The new Rapala Rods

[ec1]

Has anyone here tried or used them? They actually look pretty decent, and for their price tag, if they're good, they are truly a steal.

http://www.rapala.ca/products/rapala/rods.php

for 50 bucks for the TS2 and 90 bucks for an R-type, they have the aesthetics of a really expensive rod, and its getting me thinking, are these even worth a try? Or am i better of getting a shimano / another brand's rods.

And does anyone here have knowledge about what Fuji concept / Fuji Guides are? Some rods seem to say that, but I have no clue what it actually does or means.

 

[Bigfisherman]

BPS will have the R-type for $84.99 & the TS 2 for $49.99 starting this friday, as for Fuji guides they seem to be the standard guides that rod companies use for entry - mid level rods and apperantly have a good rep. I have a rod with fuji guides but haven't used it enough to have an opinion on the guides.

I might pick up a rapala rod(TS 2) myself, but have my eye on a bow mount electric motor which will zap my fishing budget for the year....

 

[ec1]

cool, I was trying to decide between a Shimano Compre and the TS2. It actually saves me a lot more money, but i'm not too sure about it. Especially because the TS2 doesnt have the Fuji concept.
Have to admit, I went to go take a look at it yesterday at BPS, i couldn't tell the difference between the weight of a 6'6 compre and a 6'10 TS2.

The biggest problem I have with the TS2 is that they dont have it in ML weights, which is my most preferred rod action.

The TS2 wins in aesthetics, and the Compre wins for sure in quality / usability.
I'm thinking that if the TS2 is close in quality / use then I would consider purchasing it.

 

[efka]

looks pretty cool, however i wont be buying one cause i have too many indestructible ugly stiks, they just wont brake!!!

 

[diggyj]

Personally I would go for the Shimano Compre Rod. I am a Shimano guy myself and only use their products. It is more, but they benefits are well worth it. You have Fuji guides and IM-8 graphite. Also you get a lifetime warranty where the Rapala rod only offers a one year warranty, and I believe it is made of HM-45 Graphite.

Everyone will break a rod at some point in time, it's inevitable.

Rapala 6'10 is a medium spinning rod with a fast tip. It is a soft plastic specifis rod, up to 1/2 oz. Shimano offers many different models, however not in a 6'10 model. I think you would be better off with a 7 ft rod. Option of having a one piece, where as the Rapala is a 2 piece rod unless you are talking about the Musky rod.

Advantages to IM-8, detect more subtle takes, set more hooks, and land more fish. The Compre also has Fuji reel seats which will enable you to feel the blank and every vibration delivered down it's length, and reducing fatigue. The Fuji Guides lighten the weight at the end of the rod and allows more accurate casts with more distance.

One piece rods are more sensitive and lighter and have a better "feel" when fighting/handling a fish. If transport is your only concern then go for 2 piece.

Dirk....

 

[balapickerel]

personally i know too litle about fishing rods to have an opinion

that and i don't really need any new rod, every fishing rod i have ever bought is still in great condition, so i have about 10 fishing rods to choose from whenever i go fishing and unless i find a really awesome rod for cheap, i don't need to get any new ones

 

[ec1]

main thing im looking for in a rod at the moment would be casting distance. This is mainly going to be my panfish rod. The only reason why im not buying UL products is because I'm not a huge fan of flimsy rods. I just want SOME backbone, but it's not a big priority.

and 2 piece is almost a must for me because I just dont have space to carry a 6ft rod all at once.

I think I will end up getting the Compre. Thanks for the opinions guys.
Biggest problem I have with it, is that I KNOW the compre will last a long time, but I'll just want a new rod again next year :wink:

 

[PainInTheBass]

My buddy just bought the R-Type rod, and I must say that I was tempted to purchase one myself. (I bought a Okuma C3 instead :wink The rod is incredibly light and well balanced. He purchased it at LeBaron for $81 so it was a great deal for a rod with that feel. I may still grab one at some point because of the feel.

It is hard to judge a rod without picking it up and feeling the balance. If the rod is well balanced, then you can cast more easily, the rod feels noticeably more sensitive, and you fatigue less quickly. Place a finger under the rod and find where the rod balances. It should be close to the front of the reel seat (or wherever you tend to hold the rod). In the end, weigh everything out and choose what feels best for you.

 

[balapickerel]

thanks for the info, that is defintetly important with fly fishing rods as you cast twenty times more often than you do with casting/spinning gear, and thats why it's really important for of you fly fisher like me to cast with your arms not your wrists, but you probably allready know that

 

[UglyFish]

they R type rods are great rods. very light and sensitive. i know a couple guys sponsored by rapala and one of them is selling all his other gear, quantum, st croix, and using only rapala now. theyve caught everything from bass, walleye, pike, muskie,. panfish, big channel cats and even sturgeon on the r type rods. just cause a rod is a little less money, dont mean its not worth it. look at the st croix mojo rods, 100 bucks and u get a great rod. shimano is highly over rated. everytime u ask info, u get at least one person say, buy shimano, blah. i use quantum gear, never failed me, used shimano, broke a rod and had the gears go in a reel, also know of other ppl with many issues, its all a personal preference on gear, use what u like and buy the best u can afford. but, the r type rods are a great rod and worth it to try out.

 

[ec1]

I have held both the R-type and the TS2 in hand. In fact they are light, no need to lie, they even post their weights on the rapala site.

R-type would seriously be what I would get in an INSTANT if they had it in 2 piece w/ ML action. It would probably make me feel like im holding the Daiwa Steez Rods Lol.

The only reason I'm going to get the shimano compre is because of these points:
- although there is a ML offered in the TS2, I haven't found it at BPS or any other store
- ML is offered in a 6'4 -----> I would get it RIGHT AWAY if it was 7' or even 6'6
- 1 piece only for the R-type --> It's a must because i carry everything in a small car
- No fuji concept offered in the TS2 --> My main concern at the moment is casting distance (even though I'm not 100% sure that fuji concept really has a great effect)

I want to get everything right the first time. If I buy a new rod every year, I would have way too much. Not badmouthing anything about these rods. I honestly think they're beautifully designed, and has an even more beautiful price.

And St. Croix/Loomis would have had my business if they made more of their rods in 2 pieces. The sad thing is that most of the nicer equipment all are 1 piece and is truly very hard to carry around.

 

[diggyj]

Gagnon's in Oshawa and AV in Scarborough have a huge selection of Shimano rods. Try them all out before you pick the exact one you want.

 

[ec1]

How is the pricing at Gagnon's and AV? Is it cheaper / more expensive that BPS / Lebaron?

 

[Esox lucius]

i got two of the r types, one for my bait caster and one for my spinning. i cant wait to use them this spring

 

[diggyj]

I never priced them out at BP because I'm tired of driving all the way out there from Ajax, to have nobody on the floor answer my questions. BP has a great selection of everything, but when it comes to customer service they suck. Always lots of guys working, but knowone on the floor readily available to answer questions. I am sick of that place and have realized that if you frequent a smaller tackle shop, you get to know the owner/operator and they give you great tips and advice.

Plus they carry baits that BP doesn't. That right there is worht it.

I'd say they are probably the same price maybe at most $10 cheaper at BP. I recently bought 2 Shimano Crucial rods and paid $160 and $170 respectively. I really didn't care how much they were at BP.

Dirk..

 

[PainInTheBass]

Comparing LeBaron's pricing to BPS I find that LeBaron's will be cheaper at regular price than BPS on everything save Shimano. For whatever reason, Shimano is cheaper (about 10%) than at LeBaron. Like Diggy said though, smaller tackle shops will carry things BPS does not. But the same is true in reverse. At BPS you pay for the convenience of a one stop shop (if you can get help). I try to go when they arent busy so that I can corner guys myself. Otherwise, I do tons of homework beforehand so that I know what I want (or have narrowed it down at least) before going there. Last time out, I had amazing service, I must say. I asked a rep if they had anymore of an item and he said he would look. He disappeared and I thought he had bolted, never to be seen again. So, I went to check out. As I was in line, the rep found me, carrying the item I had requested. So, you can definitely get some good ones too.

 

[ec1]

dirk and teninchman you guys are probably right. Well, hopefully this coming friday I'll go stock up at BPS since I already know what I want to get this week. And since the reel trade in is coming, will definitely get myself a new Reel! As for reels guys, I found out that Shimano IS taking Part, they only are not part of the reel trade in in the USA.

Good for us : :wink:

I'll probably check out later on in the year to get baits from local stores, but being in Markham, there are NO bait / tackle stores except lebaron, which is almost like BPS if you are talking about service. Lebaron kind of got too big to be a local tackle store anymore.

And esox, make sure you let us know how these rods are when you try them