While I'm not a fan of the vegetable sticks, I wouldn't let a review about a broken rod sway me. Rods usually don't usually fail due to defects in the blank, but rather typically fail due to being loaded beyond what they are specified, or more likely due to mishandling damage; and tournament fishermen (as that review was from) are generally the worst.
Line control issues like that mentioned above are sometimes 'fixable' by simply moving the stripping guide a bit further up the rod (it may be too close). There's a fairly simple process for determining where the stripping guide should be placed, but it will vary depending on the reel height and face - so manufacturers often target a nominal value and those at the extremes sometimes suffer. Or you may want to replace all the guides with a set of microwave guides, which will be commonplace on spinning rods in the near future due to their superior capability at tameing the line. A set goes for $30-$50 depending on the material choice.
Line control issues like that mentioned above are sometimes 'fixable' by simply moving the stripping guide a bit further up the rod (it may be too close). There's a fairly simple process for determining where the stripping guide should be placed, but it will vary depending on the reel height and face - so manufacturers often target a nominal value and those at the extremes sometimes suffer. Or you may want to replace all the guides with a set of microwave guides, which will be commonplace on spinning rods in the near future due to their superior capability at tameing the line. A set goes for $30-$50 depending on the material choice.
What's the point of buying a rod if you gotta change the guides?
Just an option for the guy who said he already bought the rod and it keeps getting tangled up. I also just like to buy cheap and upgrade - they sometimes turn out better than the high-ends and still cost much less. But that's me.
Cost is always a concern. You forgot the link or to say what rod
Sorry.. St Croix Big Jig rod... The ultimate slop rod
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix_Legend_Tournament_Bass_Casting_Rods/descpage-NCLTC.html
