on.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Ok heres the list, maybe I'll get them together for a picture sometime:

4 wt. Tfo Professional 8.5 ft
4 wt. Cabelas Stowaway 7.5ft hand built
5 wt. TFO Professional 9 ft
5 wt. Rainshadow switch 10.5 foot hand built
6 wt fenwick fiberglass 7.5 foot, need to rebuild
6 wt fenwick fiberglass 7.5 ft - first fly rod
7 wt TFO TiCRx 9 foot with extension handle
8/9 wt elkhorn 9.5 foot
10 wt ugly stick
10 wt batson 15' handbuilt
a bunch of random bamboo

Coming soon: cheapo 6 wt (being built) 9ft. 3 wt, 9 ft 8 wt, TFO bluewater, 13 foot 8 wt

[Kai]

Not that I entirely disagree but I broke a bamboo stick and have witnessed 2 other snaps. :eek:

They are expensive toys/art to bust. If I ever get another, I'm only taking it out wading where the banks are not easy to take a spill on.


It's true you can break them. I guess my point is that (in my experience at least) they are at least as durable as graphite. I've broken 3 graphite rods while fishing them. On my last backpacking trip, my buddy broke his graphite rod while fishing it (a Sage, 2nd time it had been broken.)

I fish the hell out of my bamboo rods. From spring through the fall, I fish 2-3 times a week on the average. I try not to purposefully abuse them, but I fish a lot of rough country, bush-whacking, rock-hopping, etc. Because I'm clumsy and because I like to wade fast stuff, I've taken more than one tumble in the water. I've had some accidents with my bamboo rods where I thought I would have hurt them (and that I think would have broken a graphite.)

They aren't indestructible certainly. But a well made bamboo rod is tough. Some of them are extremely tough. Check out Wayne Maca's video of some hard core destructive testing and how hard you have to crank on these to break them. (His rods are particularly strong, however, because of their monocoque construction.)

http://www.beaverheadrods.com/images/beavrds_pix/break_web_version.mov

[schwerty]

Kai, you have excellent points. I hope I didn't discourage anyone from fishing bamboo. They are plenty durable, as are graphite rods. The difference is the price. I'm only a few bourbons away from calming down after I bust a graphite stick. A bamboo break, and I'm looking at a week long binge and being kicked out of the house.

They are beautiful tools and the best are truly art at it's finest. The only issue I have is that the one I owned and broke was worth close to twice what my truck is worth.


Oh, I almost forgot - if you ever head up to the Yellowstone region, I'll row you down any river you would like for a few casts on any of your sticks!

[ak_powder_monkey]

It's true you can break them. I guess my point is that (in my experience at least) they are at least as durable as graphite. I've broken 3 graphite rods while fishing them. On my last backpacking trip, my buddy broke his graphite rod while fishing it (a Sage, 2nd time it had been broken.)


See theres you're problem sages break like dry twigs

[likwid]

See theres you're problem sages break like dry twigs

Thats because you suck.

[ak_powder_monkey]

nope its because the modulus is too high, I've only ever seen two makes of rod break on a fish, five were sages and one was an orvis

[steved]

That's some handle on the rod in jpeg image Kai....:eek: Bet you get rises simply from the trout wanting to catch a glimpse...:D

Just have a cheap, homemade rod for the darn brookies up here in Maine...but usually opt for doing something other than flyfishing anyways..hiking/canoeing...(must be getting old;-)). Spent over several decades writing threatening letters to get browns into all of Maine's nice brooks and bogs, many spring-fed. They just limit their original stocking to the southern part of the state(where the very wealthy live...who never got into flyfishing in their youth, just economics and state government=larceny....go figure)
*Did pass through PA's Cumberland Valley for the first time back in July. Stopped in Carlisle and without a map...tried briefly to locate the Letort...with no success, but did see one small limestoner(forgot name).
Actually did make me want to at least think about picking up something #3 or #4wt rod...Sage or Scott....sometime;-)

SteveD

[likwid]

nope its because the modulus is too high, I've only ever seen two makes of rod break on a fish, five were sages and one was an orvis

higher modulus = stiffer rod.

The Loomis Crosscurrent GLX's (extremely fast and stiff rod) are higher modulus than any Sage made yet you don't hear about those exploding due to anything but operator error.

Stop high sticking them.
This isn't the bassmasters tour.

[72Twenty]

heh..... "stiff rod".


huh huh... huh huh huh....

http://www.beavis-butthead.ru/pictures2/fishing1.jpg

[G. Gordon Liddy]

Kai, your rods blow my mind. Um… your fly rods, that is…
My dad has his dad’s best bamboo waiting for me in his garage. All he has to do is find it! I cannot wait to take it to Silver Creek and fish the same water he fished 40 years ago. My grandmother said I was his reincarnation since he died two months before I was born. I was living the life he always dreamed of. I never met the guy, but sometimes I wonder if he is smiling when I ditch work and hit the river. He was an insurance nerd just like me, but was stuck in Portland with too many kids to get out and enjoy life. Booze and cigs ended his life too early to get and live his dream of moving to Idaho and fish his retirement away.

Enough with the rambling story:

14’ St. Croix 9 wt. Spey Rod
Waterworks – ULA Force Spey/Salt
Hardy – Older model 9-10 line. A real beauty that you can hear from a mile away when it has a hot steelhead on the other end.
9’ Scott 10 wt.
Same reels I use for my spey rod.
9’ Sage XP 8 wt
Ross - Gunnison
9’ foot Scott S3 6 wt
Lamson – Radius
9’ Scott 5 wt
8’ 6” Winston 4 wt. – My go-to rod on a daily basis. I love this thing.
Ross - Cimarron
7ft. Feniwick fiberglass 5 wt. Way too much fun for the evening cadis hatches. Other than that it just sits there.

I think that’s it…

Mark

[Happy Fun Ball]

Ok, I'll play. I think I have a pic somewhere, but not with me.

Sage XP 10' 7wt.
Loomis GL3 9'9" 8wt (Hand tied by my dad)
Loomis GL3 9' 7wt (Hand tied by my dad)
Sage FLi 9' 9wt
Raven Steelheader Float Rod, 11.5"
Rainshadow (model unknown) 9' 5wt (Hand tied by my dad)

I fish mostly the same three reels:
Ross Canyon BG 4
Raven Matrix III Centerpin
Orvis Mid-Arbor IV

Oh, and add to that 19 other rod/reel setups on my boat for trolling gear. Downrigger, leadcore, dipsy diver, copper, etc.....

I have a few other fly rods that were handed down to me by my uncle that I have no clue of what make they are. They're all fiberglass. I've fished them a few times, but they don't lend to my casting style.

[72Twenty]

I took teh peekshurs...

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/72Twenty/IMG_1994.jpg?t=1224298588

RODS:
Fenwick Eagle 8ft 6wt, 2 piece
Marryat Evolution 9ft 5wt, 3 piece
Cabela's Traditional 9ft 7wt, 2 piece
Scientific Anglers 9ft 6wt, 2 piece
Albright Meridian 9ft 6wt, 5 piece


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g257/72Twenty/IMG_1995.jpg?t=1224298687

REELS (not necessarily in the order of the picture):
Not Pictured --> Ross Flyrise 2 (6wt) - 2 spools (on the way, replacement of my Flywater 2)
Orvis Clearwater (5wt)
Orvis Battenkill (8wt)
Albright Popo Agie ELA (7wt)
Scientific Anglers (6wt) - cheap one that came with my SA rod
Ryobi (6wt) - I got this one about 25 years ago with my Fenwick rod
St.Croix (5/6wt) - no line on this one, all plastic, found it on the shore of a lake last summer.

The one that's on the way, not pictured:
http://www.rossworldwideoutdoors.com/images/products/reels/flyrise/flyrise.jpg

[k2josh]

Some of my bass rods.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb277/pvpope03/l_cc04584d7a261aab6366454c7d78b77f.jpg

[72Twenty]

^^^ wow, that's some bad ass bass weaponry right there.

[Obama Nate]

Okay, I'm a total bass fishing JONG. So, what are the differences, relative advantages/disadvantages, etc. between the two different styles of reels shown above. Don't mean to derail the topic, but I'm genuinely interested.

[k2josh]

For once I'm not the jong! Well there are spinning (top of pic) reels, and baitcasters. Generally I use the spinning set up for lighter tackle such as finesse worms and small jerkbaits. I also use only 6-8lb test and medium action rods. 99% of the time you will find me with the baitcasters in my hand. They are used for heavier tackle like topwater, jigs, crankbaits, spinner baits, etc...I can cast them further, and I am more accurate with the baitcaster set up. I hope that helps a bit. By the way, I am very new to fly fishing...and pretty much a jong when it comes to that.

[k2josh]

^^^ wow, that's some bad ass bass weaponry right there.

Thanks man, but that entire set up is a fraction of the cost and possibly quality that the serious bass guys have. Being the broke ass that I am I looke for deals like no other. Usually Academy Sports gets my business according to what's on sale any given week.

[mnflyfish]

Here's mine:

St. Croix Legend Elite 9' 5wt
St. Croix Imperial 8'6" 5wt
St. Croix Avid 7' 3wt
St. Croix Imperial 9' 8wt
Cabelas Cheapy 9' 6wt
Hardy 8'ish Bamboo 6wt

That pretty much covers most of the fishing I do in the midwest and MT. As for reels, it would take some time to pull them all together. The two that see the most action are an Orvis Battenkill 5wt and a Ross Colorado 3wt. I have a STH something or other for Steelhead, a STH something ot other for Salt Water, and a bunch of other stuff that never sees the light of day.

Jay

[Hugh Conway]

Picture eventually.

9'6wt Legend Ultra w/Battenkill
9'8wt Imperial w/Battenkill
14'9wt Albright w/GP Reel <- New as of today :D

[Andy_B]

HC What are you thoughts on that 2hander. Thats what I am looking at...

[Hugh Conway]

HC What are you thoughts on that 2hander. Thats what I am looking at...

i'm a complete spey jong, but for $136 for the rod and reel shipped not sure how I can go wrong. The rod looks much better than a $90 rod, the reel looks like what you'd expect for the price. I matched it with an Airflo Delta multi-tip line, casting practice starts tommorrow.