I'm looking for a new rod and am considering the carrot stix, I'm not real crazy about the foam handles.
Anyone here using them? I'm wondering if this is the kind of foam that will turn your hands black?
its not foam like they use on cheapo rods, its a material called thermalon. you will like it. i thought i would hate it but its actually very comfy and you get better grip. plus it will hold up a lot longer than cork.
go with the carrot stix. they are great rods!
I haven't been impressed with them enough to buy any. My old partner has 4 I believe and he really likes them. As for me, I'll stick to my St. Croix Legends and Shimano Crucial arsenal.
i agree...i think the shimano crucials are the way to go...soon i will b getting another one to add to my arsenal
I would love to have a set of carrot stix. Sweetest looking rod I have ever seen. Bass Pro Shops carries them if you have not held one yet. Personally this winter I plan on getting a few of the Falcon BuCKOO rods. They just came out. unnamed (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=11129.0) carries them, and they are only 99.00-109.00$. Made in America. Fuji hardware. Same style as the carrot stix, but they are all black. You may want to check those out as well. I also heard that the St Croix Mojo rods are nice.
I can vouch for the St. Croix MOJO rods, they are nice rods. Very light weight. I use the 7' Medium heavy and even with the soft tip, I can still flip with them, a lot of backbone. They are best though with spinnerbaits and lipless cranks.
I looked at the St. Croix MoJo, but it is way heavier than my Kistlers, I have to stick with my Kistler Mag TX series. Sweetest rods I have ever laid my hands on.
just imagine how light those carrot stix would be if they didn't have all that orange paint and finish on them..... ;D
Quote from: thedude on June 28, 2009, 09:45:30 PM
just imagine how light those carrot stix would be if they didn't have all that orange paint and finish on them..... ;D
LOL!! :D
hey, also check out AIRRUS RODS they just came out with some new models.....i have a ultra xl and its light, strong, and sensitive
I decided last year that I'd save my money, and buy some "really good rods".
After much research, I ended up purchasing two St. Croix Avids. One bait casting, and one spinning. I love em both.
They are each very light weight, can accurately cast a mile, and they are also very sensitive. They are backed by the St. Croix warranty.
I always wondered if expensive rods were worth the money. I gotta say that at about $170 apiece, these Avids really are.
They aren't that much more money than the Crucials, or the Carrot sticks, but I felt that they were a much better rod. I even liked them better than the $150 G Loomis.
Next Year I hope to pick up a couple more.
I havent used the Falcon Bucoo rods yet but if you want a great quality rod would go with Falcon kinda hard to find up here in the North but its deffinetlly worth it when you get them I have all Cara series casting rods and Lowrider spinning rods and world never even think about changing to anything else as soon as I get my hands on the New Falcons I will post it for sure.
Later Guys
http://www.boydduckett.com/
Must read. Boyd leaves Carrots!
I've parted company with a major sponsor: E-21
July 14th, 2009 — Bassmaster Tour
I made an announcement late yesterday that I've parted ways with E-21, a sponsor for the past three seasons. I understand this is unusual. It's possible I'll be able to say more about this in the future. But as for now, here is what was released. And it's about all I'm in position to say right now.
———————————–
DEMOPOLIS, Alabama – Boyd Duckett, the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion and one of the top professional anglers on the ESPN B.A.S.S. Elite Series tour, announced today that he is parting company with E-21, one of his primary sponsors for the past three years.
Duckett said he has severed ties with E-21 because of "strong disagreements over construction of the Carrot Stix series rods" and "because of the financial instability" of the Toronto, Canada-based company. Duckett said he believes his reputation as an angler and businessman would have been damaged had he maintained his relationship with the company.
The Demopolis, Alabama-based Duckett and rod-designer Ken Whiting created the concept that became Carrot Stix rods. In 2007, E-21 began manufacturing and distributing the popular, orange rods.
Duckett learned recently that the Carrot Stix rods being sold in stores are not built as Duckett and Whiting had originally discussed. The rods are different from the prototypes that won iCast in 2007. The rods are also different than the Carrot Stix rods Duckett uses while fishing on tour.
"I've learned this from my own experience with the new rods E-21 gave me. I have also learned this from other people. During the past few months I have voiced my rod concerns as well as concerns about E-21's financial status, and E-21 has not satisfied those concerns. It bothers me a lot to part ways with a sponsor I'm attempting to work with as a partner. But one of the primary reasons I've taken this action is that, up to now, these rods had my name on them. My reputation is at stake," Duckett said.
"The bottom line is that we have strong differences of opinion over the whole Carrot Stix concept. For example, I'm concerned about the general quality of the rods being made and how warranties are being honored. And I've learned that there are too many warranty claims being made for me to continue putting my endorsement on the Carrot Stix. I don't want any part of the direction E-21 is now going."
Duckett also said, "In business sometimes you have to overlook profits to maintain the integrity of both the product and your reputation. And that's the position I feel I'm in. So I felt like even though it's going to be a financial loss, parting ways is the right thing to do."
Duckett, who had previously "tournament fished" for more than 20 years, burst on the national stage in 2007 when he won the Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Legends, a "major" tournament. That year, Duckett set a single-season B.A.S.S. earnings record. Duckett also owns a successful product-transport business: Southern Tank Leasing, an Alabama-based enterprise with terminals in 14 Southern and Midwestern states.
"My goal as a business-owner and an angler is to make sure my partnerships and alliances are with companies that offer business and moral integrity. If integrity is jeopardized, you have to take action. That's why I've chosen to sever my partnership with E-21, and I've demanded that any association to my name or likeness be removed from Carrot Stix," Duckett said.
"On a more personal level, I go to tournaments, fishing seminars and shows all over the country. People often look to pro anglers to give them advice about our sport and the products we use. I want to be comfortable that I'm offering the right advice."
Bottom line is, save your money on this one. I always had my reservations on this thing since I first set eyes on it. The whole carrot fiber thing is a joke if you ask me. I hate orange as a color anyways. Like many other companies, once they get their foot in the door they build em cheap or overseas to make more money and then when they come back in droves on warranty they stop honoring warranties. Boyd made the right decision.
;D
Ill third (or fourth ??) thet Shimano Crucial.
Since the carrotstick is defined by it being sensitive - it has to compete directly with the drop shotting 6'8 med Shimano with the UF tip ... and it cant. Add the BPS / Shimano 'no questions' over the counter lifetime warranty - why would you go any other way ?
From a couple people I know who have recently tried it, BPS no longer does the over the counter warranty on Shimanos. To the best of knowledge Cabelas is the only one that does this still.
That is because alot of these warranties are at the discretion of the retailer and not directly from the manufacturer. Read your warranties closely. They are filled with legal mumbo jumbo.
In other words they are conditional warranties.
Bass pro Auburn Hills no longer does over the counter. Snapped a crucial and they wouldn't take it. Sent it to shimano, took about 2 weeks but it was replaced. When I bought my crucials from them, they were really pushing the over the counter thing. It was the single reason I bought them instead of Avids. BTW I have had my Drop shot series rod snap on me twice, good rod but too much backbone for the tip.
-Matt
Just dropped one off right before Burt Mullet. Gave me over the counter no questions ??? Has something recently - like 1 - 2 weeks ago - changed ?
Wags,
You got proof... or are we all going to go through this again.
that's why I own Carrot Sticks. "Bottom Line"
Just my humble opinion....
Josh
Proof of what Josh.
All I said was read the warranty. ::)
If it is at the discretion of the retailer it will say so.
Then you will have your proof.
Quote from: bassassasin88 on June 27, 2009, 02:24:44 PM
I would love to have a set of carrot stix. Sweetest looking rod I have ever seen. Bass Pro Shops carries them if you have not held one yet. Personally this winter I plan on getting a few of the Falcon BuCKOO rods. They just came out. [REMOVED - see No Links Policy List (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=11129.0)] carries them, and they are only 99.00-109.00$. Made in America. Fuji hardware. Same style as the carrot stix, but they are all black. You may want to check those out as well. I also heard that the St Croix Mojo rods are nice.
Thank you for pointing out a rod still made in America. I just found out the "All American" Johnny Morris sent his rods to China for production. What a joke.
I was told by the baitshop owner that i goto that st.croix shipped there production overseas..........another one bites the dust. I still love st.croix!
St Croix only shipped production of some product overseas.
I can tell you that manufacturers don't just simply ship production overseas to increase profits, as many would like to believe. Doing business overseas isn't always the easiest and there are lots of variables that can cause major headaches such as longer lead times and containers getting held up in the ports for inspection, among other things. Most of the time, companies end up moving production overseas so they can continue to produce products at a price that we the consumers want to pay or can afford, while remaining competitive in the marketplace with other products of similar features/quality/price. Material costs continue to increase along with labor costs, and often the only solution to maintain competitive prices is to move production to places where labor costs are less. Even the Japanese companies are doing this. In fact a lot of your extreme high end Japanese rods and baits are manufactured in Korea. If you look at some of your Shimano reels, they've started manufacturing certain reel models in Malaysia whereas the same model 3-4 years ago was made in Japan. Are they any worse quality? No. In fact, if I hadn't mention that, many would probably never have realized it. I know I didn't.
Made in USA
>
> Legend Xtreme
> Legend Elite
> Legend Tournament
> Legend Ultra
> Legend Inshore
> Legend Surf
> Avid
> Avid Inshore
> Premier
> Premier Surf
> Wild River
> Tidemaster
>
>
> Imported
>
> Triumph
> Triumph Surf
> Triumph saltwater
> Mojo Bass
> Rio Santo fly (right now they're still built in Wisconsin)
> Mojo Surf (right now they're still built in Wisconsin)
> Imperial fly (right now they're still built in Wisconsin)
>
> Ice rods
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Dan
>
> Dan Levra
> Customer Service, Order Center
> St. Croix Rods
> 856 N 4th Ave
> PO Box 279
> Park Falls, WI 54552
> 1-800-826-7042 ext 114
I just got this email today 2-9-10. I believe the imported rods are made in Mexico.
Its just what I was told..................apparently I'm half right!!
Quote from: MadWags on July 15, 2009, 06:50:40 AM
Bottom line is, save your money on this one. I always had my reservations on this thing since I first set eyes on it. The whole carrot fiber thing is a joke if you ask me. I hate orange as a color anyways. Like many other companies, once they get their foot in the door they build em cheap or overseas to make more money and then when they come back in droves on warranty they stop honoring warranties. Boyd made the right decision.
Right decision ? ya to start his own Co. and went to China and his rods will be made there, well I guess thats the American way anymore, cheap labor=junk product Bassmaster Elite Series angler Boyd Duckett, the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion, announced recently that he has established an Alabama-based company that will produce innovative, high-end fishing rods that introduce microguide technology.
The new company, Duckett Fishing LLC, will manufacture rods that were created and tested by industry-leading designers and professional anglers. The team includes renowned rod designer Ken Whiting and former E-21 (Carrot Stix) executive Sean Schuyler.
According to a press release, the ultra-lightweight rods – called MicroMagic – offer unmatched sensitivity and, because of the rods' microguides, will allow anglers to significantly increase their casting distance and accuracy.
Duckett will use MicroMagic rods competitively beginning in February at the 2010 Bassmaster Classic. He added that other pro anglers will soon join Duckett Fishing's pro staff.
"I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this venture," he said. "What we're doing at Duckett Fishing is making rods that take existing technology to a whole new level. What we've done with microguides is extremely special and ahead of the curve.
"We developed these rods by getting a lot of input from custom rod builders who know what they're doing. Then we combined that with the best kind of research and development – on the water testing by pro anglers."
He said the rods will be available online through the company website, www.duckettfishing.com, and will be in retail stores next year.
Earlier this year, Duckett severed ties with E-21 primarily because of what he described in a July 2009 news release as concerns "about the general quality of the rods being made and how warranties are being honored." He claimed that the rods weren't being produced as they were initially designed.
The split with E-21 prompted the decision to create his own company.
"This is the right thing to do. We have assembled a terrific team and we're hitting the ground running. We'll have some exciting announcements over the next few months, but what is so significant is we finally have full control of quality and production and can offer the public innovation that's not purely profit-driven."
The new Duckett rods are white. Pretty cool.
I just can't bring myself to buy anything from China (or any other foreign country) given our current economic state. I have been checking out Grandt rods and they seem like the cats meow. I was paying close to $200 for Johnny Morris Sig Series at BPS (Made in China). Grandt rods have an unconditional warranty and is made in the USA. The price is about the same as well! This can not be beat.
Quote from: Big dreams on February 11, 2010, 10:10:07 AM
I just can't bring myself to buy anything from China (or any other foreign country) given our current economic state. I have been checking out Grandt rods and they seem like the cats meow. I was paying close to $200 for Johnny Morris Sig Series at BPS (Made in China). Grandt rods have an unconditional warranty and is made in the USA. The price is about the same as well! This can not be beat.
I wish everyone had your attitude, worry about US and NOT buy these foreign products and maybe those CO's would move back to the US. we need a huge boycott
Quote from: champion_206 on February 12, 2010, 08:57:30 AM
Quote from: Big dreams on February 11, 2010, 10:10:07 AM
I just can't bring myself to buy anything from China (or any other foreign country) given our current economic state. I have been checking out Grandt rods and they seem like the cats meow. I was paying close to $200 for Johnny Morris Sig Series at BPS (Made in China). Grandt rods have an unconditional warranty and is made in the USA. The price is about the same as well! This can not be beat.
I wish everyone had your attitude, worry about US and NOT buy these foreign products and maybe those CO's would move back to the US. we need a huge boycott
Never gonna happen. Simple as that. Many Americans can't afford some American products and are more or less forced to buy the cheaper foreign products. Try this... check the door jamb sticker on your vehicles and tell us what % content is American? Where was the vehicle assembled? To say "buy American" simply isn't possible any more where most products are concerned. Boycotting would put more Americans out of work than you realize (many of your largest retailers for example).
Shimano still has over the counter warranty. But as stated... it's up to the retailer (as a former retailer for Shimano I always honored over the counter if I had the product in stock). I talked to the area Shimano rep not all that long ago and he confirmed this for me. I recently brought a snapped rod to the Outdoorsman in Jenison and they honored the warranty on the spot. Had to order the rod only because he didn't have it in stock.
Buy custom, that's almost always guaranteed to be made in America, unless you travel overseas a lot!!! If that's the case, you can afford to buy whatever you want :o
1jav
Quote from: Waterfoul on February 12, 2010, 09:14:06 AM
Quote from: champion_206 on February 12, 2010, 08:57:30 AM
Quote from: Big dreams on February 11, 2010, 10:10:07 AM
I just can't bring myself to buy anything from China (or any other foreign country) given our current economic state. I have been checking out Grandt rods and they seem like the cats meow. I was paying close to $200 for Johnny Morris Sig Series at BPS (Made in China). Grandt rods have an unconditional warranty and is made in the USA. The price is about the same as well! This can not be beat.
I wish everyone had your attitude, worry about US and NOT buy these foreign products and maybe those CO's would move back to the US. we need a huge boycott
Never gonna happen. Simple as that. Many Americans can't afford some American products and are more or less forced to buy the cheaper foreign products. Try this... check the door jamb sticker on your vehicles and tell us what % content is American? Where was the vehicle assembled? To say "buy American" simply isn't possible any more where most products are concerned. Boycotting would put more Americans out of work than you realize (many of your largest retailers for example).
Shimano still has over the counter warranty. But as stated... it's up to the retailer (as a former retailer for Shimano I always honored over the counter if I had the product in stock). I talked to the area Shimano rep not all that long ago and he confirmed this for me. I recently brought a snapped rod to the Outdoorsman in Jenison and they honored the warranty on the spot. Had to order the rod only because he didn't have it in stock.
I was employed with GM for 32 yrs, seen many door stickers and where parts are made, its just to bad this country has gone to sh** and theres no fair trade, no tariffs on cars, but thats how business operates, build cheap, sell high, sad because you know we have the technology and workers who could do these jobs that are and were shipped overseas.
I think I will take my rods and paint them orange and put a flexible clearcoat on them. Then everyone will think I have 14 carrot stix. ;D :D ::)
Actually buying American is easy, North American, South American and Central American! ;D Buying US made is the hard one to pull off.
I can understand the concept of American Built. Companies such as Toyota are based in foreign countries but the vehicles seem to be built here. The same goes for selling fishing supplies. Bass Pro and Cabelas sell the stuff made overseas which in turn provides jobs for Americans. realize it has to be this way to make the world turn however, like some of you have stated, we need some sort of tariff or trade agreement that helps US out a bit more. I still can't believe Johnny Morris sold out. Now I just found out that Lowrance is in Mexico! Grrrr I wish I could take it back and get a Hummingbird!