Are We Ready For A $1,300 FW Bass Rod?

[Leprechaun]

Why the heck not?

Daiwa has just released their new "Steez Real Control" line of FW bass-intended rods - carrying the heaviest cost that I've ever seen in a factory stick.

Daiwa Steez Real Control rods preview #daiwasteezrealcontrol #daiwarealcontrolrods

The anglers source for tackle news and reviews. 100% independent review site.

www.tackletour.com

It does feature some true cutting edge tech, including carbon fiber-framed guides that are held to the rod with woven carbon cloth instead of wrapping thread, and a blank that sounds like its about as high-end as I've ever heard of.

Of course we all know there's a seat for every ass, but jeez, that's A LOT of jing for catching fish that average about 2lbs. I understand that this kind of pricing is not uncommon in the Japanese market, where the true believers will pay $100 for a 150 yd spool of top-of-the-line braided line. It's just not something that's seen on this side of the Pacific. I thought that Shimano's NRX series of bass rods were really expensive at $550, but this is a new high. Or low, depends on how its viewed.

So who here will be the first one to step up and buy one of these? It won't be me, that's fo' sho'.

 

[longcast]

Why the heck not?

Daiwa has just released their new "Steez Real Control" line of FW bass-intended rods - carrying the heaviest cost that I've ever hear of in a factory stick.

Daiwa Steez Real Control rods preview #daiwasteezrealcontrol #daiwarealcontrolrods

The anglers source for tackle news and reviews. 100% independent review site.

www.tackletour.com

It does feature some true cutting edge tech, including carbon fiber-framed guides that are held to the rod with woven carbon cloth instead of wrapping thread, and a blank that sounds like its about as high-end as I've ever heard of.

Of course we all know there's a seat for every ass, but jeez, that's A LOT of jing for catching fish that average about 2lbs. I understand that this kind of pricing is not uncommon in the Japanese market, where the true believers will pay $100 for a 150 yd spool of top-of-the-line braided line. It's just not something that's seen on this side of the Pacific. I thought that Shimano's NRX series of bass rods were really expensive at $550, but this is a new high. Or low, depends on how its viewed.

So who here will be the first one to step up and buy one of these? It won't be me, that's fo' sho'.

Even when I was in that game, I spent a lot less on rods for bass. And I had a bunch. Mostly Powell casting rods. I stayed on the island and was fishing two to three times a week. Any many of those times were in the dark.

 

[Roccus7]

Yeah, I'm running out to be the first on the block to drop 12 hundred bucks to catch the most overrated thing to have scales and gills...

 

[OVERBORED]

Why the heck not?

Daiwa has just released their new "Steez Real Control" line of FW bass-intended rods - carrying the heaviest cost that I've ever seen in a factory stick.

Daiwa Steez Real Control rods preview #daiwasteezrealcontrol #daiwarealcontrolrods

The anglers source for tackle news and reviews. 100% independent review site.

www.tackletour.com

It does feature some true cutting edge tech, including carbon fiber-framed guides that are held to the rod with woven carbon cloth instead of wrapping thread, and a blank that sounds like its about as high-end as I've ever heard of.

Of course we all know there's a seat for every ass, but jeez, that's A LOT of jing for catching fish that average about 2lbs. I understand that this kind of pricing is not uncommon in the Japanese market, where the true believers will pay $100 for a 150 yd spool of top-of-the-line braided line. It's just not something that's seen on this side of the Pacific. I thought that Shimano's NRX series of bass rods were really expensive at $550, but this is a new high. Or low, depends on how its viewed.

So who here will be the first one to step up and buy one of these? It won't be me, that's fo' sho'.

I'll never forget the time a very well known (shall remain nameless) fisherman came winter codfishing back when composites were becoming popular. Long story short -He was talking about this rod the whole trip out. First decent hookset.....snap......fancy rod headed for the dumpster.
Needless to say, he was heavily abused the rest of the day!

Not sure if this rod will fall into that category but it sounds like you don't want to be too rough with it.

 

[george]

High-end bass fishing rods, like the G. Loomis NRX+ series, are now tipping the scales at over $1,300. For saltwater anglers, this might come as a bit of a shock—we’ve always thought our gear was the gold standard when it comes to value. But when you dig into the numbers, it’s clear the bass guys are spending just as much, if not more, than we are.

Take a look at the average bass boat these days. It’s not uncommon to see over $20,000 worth of electronics onboard, and for the serious tournament crowd, that number jumps to $50,000 or more just in gear. And that’s before you even factor in the booming market for high-end rods and reels, which is quickly becoming the standard for competitive bass anglers.

So, next time you think saltwater anglers are leading the charge on expensive setups, think again. The freshwater crowd is shelling out big bucks, proving that passion for the sport—whether it’s on the flats or in the lakes—comes with a hefty price tag.

 

[Leprechaun]

Well, you've seen my electronics suite. I doubt I could get $100 in total for it on the open market, LOL!

A 29-yr old Raytheon radar, 14-yr old 1st-gen Lowrance HDS sonar, 25-yr old Garmin 182C plotter and a Humminbird back-up color fishfinder of undetermined vintage that I have never actually tried offshore - I keep forgetting to boot it as I'm too busy finding fish for you and the other guys that sail with me. I do know it marks bottom well in the Bay, so there's that, at least.

If it wasn't for the modern Garmin 743 plotter, I don't think I have anything aboard that anyone would ever look twice at. But it all works, and works well, so that is my litmus test for keeping it all vs upgrading. And given the declining state of our coastal bottom fishing, I don't think I'll be upgrading anything any time soon, barring an instrument failure.

 

[Roccus7]

So, next time you think saltwater anglers are leading the charge on expensive setups, think again. The freshwater crowd is shelling out big bucks, proving that passion for the sport—whether it’s on the flats or in the lakes—comes with a hefty price tag.

The question always arises of how much money is spent on needed, serviceable equipment vs "Look What I Got"?? There is not a chance in hell that a $1300 rod is 10x better than a $130 rod for even an advanced fisherman. Guess it must compensate for other SHORTcomings that the person might have...