>>1538704All the rods of my adult life are folders. Fit inside my backpack entirely, or stick out one of my motorbike's panniers. Started again with a $10 carp rod, tenkara flies, and went from there.
$30 for Shakespeare spinning combo, last February. Changed the reel on my second trip. Limited out on stock trout four times, skunked two, lesser catch twice. Also handled a few bass. Loaded well one handed, never showed damage from intended use.
Tip eyelet came unglued as soon as the mercury hit 70. Gorilla glued it back, but snapped at the first joint while I was retrieving a lure. It was my fault, putting it down butt first and accidentally pushed it against the branch.
$30 for "trout boy" Korean POS replacement. Used it twice, and it snapped when my jig caught on kelp. I just kept reeling, and it came free without breaking the 15# test. It's visually identical to the "soujilang" one everybody recommends, and I'd stay away.
The nicest rod I've ever touched is the Kastking Blackhawk. Lightest of the three, sensitive enough to feel my jigs BRUSH against a fish, casts the entire half spool I've it loaded with. Consistently.
It's a full $50, and doesn't come with a reel. I'd hesitate to say it has paid for itself yet, but give it some time.
