Rod cost?

[Kevin Bogan]

Tom, you are right. After about a year they realize that they got hosed, and you see a lot of guys selling their Chinese rods on classifieds and ebay.
Your price point on your rods is an excellent value for a product that not only looks great, but will no doubt last for years.

[Ryelof]

After years of spending lots of money on rods, I now have a Bogan rod for fluke/seabass, a Garone rod for Blackfish and a Jersey Jigger for about every thing else. Tony at Jersey Coast is going to build my next rod (tilefish).

So Tommy tell Tony, Bob Foley is due in.

[tropics]

The $64.00 question
For the amount of work you guys( Kevin,Tom,Mike) do in creating rods that will last a life time, they are not much more then what it cost to build one yourself. But they stand behind their work, Thanks for being sponsors and sharing your knowledge

[Ol Pedro]

I agree that a lot of factory rods that are made Offshore are crap . Due to price fixing a lot of people are paying twice what the rods (and some reels) are worth. Big names , bells , and whistles sell product . I feel that a rod fitted to your needs from a good shop that you can go in and bend a few blanks and have plenty of options is better than most factory rods . I would rather have a rod that lasts for years than follow a fad. When the time comes for a rewrap or repair I like the fact that I can go back to the shop and they will take care of it . Kevin has taken care of my rods even though it was my fault and not a defect .

[rvr2c]

I have a Bogan Rod 4-5 yrs old that has an Avet LX mounted on it for trolling tuna, You can't beat a custom rod, looking forward for another at the Somerset show.

[june181901]

I have 2 rods built by a "K.B." that some of us know about. Couldn't ask for any thing better. Worth every cent I paid and I really don't know him so I am not endorsing a friend.
I also have an outstanding rod from a guy on Long Island who makes them under the name of Capt. N.F. Unbelievably sensitive and I get about every fluke who sniffs at my baits or jigs.

IF you can afford the higher price AND you fish more than the occasional weekend you owe it to yourself to try a custom made rod as I have found there is a profound difference.

Feel free to PM me if you need help deciphering the identities of either craftsman.

[frugalfisherman]

Now let's get down to the nitti gritti. If the custom rod snaps when you are for example trying to break loose from being stuck on the bottom what is the warranty?

[Kevin Bogan]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

Now let's get down to the nitti gritti. If the custom rod snaps when you are for example trying to break loose from being stuck on the bottom what is the warranty?

Frugal, great question. Most rods that I build for inshore fisheries average about $150-200. They usually have very basic wraps to help keep the cost down, but nothing is sacrificed with the quality of the components. in fact the rod should last about 20 years or more.
Here is a fact, fishing rods do break at times, for whatever reason. My warranty on all rods, at any price is this. If the rod snaps in half, I will replace it for one third the cost. You can buy a killer Fluke, Striper or Blackfish rod, A FISH POISON for $149, with your name and a fish decal of your choice. If it breaks, I'll replace it for $50 cant beat that
Curious what the warranty is on rods that cost $250-400? If the salesperson might suggest that "it was your fault", well then, you don't have a good warranty.
another fact, breakage is RARE with a Fish Poison rod.